Los Padres Forest Association

We are looking at our first LP winter storms (plural) this weekend! Storm 1 arrives Friday-Saturday and Storm 2 Saturday-Sunday. We are looking at rain across the LP, with the most accumulation between 0.15" and 0.5" in particularly wet areas. There's a possible 3" of snow accumulation, with snow levels ranging around 4,000 - 5,000ft. We should see a dramatic decrease of as much as 30 in temps heading into the weekend - for example, the backcountry has a high of 82 today a...nd high of 49 on Saturday. Please keep this in mind as you prepare for any backcountry adventures this weekend - stay warm and stay safe explorers! - - - - #lospadresnationalforest #winterstorm #autumn #snow #rain #lowtemps #exploreCA #nationalforest #weather #safetyfirst #november #snowfall #mountains #cold #optoutside #backcountry #adventuresoutside See more

Looking for a break from the news cycle? Check out our new blog post to see forest updates and lots of Los Padres goodness! https://lpforest.org/7-minute-stories-kendra-and-much-much/

Someone struggled for your right to vote. Use it. - Susan B. Anthony Get out there and vote! In CA you can register AND vote on Election Day (today)! Go to vote.org to find your polling place. #govote #votingmatters #vote ... - Photo: @condors_rest See more

We've been putting in work at Matilija! Many thanks to all the hardworking volunteers and scouts involved!

LIZARD WOMAN on DEVIL'S CANYON! OMG..... we’re alive! Decided to hike Devils Canyon today, cause it’s Halloween - of course - and to our surprise we came around a corner and Lizard Woman was standing there chainsawing a tree from the trail! We had just enough time to take a rushed photo before running the other way as fast as we could! So happy to be alive.... - -... - #lizardwoman #shelives #devilscanyon #happyhalloween #wesurvived #santaynezmountains #santaynezriver #nosignoflizardman See more

Happy Halloween! What's the spookiest spot in the Los Padres?...tell us your stories!

October's Volunteer of the Month: Bardley Smith Bardley started volunteering with the Forest Service around 15 years ago, where he was introduced to the LPFA. One day he was looking at a topo map and saw a feature that caught his eye: Devil's Gateway. He couldn't find good photos or reliable trail surveys, but not long after, he saw an ad in the Ojai newspaper for a maintenance project, led by the local ranger, at that same spot. He tagged along, did maintenance, saw the Devi...l's Gateway, and was hooked. Bardley has since led many projects with LPFA, the FS and Boy Scouts, is a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger, and continues to volunteer and enjoy the Los Padres, particularly the Ojai and Mt. Pinos Ranger Districts. His favorite maintenance work is as a sawyer - removing downed trees that block trails. His tips for folks interested in volunteering? "Leaders of projects are all different. The areas where you visit are different. The work you do is different. If you go once and don't like it, try another one. People can make the project. Don't give up. Try a different project and see what you like. When you volunteer with LPFA, you get access to spots that you can't easily get to if you're just the general public. The price of admissions is a couple hours of trail work." You may see Bardley out on the trail, where he often brings his own loppers to remove brush along the way. Thank you Bardley for all you bring to the LPFA! - - - - - #volunteerofthemonth #volunteerappreciation #volunteerspotlight #volunteer #gratitude #thankfulthursday #thankful #lospadresnationalforest #givebacktotheforest #protecttheforest #exploreCA #ojai #mtpinos #venturacounty #trailmaintenance #trailcrew #keepitwild #volunteerwildernessranger #sawyer #scouts #leadership See more

"MONTECITO, Calif. - Front country hiking trails on the Santa Barbara South Coast, especially in Montecito, have been especially popular outdoor outlets during the pandemic. But as much wear and tear as those trails get from hikers, mountain bikes and horses, Mother Nature delivers most of the damage. Crews are working to rebuild sections of the popular San Ysidro trail in Montecito, which still has damage from the January 2018's devastating debris flows.... Of all the trails that were impacted by the Thomas Fire and then our debris flows I feel like the San Ysidro trail was hit the hardest, said Bryan Conant, a local trails expert and member of Los Padres Forest Association. It just really was sort of the last trail that we decided to chip away at and work on. The Los Padres Forest Association works with the Montecito Trails Foundation and its team of volunteers to maintain hiking trails year-round, usually clearing brush and drainage areas..." Thank you to Los Padres Outfitters and Montecito Trails Foundation for coming together to help rebuild the San Ysidro trail and for Ryan Fish KEYT KCOY KKFX for covering our work!

We love our Eagle Scouts! Big thanks to Vincent M of Troop 37 for his work at Hidden Potrero Here's what he accomplished: Hidden Potrero: Racked grasses and cleaned camp around fire ring, table, and tent locations. Fixed burnt table. -... Camuesa Connector Trail Head: Added new table, which was needed for hikers, bikers, and OHV users. - Santa Cruz Trail Head: Added new sign with note board. - - - - #ThankfulThursday #lospadresnationalforest #volunteerappreciation #eaglescoutproject #giveback #volunteer #givebacktotheforest #exploreCA #forest #mountains #camping #hiking See more