About us
Welcome to Santa Barbara County Hikers!
We all benefit from free access to the extensive network of trails throughout our coastal mountains, along the Gaviota coastline, in the Santa Ynez Valley, and across the spectacular Santa Barbara backcountry. The County’s trail system is a community resource at its best when it is maintained and regularly put to use.
Although we do not charge to join our Meetup group, each hike we take reminds us that the community resource we love is also a community responsibility. There are many ways to fulfill that obligation. One way is to join the Santa Barbara County Trails Council: http://sbtrails.org/join/. Another is to volunteer for trail projects: [http://sbvoluneers.org](https://www.meetup.com/Santa-Barbara-Trail-Volunteers/).
Your membership supports our recreational hiking program, trail maintenance program, and the planning and construction of new trails in Santa Barbara County for all users. In addition, you will receive a local hiking trail map pack as a new member.
Thanks for joining Santa Barbara County Hikers, and now join us for a hike for fun, fitness, and the incredible beauty surrounding us!
Happy trails,
Mark Wilkinson
Executive Director
Santa Barbara County Trails Council
http://sbtrails.org/links
PS. Special thanks to Curt Cragg for founding Santa Barbara County Hikers over a decade ago.
Upcoming events
14
Wednesday Evening Hike: Romero Cyn to the top
Romero Canyon trailhead, 2649 Bella Vista Dr., Montecito, CA, USThis week: Romero Canyon. We will be ascending the single track Romero Canyon trail. This route starts up an overgrown road which is fairly steep, crosses the creek and hits the intersection of the old Romero Road. We'll hang left and ascend steadily up a single track to the intersection of that same road to re-group if we've split on pace. Crossing that road the remainder of the trail climbs to the overlook peak, which is a little spur just to the left as the trail to the spool crests. We'll replenish up top and head down the same route.
Distance - 6.79 mi
Ascent - 2599 ft
Water crossings - YES
Rock scrambling - NO
Bush whacking - NO
Maximum Grade - >25%
Strava Effort - 2.5xTrailhead: Romero Canyon Trail. Please park completely off the asphalt.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JPkPbYFytm9hpZTm9Carpool: Big 5 in Five points departs 6:00p
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sNS6bCn9NBw8Yvyc7Strava link:
https://www.strava.com/routes/3288367682117299372Hike Leader this week will be Carlos Alvarez. If you plan to attend please accept on Meetup. For questions, Carlos can be reached via text at 805-284-8137.
About Wednesday Evening Hike series
We will meet at 6:30p at the trailhead unless otherwise noted for that week. We sometimes carpool to trails up to 45 minutes away. We attempt to vary the trails selecting amongst those that are open and in hike-worthy condition. We hike the front country, the backside of the front range and occasionally adventure even further. Hikes are typically in the 6-9 mile range with 1500-3000 ft of total ascent. Occasionally we'll mix in a harder hike where returns can be very late. These hikes are meant for those with some hiking experience and moderate athletic condition. The pace varies and larger groups usually split, but we will re-group at intersections and stick together where the path is 'iffy'. Please dress appropriately with hiking boots/shoes and comfortable clothes meant to get sweaty and possible wet. Headlamp and/or flashlight required. Bring a water resistant jacket for rain/gloom or just cold air which is frequent at altitude. We recommend 1-3L water bladder in a backpack depending upon trail difficulty so that your hands are free to cross water or scramble up/down rocks. Bug spray is a good idea as bugs are very active at dusk (better to have and not need.) Some folks bring hiking poles. We recommend long sleeves and pants to prevent scratches, poison oak and ticks.We typically stop at the top, add a layer for warmth and enjoy a snack. This can be some of the best fun as folks drag up hot tea, other libations, and all sorts of baked goods to share. Yum!
Group organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own self or property arising directly or as a consequence of a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.
2 attendees
Trail Talks: On Foot Around the Historic Range of the SoCal Steelhead Trout
Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA, Santa Barbara, CA, USTideline to Alpine: On Foot Around the Historic Range of the Southern California Steelhead Trout with Sean Jansen
Thursday, October 15, 6:30pm
Faulkner Gallery – Santa Barbara Public Library
40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CAThe talk will be a presentation and slideshow of Sean’s journey on foot around the historic range of the Southern California steelhead trout. A journey of over 1,000 miles through thick urbanized areas, coastal environments and alpine settings. Connecting the river estuaries on the coast to where the headwaters of these rivers take place, Sean circumnavigated these waters all with the goal to write a book and bring attention to the critically endangered Southern Steelhead. The talk will cover Sean’s past and current inspiration behind the trip and what the future holds for such a delicate fish to live in one of the most densely populated areas on the planet.
Sean Jansen was born and raised in San Clemente, California, but now seasonally lives in Bozeman, Montana where he is a wilderness guide in Yellowstone National Park. When not guiding clients looking for bears or wolves, he lives in a van and writes about the areas of the planet he wants to see protected. He has authored one book previously about a solo standup paddle journey down the entire Baja Peninsula of Mexico called Paddling With Porpoise, bringing attention to a critically endangered porpoise called a Vaquita. The book just recently won a Bronze Medal through the Living Now Awards in the conservation category. Sean has had written and photographic works published with Lonely Planet, Oceanographic, L.A. Times, Sawyer, Jetboil, REI, Pacific Crest Trail Association, Surfline, FlyLords, GearJunkie, California Fly Fisher, and others to name a few. As an ambassador for organizations: 5 Gyres, Earth League International, CalTrout, and Sawyer, he works side by side with them and further demonstrates their mission statements and adopts them as his own. When not in front of his keyboard or behind a spotting scope in Yellowstone National Park, Sean can be found fly fishing for wild trout, searching the coast for waves, or trail running.
