Hiking the Backcountry
Indian Creek to Lower Buckhorn Camp
A rigorous dayhike skirting the boundary of the Dick Smith Wilderness. Read story.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Solitaries, Hermits, and Backcountry Weirdos
Over the course 40 years of tramping around our nearby wilderness areas, I’ve encountered a number of refugees from “civilization.” Read story.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Davy Brown Camp
Two day hikes with an evening interlude. Read story.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Manzana Free Camp
A 3-day easy backpack into the San Rafael Wilderness Read story.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Madulce Camp Water-Madness
A moderate 14-mile roundtrip, plus an additional day hike, but beware the hot dry months! Read story.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Gibraltar Dam Loop-hike
Where can we find some explanation for that incurable longing to get outside and beyond the lovely city where most of us live and flourish with our families? Read story.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Blue Canyon Hike-Bike Loop
Less than an hour's drive from Montecito, cycle and walk all morning in wild beauty. Read story.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Matilija North Fork Backpack
I recommend solitary ventures in the wild if you are fit, experienced, cautious, and eager for new inner and outer discoveries. Read story.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Sisquoc River Scramble
Six days and five nights of strenuous backpacking, no layover days, river-walking the Sisquoc amid riparian splendor. Read story.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Southern Los Padres Trails Guidebook
A review of Craig Carey's Hiking & Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura. Read story.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Gaviota Peak Dayhike
A three-hour loop hike starting and ending at Gaviota State Park, and very conducive to mindfulness. Read story.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Dayhiking in Socialist Munich
Why do so many consider Munich especially nature-friendly? The celebrated, 910-acre Englischer Garten leads the list in a spectacular way. But that's not all. Read story.
Monday, August 13, 2012
White Ledge Solo Backpack
One way to reduce your civilized "needs" and wants is to go backpacking; and fetching even fewer things along for this five-day easy backpack intensifies the contrast. Read story.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
39-mile Backpack Over Mission Pine Ridge
Or, how our backpacking columnist got lost in the woods and needed Search & Rescue. Read story.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Matilija Falls Day Hike (Ojai)
Although the Matilija is fairly small at 29,600 acres, it abuts the marvelous Dick Smith Wilderness, which also shares a border with the 240,000 acre San Rafael Wilderness. Read story.
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