Anyone else catch an epic Los Padres view recently?
Greetings Friends,
It’s been a busy December here at LPFA. We’ve been all across the forest from Lake Piru to Figueroa Mountain and Santa Barbara Canyon to the Santa Barbara Frontcountry. Hopefully you’ve found some time to join us on a project or take a trip into the forest to enjoy these cooler, shorter days and clear, expansive nights. It’s a great time of year for reflection and a trip to the Los Padres is the perfect way to do just that.
LPFA volunteers spent 9 days working the Alder Creek Trail in the Sespe Wilderness, including taking slides like this one from disastrous to inviting.
Speaking of reflecting….
Let’s take a look back at the LPFA Working Vacation on the Alder Creek Trail last month! If you’re looking for a recently-worked trail to explore, then the Alder Creek Trail has your name on it. LPFA volunteers spent 9 days clearing this trail as it descends from the Stone Corral to Alder Creek. Some sections were so overgrown that it took 12 people a full day’s work to get one tenth of a mile opened…now that’s some thick brush! Thank you to the volunteers who braved the 19 degree nights and mockingly hot days to help open up the Alder Creek Trail!
There once was a jungle through which hikers would crawl….
….now thanks to LPFA volunteers, it’s no trouble at all!
If you head out that way, you’ll surely notice where we stopped work. Well that spot is exactly where we’ll start up again in Spring 2025 with an LPFA Working Vacation based at Alder Creek Camp! Dates are still TBD depending on the winter we get, but we’re looking at the second half of March to continue our work. Hope you can make it….
Happy Trails,
LPFA
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
A super-group of volunteers ready to tackle the Agua Blanca Trail, Alan C.
FRIDAY, 12/20:
TUNNEL CONNECTOR
LPFA is picking our Santa Barbara Frontcountry Projects back up again. Come join us for work on the Tunnel Connector Trail this Friday! We’ll be brushing the trail up from the junction with Rattlesnake Trail. Email us for more info or to sign up!
SATURDAY, 12/21:
MATILIJA TRAIL
LPFA has been leading tons of projects on the Matilija Trail over the past year. We’ve heard the road is opening soon and are doing our best to get the trail open too, but we could use some help! Email us for more info or to sign up for Saturday.
SATURDAY, 12/28:
AGUA BLANCA TRAIL
Alan Coles has been leading some really awesome projects on the Agua Blanca and Pothole Trails, doing everything from slide-clearing to crosscutting. The next one is December 28th and you won’t want to miss it. Sign on up!
FOREST 411
- Although seasonal-closure gates usually lock around December 1st, the GATES ARE STILL OPEN. Whether that’s a good or bad thing in terms of our winter weather outlook, we leave up to you. What we do know, is that we still have road access to tons of places we usually would not. So don’t wait around, get out there! If any significant precipitation does arrive, be prepared for those seasonal-closures to take effect….
- Fire restrictions remain in effect across the forest. Campfires are only allowed in designated campfire use sites (ie, car campgrounds). Stoves are still allowed while backcountry camping! Make sure you have a valid California Fire Permit before your next adventure.
- Interested in sharing your experiences recreating in the Los Padres? What if we said you could get paid to do so? Check out this opportunity hosted by the USFS Pacific Southwest Research Station and researchers at Kansas State University who are studying recreation in Southern California forests.
- There are a few 2025 Los Padres Calendars left. Get them before they’re gone! All proceeds go directly toward trail maintenance in the Los Padres, and you get a sweet calendar with awesome shots of the Los Padres for yourself or a friend. Better yet, get one for yourself and give one to a friend….
Is that you, Whitney? The Los Padres gets its clearest views this time of year. Pick a peak on that map of yours and see what it can show you….