This free presentation is part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Santa Barbara Public Library.
The next talk in the series is Thursday, November 19, Carrizo Plain – A Sense of Place with filmmaker Jeff McLoughlin
1 attendee
Wednesday Evening Hike: Jesusita
Jesusita Trailhead, San Roque Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, USThis week: Jesusita. Parking at the Cater Water Processing Plant/Jesusita Trailhead off San Roque Road. This route follows Jesusita Trail up to Inspiration Point. The route meanders through level ranch land before reaching a road and then ascending a well-trafficked trail up the south side including some switchbacks and then a traverse to a fire break road to the overlook. We'll pause for city views and community refreshments and then return mostly the same route, but down the overlook trail gulley which is a little loose.
Distance - 6.88 mi
Ascent - 1579ft
Water crossings - Step over
Rock scrambling - NO
Bush whacking - NO
Maximum Grade - >15%
Strava Effort - 1.7xTrailhead: Cater Water Processing Plant/Jesusita Trailhead
https://maps.app.goo.gl/P6Sh6xBTPxHk4YFo7Strava link:
https://www.strava.com/routes/3278565038514636218Hike Leader this week will be Kevin Hanrahan. If you plan to attend please accept on Meetup. For questions, Kevin can be reached via text at 805-895-5655.
About Wednesday Evening Hike series
We will meet at 6:30p at the trailhead unless otherwise noted for that week. We sometimes carpool to trails up to 45 minutes away. We attempt to vary the trails selecting amongst those that are open and in hike-worthy condition. We hike the front country, the backside of the front range and occasionally adventure even further. Hikes are typically in the 6-9 mile range with 1500-3000 ft of total ascent. Occasionally we'll mix in a harder hike where returns can be very late. These hikes are meant for those with some hiking experience and moderate athletic condition. The pace varies and larger groups usually split, but we will re-group at intersections and stick together where the path is 'iffy'. Please dress appropriately with hiking boots/shoes and comfortable clothes meant to get sweaty and possible wet. Headlamp and/or flashlight required. Bring a water resistant jacket for rain/gloom or just cold air which is frequent at altitude. We recommend 1-3L water bladder in a backpack depending upon trail difficulty so that your hands are free to cross water or scramble up/down rocks. Bug spray is a good idea as bugs are very active at dusk (better to have and not need.) Some folks bring hiking poles. I recommend long sleeves and pants to prevent scratches, poison oak and ticks.We typically stop at the top, add a layer for warmth and enjoy a snack. This can be some of the best fun as folks drag up hot tea, other libations, and all sorts of baked goods to share. Yum!
Group organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own self or property arising directly or as a consequence of a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.
1 attendee
Wednesday Evening Hike: Snyder Trail
Snyder's Trailhead, Paradise Rd., Santa Barbara, CA, USThis week: Snyder Trail. We will be ascending Snyder trail from Paradise Road all the way to Camino Cielo. This is a gentle climb with some single track and some road sections, culminating in what used to be Knapp's Castle, now lost to antiquity. We'll replenish up top and head down the same route. This hike affords some great views of the sky and stars (and launches)!
Distance - 7.1 mi
Ascent - 1910 ft
Water crossings - NO
Rock scrambling - NO
Bush whacking - NO
Maximum Grade - >15%
Strava Effort - 1.9x (Inspiration Point = 1.0)Trailhead: Snyder Trailhead
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4qxJKmQW7kXPnTkv7Carpool: Big 5 in Five points departs 6:00p
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sNS6bCn9NBw8Yvyc7Strava link:
https://www.strava.com/routes/3225865253285094420Hike Leader this week will be Kevin Hanrahan. If you plan to attend please accept on Meetup. For questions, Kevin can be reached via text at 805-895-5655.
About Wednesday Evening Hike series
We will meet at 6:30p at the trailhead unless otherwise noted for that week. We sometimes carpool to trails up to 45 minutes away. We attempt to vary the trails selecting amongst those that are open and in hike-worthy condition. We hike the front country, the backside of the front range and occasionally adventure even further. Hikes are typically in the 6-9 mile range with 1500-3000 ft of total ascent. Occasionally we'll mix in a harder hike where returns can be very late. These hikes are meant for those with some hiking experience and moderate athletic condition. The pace varies and larger groups usually split, but we will re-group at intersections and stick together where the path is 'iffy'. Please dress appropriately with hiking boots/shoes and comfortable clothes meant to get sweaty and possible wet. Headlamp and/or flashlight required. Bring a water resistant jacket for rain/gloom or just cold air which is frequent at altitude. We recommend 1-3L water bladder in a backpack depending upon trail difficulty so that your hands are free to cross water or scramble up/down rocks. Bug spray is a good idea as bugs are very active at dusk (better to have and not need.) Some folks bring hiking poles. I recommend long sleeves and pants to prevent scratches, poison oak and ticks.We typically stop at the top, add a layer for warmth and enjoy a snack. This can be some of the best fun as folks drag up hot tea, other libations, and all sorts of baked goods to share. Yum!
Group organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own self or property arising directly or as a consequence of a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.
1 attendee
Past events
1199
