Category: Uncategorized

Los Padres Roadless Areas and the Condor Trail

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Looking back along the Condor Trail a few hours before reaching its northern terminus in March 2025. photo, AJerlow

Public Comment Period Opens for Rescinding Inventoried Roadless Area Protections

A view down Agua Caliente Canyon, part of the Los Padres Inventoried Roadless Areas. photo, AJerlow

A 21-day public comment period has opened for the USDA Secretary’s plan to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. This rule was passed to establish prohibitions on road construction, road reconstruction, and timber harvesting in inventoried roadless areas on National Forest System lands. There are over 635,000 acres of Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs) in the Los Padres National Forest, including familiar areas such as Grade Valley, Pine Mountain, Agua Caliente Canyon and Mono-Alamar Canyon. IRAs help protect critical wildlife and habitat, as well as provide recreational opportunities for hikers, bikers, OHV users and equestrians. The last day to comment is September 19, 2025. Submit your public comment today (include your name and zipcode!).

Submit a Comment

Lots of dodging (or rather, embracing) storms on the Condor Trail in early spring. But between-storm views are hard to beat! photo AJerlow

LPFA Talks Condor Trail

We’ll be hosting an event discussing the Condor Trail in downtown Santa Barbara on Thursday, September 25th! The Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the 420-mile Condor Trail was set this past spring by none other than our very own Program Manager, Addison Jerlow. Addison will be sharing photos and stories from his journey, including info on gear and logistics for planning a successful thru-hike of the Condor Trail. We’ll also hear a presentation by Brian Sarvis, repeat Condor Trail thru-hiker and author of the Condor Trail Guide, on the sections and history of the Condor Trail.

This event will also be fundraising to support trail maintenance on the Condor Trail! Tickets and donations raised will go directly toward work on the Piedra Blanca and Reyes Peak Trails in the Ventura County section of the Condor Trail. So if you can’t make the event, but want to support work on the trail, consider donating to the cause! Check out the link below to get more info, grab your tickets, or donate today….

Details & Tickets!

One of the most coveted Santa Barbara Backcountry views….. photo ECarroll

  • Representative Salud Carbajal reintroduced the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act in August. If approved, the act would add 250,000 acres of wilderness to the Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument, as well as designate the Condor Trail as a National Scenic Trail.
  • Tunnel Trail will be closed from the Tunnel Road Trailhead until Jesusita Trail for an SCE Stream Restoration Project starting September 8th. Upper sections of the Tunnel Trail may still be reached via East Camino Cielo, Jesusita or Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. For more information and a map of the closure visit sce.com/MissionCanyon.
  • There is one more closure of Highway 33 scheduled for September 19 – 22 as CalTrans works to repair a bridge near Wheeler Gorge.
  • The Wheeler Gorge Campground will remain closed until January 2026 as the Forest Service constructs effective stream crossings for the roads in the campground to reconnect 13 miles of habitat for endangered Southern California Steelhead. Check out some alternative car-camping options nearby during the closure!

The annual LPFA Used Gear Sale is right around the corner and we’ll be collecting donations for the sale in a few weeks! If you have any lightly-loved gear you no longer need, consider donating it to LPFA….

Gifford Fire: Updates & Closure Information

Posted on by Bryan Conant

Night #1 of the Gifford Fire – as seen during a LPFA Volunteer Trail Project on the Mission Pine Trail, photo David F.

Hello Friends, 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or out on vacation, then no doubt you’ve been following the progression of the Gifford Fire. The Gifford Fire started on the afternoon of August 1 near the Gifford Trail along Hwy 166. It quickly spread into the Los Padres in both a southerly direction into Santa Barbara County as well as north into San Luis Obispo County. Now 10+ days later, Gifford is the largest California wildfire this year having chewed up nearly 125,000 acres and currently stands at 33% containment. 

