Tag: Volunteering

LOS PADRES: Sunny Skies Ahead with Strong Chance of TRAIL WORK in the Forecast

Posted on by Bryan Conant

Sespe Wilderness Roaring – photo Mark H.

Hello Friends, 

Tis the season for Trail Work and we’ve got a lot of upcoming trail projects in the queue including two 10-day Working Vacations and an assortment of other fun volunteer opportunities. Take a look, hope you can join the fun and as always feel free to reach out with any questions you might have: VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org

Santa Barbara Canyon, Mar 21 – 30

The LPFA has been hard at work over the past year rerouting the dreaded Heartbreak Hill section of the Santa Barbara Canyon Trail. We are so close to wrapping this one up. Join us the last week of March to put on the finishing touches – sign up here!

SBC – Here I Come!

Alder Creek, Sespe, Apr 12 – 20

We’re headed back once again to the Alder Creek Trail for a full-scale Working Vacation based out of Alder Creek Camp in the Sespe! If you haven’t joined a LPFA Working Vacation before, they are an absolute blast. Check out this post for a bit more of what to expect from a typical Working Vacation. Details are still taking shape and the exact dates may shift depending on the weather, but sign on up and we’ll work out the details closer to the event!

ALDER CREEK WORKING VACATION!!!

Ojai Trail Work, Ongoing

The LPFA continues our regular weekly trail projects across Ojai. We’ve recently worked Rose-Lion, Lion Cyn, Cozy Dell, Gene Marshall – Piedra Blanca, Potrero John and of course we’ve been mostly working Matilija so that the trail is ready once the road reopens. Dates and times vary but click below if you’d like to get on the sign-up list. Thanks….. 

Oh Yeah Ojai!

Wheeler Gorge Open House, May 3

The LPFA will be hosting our annual Open House at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center on May 3. Gonna be fun! We are currently looking for volunteers who might like to help with the event or get involved at the Visitor Center. Let us know if that sounds fun. We’ll be promoting the Open House lots more in the coming months, stay tuned and put it on your calendar…… 

A Sweet Before & After 

Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through the trees, especially when restoring a very overgrown backcountry trail. Sit on your butt, cut brush, swamp – Scooch. Sit on your butt, cut brush, swamp – Scooch. Repeat, repeat…. Fortunately, nowadays we have access to really cool satellite imagery that is updated frequently enough to help show the progress we’re making along the trails. The image on the left is of the Sweetwater Trail in 2023 (no trail) and the image on the right is from fall 2024 (yes trail). The LPFA Trail Crew has spent many weeks cutting back the brush along this San Rafael Wilderness Trail and we’re getting really close to finishing it up. It’s a long backpack just to get to the Sweetwater but the rewards and views are amazing, and now the trail is too ~ at least for now….. Go check it out! 

Nine Trails Santa Barbara

For any of you folks running Nine Trails this weekend, we’ve got you! Among other SB Frontcountry trail projects, we just spent three days clearing brush, drains and removing sharp metal objects along the Rattlesnake and Tunnel Connector Trails. If you know that sharp metal object, it’s no longer there ~ yee haw! 

Good luck this weekend ~ have fun! 

Los Padres Trail Updates, Volunteering and Forest 411

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Anyone else taking advantage of these unseasonably warm and clear February days? From Arroyo Quemado Trail….

  • This past weekend LPFA volunteers led our 3rd project on the beloved Gene Marshall – Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail in the last year. We’ve been working up from Piedra Blanca Camp clearing the steep and overgrown section of trail to Pine Mountain Lodge. After last weekend we have cleared all but the final 200ft of trail below PML. So close! We’ll be back….
  • Another volunteer group spent the day finishing up clearing the Rose-Lion Connector Trail in support of the upcoming Coyote2Moon Trail Race. Thanks to Runners for Public Lands and all the volunteers who contributed nearly 250hrs towards the trail in February. The connector is looking tip top!
  • On Monday we cut out the dozen or so downed trees on lower Lion Canyon Trail and brushed a bit up towards East / West Lion Camps. The cherry on top of a trail maintenance-packed weekend! 
  • The LPFA Trail Crew recently completed a week-long project to clear brush along the upper 3.5 miles of the Arroyo Quemado Trail thanks to funding and support from the Santa Barbara County Trails Council. Head out and see the freshly worked trail yourself! It’s a seven-mile one-way hike from the trailhead at Baron Ranch to West Camino Cielo that offers extraordinary views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands!

