Tag: Condor Trail

LPFA: For the Trails!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Hi Friends, 

We hope everyone enjoyed a few days off last week, and found the time to get out and explore the forest. Some pristine November days were to be had out there, especially in the Sespe Wilderness. As I’m sure you’re aware by now from the dozens of emails filling your inbox, today is GivingTuesday, a big day for fundraising in the non-profit community. And at LPFA, a HUGE day to support the trails in the Los Padres Forest.

This year, our goal is to raise $15,000 for maintenance and repair of the Condor Trail in Ventura County. We’re halfway there. But we need your help to make it happen. What will this fund exactly? It will fund a full 10-day backcountry Working Vacation on the upper reaches of the Piedra Blanca Trail. An overgrown, washed out, and downed tree-covered trail in need of the LPFA trail maintenance special. It will also fund several smaller volunteer projects above and below this section of trail, to ensure we can gain access to the sections most in need of work. By the end of 2026, you’ll be able to get from Piedra Blanca Trailhead to the top of Pine Mountain without crawling, ducking, or pack-hoisting, but we need support to make that happen!

We say Condor Trail, not Piedra Blanca Trail, because this project is part of a larger mission: to restore the trails of this essential Los Padres route from Lake Piru to Highway 33. This isn’t a one off project, but a multi-year initiative, and we’re in the home stretch. Since 2022, LPFA has maintained the Pothole Trail, Agua Blanca Trail, Alder Creek Trail, Sespe River Trail, Piedra Blanca Trail, Reyes Peak Trail and Boulder Canyon Trail. Over 30 miles of trail restored to standard. 30 miles of trail open and accessible for the public to enjoy. 30 miles of trail free of brush, downed trees and poison oak, and waiting for your footsteps.

This GivingTuesday, please consider supporting the trails that support you. With a gift to LPFA, you will ensure these trails stay maintained, open and accessible for the public to enjoy.

For the trails, 

LPFA 

Support the Trails!

Los Padres Fire Restrictions Lifted!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Doesn’t get much better than a warm campfire with friends on a cold night in the Los Padres….

Hello Friends,

We bring good news for backcountry travelers: Fire Restrictions have been lifted across the Los Padres Forest. Thanks to the storms last week, backcountry season has arrived earlier than usual this year and campfires are now allowed. Just in time for dropping nighttime temperatures and the long, cold, and star-filled nights that accompany this time of year ~ Hurrah!

Make sure to do your research before planning trips and look out for any superseding orders that disallow campfires (ie the Santa Barbara Frontcountry and West Cuesta Ridge). And please remember to be fire-safe and grab a free campfire permit to keep on you while out in the forest. With all this rain, the forest is looking more like early spring than November right now. Backcountry season is NOW!

LPFA

LPFA volunteer trail crews keep our trails open and ready to enjoy! On the Alder Creek Trail, part of the Ventura County Condor Trail. Photo, Brandy L.

We’re here for the trails. The veins of the Los Padres that transport us from our daily life back to the places that feed our being. Places where life is stiller, clearer and breathtaking. Sespe Creek, Pine Mountain, Alder Creek. Places where water flows, birds sing, and trees older than us stand tall and proud. We need the trails. And they need us. They need care, footsteps, and support. 

At LPFA, we know that trails don’t maintain themselves. We’ve seen too many disappear from lack of vital funding to maintain them. We’ve spent too much time crawling in the brush, following a bear path we thought was the trail, fighting through wild rose, whitethorn ceanothus and poison oak, only to find the next section of trail in worse shape than the last. We’re here to ensure our trails stay open and accessible for all to enjoy. To ensure our trails provide more Type 1 fun, than Type 2 or 3. To ensure these veins of the backcountry keep pumping and providing the pathways for us to return to the forest, time and time again. 

This GivingTuesday, show your support for the trails that support you.

For the Trails!

Is in November or February? Here’s to the trails that take us home….

LPFA x Piedra Blanca Trail

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Nothing quite like a sun-soaked view down the Piedra Blanca Trail.  photo, Jeri H.

LPFA x Piedra Blanca Trail

Does a trail get much more inviting than this? Piedra Blanca magic. photo, Jeri H.

A major goal for LPFA in 2026 will be continuing work on the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca Trail. This trail is not only part of the Condor Trail, but is one of only two National Recreation Trails (NRT) in the Los Padres Forest and sits high on the short list of the most iconic LP trails. NRTs are designated at the federal level and must demonstrate that they represent their region, support a diverse community, and are one of the best trails in the country. 