During the initial days of the fire, Gifford made a strong push into Santa Barbara County, burning east along the Sierra Madre, over Miranda Pine, down into Pine Canyon and ultimately into the San Rafael Wilderness. Fortunately, favorable conditions and previous fire scars (La Brea 2009, Spanish 1999) helped check the fire. At the moment, it seems that the southern flank of Gifford within Santa Barbara County has been stopped. Knock knock.

Meanwhile, most of Gifford’s progression has been directed north into San Luis Obispo County, where it continues to burn. There have been a few previous wildfires within the SLO Backcountry (Madre 2025, Logan 1997, Hwy 58 1996, Las Pilitas 1985) which have helped slow down the fire but unfortunately Gifford is burning many areas of the Los Padres which have no recorded burn history. NOTE: We’re sadly running low on portions of the forest which have not burned.

While fire crews have accomplished a solid containment perimeter around much of the fire, most of the current fire activity is on a north-west trajectory through the Garcia Wilderness. The weather forecast is looking good for fighting the fire and crews have been working day & night to finish containment lines around the fire, especially off Hi Mountain Road. There are active firing operations designed to box the fire into the Garcia and hopefully prevent any further progress into the Santa Lucia Wilderness. We are very fortunate to have nearly 5,000 personnel helping to assist with the fire fight. THANK YOU EVERYONE INVOLVED! Lets wish them all safety, good luck and favorable weather! 

GIFFORD CLOSURE

In response to the Gifford Fire, the LPNF has issued an emergency closure order which covers the entirety of the Santa Lucia Ranger District and a section of the Mt Pinos west of Santa Barbara Cyn along the Sierra Madres. This includes a closure of Figueroa Mountain, NIRA Trailhead, the Manzana/Sisquoc and obviously all of the SLO Backcountry:

For more closure information click here.

IMPACTED TRAILS / CAMPS

We’ve received quite a few emails asking about the status of camps and trails burned by Gifford. Here’s a quick and incomplete list. 

Trails: Avenales, Stony Creek, Caldwell/Trout Creek, Sellers Potrero, Kerry Cyn, Indian, Willow Spring, Adobe, Rock Front OHV…. 

Campgrounds: Miranda Pine, Brookshire and others…… 

For more information and maps covering the Gifford Fire, check both CalFire as well as InciWeb. Note that evacuation orders and warnings are changing daily, if not hourly.

  • The first of three extended weekend closures of Highway 33 by CalTrans for bridge repairs begin this Friday, August 15th. The closure dates are: Aug 15-18, Aug 22-25, Sept 19-22. During these dates, there will be no public access along Hwy 33 between Ojai and Wheeler Gorge. The Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center will be closed on these weekends, but campgrounds and trails further up the 33 are open to access from the north. 
  • The Wheeler Gorge Campground will be closed until January 3, 2026 for reconstruction of creek crossings within the campground. This project will restore 13 miles of connected stream habitat for Southern California Steelhead. While the campground is closed, consider camping at alternative nearby campgrounds including Rose Valley, Middle Lion, Pine Mountain or Reyes Peak!
  • A hiker has been missing along the southern Big Sur coast since August 5th. He is believed to have been hiking in the Ragged Point area and was last seen wearing a white shirt, bright blue shorts and a multicolored or tie-dyed pastel backpack. Help spread the word and call the SLO County sheriff with any information.
  • The Canyon Fire ignited southeast of Lake Piru on the afternoon of August 7th. The fire burned over 5,000 acres just outside of the Los Padres but is now at 96% containment with all evacuation orders lifted.

View of the Gifford Fire over Lopez Lake burning the Garcia Wilderness taken August 12 at 11:30am. Click photo for live shot.

LPFA Summer Updates and Volunteering!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

There sure are a lot of wild oats in the meadows this summer. Don’t forget your gaiters….

Hi Friends, 

It’s been a busy summer here on the Los Padres. The heat puts a damper on things, but we’ve still been able to get out on Piedra Blanca Trail, Matilija Trail, Santa Paula Canyon Trail and more across the forest. We also spend lots of time planning the fast-approaching fall trail maintenance season. It’s going to be a great one this year. In the meantime, we have an upcoming backcountry project on Mission Pine Trail, an ongoing battle against graffiti and trash in Santa Paula Canyon, and lots of forest updates to share. Read on for the details…. 