Volunteer trail maintenance overnights aren’t all about the work! Volunteers recounting LP adventures over a glowing LP sunset, photo Marcus I.

IT’S TRAIL WORKIN’ SEASON!

All smiles while swamping ceanothus on last fall’s Alder Creek Working Vacation, photo Karen O.

ALDER CREEK WORKING VACATION, APRIL 12 – 20

LPFA is headed to the Alder Creek Trail in the Sespe Wilderness this April for a full-scale Working Vacation based out of Alder Creek Camp! We have led not one but TWO Working Vacations on this trail over the past two years and cannot wait to get back out there. If you haven’t joined an LPFA Working Vacation before, they are an absolute blast. Check out this post for a bit more of what to expect from a typical Working Vacation. Details are still taking shape and the exact dates may shift depending on the weather, but sign on up and we’ll work out the details closer to the event!

ALDER CREEK WORKING VACATION!!!

And a few more upcoming projects….

Agua Blanca Trail, Mar 9

Alan Coles has been chipping away at restoring the Agua Blanca Trail over the past year. Following the big storms in early 2023, the trail needed a ton of work. It is looking GREAT out there. Come on out and support this rugged corner of the Los Padres!

Agua Blanca for Me!

Alder Creek Overnight, Mar 11 – 13

Join LPFA on an overnight project at Alder Creek Camp to put the finishing touches on the trail that will make it stock passable for our April Working Vacation! We’ll be leading a small volunteer crew on the Alder Creek Trail.  A great project for those looking for a little wid-week LP action. Email us VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to get more info or sign up!

Alder Creek Overnight Please!

Santa Barbara Canyon, Mar 23 – 30

LPFA has been hard at work on rerouting the dreaded Heartbreak Hill section of the Santa Barbara Canyon Trail. We are so close to wrapping this one up. Join us the last week of March to put on the finishing touches. Dates for this project are still TBD, but sign up if you’re interested and we’ll finalize them over email in the coming weeks.

SB Canyon ALL THE WAY!

Forest 411

  • Fire Restrictions were lifted across the forest on Friday, February 21. This means that backcountry campfires are once again allowed. Hurrah! There are a few places with year round restrictions so make sure to read up on current orders before heading out into the forest. And as always, please make sure to have a valid California Campfire Permit, practice Leave No Trace Principles and don’t be an idiot: drown your fires!
  • The Los Padres National Forest is providing one more OHV public house on Thursday, February 27, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Santa Lucia Ranger Station located at 1616 Carlotti Dr, Santa Maria, CA 93454.The goal of this open house is for interested parties to discuss and provide input into the development of the 2026 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) grant applications.
  • The Los Padres National Forest has lost several staff members this month due to the recent federal layoffs. The Forest Service has worked hard to hire new staff over the past 2 years and this is a blow to the already under-resourced forest that is sure to affect everything from project approval timelines to forest access. We are saddened by the loss and our thoughts are with the affected staff and their families. LPFA will continue assisting the forest as much as we can while the Forest Service navigates the effects of these layoffs, as well as continue to seek out project funding and approvals to maintain access to the forest users. Wondering how you can help? Consider supporting our trail care fund or signing up to volunteer!
For the Forest!

It sure is looking like spring out there…. Sun is shinning, near the Ventana

Seasonal Gates and Upcoming LPFA Projects

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Snow fell lower than usual across many parts of the forest this past weekend. Did you get any sweet snow views? From winter 2024, Michael Blake

Hi Friends, 

We hope you enjoyed the rain, hail and snow this past weekend after a long, dry start to the winter season. This was an exciting, cold storm that saw some localized, heavy rain events and lower elevation snowfall across the forest. It’s great to see some moisture out there, let’s hope it continues. In the short term, temperatures are warming up into what looks like a perfect weekend for a hike or ride. Get out and enjoy. 

One upside to the slow start to the rainy season is that many of the seasonal gates remained open well past their usual closure window. Hopefully you enjoyed the late season access to some of those areas over the past two months. As of today, seasonal gates on the Mount Pinos Ranger District have closed for the season. Although gates are closing, it’s a great time to be out in the forest, and LPFA still has a ton going on. Read on for more info on gates and upcoming LPFA projects. 