You’d be hard pressed to find a trail more representative of the Los Padres than the Piedra Blanca Trail. In just over 16 miles, it passes through a Wild & Scenic River, otherworldly rock formations, rich chaparral diversity, towering mixed conifer forest, and unobstructed panoramic views. But, this trail needs some serious work. The middle section is thick with brush, bramble, and downed trees, as well as several slides and washouts with consequential falls. We’ve been chipping away at the brush over the past few years, and now it’s time to finish the job. With your support this GivingTuesday, LPFA will get this nationally-recognized gem of an LP trail back into hiking shape!

Support the Piedra Blanca Trail!

And While We Have You….

The time to order your 2026 Los Padres Calendar is NOW! Each year, LPFA puts together a calendar featuring all the sights, seasons, and stunning diversity of the Los Padres Forest. It’s a great way to experience the beauty of the Los Padres every single day. And even better, all proceeds from calendar sales go directly toward trail maintenance in the Los Padres Forest. So next time you’re hiking a well-groomed trail, thank yourself for picking that Los Padres calendar for only $20…..

Calendar, PLEASE!

In case you missed it, a recording of LPFA’s Condor Trail Talk is now on the LPFA YouTube page! What a great night this was. Thank you to all our donors and supporters who made it happen. So good to see so many folks come out in support of the Condor Trail. This talk features an hour long, photo-filled slideshow of Addison Jerlow’s FKT thru-hike of the trail in March 2025, followed by a Q&A with Addison and the author of the Condor Trail Guidebook, Brian Sarvis.

To the Condor Trail!

LPFA’s fall Working Vacation is right around the corner! Join us December 5 – 14th for a car camping Working Vacation on the Pothole Trail near Lake Piru. This project has been in the works for some time now, and we are absolutely thrilled to be breaking ground on a reroute of the lower Pothole Trail! Come out and help make it happen. Haven’t volunteered before? No problem! We’ll train you on the job. There’s nothing better than workin’ trail all day, then sitting back while LPFA provides some cold drinks and dinner for you and all the new friends you made on the way.

To the Pothole Trail!

Lots of water flowing in the forest. And it’s only November….

Gifford Fire Closure Revision & LPFA Fall Trailworkin’

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

It’s a great time of year for early morning hiking at higher elevations. From up on Pine Mountain….

Gifford Fire Closure Order Revised

With the Gifford Fire holding at 131,614 acres and 97% containment, the Forest Service has issued a revised closure order. This means many areas are now reopening—while some remain closed. Make sure to read the full order and linked map for yourself, but here’s a quick summary of impacted areas:

NOW OPEN

  • NIRA and the Manzana
  • Santa Barbara Canyon and the Sierra Madre east of the Aliso Trail junction
  • Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area
  • West Cuesta

STILL CLOSED

  • Entire SLO backcountry east of Cuesta Grade (Santa Lucia, Garcia, Machesna Wildernesses, and East Cuesta)
  • Santa Barbara backcountry SE of Hwy 166 south to the Sisquoc (including the Sierra Madre between Hwy 166 and the Aliso Trail junction near McPherson)

We know many of you have been waiting for this news—it’s great to see more of the forest reopening. Remember that it’s hot out there, A-Zone South hunting season lasts another two weeks, and water is starting to dry up. And of course, please follow all current regulations for where you’re headed! That being said, the Los Padres fall season is fast approaching and the LPFA has a few projects lined up to kick off the season. Read on to see what’s happening….

National Public Lands Day is September 27th, 2025. This day is about getting out, enjoying the great outdoors and GIVING BACK to your public lands. This is one of the best days of the year, and LPFA will be celebrating with TWO projects on back to back weekends in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

REYES PEAK TRAIL: SEP 26-28

LPFA will be partnering with Ojai Ranger District Recreation Staff to lead a 3-day project on the Reyes Peak Trail. There will be TWO elements to this project. We are looking for folks who want to help brush and crosscut downed trees that are blocking the trail AND folks who want to hike/run gallons of water out to Haddock Peak. Sound like fun? Sign on up! 

We will be car camping on Pine Mountain Friday and Saturday nights to get an early start each morning. If you want to come for the whole time, GREAT! If you can only come for a day, that’s great too! Sign up below and we’ll work out the details in the coming weeks…. 

REYES PEAK PLEASE!

BUENA VISTA TRAIL: OCT 4

LPFA will be leading a day project on the Buena Vista Trail within the Santa Barbara Frontcountry. This lovely trail connects to the Romero and San Ysidro Trails and is in need of some brushing. Parking is tight so we’ll be meeting in Montecito at 8am that morning, then carpooling to the trailhead. Plan to work until around noon before heading back for lunch and some colds drinks. 

This is a great project for those interested in learning about trail maintenance and working on a trail close to home. No backpacking gear needed! Plus free lunch. It will be a hoot, so please sign up below and we’ll keep you in the loop as details take shape….

