Category Archives: Santa Barbara County

Mono Narrows, The Old Oak Dies

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Jack Elliott

The upper Santa Ynez River valley. Upper Santa Ynez River Looking up lower Mono Creek near the Santa Ynez River confluence. “During the month of November the trail in Little Caliente and Mono canyons was greatly improved.” Los Angeles Herald … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Creeks, Hiking, iPhonography, Los Padres National Forest, Mono, Mono Narrows, Nature, Photos, Writing | 6 Comments

Black Bear

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Jack Elliott

I was lounging around camp in midafternoon boiling the billy. Had me a relaxation station set up in the shade of a tree, an air mattress propped up against a boulder as a makeshift recliner, and a long view down … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Bears, Camping, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Photos, Wildlife | 12 Comments

The Slot at Devil’s Playground

Posted on May 22, 2014 by Jack Elliott

Devil’s Playground topside, Santa Ynez Mountains. There are two worlds in Devil’s Playground. The topside and the underside. The upper dimension is one of expansive sky, farsighted coastal views and the blinding sunlight and heat of a southward sloping mountainside … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Caves and Rocks, Devil's Playground, Hiking, iPhonography, Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Photos, Santa Ynez Mountains | 3 Comments

The Crackling Oak Forest of Aliso Canyon

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A stand of charred oak trees on an elevated flat overlooking the Santa Ynez River. The White wildfire was touched off by careless recreationists barbequing at White Rock Day Use Area in May 2013. A thick and lumpy Pacific marine … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Aliso Canyon, Hiking, iPhonography, Landscapes, Nature, Oak Trees, Photos, Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Ynez River, Wildfires, Writing | 8 Comments

California Stream Orchid (Epipactis gigantea)

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Jack Elliott

A California stream orchid growing beneath a large boulder beside a seep in an otherwise dry creek feeding into a seasonal tributary of the Santa Ynez River. I think that all but the keenest, most experienced observers would never suspect … Continue reading →