Despite triple digit heat working along south facing slopes, the LPFA Trail Crew was able to complete the almost two months of trail trail work needed for the SBRD to formally reopen both Old Romero and Franklin Trails. Both trails were reopened earlier this week as part of a new SBRD Forest Closure Order. Big thanks to the Trail Crew, the SBRD Rec team and especially Montecito Trails Foundation for supporting the work and navigating the process. This photo shows the LPFA Trail Crew putting the finishing touches on the final Franklin Phase 3 retaining wall, read more below!
Hi Friends,
We’re excited to share that several trails in the Santa Barbara Ranger District (SBRD) that have been closed since the storms in early 2023 have reopened to the public this week. These trails include: Old Romero Road, Franklin Trail, Arroyo Burro Trail, Matias Connector Trail, North Tunnel Trail.
LPFA is happy to have been a part of making this happen with our incredible Trail Crew and volunteers, and our partners in trails at MTF, SBCTC, Sage, and the SBRD. Parts of Santa Cruz Trail, the Aliso Loop, the lower section of north Tunnel, and sections of other trails still unfortunately remain closed. Check out the official order for all the details.
There are over 15 miles of reopened trail across the Santa Barbara front & mid-country. And the weather this weekend is looking nice and cool. Time to get after it….
LPFA
Old Romero Road following work by the LPFA Trail Crew looking as good as it gets (left); before & after on Franklin Trail thanks to incredible volunteer work (middle, right)
What is the Travel Management Rule?
The Forest Service has announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and undertake rulemaking to revise the National Forest System’s Travel Management Rule. What does this mean? The biggest takeaway is that instead of trails being assumed non-motorized unless designated motorized, the opposite would now be true:
- This change has a real possibility to open existing trails and areas to motorized use that have historically been hike, bike and equestrian only.
- It could create motorized use options off-trail for use in specific circumstances including hunting retrieval, firewood collection, dispersed camping, and over-snow/other motorized recreation areas.
- This change would not be instantaneous, but rewriting the bill opens up options to turn non-motorized trails in the Los Padres into motorized ones at a mandatory annual review of closed trails to see if they are fit to open to motorized use. Wilderness trails would NOT be at risk to become motorized trails.
- Though hundreds of more miles of trail could be opened to motorized use, there is no proposed increase in funding to manage and maintain trails that already lack federal maintenance funding and would now require drastically increased maintenance to combat erosion from vehicle use.
LPFA supports motorized trails in the Los Padres. These trails are managed to provide strategic motorized public access to the forest while minimizing impacts to the natural environment, native species, and other forest users. Overturning the Travel Management Rule would open up access at the expense of the forest and the public, and we encourage you to submit a public comment in opposition to it before September 23, 2026.
The Willow Spring Trail on the Santa Lucia Ranger District off Hwy 166. A non-wilderness trail open to hike, bike and equestrian use that provides public access to prime central coast oak woodland in the northern portion of Santa Barbara County.
The Plaskett Fire in southern Big Sur has been held at 29,993 acres with 97% containment. The Timber Fire in northern Big Sur is at 25,435 acres with 59% containment. Hwy 1 has reopened to thru-traffic with 1-way controlled traffic 15.7 mi south of Monterey at Rocky Creek Bridge as CalTrans repairs damage to the highway, expected until at least 11/30/26.
A-Zone General Deer Hunting Season ends this Sunday, Sep 20th. Expect areas where hunting is allowed to be busy this weekend, and consider changing your plans to somewhere outside of A-Zone if you have plans to get out and recreate this weekend! D-13, the other deer season in the forest, begins October 10th.
The Island View Trail run takes place on October 24 – 25 on the Gaviota Coast! With race distances from 12k to 100 miles, they’ve got you covered for your running needs. If you’re a trail runner, check it out! The Channel views don’t get much better than on the Santa Ynez Range near Gaviota Peak….
The Santa Ynez Valley Trail Project is seeking public comment on its planning and outreach phase of building 9 miles of trail to connect communities in the Santa Ynez Valley. The proposed trail would connect Buellton, Solvang, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Reservation and surrounding unincorporated communities via new and existing trail segments and be open to walking, bicycling and horseback riding.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Saturday, Sep 19 – Santa Paula Canyon Cleanup
Saturday, Sep 26 – Hot Springs Trail, National Public Lands Day
Saturday, Oct 24 – Little Falls Trail, SLO County
Nov 5 – 15 – Alamar Saddle Working Vacation