BUENA VISTA SIGNUP!

Even More LPFA Events!

LPFA Talks Condor Trail, Sep 25

LPFA will be presenting on the Condor Trail on September 25th in downtown Santa Barbara! Don’t miss this in person event featuring presentations by the current FKT-holder, Addison Jerlow and the author of the Condor Trail Guide, Brian Sarvis. We’ll also have a raffle, happy hour, and fundraiser for work on the Condor Trail…. Can’t make it? Donate to fund work on the Condor Trail!

Get Your Tickets!

LPFA Used Gear Sale, Oct 19

The 9th Annual LPFA Used Gear will be Sunday, October 19th at Tucker’s Grove Park! This sale is a great opportunity to re-up your gear in time for the Los Padres backcountry season. The sale will feature an array of used gear, plus new and used gear from Gossamer Gear. 100% of the proceeds from the sale go directly towards trail maintenance in the Los Padres. We are looking for donations for the sale this year. If you have any lightly-loved gear, consider donating it! Reach out to us at INFO@LPForest.org.

Donate Used Gear!

Santa Paula Canyon Cleanups, Ongoing

LPFA is still fundraising to keep Santa Paula Canyon Clean! Thanks to the volunteers and the Santa Paula Canyon Crew who have been making these cleanups possible. Please consider donating to graffiti removal and trash cleanups in this beautiful LP canyon! We’ll be launching more large-scale projects once the weather cools back down….

Keep SPC Clean!

Backcountry Ridges for Days… photo RHumphrey

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….

LPFA Used Gear Sale, D13 and Call for Photos

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

THE LPFA USED GEAR SALE

HAS ARRIVED!

THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13TH

Greetings Friends, 

The annual LPFA Used Gear Sale is THIS SUNDAY, from 11am to 1pm at Manning Park, site A/2. This year’s sale features ridiculously discounted NEW backpacks and tents from Gossamer Gear, tons of lightly used outdoor gear (tents, sleeping pads, clothing, cookware, you name it), as well as a sweet selection of LPFA swag. You don’t want to miss this one! Come get yourself some new-to-you gear to fill out your next Los Padres adventure, all while supporting the trails you love. All proceeds from this event go directly towards maintaining trails in the Los Padres. 

See you Sunday, 

Team LPFA 

 CALLING ALL LOS PADRES

PHOTOGRAPHERS:  

It’s LPFA Calendar Season!

It’s that time of year again when we ask for submissions to our 2025 Los Padres Wall Calendar! The submissions last year created what many have deemed our best calendar yet….can we do even better this year? Let’s see what you got…. 

  • All photos or art (paintings are good too) must be of or from within the Los Padres National Forest  
  • Preference given to photos from within the past year or two, but historic photos are okay too  
  • We’re looking for photos of scenery, mountains, valleys, canyons, trails, local flora & fauna, waterfalls, all forms of recreation and activities from across the forest (action shots are great) and anything else that would be awesome to see within a Los Padres calendar  
  • Please limit your submissions to 15 photos and send them in by NOVEMBER 3, 2024. Google Photo Album link preferred. Email to INFO@LPForest.org. 
  • If your photo is selected, we’ll credit you for the photo within the calendar and mail you a complimentary 2025 Los Padres calendar sometime in December 

We see so many great photos on Instagram and Facebook, if you have any to share, please do so! 

If you already know you need 1, 2 or more calendars for the LP enthusiasts in your life, you can PREORDER them now. And remember, all proceeds go directly toward the LPFA Trail Care Fund, focused on maintaining trails across the Los Padres. 

ORDER YOUR 2025 CALENDAR!

 D13 Deer Season, and More Volunteer Days: 

D13 Deer Season, Oct 12 – Nov 10

D13 general deer season begins Saturday, October 12th in the southeastern Los Padres and will last through November 10th. This is the second busiest hunting season in the LP. Click here to see a map of Zone D13 but it’s basically the Ventura Backcountry north of Sespe Creek, east of Hwy 33 and west of I5 including most of the Mt Pinos Ranger District. If you are headed into D13 over the next couple weeks, expect to see quite a few hunters and busier trailheads than normal. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the fall colors! 

Schoolhouse Overnight, Oct 18 – 21

There are still a few spots left on our Manzana Schoolhouse Project next weekend, October 19 – 21! LPFA will be spending a few days at Manzana Schoolhouse Camp working on the Hurricane Deck and Sisquoc River Trails. Details are still taking shape but sign on up and we’ll follow up soon! It’s not often we get to CAR CAMP at Manzana Schoolhouse…. 