SUPER-VOLUNTEER WEEKEND

Overnight trips are a blast. Here, volunteers return from LPFA’s latest Piedra Blanca trip earlier this month, photo Marianne H.

If you’re looking for an activity on Super Bowl Weekend, boy do we have you covered. We have FOUR projects occurring across the Los Padres for you to pick from, both day trips and overnights. Click on the links below for more info on each project and how to sign up. Hope to see you on one (or two?!) of them: 

  • Feb 6 – 9, Piedra Blanca Trail Overnight – Join LPFA for an overnight project at Pine Mountain Lodge Camp as we continue work on the Piedra Blanca Trail! This is a great spot to spend a night or two giving back to the trails. *Note: this trip has been postponed to Feb 20 – 23 due to weather. The signup link has been updated*
  • Feb 8, Matilija Trail – LPFA has been working tirelessly at getting the Matilija Trail reopened. We lead projects most Thursdays and Saturdays (including this week!). Come out and join the fun…. 
  • Feb 9, Rose-Lion Connector Trail – LPFA is partnering with Runners for Public Lands to work several Ojai-area trails in preparation for the Coyote2Moon Race this spring. First up is the Rose-Lion Connector, see you there! 
  • Feb 9, Agua Blanca Trail – Alan Coles has been leading some incredible projects on the Agua Blanca Trail. The next one is Feb 9, come and see what they’re all about! 

Not Super Bowl Weekend but….

LPFA and Los Padres trail legend Mike Smith will be heading back to Santa Barbara Canyon to continue work on the Heartbreak Hill Reroute. Cutting new trail in the wilderness DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN! Don’t miss this opportunity! Click the button below to get more info and sign up…. 

I’LL BE THERE!!!

GATE UPDATES

At this point, the seasonal gates have shut for the season. Knowing the status of gate closures is tricky and it can certainly ruin your weekend outing if you come across a locked gate you expected would be open. Some gates are opened/closed solely on established dates, other gates are opened/closed around storm systems and weather events – open during dry times and closed when rain is forecast. It’s really hard to know for sure if and when a gate will be open/closed. Best advice for any of you heading to the mountains is to do your homework ahead of time. Here are a few resources: 

  • The Forest Service has a page dedicated to road and campground closures. It may not be exactly up to date, especially during shoulder seasons, so give the Ranger Stations a call to confirm. Their phone numbers are also listed on the page.
  • HikeLosPadres.com has a page with status and location of the gates that often provide (or deny) the most access. If you have any updates or would like to see gates added, let us know INFO@LPForest.org.

Newly Closed Gates

  • Grade Valley Road (at Lockwood Valley Road: Grade Valley, Thorn Point, Johnston Ridge access)
  • Santa Barbara Canyon Road (at the Reyes Ranch: SB Canyon, Sierra Madre, Buckhorn Rd access)
  • Frazier Mountain Road (just past Chuchupate Ranger Station)

Smokey stands strong through this past snow event at Chuchupate Station, photo MPRD

It’s not all about snow this time of year. There’s plenty of fun to be had down in the valleys too….

LPFA Trail Days: Piedra Blanca Trail, Jan 17 – 20

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Nothing quite like a Los Padres January sunset…. Piedra Blanca TH

Happy New Year Friends, 

For better or worse, the Los Padres has seen a dry, dry start to the winter season. While we’re all hoping for wet weather soon, we can’t just sit around and wait. So, we’re taking advantage of this unseasonably warm January to lead an overnight trail maintenance trip on the Piedra Blanca Trail this MLK Weekend, January 17 – 20. 

Join LPFA at Piedra Blanca Camp as we continue some much-needed maintenance on the Piedra Blanca Trail! We spent 5 days here last May and got a TON of trail worked. We only have 1.2 miles left to reach our goal of Pine Mountain Lodge Camp. Come out and help us brush this trail and enjoy some epic views of the Sespe Wilderness on an iconic National Recreation Trail. Click below for more info and to sign up for this project. And scroll down a little further for more upcoming volunteer opportunities! 

Thanks everyone, hope to see you out there….. 

Piedra Blanca, SIGN ME UP!!!

