Tag Archives: Backpacking

The Elusive and Fleeting Fire Poppy

I found the fire poppies once more, trailless along a tributary fork of a coastal creek high in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Five years had past since my last sighting. I think the fire poppy, Papaver californicum, may be among … Continue reading

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Los Padres Forest Association Backs Forest Closure

Los Padres Forest Association issued an obsequious letter to the Forest Service declaring their full embrace of the two month closure of Los Padres National Forest. They called the shutout “wise.” That’s a word of exceptional assuredness. Not just smart, … Continue reading

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Hiking Is Not A Crime; Done Dirty By Diktat

“What does accessibility mean? Is there any spot on earth that men have not proved accessible by the simplest means—feet and legs and heart? … A venturesome minority will always be eager to set off on their own, and no … Continue reading

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Hiking Is Not A Crime; Hiker’s PreCheck Forest Entry Pass

Why is the Forest Service treating us like this? The Transportation Safety Administration treats people differently when conducting security screenings. Thousands of lives are on the line. Not just on planes. In buildings all across the country. Not throughout any … Continue reading

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Hiking is Not A Crime, Let Forest Be Thy Medicine

Ranger: Howdy, sir. Sorry, the forest is closed.Hiker: Why?Ranger: Well, there’s been some slides and wash outs and rockfalls and trees fallen over and we heard tell of a big rut. Hiker: Oh. So you mean it’s a forest. You’ve closed … Continue reading

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