Agua Blanca Trail, Oct 26

Alan Coles is leading frequent day-long trail projects on the Agua Blanca and Pothole Trails starting SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26TH! This is an awesome part of the forest, as well as the southern terminus of the Condor Trail. Sign on up if you want to join on 10/26, or if you want to hear about the other weekend projects on these trails throughout the fall/winter season…. 

Alder Creek/Cow Spring

Working Vacation: Nov 16 – 25

Did we mention this is Condor Country?

Join LPFA in the Sespe Wilderness out of Dough Flat as we continue our work on the Alder Creek Trail, November 16th-25th! If you haven’t joined an LPFA Working Vacation yet, they are a TON of fun. We’ll be backcountry camping at Cow Spring Camp and working down towards Alder Creek. Meals, drinks, and tools are provided by LPFA pack support for the entire ten day project. Volunteers only need to carry in their personal gear. If you can’t make the full time, no problem! Sign on up and we’re happy to have you for as long as you can join…..

WORKING VACATION SIGN UP!

Los Padres Forest Association: For the Lines and the Green

Posted on by Bryan Conant

A colored line with an epic view deep within the green, photo CHorgan

Hello Friends, 

We all love maps. Look below at the map of South Central California and you’ll notice how the Los Padres Forest is a huge green polygon surrounded by roadshields, cities and civilization. It’s so nice to have that large green polygon. Don’t you agree? It’s vital to have designated green for nature to thrive, for critters to roam and for water to flow. People seldom live in the green but having the ability to visit is also essential. The green is a space for us to reconnect and disconnect (no ports or plugs please), to recreate and educate, and the setting where we become the best version of ourselves. While seeing the green from afar is fine, it’s even better to get inside the green and soak up the forest from within. 

Leading to and within the green are colored lines which allow visitors access to explore, to watch, to witness and to be challenged. These lines are more commonly called trails and they lead to many cherished wonders within the green. The lines are used by bikers, hikers, runners and equestrians for nature viewing, backpacking, soaking and adrenaline. Most of us don’t get the chance to venture along the lines and into the green as much as we’d like. Yet we have faith that the green and the lines will be there when we need them.

If you like to visit the green polygon and use the colored lines within, then please consider donating to the LPFA this #GivingTuesday. We are out in the green along the lines just about every day (223 days and counting this year) working to ensure that the green stays green and the lines stay colored.  

We truly appreciate all the continued encouragement from our volunteers, supporters and donors and are honored to be doing what we are doing. 

See you on the lines and in the green……

#GivingTuesday for the Lines & the Green

Los Padres Forest Association – NEWS FOR YOU!

Posted on by Ari Songer
Lots of hard work went into making that little faint line – before and after – Red Reef Trail Working Vacation – May 2022

Hello Friends,

We just wrapped up an incredibly fun and productive 10-day Working Vacation on the Red Reef Trail within the Sespe Wilderness. Over the course of the Working Vacation we accomplished 1.9 miles of trail restoration, clearing some of the thickest and gnarliest brush the Los Padres has to offer. On one of the days there were 10 of us brushing for nearly 8 hours and we cleared only 0.16 miles! The work was pretty intense and certainly hot but very very rewarding and long overdue. This section of the Red Reef Trail hadn’t been maintained in 11 years, which is a long time in chaparral growth years. We’ll share more information about Red Reef soon but we first wanted to thank all the volunteers who helped with this ambitious and rewarding undertaking: Danny, Charles, Ivan (Maui), Mark, Karen, Les, Sonia, Nancy, Marianne, MaryLou, Jim, Ted, Peter, Cameron, Kevin, Liz, Drew, John I, John II, Jasonn, Bardley, Diane, the wonderful packers from PSCOE, support from The CREW and our friends at Zevia and Topatopa who helped keep everyone incentivized….. If you haven’t explored the Red Reef Trail, this is certainly a good time to put it on your todo list. As always, feel free to email us if you have any questions about the trails or camps across the Los Padres.

While we’ve put the Working Vacations in the rear-view for the season, there are quite a few upcoming volunteer opportunities lined up across the Los Padres, check out the calendar below. This includes the return of our annual Open House at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center and a National Trails Day event on the Sunset Valley Trail along Figueroa Mountain. We’ll also be heading out to Mono Campground and the Lower Manzana next week as well. It’s a good time to be in the Los Padres right now and an even better time to come out and volunteer. Hope you can join us soon and enjoy the rest of the newsletter……

— • — • — • —

Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center Open House – Saturday May 28

WHEELER GORGE OPEN HOUSE

For over 15 years the LPFA has hosted annual Open Houses at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center. The Wheeler Open House has always been a celebration of the Los Padres Forest where we invite friends and partners to come out and share their passion and knowledge of the forest. Unfortunately, COVID derailed the last few years of Open Houses but we’re thankfully back at it again this year hosting the 2022 Open House on Saturday May 28 between the hours of 9am – 3pm. This years free family-friendly event will feature critters and crafts including reptiles, a variety of exotic birds and of course lots of information about our favorite bird the California Condor. While you’re there, be sure to head into the Visitor Center and check out Marcos the Mountain Lion, you won’t be disappointed. There’s always something going on at Wheeler and we hope to see you and your family on the 28th, it’s going to be fun!