How it started vs. how it’s going. Don’t you love a wilderness highway? Credits from left: Danny T. & Jeff N. on Piedra Blanca Trail, May 2024

MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORUNITIES

Agua Blanca Trail, Sunday Jan 12

Meet at 8am at the Temescal Fire Station at Lake Piru to join an Alan Coles Agua Blanca Trail Day. The focus on this trip is to repair some rough sections of the trail that were damaged by the flood in 2023. The hike will be 3 miles round-trip with several stream crossings. Email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to RSVP or get more info! 

Can’t make Sunday but wish you could? These projects are ongoing, so sign up below to stay on the list for future dates…. 

AGUA BLANCA SIGNUP!!!

Matilija Trail, Ongoing

LPFA is continuing work on the North Fork Matilija Trail. The road to this trail has been closed since January 2023 and we’re working the trail in preparation for a Summer 2025 reopening date. Email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to join us this Saturday, Jan 11 for our next project. 

These days are ongoing, twice a week. Sign up below to stay on the list for future projects!

We sure have a lot to do…. 

SB Frontcountry, Ongoing

LPFA will be out on the Tunnel Connector Trail at 8am TOMORROW, Jan 10 as part of our ongoing Santa Barbara Frontcountry Trail Projects. These have been a blast. Email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to sign up and get more details for tomorrow, there are still a few spots left! 

We lead weekly projects on a variety of trails in the SB Frontcountry. Sign up below to stay in the loop for trail projects each week! We take requests too…. 

Matilija Signup!
SB Frontcountry Signup!

LPFA: It’s Gotta Be #GivingTuesday Somewhere

Posted on by Bryan Conant

Lake Fire 
Los Padres Trail Restoration

‘It’s gotta be Tuesday somewhere’

Hello Friends,

#GivingTuesday is just about here and we wanted to remind everyone that the LPFA will be focused this year on raising funds to help repair and reopen the fire damaged and currently closed forest trails within the Lake Fire scar. We’ll share more details on Tuesday but the impacted trails include: 

  • Davy Brown Trail (trailhead shown above)
  • Munch Canyon Trail
  • White Rock Trail
  • Willow Spring Trail
  • Sunset Valley Trail
  • La Jolla Trail
  • Sulphur Spring Trail
  • Zaca Peak Trail
  • and a few other trails that include Connector or Spur in their names….

You’re sure to receive dozens of #GivingTuesday emails and we appreciate your support of the LPFA and our continued efforts to keep the trails passable and open. 

Thanks again everyone and sleep well! See you on #GivingTuesday….. 

#GivingTuesday – For Fig Mtn Trails!

  –  UPCOMING VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAYS  –  

December 13: Tunnel Trail, Santa Barbara 

December 5 & 7: Matilija Trail, Ojai 

December 15: Pothole Trail, Lake Piru 

Los Padres LPFA Updates & Lake Fire #GivingTuesday

Posted on by Bryan Conant

Lake Fire Los Padres

Trail Restoration

Hello Friends,

25 miles of Los Padres Forest trails, mainly located within the Figueroa Mountain Recreation Area, were burned this past July during the nearly 40,000 acre Lake Fire. These trails are currently closed. The LPFA has been working with the Forest Service on a plan and schedule to restore and reopen these trails. We got some great news earlier this week that the LPFA won a grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation that will go towards the restoration of the trails burned in the Lake Fire. #AwesomeAmazingThankYou! While the actual trail work can’t begin until the spring, we’ll be busy throughout the winter planning and getting ready to roll. 

The past four years we’ve had very successful #GivingTuesday campaigns. We raised money in 2020 to restore over 10 miles of National Recreation Trails within the Los Padres along the Piedra Blanca Trail and Santa Cruz Trail. 2021 was focused on repairing the scary Alder Creek Slide in the Sespe Wilderness. In 2022, #GivingTuesday supported massive storm repairs along the lower Santa Cruz Trail and last year #GivingTuesday helped reopen sections of the Sespe River Trail as well as the Piedra Blanca Trail.  

This year our #GivingTuesday (technically December 3) campaign will go towards helping out the forest trails within the Lake Fire scar. If you’d like to help the trails, please click the link below. We’ll be organizing plenty of volunteer projects in the spring as well. More to come next week, THANK YOU!

#GivingTuesday – Figueroa Mtn

Before (2023) and After (2024) images of the western side of the Hurricane Deck Trail showing some great trail work accomplished this year by LPFA volunteers and the LPFA Trail Crew. Questions: email INFO@LPForest.org

FOREST 411 & VOLUNTEER DAYS

• Get it on your calendar! Saturday May 3 is our Open House at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center outside of Ojai. Games, education, forest fun and a whole lot more…. Get ready! 

