The Big One!

OK, folks. I checked the weather in Santa Barbara and, so far, it looks like rain won't be a problem. It did say it would be cloudy so I'll check daily to make sure things don't change. Because of all the rock scrambling on this hike and because all of the rock in SB is sandstone, this hike cannot be done in the rain and for at least 48 hours afterwards. If it rains in SB but not locally, I'll shoot out a Plan B hike, but let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Since this one involves a bit of a drive (it's about 75-90 minutes to SB) and will require more coordination that usual, please email me at sirish.upadhyay@pepperdine.edu by no later than Saturday morning, if you're planning on coming. I'll then send out an email with details on what to bring, where we're meeting, etc.

I'm pumped!

The following is from the Santa Barbara Hikes website - please read, but note that "Class 3 rock climbing" in the description means it's not as steep as rock climbing as you know it, which is straight up. Class 3 climbing involves climbing over boulders, not sheer rocks.

Trail: Class 3 rock climbing, steep, primitive trail

This is a super strenuous boulder hop. It's been suggested I recommend you not bring a dog. I'll leave it up to you.

You start the trail on a paved access road that the Edison Company uses. After a mile of gentle uphill, the road turns to dirt and you follow it just a little more toward the turnoff to Jesusita Trail. Take Jesusita Trail to the first creek crossing on Mission Creek, then turn right up mission creek and look for a steep trail on the left that continues up to Cathedral Peak.

This is a steep trail that takes you on a class three rock climb to the top of “Cathedral Peak.” The actual Cathedral Peak, at 3333 ft., is a jutting rock formation a bit further, but this trail goes to a peak just in front of it, properly named Arlington Peak, where there is a nook in a rock with a sign-in book to register your joyous summit.

The views are amazing, stretching from Oxnard on a very clear day all the way up the coast past Goleta and out into the Channel, past the Islands.

The hike is about 4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 3000 ft.

Old faithful

The next hike will be tomorrow, Wednesday, at 1:00 PM. It's a bit late because I have a dental appointment in the morning. Several of you have already done this one; it's the first hike I took you on when we started out - the Solstice Canyon Loop. For those of you who will be joining us for the first time. It's a great hike for those who want to start off with an easy-to-moderate level trek. The hike takes about an hour and a half and it's about 3 miles.

Here's a description I found:
From the gate, follow the service road that runs along the right side of the creek. Bear right at the dirt road that takes you up to the 2 odd looking buildings that house the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. To the right of the second building, take the Rising Sun Trail. This trail heads up the ridge, with great views of the ocean, then drops down into the somewhat mysterious Tropical Terrace. This is actually the ruins of a home build in the 1960s, and burned in 1982. There are exotic plants, lovely pools, a 30 foot waterfall, and a hidden statue of the Virgin Mary just before you cross the creek heading into the ruins. This is really a fun place to explore!

I'll be leaving from Santa Monica around 12:00 - let's meet at the B-school parking lot at 12:45, get into as few cars as possible, and head over. For those of you in SM, I can drive. Just let me know.

For those of you who want more of a challenge, Jessica suggested a great hike - the Backbone Trail. It's 65 miles long so I'll research a good 5-mile segment and send details soon.