Tag Archives: Santa Ynez Mountains

Gaviota Coast Gallivants: The Wildest Wilderness

Posted on December 7, 2016 by Jack Elliott

“The ocean is an unbelievably vast wilderness.” –Steven Callahan, “Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea” The 76-mile long Gaviota Coast is the wildest wilderness in Santa Barbara County. According to Gaviota Coast Conservancy, it is “the largest stretch of undeveloped coastline … Continue reading →

Posted in Gaviota | Tagged Beach, Gaviota, Los Padres National Forest, Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Santa Ynez Mountains, Sharks, Spearfishing, Travel, White Seabass, Wilderness | 3 Comments

Bear Trail Don’t Burn

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Jack Elliott

Two bear footprints worn through dried leaves to the soil beneath in an area burned by the Sherpa Fire along the Gaviota Coast. This print pattern, more distinct in some places than others, continues for some distance along the unburned trail … Continue reading →

Posted in Gaviota | Tagged Backpacking, Bears, Camping, Gaviota Coast, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildfire, Wildlife | 16 Comments

Mastodon & Mammoth Sign: Reading Trees in the Santa Ynez Mountains

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Jack Elliott

Santa Ynez Mountains “Elephants’ habit of snapping or uprooting trees could explain why species such as oak, ash, beech, lime, sycamore, field maple, sweet chestnut, hazel, alder and willow can regrow from the point at which the stem is broken. … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Hiking, Hiking (2), History, Los Padres National Forest, Mammoths, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, Writing | 4 Comments

Arlington, Cathedral, La Cumbre Peaks Scramble & More

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Jack Elliott

The stairway to Arlington climbing out of Mission Canyon. “Genji climbed the hill behind the temple and looked off toward the city. The forests receded into a spring haze. ‘Like a painting,’ he said. ‘People who live in such a … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Arlington Peak, Cathedral Peak, Hiking, Hiking (2), La Cumbre Peak, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Pics, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains | 10 Comments

Black Cottonwood Wildcraft

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Jack Elliott

A dribble of resin oozing from the leaf bud of a black cottonwood tree (Populus trichocarpa) growing along the Santa Ynez River. Black cottonwood buds may hold the finest natural fragrance found in the Los Padres National Forest. The gooey … Continue reading →