• After being closed for nearly 5 years due to Dolan Fire damage, the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road has reopened. This is great news as the road provides crucial access across the forest from the Big Sur Coast out to Fort Hunter Liggett. 

• We wanted to congratulate Santa Lucia Ranger District’s Helen Tarbet for being recognized by the Forest Service for her continued educational contributions across the forest. Helen is probably most known for her regular Figueroa Mountain flower reports but more than that, she embodies the stoke of the forest. If you have kids interested in the forest, make sure they find Helen. Good luck Helen, thank you! 

If you are looking for an excuse to work off some of that Thanksgiving turkey or pumpkin pie, we’ve got you!

Sat Nov 30: Pothole Trail

Sun Dec 1: Matilija Trail

Led by legendary LP Super Volunteer Alan Coles, we’ll be continuing work opening up the lower Agua Blanca Trail and Pothole Trail within the Sespe Wilderness. Plan on meeting at Lake Piru on Saturday morning. To sign up or for more information please email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org. 

Rumor has it that Matilija Road may reopen soon and we’re working hard to make sure the trails are ready for when it does. Peter Wilder will once again lead the charge up Matilija this coming Sunday. To sign up or for more information please email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org.

The 2025 calendars are just about ready and should be waiting for you at your local REI as early as next week. Stay tuned for more….

Even More LPFA Fall Events!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

LPFA has a few more awesome projects this month in need of a few more awesome volunteers. From Manzana Schoolhouse to Santa Barbara Canyon and on to Agua Blanca, we’ve got options quite literally across the Los Padres looking for some volunteer support….COME ON OUT!!!

OCT 10-13: SANTA BARBARA CANYON TRAIL

LPFA, under the leadership of LP Legend Mike Smith, will be constructing a reroute of the “Heartbreak Hill” section of the Santa Barbara Canyon Trail. Cutting new trail in the wilderness DOES NOT HAPPEN OFTEN! DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! If you can’t make these dates, we’ll have another project Oct 24 – Nov 4. Think about how it’ll feel to say, “Oh yeah, I built that trail”…… 

SB CANYON ALL THE WAY!

OCT 18-21: HURRICANE DECK & MANZANA

Our trip to the Schoolhouse this week was postponed due to the extreme heat affecting most of the county. But that won’t stop us from finishing our work on the Deck! Now we just need some help from awesome volunteers like you. Join us for a car-camping trip based out of Manzana Schoolhouse Camp and help us tackle the last bit of trail work on the Western Deck! 

HURRICANE DECK LET’S GO!

OCT 26th & BEYOND: AGUA BLANCA TRAIL

Join the LPFA and local trail steward Alan Coles as we continue our regular trail maintenance along the beloved Agua Blanca and Pothole Trails within the eastern Sespe Wilderness outside of Lake Piru. The first project of the season is Saturday, October 26th. If you can’t make that one, don’t worry! There will be several projects throughout the season as weather allows. Sign up and stay tuned…. 

AGUA BLANCA PLEASE!

OCT 12: SANTA PAULA CANYON CLEANUP

Join LPFA in Santa Paula Canyon on Saturday, October 12th for graffiti removal, litter cleanup and trail maintenance: the trifecta of LP stewardship. We’ve had our eyes on this project for a while and can’t wait to get out there and Clean It Up! Check out the link below for more details….. 

SPC CLEANUP!

And don’t forget the Used Gear Sale…..

The LPFA Used Gear Sale will be at Manning Park in Montecito on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13th from 11am to 1pm, Area A/2. And we’re still taking donations…. Email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to learn how to donate your gear! 

LPFA National Public Lands Day(s)!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is Saturday, September 28th this year. To celebrate, LPFA is holding not one, not two, but SIX PROJECTS across the Forest to support our Public Lands here in the Los Padres. Check out these awesome volunteer opportunities and sign up for any and all that peak your interest. If you can’t make one, chances are you can make another one. Hope to see you out there over these coming weeks! And don’t forget, the annual LPFA Used Gear Sale (which supports these trail restoration efforts) is right around the corner too…. 