LPFA 

SANTA PAULA CANYON FUNDRAISER

LPFA and the Santa Paula Canyon Crew have been hard at work cleaning up trash and graffiti in Santa Paula Canyon this summer. We’ve led one large scale clean-up, multiple smaller cleanups with graffiti removal, and installed trash cans at the trailhead that get emptied twice a week. We also have plans to begin tabling at the trailhead to help educate visitors on responsible, sustainable recreation in the canyon. We need help funding this initiative! We are halfway to our $1000 goal. Please consider donating to fund future projects to keep Santa Paula Canyon clean! 

SUPPORT A CLEAN SPC!

LPFA and the Santa Paula Canyon Crew at our cleanup event earlier this month. The canyon is now 240lbs of trash lighter! Photo, Caleb G.

MISSION PINE VOLUNTEER WEEKEND

Looking for a long weekend getaway to the Los Padres high country? We’ve got you covered. Join LPFA August 1 – 3 on the Mission Pine Trail! We will be leading crosscut and brushing work on the Mission Pine Trail between McKinley Saddle and Mission Pine Spring Camp. This will be a dispersed car-camping project based out of McKinley Saddle. We don’t get to drive up there very often, so don’t miss out! Details are still taking shape, but sign up below and we’ll follow up over email leading up to the project…. 

MISSION PINE, PLEASE!
  • The Los Padres National Forest welcomed a new Forest Supervisor, Dr. Kimberly Winter, earlier this month. Dr. Winter comes to Los Padres from the U.S. Forest Service’s National Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she served as director of Conservation Education. After several months of different acting supervisors, we are happy to see the position filled and look forward to working with Supervisor Winter to improve and sustain recreation opportunities across the forest.
  • The Madre Fire, which started on July 2nd and burned over 80,000 acres, has wrapped up. Currently the largest of the season in California, the fire started just north of Highway 166 and burned a small section of the Los Padres, but mainly burned the Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve and Carrizo Plain National Monument. The National Monument remains closed to visitors at this time.
  • Cal-Trans is moving forward with their plan to close Highway 33 to the public for a safety and drainage improvement project. Dates have been announced for three extended weekend closures: Aug 15-18, Aug 22-25, Sept 19-22. The worst part about this news is that construction is expected to continue on and off through Winter 2028-29…..
  • A-Zone South Hunting Season kicks off on August 8th and lasts until September 21st. This is the main deer hunting season in the Los Padres and includes the Monterey Ranger District as well as the southern Los Padres west of Highway 33 and south and west of the Sespe. Please read up on the regulations and view the A-Zone map if you’re heading into the forest this season. And if you’re visiting the Los Padres for something other than hunting during that window, expect increased hunter activity in the area.
  • The Monterey Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) is raising funds to replace the roof of the Chews Ridge Fire Lookout that was damaged last winter. This is one of the last active fire lookouts on the Central Coast and still plays a crucial role in wildfire detection. Consider helping out the FFLA and the Los Padres get the tower back into working order!

Still lots of life in the Santa Barbara frontcountry! Hope you’re finding some time to enjoy the forest in the cooler parts of the day….

Santa Paula Canyon Cleanup Fund

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

LPFA needs help raising $1000 to remove trash and graffiti from Santa Paula Canyon! These funds will offset the costs of trash cans, paint and clean up supplies (paint sprayers, batteries, trash bags, grabbers, gloves etc). This is just the start of our graffiti and trash clean up initiative to target high-use and heavily impacted recreation locations across the Los Padres.

Santa Paula Canyon sees A TON of use this time of year. Our goal is to clean it up, as well as provide outreach on trail and at the trailhead to keep it clean moving forward. Continuing to provide support, outreach and education to trail users may be the only way to sustain recreation in this area. With more and more visitors each year, we need to provide more and more support.

Help us get this initiative started!

Donate to Clean SPC!

