Santa Barbara Daycation: Back Country Hike and Potluck BBQ

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/b/9/e/event_56075742.jpegGet set for our Santa Barbara Daycation in the backcountry. Don and the Valencia Hiking Crew will be camping down the street at Paradise Rd Campground during this time and will meet us at the trailhead for a backcountry hike.

After the hike we'll go back to their campsite to eat and be merry. Don has a 24' trailer and stove so all we need to bring is some food and drink! I'll bring some additional paper plates, plasticware, cups, etc

Here is a rough outline of the trails I have put together:

Aliso Canyon - a pretty little hike through riparian and chaparral habitats.

Oso Canyon/Nineteen Oaks Campground - after Aliso we will follow Oso Canyon through the steep sandstone cliffs of Oso Narrows. The trail parallels Oso Creek up the canyon to the camp located at the base of Little Pine Mountain. The camp sits on a shady knoll in an oak tree grove (with 19 oaks?) with picnic tables and beautiful views down Oso Canyon

Little Pine Mountain (optional) - If we are into it we will continue up the Santa Cruz Trail toward Little Pine Mountain, an ecological island of conifers.

With the Little Pine Mountain option we can do over 15 miles. However, I don't plan on going that far. We'll go part way to make at least 8-10 miles round trip with moderate to strenuous elevation gain

For more info on these and nearby trails see http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/backcountry/

Bring food and beverages in a cooler. We'll party with Don's group after hike.

Directions

Your car will need an Adventure Pass for this hike. They are $5.00 for the day or $30.00 annual.

You can find your local sporting goods store here or purchase here:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/vendors.php

Or you carpool with someone that already has one.

From Los Angeles/Ventura take the 101 north. After entering Santa Barbara exit onto Highway 154 NW for about 10 miles. Then turn East on Paradise Road. Turn left at the Los Prietos Ranger Station and follow the road across the river.There is a prominent sign on Paradise Road pointing you to Sage Hill Campground. That's where you are going.

The road makes a hairpin turn down to the river. After crossing the river, head into the campground following the road to the right. Make sure you go right. The parking area is around the bend, and it's pretty big, so you can't miss it.