Backpackers in Santa Barbara

Hey Ben. Fire restrictions were just lifted last week so we're finally able to cook and have campfires in the backcountry! Still haven't had a lot of rain around here though.

If you're looking for current trail conditions and water availability, I'd check out the Santa Barbara Hikes forums. There isn't a lot of activity at that site, but when conditions change, people do post updates. The Los Padres Forest Association and Condor Trail Facebook pages also have interesting stuff about local hiking happenings.

There's also a mailing list for Los Padres National Forest Volunteers that I'm on, even though I have never volunteered for much, if anything. They send out frequent trail condition updates. You can sign up for it here: http://lists.lpforest.org/listinfo.cgi/volunteers-lpforest.org

I haven't made it out for a trip in LPNF yet this fall, but hope to rectify that shortly. Water's still a bit iffy for a lot of the forest, but most of the larger creeks and more reliable springs have at least some water. Like mentioned, the Los Padres Forest Association and Condor Trail pages on Facebook are probably your best bet for up to date info on trail conditions, water availability, etc.

There's a handful of other 805 area hikers that lurk around this site.

-N.

I will be hiking more and more after the new year to get ready for a PCT thru, starting around May 1st. I need to put in the miles and will be hiking as many days as I possibly can hike. Hit me up for a trip, I live in Carpinteria and being retired, can hike almost any time.

Terry