No hike if raining.  Bring plenty of water.

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

ROMERO CANYON – 8:30 AM.  This hike marks our first return to the burn area above Montecito.  Romero Canyon is open, and you may recall that there are two ways up (and down): the shorter, well-shaded Romero Canyon trail and the longer, more exposed Old Romero Road.  They meet at the top of the hike.

The Old Road is in good shape and has been scraped all the way up--this will be our default route.  For those looking for more adventure, the trail is passable but rough is a couple of spots with some boulder hopping and several switches across the washed out creek.  The views from the top and along the Old Road have always been spectacular, but it is also a unique opportunity to see the mudslide damage to the hillsides and witness some early recovery.(picture above).

Traveling the Old Road both ways makes for a longer hike--four miles in each direction--but it is also a gentler slope.  The trail is only two miles each way, but it will be slow going in places and not appropriate for most hikers.  The elevation gain is 1200 feet on either route.  Hiking time 3-3.5 hours.  Make sure you bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.

DIRECTIONS: Meet at the Romero Canyon trail head on Bella Vista Rd.  Exit Fwy101 at Sheffield Dr (Exit #92) in Montecito (Sheffield is a LEFT LANE EXIT coming from Santa Barbara).  Turn toward the mountains and follow signs to Sheffield. About 1.4 miles after exiting the 101, Sheffield ends at E. Valley Rd (CA-192). Turn left and then immediately right on to Romero Canyon Rd. Continue up Romero Canyon, bearing right to avoid entering Lilac Lane.  One mile after first entering Romero, turn right on to Bella Vista Dr. and go .3 miles to the trailhead on your left. During the week there is ample parking along the road.

Hike Leader: Bo Kite

 Hope to see you there!