The lower falls is popular with swimmers, hikers, and taggers alike…

Los Padres Fire Restrictions, Trail Updates and Forest Protections

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

There’s plenty of places to explore once the heat sets in! Head up high, know your water sources (check HLP), and follow the weather closely to find a cool window for a summer trip in the LP. Photo, Brian D.

Hi Friends, 

Well, the summer heat has arrived. Fire restrictions went into effect across the Los Padres Forest on June 18th and are set to last until January 31st, 2026. This means no open fires, campfires or charcoal fires are permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites, as well as no smoking. However, stoves are still permitted in the backcountry and you can grab your fire permit here.  

After two wet winters, this last one was a dry one with the LP receiving roughly only half of our normal rain amounts. Daily highs in the backcountry have been pushing 100 degrees recently, with nighttime lows sitting comfortably above 60. The Los Padres can be thoroughly enjoyed without a campfire this time of year. This is a great opportunity to check out the night sky, play games under headlamp, or head to bed early and get some rest after that long hot hike to camp. 

The view from the hike back down along your freshly cleared trail sure makes the hot hike up and day cutting brush worth it, right? …..right? Photo, Zach C.

PIEDRA BLANCA

LPFA volunteers wrapped up work on the Piedra Blanca Trail this month and boy is it looking GOOD! This was LPFA’s 6th trip on this section of trail in the past 2 years and we are happy to say the trail is now in great shape from Piedra Blanca Trailhead to Pine Mountain Lodge Camp. Thank you to all of the volunteers and donors who made these trips possible!  

These projects were almost entirely funded by individual donations. Please consider donating as we continue to navigate the ongoing restrictions on federal funding. Every dollar helps! And if you have a trail you want to see worked on, come on out and volunteer, get to know LPFA, and get trained to lead your own trail projects. Let’s make it happen. 

Donate to Clear Trails!

SANTA PAULA CANYON CLEANUP: JULY 5TH 

Nothing says 4th of July weekend like some time by the creek! Join LPFA and the Santa Paula Canyon Crew on July 5thfor a trash sweep of Santa Paula Canyon. We’ll be walking the length of the trail to the Punchbowl to remove graffiti and clean up any trash leftover from July 4th festivities. This is a great opportunity for those looking to spend a day hiking and giving back to one of the most impacted canyons in the forest. 

With swimming season in full swing, we’ve definitely seen increased visitation, and unfortunately increased trash and graffiti, at Santa Paula Canyon. Thanks to volunteers, this canyon gets swept every week or two. And two new trash cans at the trailhead are helping a TON. A positive presence in the canyon helps even more. Sign up below for a fun day of hiking, cleaning, and swimming in SPC! 

CLEAN UP THE CANYON!

Help us keep this LP gem clean and free of trash and graffiti!

BIG BUT NOT SO BEAUTIFUL 

At this point we’ve all heard about the One Big Beautiful Bill and what it may mean for public lands across the country. LPFA supports public access to the Los Padres Forest through trail maintenance, outreach and education. Because of that, we will not support the selling off of public lands. The Wilderness Society has made a map of National Forest and BLM lands that could be sold if the bill is passed (it has already passed the House!). If you zoom into the Los Padres, it includes almost all non-wilderness portions of the forest. 

Dark green shows portions of the LPNF that could be eligible for sale including large swaths of the Santa Barbara and Ojai Frontcountry, as well as Pine Mountain and the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Areas that could be up for sale include: 

  • the Santa Ynez Recreation Area
  • the Santa Barbara Frontcountry
  • the Ojai Frontcountry, 
  • Pine Mountain
  • Sierra Madre Mountains above Cuyama Valley
  • Alamo Mountain and Mount Pinos
  • Figueroa Mountain
  • West Cuesta Ridge
  • Timber Top

The List Goes On and On…..

We encourage those concerned to find their Senator and give them a call. Here is a list of the phone numbers of every Senator. Emails and petitions often get filtered out, but phone calls can make a huge difference in how your representatives vote. We know that Los Padres enthusiasts live across the country. Wherever you may be, give your Senator a call and help keep the Los Padres Forest open for all, forever. 

