What we’re about
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
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Storm Damage at Baron Ranch Trails
·OnlineOnlineDear Happy Hiker,
Just weeks ago, Baron Ranch was a place of strength, challenge, and beauty. In early December, runners traversed its ridgelines and canyons during the Island View Endurance Run, taking in sweeping views of the Gaviota Coast and Channel Islands. Today, the landscape tells a very different story.
According to the National Weather Service, the heaviest rainfall fell along the Gaviota Coast and surrounding foothills over a three-day period ending at midnight on Monday, January 5. Rainfall exceeded eight inches in the mountains above the Baron Ranch trail system. The storms triggered widespread landslides, rockfalls, and erosion across the network. The photos in the image gallery show washed-out tread, collapsed trail edges, and deeply scarred terrain that was recently stable and well-traveled.
Image Gallery →
Map →
Donate →
What This Means for the Trails
Some damage can be addressed by trained volunteers. However, several slide areas will require professional trail crews, heavy equipment, and careful regrading to restore safe public access.
Past storm events have shown what this work entails. Repairing a single trail has cost more than $25,000 and required hundreds of volunteer hours, on top of approximately $15,000 in general trail upkeep each year. With 9 miles of trail impacted, the scope of recovery at Baron Ranch is significant.
For safety reasons, Baron Ranch Trails are closed as of January 7. Full repairs are expected to take up to eight weeks.
Our Goal
Restore safe public access to Baron Ranch trails while building a sustainable, long-term stewardship model that strengthens the trail system against future storms.
How you can Help
Donate — this is the most immediate way to support recovery.
Your contribution helps fund:
- Trail repair materials and tools
- Safety equipment
- Professional services when required
- Coordination of volunteers and recovery projects
→ Donate to support Baron Ranch trail recovery
Be Part of the Crew
During the rainy season, trail recovery is ongoing. Feel free to join us for a single morning of volunteering, or let us know if you want to be a repeat or long-term volunteer.
If you’re interested, fill out the volunteer form, and we’ll follow up with details. We’ll also share a simple monthly volunteer calendar with consistent workdays to make participation easier.
Together, through donations and sustained stewardship, we can restore Baron Ranch and ensure these trails remain safe, resilient, and accessible for the community.
Thank you for standing with us, and for believing in the lasting value of trails.
Mark Wilkinson
Executive Director
Santa Barbara County Trails Council
PS. Join us for a Q&A about Baron Ranch on January 22nd at noon.4 attendees
Past events
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