Author Archives: Jack Elliott

Matías Reyes, Santa Barbara Mission (1887)

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Jack Elliott

“Old Matías Reyes lived in Mission Cañon. He used to bring wood to town and sell it.” —Santa Barbara: Tierra Adorada, A Community History (1930) In her book, “Canyon Voices: The Nature of Rattlesnake Canyon (2006),” Santa Barbara resident Karen Telleen-Lawton … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, History, Old Mission, Photography, Rattlesnake Canyon, Santa Barbara Mission, Steelhead, Travel | 4 Comments

Mastodon & Mammoth Sign: Reading Trees in the Santa Ynez Mountains

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Jack Elliott

Santa Ynez Mountains “Elephants’ habit of snapping or uprooting trees could explain why species such as oak, ash, beech, lime, sycamore, field maple, sweet chestnut, hazel, alder and willow can regrow from the point at which the stem is broken. … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Hiking, Hiking (2), History, Los Padres National Forest, Mammoths, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, Writing | 4 Comments

Arlington, Cathedral, La Cumbre Peaks Scramble & More

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Jack Elliott

The stairway to Arlington climbing out of Mission Canyon. “Genji climbed the hill behind the temple and looked off toward the city. The forests receded into a spring haze. ‘Like a painting,’ he said. ‘People who live in such a … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Arlington Peak, Cathedral Peak, Hiking, Hiking (2), La Cumbre Peak, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Pics, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains | 10 Comments

Sage Hill Wildflowers

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Jack Elliott

California poppies on Grass Mountain, Zaca Ridge, Figueroa Mountain 3-26-2016 Around these here parts, in a mild climate with little to no snow, the wildflower blooms mark one of the few striking signals of seasonal change. The go-to sites in Santa … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Hiking, Hiking (2), iPhoneography, lupine, Nature, Photography, Pics, poppies, Santa Barbara, Travel, wildflowers | 6 Comments

Sitiptip Flat, Los Padres National Forest

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Jack Elliott

The place. Note the white mineral deposit on its far side. “Our history is carried by word of mouth, but it’s anchored to the land. The old boys used to play a game: one of them would leave his cap on … Continue reading →