FOREST UPDATES AND OPPORTUNITIES 

  • Join the Santa Barbara Trails Council at Baron Ranch this Sunday, June 22nd for a day of trail work! They’ll be meeting at the Baron trailhead at 8:30am and working on the beloved Arroyo Quemado Trail (AQT). Click here for more info and the sign up link. 
  • Highway 33 is expected to be closed on and off for extended periods this summer/fall season. CalTrans has not provided any dates yet but we’ll be ready to share them once they do! 
  • A-Zone South Hunting Season is right around the corner here in the Los Padres. Archery season begins on July 12th, but the more popular General Season begins on August 9th and lasts until September 21st. Still a ways out but fast approaching! If you aren’t a hunter, try to plan your Los Padres adventures around this season, and remember to wear bright colors if you do head out into the forest…. 

Hard to believe it’s already been 351 days since the Lake Fire…..

LPFA x National Trails Day

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

It’s that time of year to starting taking your LP adventures to higher elevations. Cooler temps and panoramic views abound….

National Trails Day is June 7th this year, and LPFA has 3 projects going on to celebrate. This day is about getting outside, connecting with the Los Padres community, and giving back to the trails. We have you covered from Ojai to Santa Barbara, frontcountry to backcountry. Our busy spring trail work schedule slows down a bit as summer sets in. However, we’ll still be leading projects at the higher elevations of the Los Padres between the heatwaves, so look out for announcements for our Summer 2025 Trail Work Series in the coming weeks. Until then, we hope to see you at one of our National Trails Day celebrations! 

LPFA 

 Join LPFA for National Trails Day! 

Epic sunsets on our last overnight Piedra Blanca Trail project in February 2025. Photo, Jeri H.

Piedra Blanca Trail Overnight: June 6 – 8

Join LPFA as we continue maintenance on the Piedra Blanca Trail! We will be leading a 3 day backcountry trail maintenance project June 6 – 8 to finish brushing the final quarter mile of trail before Pine Mountain Lodge Camp. Come out and help us brush this trail, enjoy some epic views of the Sespe Wilderness, and take advantage of the cooler temps at higher elevations this time of year. Click the button below to sign up or get more info! 

Piedra Blanca Overnight!

LPFA Trail Crew admiring the great volunteer work on the North Fork Matilija Working Vacation. Photo, Andrew J.

Matilija Trail: June 7

Join LPFA for a day project to continue our work on the North Fork Matilija Trail! LPFA recently completed a 5-day Working Vacation on this trail, not to mention a year of work leading up to that trip. We are now closing in on getting the trail open to Middle Matilija Camp. RSVP to VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to get more details and come join the party! 

North Fork Matilija!

Hot Springs Trail: June 7

Join LPFA and our partners at the City of Santa Barbara Parks Department’s annual National Trails Day event! Volunteers of all experience levels are invited to learn about trail restoration while working on the historic Hot Springs Trail. Tools, instruction, and lunch will be provided! These events are always a blast. See you there…. 

Hot Springs Trail Day!

Forest 411 

After two wet winters, we finally hit a dry streak. Most of the water sources across the forest are still flowing, but they’re looking a lot lower now than they were at this point in 2023 and 2024. Make sure to check in on HikeLosPadres.combefore your next backpacking trip to estimate water likelihood, and don’t forget to leave a report for others when you get back!

LPFA’s Recently Worked Trails and Upcoming Events

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

And beneath the brush we found a trail! Before and after on the Alder Creek Trail, looking the best it has in 20 years….