Team LPFA 

SATURDAY, SEP 28: POTRERO JOHN TRAIL

Join LPFA on Potrero John Trail in the Sespe Wilderness on 9/28! We’ll be brushing the trail up towards Potrero John Camp. If you haven’t been to this part of the forest, this is a great excuse to check it out. And if you have…a great excuse to return! 

SUNDAY, SEP 29: MATILIJA CANYON TRAIL

Busy on Saturday? No problem! Join LPFA on Sunday, 9/29 on the Matilija Canyon Trail! LPFA has been working weekly on this trail to bring it up to standards in time for the road reopening. Come help restore this trail and enjoy some time in the forest this weekend…. 

MORE INFO PLEASE!
TAKE ME TO MATILIJA!

SATURDAY, SEP 28: RATTLESNAKE CANYON TRAIL

If the Santa Barbara Frontcountry is more your speed, then come out to Rattlesnake Canyon Trail! LPFA will be joining the City of Santa Barbara for a day project followed by lunch in Skofield Park. Check out more info below…. 

THURSDAY, SEP 26: SANTA CRUZ TRAIL

Join us for an early NPLD celebration this Thursday, 9/26 on the Santa Cruz Trail! LPFA will be hosting several volunteer days here this fall, so if you can’t make this one, there will be more! Sign up to get on the list for weekly projects….. 

RATTLESNAKE SIGN UP!
SANTA CRUZ FOR ME!

OCT 3-6: MANZANA SCHOOLHOUSE OVERNIGHT

Last time we were at the Schoolhouse, we put on a new roof. This time we’ll be putting in some great trail work on the Hurricane Deck, Sisquoc River and Manzana Trails. And in case you missed it, we will be DRIVING into the Manzana Schoolhouse from NIRA. Does it get much better than that….? 

OCT 12: SANTA PAULA CANYON CLEANUP

LPFA will be leading a day project removing graffiti and performing trail maintenance on the Santa Paula Canyon Trail! If you are familiar with this canyon, you are unfortunately likely also familiar with its ongoing issues with graffiti vandalism. It’s getting bad out there again. Come help us clean it up! 

COUNT ME IN!
CLEAN CREEKS PLEASE!

LPFA USED GEAR SALE: 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13TH

The LPFA Used Gear Sale will be at Manning Park in Montecito on SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13th from 11am to 1pm, Area A/2. This annual event features a variety of lightly used outdoor gear that is looking for a new home. We’ll have backpacks from Gossamer Gear, tents, sleeping bags and all the odds and ends to set you up for some great upcoming outdoor adventures! 

As always, if you have any lightly-loved gear that you aren’t using anymore, WE’D BE HAPPY TO TAKE IT OFF YOUR HANDS and see if we can find it a new home on October 13th. Email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to learn how to donate your gear! 

Lots and lots of happy folks with great gear finds at last year’s sale…..

LPFA Hiring & Fall Volunteer Opportunities

Posted on by Bryan Conant

How cool were all those amazing clouds this past week? Photo Ron ‘always in the’ Noe.

Hello Friends, 

It sure has been hot this past week or so. Hopefully, despite the heat, you’ve been able to find some strategic trail time and ideally a visit or two to cool off in your favorite LP creek, river or swimming hole. It’s been a treat having so much plentiful water again after all those scarce drought years. Fortunately, we’ve got much cooler weather on tap in the coming days and beyond that autumn is just a few weeks away. All the ingredients are coming together for an epic fall and winter trail season here in the Los Padres. Now’s the time to start planning your next adventure. As always, HikeLosPadres.comremains an excellent source for forest information or you can always email us as well for any tips, advice or recommendations. They say that planning your adventure is half the fun, might as well get started on that right away!  

Speaking of planning, the end of summer also marks the start of the LPFA busy season. Over the next few months, before it starts to really rain, we generally aren’t living ‘weather forecast to weather forecast’ and have the somewhat rare ability to truly set and schedule trail projects. As we ramp up for a busy fall trail season we are hiring for our Trail Crew and sharing many upcoming volunteer trail projects. Be sure to check out those opportunities below and we hope to see all of you out on the trails with us for what is shaping up to be a great fall season. 

The LPFA is now in our 45th year of helping the Los Padres Forest and helping people enjoy the forest in a responsible and sustainable manner. While we’re mostly known for all the volunteer work we accomplish around the forest, we do also have employees who help grease the machine and make sure all the moving parts move. We are hiring right now for the two positions listed below. Please share with anyone who might be interested or email us with questions.  

