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
4
Trail Talks: Exploring Off-Trail on the Channel Islands: Botanical Adventures
Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, USA, Santa Barbara, CA, USTrail Talks: Exploring Off-Trail on the California Channel Islands: Botanical Adventures
Thursday, September 17, 6:30pm
Faulkner Gallery – Santa Barbara Public Library
40 East Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CAJoin us for an engaging look at botanical exploration across the California Channel Islands. Drawing from fieldwork on Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, San Clemente, and San Nicolas islands, Annie Lamont-Ayers will share stories from her exploration on some of California's most biodiverse landscapes.
A highlight of the talk will be the botanical collections on Santa Rosa Island, along with discoveries of new island plant records and the support of community science platforms.
The presentation will also highlight the important role of botanical museums in documenting biodiversity and deepening our understanding of the world around us. Attendees will learn how community science platforms like iNaturalist and online botanical collections can help people identify plants, contribute valuable observations, and enrich their own adventures on local trails and in the backcountry.
Annie Lamont-Ayers, Herbarium Collections Manager at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, first cut her teeth exploring botany in San Luis Obispo. Annie has subsequently spent time working in plant museums in Flagstaff, Arizona and St. Louis, Missouri. Before working at the Garden, Annie conducted remote fieldwork in Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Carrizo Plains National Monument, Los Padres National Forest, and Angeles National Forest. Since working at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Annie has had rich experiences in California. The highlight of this talk will be about her time on the California Channel Islands.
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, October 15, On Foot Around the Historic Range of the Southern California Steelhead Trout with Sean Jansen
4 attendees
Wednesday Evening Hike: Flores Peak
Rattlesnake Canyon Trailhead, Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA, USThis week: Rattlesnake to Flores Peak. We'll hike up Rattlesnake to the Meadow where we'll turn RIGHT up to Gibraltar Road. The hike to the road is 13% on average, but does have some brief 20%+ sections. Once we hit the road we'll turn LEFT and hike the road for about a third of a mile to the Gibraltar Rock outcropping which will be on our left. On the right is a parking area where the final ascent to Flores Peak begins. This ascent includes some use of hands and is quite tight in spots, which adds to the fun. Up top there is a rock garden with many picturesque spots and a great view of the city below, day or night. We'll snack there and return on the same route.
Distance - 6.3mi
Ascent - 2380ft
Water crossings - EASY
Rock scrambling - SOME
Bush whacking - SOME
Maximum Grade - >30%!
Strava Effort - 2.0xTrailhead: Rattlesnake Trailhead on Las Canoas Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/m42Rjp3rQvnrqpJD9Strava link
https://www.strava.com/routes/3273122319102739320Hike Leader this week will be Kevin Hanrahan. If you plan to attend please accept on Meetup. For questions, Carlos 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 possibly 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: Gaviota Figure 8
South Coast Railroad Museum, 300 North Los Carneros Road, Goleta, CA, USThis week: Gaviota Figure 8. Meet at South Coast Railroad Museum at 6:00p for the shuttle to Trailhead. This route follows the Las Cruces Trail from Las Cruces school (end of San Julian Rd on West side of 101, South of Hwy 1). After a short road walk, we'll take the left fork onto Ortega trail which leads to the highway 101 underpass. Partaking of street urchin graffiti and possible some late summer water, we emerge on the East side of 101. We hang right at Tunnel View Trail then Right on Trespass Trail, a road you may recall from past Gaviota Peak hikes. After a little climb we connect to the far side of the Tunnel View Trail and hang right to close the loop. Back under the highway where we'll turn left on Ortega trail which quickly becomes Overlook fire road. From there we make a game-day decision to either do an out-and-back to the Overlook or loop around Las Cruces Trail (fire road) back to trailhead. Loop data is shown below, but both options similar difficulty.
Distance - 7.70 mi
Ascent - 1817ft
Water crossings - MAYBE (underpass)
Rock scrambling - NO
Bush whacking - MAYBE (underpass)
Maximum Grade - >15%
Overall Effort - Medium-Hard
Strava Effort - 2.1x (calories)Carpool Spot: South Coast Railroad Museum @ 6:00p
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v3dsFWhMT4Tb9TZE9Trailhead: Las Cruces Trailhead (but please do carpool!)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zq28JRHB5zDRpqdq9Strava link
https://www.strava.com/routes/3165545835910109798Hike 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: Mission Ridge
Tunnel Trailhead, 1498 Tunnel Rd, Santa Barbara, CA, USThis week: Mission Ridge (Tunnel Trail). This route ascends Tunnel trail for 2 miles then heads up the spine of Mission Ridge. Pause for refreshments and great city light views halfway along the Ridge. The Ridge trail follows the spine for 3/4 mile and drops off on an Edison access road. After a brief side trip to see the moonlit maze (picture above), the route follows the Edison road all the way back to the Trailhead and parked cars.
Distance - 5.4 mi
Ascent - 1779ft
Water crossings - NO
Rock scrambling - SOME
Bush whacking - SOME
Maximum Grade - >25%
Strava Effort - 1.7xTrailhead: Tunnel Trailhead
https://maps.app.goo.gl/beKanekLtRhGSJs29Strava link
https://www.strava.com/routes/3285753744737467558Hike 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
1195