ALDER CREEK TRAIL UPDATE

On April 20th, LPFA wrapped up its third Volunteer Working Vacation on the Sespe Wilderness’ Alder Creek Trail in the past 2 years. Prior to this effort, this trail hadn’t seen maintenance since before the 2006 Day Fire and was turning back even seasoned Los Padres backpackers. 8.5 miles of trail from the Dough Flat Trailhead to Sespe Saddle have now been worked to standard thanks to over 2,600 LPFA volunteer hours, as well as three separate hitches by LPFA’s professional Trail Crew. If you want to learn more about the Alder Creek Project and the history of this trail, check out this post! While we don’t believe trail maintenance is ever finished, we are definitely nearing the light on the other side of the brush tunnel; the worst of the overgrowth is behind us and the Alder Creek Trail is once again open for footprints. 

This project has been supported by individual donations to LPFA, as well as grant funding from Southern California Edison and the U.S. Forest Service. The larger goal of the Alder Creek Project is to continue work on the eastern Sespe River Trail and up the Johnston Ridge Trail to connect to its trailhead at Mutau Flat. 8.5 miles down, 11.5 miles left to go! It’s a lofty goal, but incredibly achievable with continued support from our donors and volunteers. Let’s make it happen. 

Team LPFA 

DONATE!
VOLUNTEER!

Clockwise from top left: These Working Vacations cannot happen without our volunteer packstock support! Interested in packing for a trip? Let us know! VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org; Nothing better than a warm fire and new friends after a full day of workin’ trail. Volunteers relaxing at Alder Creek Camp; Sespe Saddle, and the crew that finished the job! photo, Chris F.; Fillmore-based brewery Red Engine Brewing Company supported LPFA volunteers with an assortment of post-work beverages. Check them out after your next trip on the Alder Creek Trail!; Sure feels good to walk back to camp on your freshly worked trail….

WHEELER GORGE OPEN HOUSE,

TOMORROW!

The annual Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center Open House has arrived! Join us tomorrow (Saturday, May 3rd) from 10am to 2pm at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center, just 15 minutes up Highway 33 from Ojai. Explore the center, learn what other local non profits are doing for the forest, enjoy some lunch, climb the climbing wall, and enter the raffle to win gear from REI, Patagonia, LPFA and more! No RSVP required. See you Saturday…. 

FOREST HAPPENINGS

  • In case you missed it, many seasonal closure gates are now OPEN FOR THE SEASON! Popular roads that have opened up include: Grade Valley Rd, Frazier Mountain Rd, Santa Barbara Canyon Rd, Pine Mountain Rd, Cherry Creek Rd, Dough Flat Rd, and most of the OHV routes on the Mount Pinos Ranger District. Get it while the gettin’ is good! And reach out to INFO@LPForest.org if you have any questions…we’re here to help! 
  • The public comment period for the Los Padres National Forest’s Wildfire Risk Reduction Project is open from May 2 – June 2. The Forest Service states he project is designed to increase community/infrastructure protection and wildfire containment opportunities by establishing fuelbreaks, defense zones, and improve vegetation resilience and the health of forested areas from environmental stressors. The project documents and public comment portal can be found here. 
  • The LPFA will be holding a Volunteer Working Vacation on the North Fork Matilija Trail, May 14 – 18! Check out the details here and sign on up! 
  • National Trails Day is right around the corner! Stay tuned in the coming weeks from project announcements to celebrate our Los Padres trails. In the meantime, check out what we did last year for National Trails Day…. 

LPFA Working Vacations get you deep in the wilderness where you can enjoy panoramic views of our Los Padres Forest. It doesn’t get much better than this…. Photo, Brandy L.

LPFA Working Vacation Season Ain’t Over Yet!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

That quick, cold storm last weekend really brought out all the green across the forest. It’s GO time!

We make sure to emphasize the VACATION on our Working Vacations! From our recent project on the Alder Creek Trail, photo Dave M.

  MATILIJA WORKING

VACATION, MAY 14 – 18  

Working Vacation Season ain’t over yet! Join LPFA for a 5-day Working Vacation on the North Fork Matilija Trail, May 14 – 18! This beautiful canyon is one of the gems of the Los Padres. Steep rock formations, quality swimming holes and epic views are sure to be had. This is an overnight project and we’d love you to stay the entire time, however our work area is close enough to the trailhead that it’s open to folks who can only join one day as well. Details are still taking shape, but sign up below if you’re interested and we’ll work them out over the coming weeks! 