— • — • — • —

It’s a long hike to this pool but not as hard as it used to be……

FOREST 411

• While most of the Los Padres remains in limited fire restrictions, a quick reminder that no campfires are allowed in the Santa Barbara Frontcountry between Gaviota and Divide Peak and from East Camino south to the forest boundary.

• May 1st is the date when most seasonal gates open across the Los Padres. The usual seasonal gates should now be open but it’s always a good idea to call your local Ranger Station ahead of time just to make sure.

• Huge congratulations to our friend Betsy MacGowan from the VWA who was recognized earlier this month with the 2021 Enduring Service Award. It’s great to see Betsy acknowledged for her dedication to the Los Padres. Cheers Betsy, THANK YOU!

• Speaking of the VWA, one of their board members Leor Pantilat was recently featured in Outside for his ambitious Big Sur Waterfall Project. So cool……

• While we’re in the neighborhood, the FS extended the Dolan Fire closure through April 29, 2023. Information about the closure is here and a map of the closure here.

• Did someone say Dolan Fire, not new news but some good news. Funds have been allocated to rebuild the Nacimiento Fire Station which was tragically destroyed during the Dolan Fire. 

• Last thing on the Dolan Fire, the arsonist responsible for the Dolan Fire was recently sentenced to 24 years in prison.

• Any surfers out there? Bet you didn’t expect to ever read the words Mick Fanning in a LPFA newsletter. Pretty cool actually, Mick, Connor Coffin and crew visited the Los Padres (yes,it’s true) earlier this year, check it out. Some top secret surf spots too….. 😉

• What’s the opposite of top secret? How about the YouTuber who purposely crashed his plane into the Hurricane Deck last fall, remember him? He was in the news again last month, check it out.

• Not sure if we shared this yet but the Condor Trail was featured in National Geographic earlier this season. It’s been a good year for the Condor Trail with a record number of hikers attempting and completing the epic thru-hike. When are you going?

Crosscut Work is FUN! More details here about this 40″ downed gray pine along the Manzana

• The Condor Trail passes along Pine Mountain, which remains a hot topic with a recent lawsuit filed against the Forest Service as part of the Reyes Peak Fuels Reduction Project.

• The Forest Service is working with some partner groups to remove the three artificial lakes along the Rose Valley Creek watershed above Ojai. More information is available at the link here. The FS is taking public comments through June 9. Make your voice heard.

• The Santa Barbara Library continues to host great monthly Trail Talk events. The last two featured James Wapotich talking about waterfalls and Helen Tarbet discussing wildflowers of the Central Coast. You can also download and view Helen’s excellent Figueroa Mountain Wildflower Guide here.

• Chumash remains and artifacts were recently moved from the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum and returned to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash.

• The Los Padres National Forest recently launched a new revamped version of their website. Check it out, should be much more user-friendly and easy to navigate.

• Last but not least, the LPFA Trail Crew has been busy restoring and maintaining trails. Over the past couple months we’ve worked on the following trails: Sespe, Red Reef, Lion Canyon, Rose-Lion Connector, Santa Barbara Canyon, Pothole, Santa Cruz, Sellers Potrero, Buckhorn, Indian Canyon, Figueroa Mountain (Willow Spring, Willow Connector, White Rock, Davy Brown, Munch Canyon, Sunset Valley), Tequepis, Arroyo Quemado, Horn Canyon, Matilija, Blue Canyon, Blue Canyon Connector, Romero, Cold Spring, Sisquoc and Manzana. We’ve got work lined up for much of the summer as well, stay tuned for more….. and please continue to let us know if you come across any downed trees or other trail issues that need help. www.HikeLosPadres.com or email INFO@LPForest.org – thanks!

— • — • — • —

The Ojai Raptor Center presenting at a previous Wheeler Open House – don’t forget, May 28, 2022

UPCOMING EVENTS
A few upcoming dates, events, projects, presentations or things you might want to know. If you have any forest-related events to add to this list, let us know and we’re more than happy to pass along!

