Tag Archives: San Rafael Wilderness

Turkeys, Bobcats and the Caves of Castle Rock

Along lower Manzana Creek in the Santa Barbara backcountry, a rib of sandstone known to some as Castle Rock (Jack’s Map) juts into the air along the west end of the wind swept ridge officially dubbed Hurricane Deck. This is … Continue reading

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Nira to Upper Oso: An Early San Rafael Experience

Here’s me in April 1991 posing in front of a San Rafael Wilderness sign. We had just climbed out of the Upper Sisquoc River watershed. I was as a young buck laying eyes on, what was for me, never before … Continue reading

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Lost Valley and Castle Rock

I spent ten hours wandering around up Lost Valley way and covered nearly 12 miles altogether winding and weaving around on and off trail here and there. I rolled into Nira Campground early Tuesday morning and nobody was around. I … Continue reading

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Backcountry View from Figueroa Mountain Peak

View from Figueroa Peak looking toward San Rafael Wilderness. (click to images to enlarge)

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