TO MATILIJA!

  SEE YOU AT WHEELER  

 THIS SATURDAY, MAY 3!  

The annual Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center Open House is this Saturday, May 3rd from 10am to 2pm! Come check out the center, learn about Los Padres happenings and achievements from other LP-minded groups, and grab some raffle tickets for a chance to win gear from REI, Patagonia and other outdoor groups! This is a family-friendly event with a climbing wall and various crafts and games for kids as well. Click the link below for more info on the groups, food and activities coming to Wheeler this Saturday! 

OPEN HOUSE INFO!

When you see this sign, you have arrived!

Lots of sun-soaked views to be had high up in the LP….

   SEASONAL GATES TO

OPEN MAY 1ST!  

The day has finally arrived! Many seasonal closure gates across the forest will be opening on May 1st providing access to much of the Los Padres high country, as well as OHV trails. Backpackers, moto riders and car campers rejoice! Here’s a list of the gates set to open tomorrow. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to INFO@LPForest.org or call your local ranger station! 

Ojai Ranger District

  • Pine Mountain Road 
  • Dough Flat Road
  • Cherry Creek Road 

Mount Pinos Ranger District

  • Santa Barbara Canyon Road 
  • Grade Valley Road 
  • Frazier Mountain Road 
  • All seasonal OHV routes (If entering through Hungry Valley State Park, keep in mind that the state park is only open 8:30am-5pm due to damage from the Post Fire)

The Wheeler Gorge Open House is May 3rd!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Hi Friends, 

For over 20 years the Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA) has hosted annual Open Houses each spring at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center. Our Open Houses are family friendly events where we invite the community to explore the Visitor Center and get an opportunity to learn about our beloved Los Padres National Forest. Local organizations, agencies and forest-friends participate in the Open House by setting up booths to share their achievements and knowledge of the forest. It’s a great chance to learn about the trails, camps, critters, plants and creeks of the Los Padres. The Open Houses are also a lot of fun with games, raffles and events designed to entertain forest lovers of all ages. Located just 15 minutes from Ojai, we welcome you to attend our 2025 Open House from 10am – 2pm on Saturday, May 3rd. 

See you at the Open House! 

LPFA 

 Who Will Be at Wheeler on May 3rd? 

Friends of California Condors Wild and Free – The California Condor is the de facto symbol of the Los Padres Forest. The nonprofit Friends of California Condors Wild and Free promotes the recovery of the California Condor and the preservation of associated ecosystems for present and future generations through education, outreach, research and the support of cooperative stewardship. They’ll be sharing information on their work with condors in the Los Padres and beyond. 

Rumor has it the Wheeler Springs Post Office is almost finished and will making an appearance…

Condor Trail Association – Come talk Condor Trail with none other than the author of the book on the matter, Brian Sarvis! The Condor Trail is a 400 mile route the crosses the Los Padres from Lake Piru at its southeastern tip to Botchers Gap at its northwestern corner. He’ll be sharing information on the route, his experiences hiking it, and answering any questions you have about the trail! 

Upper Ojai Search and Rescue – The Upper Ojai Search Search and Rescue team (OJAISAR), is a nonprofit, volunteer organization formed in 1951 to provide the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department with a group of highly trained rescuers for the Ojai Valley. If a rescue call comes in from the Ventura County Los Padres, they are ON IT. They’ll demonstrate gear and techniques and talk Los Padres travel safety and preparedness. 

Ventura Gem & Mineral Society – The Los Padres is known internationally for its interesting and specific geology. The VGMS promotes popular interest in geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and related subjects, sponsors and provides means and activities that will result in dissemination of information and knowledge within these subjects. They will be your tour guide to the geologic Los Padres! 

Plus So Much More!