May 21-23: Mono Campground Restoration, LPFA
May 21: Chumash Earth Day, Santa Ynez Reservation
May 20-22: Big Sur Trail Maintenance, VWA
May 22: Highway 33 Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup, LPFA
May 22: Potrero John Nature Hike, Lanny Kaufer
May 22: West Fork Cold Spring Microtrash Cleanup, FW
May 24: Manzana Crosscut Project Part II, LPFA
May 26-30: Sisquoc Tamarisk Removal, CIR
May 27-29: Big Sur Trail Work, VWA
May 27-30: Carrizo Trail Saw Trip, VWA

May 28: Wheeler Visitor Center Open House

June 4: NATIONAL TRAILS DAY
National Trails Day, Figueroa Mountain, LPFA
National Trails Day, Pine Mountain, MPRD

June 5: West Camino Cielo Microtrash Cleanup, FW
June 14: Trailwork Tuesday TBD, LPFAJune 25: Last Saturday Trail Project TBD, LPFA

Aug 13 – Sep 25: A-Zone South General Hunting Season

October 2022: Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Training
Nov 5-13, 2022: South Fork Working Vacation – San Rafael Wilderness, LPFA

  

2021 Los Padres Forest Association Accomplishments & Forest Updates

Posted on by Ari Songer
Loving the rain & snow but couldn’t wait for the warm sun while taking this picture, photo LPFA

Hello Friends & Happy Holidays,

We love what we do. We absolutely love helping the Los Padres Forest. We love the work we do restoring trails. We love sharing helpful forest information in these newsletters, on social media, HikeLosPadres and at both Big Sur and Wheeler Gorge Visitor Centers. We love working in support of the Condor Trail. We love working with all of you on volunteer projects. We feel very lucky to share in the responsibility of caring for the mountains, creeks, critters and trails which make the Los Padres what it is today. It’s our turn collectively, all of us, to care for the LP and it means so much to have your support in that effort. December is when we receive the majority of our annual donations and we really really appreciate all the support so many of you offer – we couldn’t do what we love to do without your help. Your help goes far beyond donations as well. This past year the LPFA and our volunteers accounted for nearly 23,000 hours of forest support. That’s amazing, especially since we continue to struggle with COVID related restrictions. THANK YOU and we look forward to continuing our efforts to help the Los Padres in 2022 and beyond. Happy Holidays, stay safe and please find some forest time……

— • — • — • —

TOP 10 ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM 2021
In the spirit of the late night talk shows, we wanted to share our top accomplishments from 2021. In no particular order:

1.  Santa Cruz & Gene Marshall – Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail Work – Thanks to support from #GivingTuesday2020, we were able to restore over 5 miles of trail along the two National Recreation Trails within the Los Padres National Forest. This included two 10-day volunteer Working Vacations in spring 2021 and three weeks of hired trail crew work. Excellent stuff!

2. Graffiti Removal – Thanks in large part to a generous donation from Louis T, we seriously ramped up our graffiti removal game in 2021 and led close to a dozen graffiti removal projects across the forest. Unfortunately, much more is needed…..

3. Jesusita Fire Trail Work – We partnered with the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in spring 2021 and spent 6 weeks working with one of their crews to maintain many of the trails impacted by the Jesusita Fire including Rattlesnake, Tunnel and Jesusita.

4. Campground Renovations – The LPFA stayed busy this fall working with the Forest Service on some deferred maintenance at some of our favorite campgrounds including Figueroa, Hi Mountain, Happy Hollow and Middle & Lower Camuesa. Work included fixing campsites and installing fences, toilets, firerings and trash collection facilities.

5. North Cold Spring & Blue Canyon Trail Work – Thanks to grant support from the National Forest Foundation, SCE and NFWF, the LPFA was able to spend nearly two months this year working on the very overgrown north Cold Spring and Blue Canyon Trails within the Santa Ynez Mountains. We’re not done yet and have more scheduled in 2022 as well…..

6. Lights Stayed On – Despite another year of COVID craziness and fire related forest closures, we were able to keep Big Sur and Wheeler Gorge Visitor Centers staffed and open to help forest-users. We also kept our Trail Crew going most of the year as well. This might be our most important and impressive accomplishment.

7. Condor Trail – 2021 was a big year for the CT with Brian Sarvis releasing a first ever Condor Trail guide book and the LPFA was able to spend time working many sections of the CT including the upper Sisquoc, Santa Barbara Canyon, Madulce, Piedra Blanca, Hi Valley, Lopez Canyon, Big Falls, Trout Creek and Agua Blanca. Thanks to another successful #GivingTuesday2021, we’ve got much more CT work on the horizon as well…..

8. HLP Revamp –  John Ziegler launched HikeLosPadres over 5 years ago and since then it’s become a crucial resource for anyone venturing into the Los Padres backcountry. We started the process of revamping HLP in 2021 and have much MUCH more to do heading into 2022. This is so exciting and we can’t wait to continue working with JZ on some updates and new features within HLP. Cool stuff….