LPFA Trail Crew 

For the past 6 years the LPFA has employed a professional Trail Crew who work year round on both trail and forest support projects. The Trail Crew works mostly within Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties and we work a schedule that includes both day projects as well as week-long car-camping and backpacking hitches. It’s very hard physical work but also very rewarding at the same time. Lots of time outdoors. For more information click the link below. 

SBRD Information Specialist 

This is a new position for us that we’re really excited about. This position will be based at the SB Ranger District office and assisting forest visitors who might have questions about the forest. At the same time this position will have flexibility to help with a variety of LPFA projects. Since this is a new role for us, there will be lots of opportunities to help steer the responsibilities and direction of this position. If this sounds like you, click below: 

Trail Crew Heck Yeah!
Totally Want to Learn More!

The LPFA will once again be hosting a Used Camping Gear Sale on Sunday October 13th at Manning Park in Montecito. More details to come. We would be honored to receive any gear donations you might have in the hopes of finding a new owner for your old gear. Let us know. All proceeds go to our Trail Restoration Fund. Thanks…. 

Sunset Valley after a National Trails Day project in June 2022 (left) and the same Sunset Valley after the Lake Fire in September 2024 (right)

So many trails, so little time. As mentioned, the LPFA has a full schedule this fall of day projects, multi-day car-camping projects and our famous 10-day Working Vacations. Feels weird to say this but we get this question surprisingly often: all our trail projects are free, we don’t charge for food or anything else. We love all the volunteers and try our best to make the trail projects fun, rewarding, adventurous and even more fun. We hope you’ll consider joining us and please let us know if you have any questions…… 

NPLD is our favorite nationally recognized volunteer day of service. For us, it marks the start of the fall trail season, which is reason to celebrate for sure. While NPLD is technically September 28th, this year we’ll be stretching NPLD into October by hosting and participating in multiple NPLD projects. Come join the party! 

For a full list of our projects, click here…. 

Want more…? 

In addition to NPLD, here are some other LPFA trail projects in the queue: 

  • While Matilija Canyon remains closed due to storm related road damage, we are working with the FS to maintain the Matilija Trail so that it’ll be ready to hike by the time the road reopens in summer 2025. We lead regular weekly projects along Matilija.
  • We’ll be making a push this season on the Santa Cruz Trail located off Paradise Road. We’re hoping to lead at least one volunteer day per week over the coming months. Our first project will be this Friday 9/13. 

Alder Creek / Cow Spring Working Vacation: Nov 16-24 

Last fall the LPFA maintained approx 5 miles of the Alder Creek Trail out from Dough Flat above Fillmore in the Sespe. This year we’ll be picking up where we left off and trying to punch the trail through down from Cow Spring to Alder Creek Camp. We’ll be out there for 10 days in November just before Thanksgiving and would love some company. As usual, food and supplies will be packed in to camp thanks to mule support and we’ll be spending our days in condor country fixing the trail. Last year we saw condors every day we were out there. So cool.  To learn more or to come along, click here.

In case you missed it, many of the roads and camps impacted by the Lake Fire have been reopened. This includes Davy Brown Campground. Check it out here.

Summer Trail Update and Volunteering!

Posted on by Addison Jerlow

Grubbing is easy with twenty volunteers. Rancho Nuevo Trail looking epic as always on National Trails Day….

LPFA SUMMER TRAIL WORK UPDATE

LPFA had a successful final push through the end of spring with projects on the Mount Pinos and Ojai Ranger Districts. In May, volunteers braved the heat and rattlesnakes for 5 days to brush 2.3 miles of the Piedra Blanca Trail above Twin Forks Camp. For National Trails Day, LPFA spent 3 days working the Rancho Nuevo Trail and knocked out 1.5 miles of maintenance, including fixing one monster slide (see photo below) and clearing one giant downed oak. We then followed up on the Boulder Canyon Trail the next weekend and spent two days clearing 25 downed trees on the upper 1.5 miles of the trail. With temperatures warming, we’re grateful to be able to spend some time at higher elevations and in shady canyons while we continue working our awesome LP trails! 

We’ll be staying cool this summer by holding volunteer opportunities near some year-round LP watering holes, shady higher elevations, and cool coastal trails. There’s lot’s to do, but also lot’s of fun to be had. Check out these awesome opportunities to spend some time in the forest this season…. 

