No hike if raining.  Bring plenty of water.

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

RATTESNAKE CANYON LOOP – 8:30am.  This will be a variation of the Rattlesnake trail that goes a little further and offers some great views.  Of course, those who would just like to follow the shady old trail along the creek to the far end of a meadow and back can do that instead. 

This loop starts up the canyon but we turn left onto an unmarked trail toward what we've called "The Maze" in a previous hike.  But, instead of going to the Maze, we turn left (downhill) on the Edison Catway.  After 5 to 10 minutes, we take a  short unmarked connector to the Tunnel Trail and climb up the Tunnel Trail to the shoulder.  We then hike across the Connector to the big tree by the meadow and hike back down our standard return route on the Rattlesnake trail. Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles for the loop (est. 1200' of gain); 3.5 miles with 1000' of elevation gain for the familiar up and back. Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hours (go at your pace); Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous. 

DIRECTIONS: Trailhead is at the Los Conoas stone bridge over Rattlesnake Creek. From either direction, Exit 101 at Mission and head toward mountains. Three blocks past State, turn left on Garden, go two blocks and turn right on Los Olivos. Pass the Santa Barbara Mission on your left, staying in left lane into Mission Canyon Rd. At the dead-end at Foothill Drive (Hwy 192), turn right. After 0.1 miles, turn left on continuation of Mission Canyon. Go 0.5 miles to Las Conoas, turn sharply to right and follow Skofield Park sign. Take winding road 1.2 miles to the trailhead, by the stone bridge. Pullouts are on the right just before the bridge, and there is more parking across the bridge in Skofield Park.

Hike Leader: David Grace

Hope to see you there!