9. Working Together – 2021 was another great year working with our partners and friends across the Los Padres. They say it takes a village and they might have been wrong, it actually takes a city! Big thanks to all the volunteers, scouts, our friends at the Forest Service and all the organizations across the Los Padres for your continued work.

10. Setting the Table – While 2021 was fantastic, there’s better ahead! We’ve got lots of great work in store for 2022. That being said, we want to hear from you about what other help is needed across the Los Padres and what you all would like to see done. We’ve put together a quick and anonymous survey here, check it out, let us know and THANK YOU!

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Some of our awesome trail volunteers taking a well deserved and scenic lunch break along the upper Red Reef Trail, December 2021

FOREST 411

• The big news across the forest is of course the rain and snow we’ve been getting and are scheduled to get over the coming week. Right now rain totals across the forest are well over our average and things are looking good heading into 2022. Remember that the current fire restrictions don’t expire until 12/31/2021.

• Quick reminder that Sunset Valley Road, NIRA and Davy Brown Campgrounds remain closed due to bridge construction. You can see a photo of some of the bridge construction below.

• With all the rain and storms comes inevitable downed trees, slides and other trail damage. If you come across any significant trail damage, please let us know, post to HLP, contact the Forest Service or reach out to your local trail organization. We collectively can’t repair the trails if we don’t know they’re damaged. People or objects used for scale within photos are always appreciated as well. THANKS!

• We had a successful #GivingTuesday2021 and as a result we will be scheduling a few weeks of work this season on the Alder Creek Trail within the Sespe Wilderness. GREAT NEWS and long overdue – thanks everyone for the support!

• Along with the cold and rain of course comes coffee and the need for good coffee. Outside Magazine recently wrote an article about the best methods of preparing coffee, check it out…..

• The Forest Service recently revised and extended the forest closure associated with the 16,790 acre Alisal Fire through April 30, 2022. Contact the FS for details or see link here. Note, this closure includes the Baron Ranch trails and Arroyo Quemado Trail.

• In case you missed it, our heroic and inspirational Los Padres gray wolf OR-93 was tragically killed in late November while trying to cross I-5 near the town of Lebec. OR-93 was big news and certainly the story of the year across the Los Padres. You can read more here and here.

• Highway 1 through southern Monterey County and northern SLO County continues to have proactive storm related closures. Basically CalTrans closes Hwy 1 during large storm events in order to protect people from potential slides. If you’re headed that way, be sure to check with CalTrans before you go…..

• Most of the seasonal gates across the Los Padres have now been closed due to all the recent rain and snow. We can’t list all the seasonal gates here but it’s never a bad idea to check with the Forest Service or email us ahead of time before venturing towards your trailhead of choice.

• A team from UCSB and the Forest Service recently completed a study of stream impacts and aquatic species repopulation related to wildfire. It’s a good article if interested, check it out here.

• The Forest Service will be hosting a Women in Wildfire Basic Training Camp this spring in the Santa Barbara area. Check this link for more information, this is a great program.

• In case you missed it earlier, we’re looking for feedback from you about what we can do and what help is needed across the Los Padres. If you’re reading this, you probably have an opinion, please share, we’d love to hear from you! It’s anonymous.

• Super volunteer Ellie Mora Jefferies was recognized by the Forest Service earlier this month for her tremendous contributions across the Los Padres. Ellie was awarded the Regional Foresters COVID-19 Pandemic Response Hero award in recognition for her efforts specifically restoring Santa Paula Canyon. Woot woot Ellie, so well deserved – congratulations.

• Lots going on and lots to share, hope we didn’t lose you. That being said, if you appreciate the work the LPFA does in sharing this information and our help across the forest, please consider donating to help us continue helping you and the forest. Click this link for more information, thank you!

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Where’s that confounded bridge? Fish passage bridge construction just before NIRA, see it?, photo LPNF

UPCOMING EVENTS
A few upcoming dates, events, projects, presentations or things you might want to know.
If you have any forest-related events to add to this list, let us know and we’re more than happy to pass along!