See you out there! 

Hurricane Hilary approaching last August from the Hurricane Deck Trail….

Hot Schoolhouse Summer

Manzana Schoolhouse Camp ~ July 12 – 15

LPFA made a big push to open up the western side of the Hurricane Deck Trail this past spring and we are SO CLOSE to punching through. Come help us knock out the last quarter mile of the Western Deck! We’ll be driving into Manzana Schoolhouse Camp for an extended weekend to complete work on the Deck and Schoolhouse Camp. We don’t get to do this very often so DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY! And there is still tons of water out there for a Sisquoc Pool Party after each day of great work. 

Last time we drove to the Schoolhouse, we put on a new roof. If you haven’t seen it in person yet, what better way than to join LPFA on this return visit! To get more info or sign up click the link below or email us at VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org. 

Sign Me Up For The Deck!!!

And a few more volunteer events!!!

Matilija Trail: Saturday, July 6th!

After pivoting to Cozy Dell Trail due to access issues this spring, we are happy to announce we’ll be heading BACK TO MATILIJA! Join LPFA on Saturday, July 6th as we kick off our twice weekly events on the Matilija Trail this summer. There is still epic water in this canyon, a place that should always make the top of the “best of summer” spots in the LP. Click here or email us to sign up or get more info! 

Graffiti Removal: SB Frontcountry

It’s been a major bummer to see increasing amounts of graffiti across the Forest in recent years. We’re hoping to remove as much as we can this summer at locations like Lizards Mouth, West and East Camino Cielo and Romero Trail. But, WE COULD REALLY USE SOME HELP! We also LOVE donations to our Graffiti Removal Fund to help purchase materials required for environmentally-friendly graffiti removal… Sign up here or email VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org. 

Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center

LPFA manages the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center up Highway 33 and summer is our busy season! We are looking for volunteers interested in helping with day to day operations at the center, building maintenance, or visitor contacts. We’re open weekends 9am – 3pm, but it would be great to be open more too! Email us at VOLUNTEER@LPForest.org to ask how to get involved with Wheeler… 

SB Frontcountry: Ongoing Trail Maintenance

As the backcountry heat kicks in, LPFA will be leading more and more projects in the Santa Barbara Frontcountry. Come join us for a morning of trail maintenance on trails close to town including Rattlesnake, Cold Spring, and Tunnel. First up is Rattlesnake Trail on JULY 9th! Sign up here or email us to get on the list for updates as we schedule projects throughout the summer. 

We’d love to work as many trails as we can this summer. Donations help us do just that. Consider donating to our Trail Care Fund to keep us working all summer long…..

DONATE TO THE TRAILS!!!

Ocean? Fog? Both? Does it matter? Coastal views from high up in the Ventana

Forest 411

  • While summertime in the Los Padres can be a challenge, there’s plenty of great water across the forest this year and no shortage of trails and off-trails to explore even when the temperatures get into the red. That being said, remember that heat related illnesses are a major concern this time of year. Be prepared, know the signs and act quickly.
  • Speaking of heat, there have been a few wildfires bookending the Los Padres over the past few weeks. The Coast Fire up in Big Sur and the Post Fire down in Hungry Valley. The Post Fire (90% contained) is the bigger of the two and burned nearly 16,000 acres. Stay fire safe everyone.
  • Summertime is also deer hunting season here in the Los Padres. A-Zone South archery kicks off July 13 and general on August 10. We’ll share this information again in the coming weeks but as usual expect the forest to get very busy during the opening weekends of A-Zone.
  • “Poaching is a serious crime”. The Los Padres poachers who illegally obtained over 85 big game licenses and tags were found guilty and sentenced. More information is available here and here.
  • Patrick Lieske, who was one of our buddies with the Forest Service, tragically passed away in April due to an accidental drowning while crossing a fast flowing Santa Ynez River. Patrick was a biologist working on the Los Padres and helped us with quite a few projects over the years. Patrick had a tangible passion for the outdoors and for all the local critters who call the outdoors home. We’re going to miss Patrick, he was good for the forest and we truly appreciated all his help and shared wisdom over the years.

From left: Sawyers tackle one of many downed trees on Boulder Canyon; nothing like the walk back to camp on your freshly-brushed trail (Piedra Blanca, J. Nelson); brusher/swamper teams made quick work on Rancho Nuevo Trail