Tag Archives: Los Padres National Forest

Wild Iris Bloom, Santa Ynez Mountains

Posted on February 18, 2023 by Jack Elliott

The wild iris are abloom now in the Santa Ynez Mountains. This particular flush shown may be the best bloom in many years, coming after the Thomas Fire of 2017 cleared the way, and a month after the torrential record-setting … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, backcountry, Hiking, Hiking (2), Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, wildflowers | 4 Comments

Claw Marks In the Tiny Tank

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Jack Elliott

I went for a walk to a tiny tank high on the mountain. The rain had fallen for days, for hours non-stop, in amounts not common around this neck of the woods. Records were set. And so we have to … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, backcountry, Hiking, Hiking (2), Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, Wildlife | 4 Comments

Hiking Is Not A Crime; Done Dirty By Diktat

Posted on February 9, 2023 by Jack Elliott

“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 →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, backcountry, Backpacking, Camping, Forest Closure, Forest Service, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains | 8 Comments

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

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Jack Elliott

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 →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged backcountry, Backpacking, Camping, Forest Closure, Forest Service, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness | 8 Comments

Hiking Is Not A Crime; Bull Moose and Titmouse

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Jack Elliott

“As a result of his 1903 visit to California, Roosevelt was to create the Santa Barbara National Forest out of the Pine Mountain and Zaca Lake Forest Reserves. This was the land that McKinley had set aside on March 2, … Continue reading →