January 2: Agua Blanca Trail Maintenance
January 6-10: Red Reef Trail – Sespe Creek, LPFA
January 14: Figueroa Mountain Trail Work, LPFA
January 15: LPFA Member/Volunteer PARTY!
January 18: Horn Canyon Trail Work, LPFA
January 20: Medicinal Herbs w/ Lanny Kaufer, SB Library
January 22: West Cuesta Trail Work, CCCMB

February 5: Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Training
February 17: LPFA Backcountry Update Presentation, SB Library

March – April: Fundamentals of Backpacking Course, LPFA
March 26 – April 3: Alder Creek Working Vacation – Sespe, LPFA
April 22 – May 2: Red Reef Working Vacation – Ladybug Camp, LPFA
May 14-23: Indian Creek Working Vacation – Meadow Camp, LPFA
November 5-13, 2022: South Fork Working Vacation – San Rafael Wilderness, LPFA

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Temporary Forest Closure

Posted on by Kendra Moss
Sunset Valley has company

LOS PADRES NF: CLOSED

Due to extreme fire conditions and thinned fire resources, the Los Padres Forest (yes, all of it) will be closed effective tonight August 31 at 11:59pm. There are currently over 20 wildfires burning across California and not nearly enough fire resources to handle any additional fires. As a result, the Forest Service has decided to close all National Forests across California with a scheduled reopening date of 11:59pm on September 17. The news first broke last night and we’ve seen a mixed reaction across social media and the internet. We’d all like the fire agencies to have plenty of resources to go around, plenty of time to safely manage any fires, and the certainty that all forest-users would safely and responsibly enjoy their time in the forests. Unfortunately, that’s not the case right now and the closure order should help reduce potential new ignitions. No one is happy about this closure and we realize the inconvenience this causes, especially for A-Zone hunters, but everyone please do your part and stay off the forest. The closure will hopefully be lifted on the night of the 17th and hopefully by then this large scale closure will have worked. Until then let’s all hope for the best…be safe and stay cool! 

Click here for the full closure order

While the forest closure may keep you physically out of the Los Padres, you can virtually visit it with us, as we welcome Brian Sarvis to the LPFA Zoom stage to discuss the Condor Trail. Brian is a multiple time Condor Trail through-hiker and has just authored a new Condor Trail guide book, that is not a typo – exciting news! Click here to see the recording of the event.

FOREST 411

  • The Forest Service announced earlier this month that the cause of the Willow Fire, which burned 2,877 acres earlier this summer in the Ventana Wilderness, could not be determined.
  • Speaking of the Condor Trail, most of the condor news of late has been bad thanks to an uptick in lead poisoning and of course some wildfire caused deaths. But there has been some good news as well coming from across the western states with two wild condors recently spotted in southern Utah and a 29 year old Haku sighting in Tehachapi. Keep those positive condor vibes going!
  • Wishing a fond farewell to Silas who has been on our Trail Crew for the past couple seasons. During his time with the LPFA Silas worked to maintain and restor over 50 different trails while spending nearly a years worth of days in the forest. Good on ya Silas, hope to see you around…
  • Quick reminder that Sunset Valley Road as well as NIRA and Davy Brown Campgrounds will remain closed through March 2022. We’ll be sure to provide updates throughout the winter if and when the reopening schedule changes.
  • Located along the northern edge of the southern Los Padres, Cuyama is a key gateway for much of the Ventura and Santa Barbara backcountry. Here’s a great article discussing the history of Cuyama and some of our favorite cowboys who call the Sierra Madre home.
  • OR-93 Update: Last week, CDFW received trail camera video from May 15, 2021 showing a collared gray wolf in southwest Kern County. Though CDFW cannot confirm this at this time, it is possible the wolf could be OR-93 because of video evidence of the collar and the last known whereabouts of OR-93 (San Luis Obispo County on April 5, 2021). Even though the video evidence is more than three months old, CDFW will immediately investigate the area for additional information in hopes of finding wolf DNA for analysis. CDFW will also conduct flyovers to attempt to connect to the collar through radio telemetry. We are thrilled about the possible reappearance of OR-93 and can’t wait for more updates! 
  •  It’s that time of the year again…collecting photography submissions for the 2022 LPFA Calendar! Send us your best photos of the Los Padres (does not have to be from this year) and if your photo is selected, you’ll receive a free copy of the calendar! These make great holiday gifts as well as reminders to get out and enjoy the forest. Email INFO@LPForest.org with your photography submission. Deadline for submitting is October 31st. 

Dust off your (gently) Used Gear! 

The LPFA will once again be hosting our annual members Used Gear Sale on Saturday November 6!For those of you who know, you know. For those who have not been, we’ll have an incredible assortment of used camping gear available highlighted by tons of packs and tents from Gossamer Gear. 

We’re also looking for used gear donations so if you have any gear (tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, mattresses, cook gear, etc…) collecting dust in the garage or closet, we’ll gladly take it off your hands and try to get it to folks who can breathe new life back into it. All proceeds go towards the LPFA Trail Care Program. Email us at INFO@LPForest.org if you’d like to donate anything or help out with the event. Hope to see you there, if not before!

Little Sur Drainage, Monterey Ranger District

Our Summer Membership Drive has a few weeks left! Join or Renew your LPFA Membership to help us continue to care for the Los Padres National Forest.