  • Chumash Elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie will be sharing information on Chumash history and the cultural resources of the region 
  • LPFA reps will be talking trails, camps, and ALL THINGS LOS PADRES 
  • Ultralight Backpacking tips by Gossamer Gear ambassador and LPFA Lite-Hike Coordinator Paul “Beeman” Cronshaw 
  • Luzonica, Birds of the World presenting birds from the Los Padres and beyond 
  • Information on climbing in the Los Padres plus a CLIMBING WALL! 
  • Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours offering Los Padres and Central Coast winery tours! 
  • Young LP Adventurers Activities: crafts, knots, first aid, button making, and games. 
  • BBQ burgers, Mister Softee Ice Cream, and other food and drinks 
  • SMOKEY BEAR and Forest Service staff from the Ojai Ranger District 
  • A raffle featuring donations from REI, Patagonia, LPFA and many other local business and outdoor vendors to get you outfitted for your next LP adventure!  

Make a day of it and head up the 33 for a hike before or after the Open House! Views of the Sespe High Country, not far from Wheeler Gorge….

The Smallest Los Padres Email

Posted on by Bryan Conant

The Smallest Post Office – as seen along Highway 33 for many decades

The Smallest Post Office

Many of you may remember passing a really small Post Office while heading out from Ojai along Highway 33. That was no ordinary small Post Office, it was the Smallest Post Office. Built in the 1930’s, the Smallest Post Office served as the Post Office for residents living along Maricopa Highway. The PO was decommissioned in 1962 but the structure remained at Wheeler Springs as a beloved and frequently photographed point of interest and continued reminder of times passed. Unfortunately, the Smallest Post Office was consumed and destroyed during the December 2017 Thomas Fire. Gone forever. 

Not so fast…. The LPFA manages the Visitor Center at Wheeler Gorge just a shorts ways above where the Smallest Post Office used to be. Ever since the Thomas Fire we’ve been dreaming of rebuilding the Smallest Post Office and thanks to the help of many Ojai historians, community supporters and friends, we are in the process of rebuilding the Smallest Post Office and it will reside at the Visitor Center for people to visit and enjoy! #FantasticNews

While work has begun on the Smallest Post Office, we could use help paying for the materials and supplies. All labor is being donated. If you’re interested in helping, please click here or the button below. Our goal is to have the Smallest Post Office completed in time for our May 3rd Open House. Thank you all for your help and next time you’re heading along Hwy 33, please be sure to stop in at the Visitor Center and say hello! 

Donate for the Smallest Post Office

It’s definitely HikeLosPadres season! – check in before you go & share when you get back – photo CHorgan

Wildfire Risk Reduction Project

You may remember that back in 2022 the Forest Service announced a proposal called the Ecological Restoration Project (ERP) which would implement fire protective vegetation treatments on over 230,000 acres across the Los Padres National Forest. After additional research and public comments, the FS has issued a revised proposal of vegetation treatment called the Wildfire Risk Reduction Project (WRRP). While the intent of the WRRP proposal is similar to the ERP, there are some changes between the two. The most obvious change is that the treatment area has been reduced to 90,796 acres. 

There’s no shortage of information available online and across social media discussing the pros and cons of fire protective vegetation treatments. In addition to what you can find online, the FS will be hosting 3 in-person Open Houses and 1 on-line virtual meeting to discuss the project. More information is shared at the links below. 

If interested, we strongly suggest that you educate yourself on the WRRP and share your comments with the Forest Service. The public comment period runs from May 2 – June 2, 2025.  

Wheeler Gorge Open House: May 3

Put this on your calendar immediately: Saturday May 3 @ the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center outside of Ojai. The Los Padres Open House will be super fun. There’ll be folks talking LP trails, Condor Trail, SAR, crosscut trail work, critters, rocks, Chumash and more. Food. A climbing wall. Arts & crafts. We even heard that Smokey might be there too! Bring the family or come alone! Sure to be fun. See you there….. 

Day 1 on the northbound Condor Trail – photo Addison

Trailwork Update

The LPFA is busy this week wrapping up our first 12-day Working Vacation along the Alder Creek Trail in the Sespe Wilderness. More on that to come. Below are a few upcoming volunteer opportunities to check out: