No hike if raining.  Bring plenty of water.

This is a SATURDAY 8:30am meetup – no need to register.

BARON RANCH – 8:30am SATURDAY.  Baron Ranch is an old ranch located in Arroyo Quemado, so named due to the burning of a Chumash village in the canyon by a rival Chumash band in the 1770’s.  A cattle ranch for many years, County of Santa Barbara now owns the property which is open Saturday-Monday.  That’s why we’re hiking on Saturday instead of Friday.

Baron Ranch offers a different kind of front country hiking than the front range above Santa Barbara, and receives a lot less foot traffic.  Using old ranch roads and ATV trails, we will pass by an apiary (bee yard), old citrus and avocado orchards, and a number of other features as we gradually climb in elevation towards the native habitats of the area.  This hike is less about spectacular views (although one can see the ocean from the high points) and more about experiencing the Gaviota back country. 

We hike into the ranch along the entrance road.  Much of the first 2 miles is a very gradual, open climb, leading eventually to a steeper upper loop.  While the first part of the hike is exposed, we come to more forested areas as we move deeper into the ranch.  The trail is well marked, as many parts of the property are still off limits to the public.  Hiking Distance: 6+ miles round trip; Elevation gain: 1100 feet; Hiking Time: 2.5-3 hours (go at your pace); Difficulty: Moderate.

Directions:  Take 101 west from Santa Barbara, past El Capitan State Beach.  When you reach the Refugio State Beach exit, travel another 2.2 miles on 101 to an unmarked exit on the right.  There is no off-ramp, so the turn comes up quick.  As you exit the freeway, make an immediate left onto the frontage road (Calle Real).  Proceed 0.8 miles to Baron Ranch gate (in the photo) and park just outside the gate.

 Hike Leader: Dave Ellenberger

Hope to see you there!