Category Archives: Santa Barbara County

Chumash Rock Art, Santa Barbara County

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Jack Elliott

These Chumash paintings show little wear from the elements over the last several decades. They are presented here without alteration, but for a slight intensification of the existing natural color. They measure roughly about twelve inches in length. The pictographs … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Archaeology, Art, Chumash, History, Indians, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Pictographs, Rock Art, Travel | 6 Comments

Mollisol Meadow

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Jack Elliott

“Maybe 7% of the landscape across the world is mollisol.” -Dr. John Reganold, Professor of Soil Science and Agroecology, Washington State University “Mollisols (from Latin mollis, ‘soft’) are the soils of grassland ecosystems. They are characterized by a thick, dark … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged backcountry, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Pics, Santa Barbara, Travel, Wilderness | 9 Comments

Gooseberry Wildcraft

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Jack Elliott

California gooseberry illustration from Pacific Rural Press (1873). “The California wild gooseberry, red variety (Ribes menziesii), is certainly a desirable variety, and is said to be superior to crabapples for jellies, etc. The plant is exceedingly ornamental when loaded with … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Foraging, Gooseberries, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Outdoors, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildcrafting | 11 Comments

Wildcrafted Salad

Posted on April 28, 2015 by Jack Elliott

Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliatum) growing in profusion along a shady bank of Alder Creek in the Santa Ynez Mountains of Santa Barbara County. Skills Are Weightless “You have to travel light. . . And you have to be self-reliant. . … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Foraging, Herbs, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Wildcraft, wildflowers | 4 Comments

Fritillaria Ojaiensis, Rare Wildflower

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Jack Elliott

A single Fritillaria ojaiensis growing along Fremont Trail in the Santa Ynez Mountains. This photo is from early spring 2014. This variety of lily is endemic to California. It’s listed by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) as being rare … Continue reading →