February - March 2012 - Los Padres Chapter Sierra Club

Vol.’12, Vol. ’11, No. 21 of 6
February - June-July March 2012 2011
2011 Review......WBC begins......Politics......Condor Trail
Rescue . Page . . 1 Earth Day Pages . . . 1, Trails. 5 . . Page Big3 Birds . . Page . Wildflowers
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Here’s looking at you, 2011
By John Hankins
Editor, Condor Call
The Los Padres Sierra Club’s
volunteer efforts bore a lot of
fruit in 2011, in concert with
other ecology groups and the
Environmental Defense Center
(EDC).
Most notable were positive
results in our two priority areas:
Ormond Beach in Ventura County
and the Gaviota Coast in Santa
Barbara County. Still, vigilance is
a constant necessity as both those
areas are eyed by development
interests, and volunteers are
always needed.
Here’s a short list of what
we’ve been up to in 2011and
please join us as we carry on the
struggle in 2012 and beyond.
Gaviota Coast sees
access and action
By Phil McKenna
Director, Naples Coalition
Last year saw the demise
of Matt Osgood’s dream to
develop Naples.
When he persuaded the
County Supervisors to approve his
project at the end of 2008, despite
near unanimous opposition from
the public, he thought he had a
$200 million deal. This May he
attended the foreclosure auction at
the Courthouse that was forced by
his failure to make payments on
his debt and where no one bid to
purchase the deal for $50 million.
First Bank, the lender to
Osgood, now owns the property
but wants to dispose of it. Time
will tell if these lands can be
preserved, or if the property
attracts another developer. If the
latter, they will face the same
strident, unyielding opposition to
the urban invasion of the Gaviota
Coast as defeated Osgood.
Our objective remains
unchanged; to preserve the rural
character of the Gaviota Coast.
We have sued the County and the
owner (now First Bank) over the
improper planning process and
the legitimacy of the entitlements
that were approved. That case will
likely go to a hearing this year
and we are optimistic about the
outcome. Any attempt to develop
the property faces a nearly
insurmountable set of hurdles
backed by our community’s
staunch opposition.
In the meantime, First Bank
has recorded a legal notice to
prevent the continuing public use
from strengthening our claims of
public easement to use the property.
Naples Coalition advocacy also
caused the removal of illegal “No
Parking” signs on the south side of
101 by the Dos Pueblos Canyon
Road onramp.
You can now conveniently
and legally visit the Naples bluff
by parking on the frontage road
(Dos Pueblos Canyon Road)
near the southbound entrance of
Highway 101. Walk around the
gate to the left onto the property
and follow the road out to the
ocean. Any trespassing signs are
relics of the recent past; don’t let
them deter you.
Don’t bother the cattle (or the bull)
and leave all gates as you found
them. Mind the fragile bluffs and
their crumbling nature. Enjoy the
glorious open vistas of the bluffs,
mountains and ocean! The grasses
are greening and it’s a great time
of year to visit Naples.
Visit the Naples website at www.
SaveNaples.org and take a look at
Reeve Woolpert’s glorious photos
of Naples and the Gaviota Coast at
www.thegaviotacoast.org.
Editor’s note: The Los Padres
Sierra Club has been a long-time
member of the Naples Coalition.
~ Literally hundreds of free, public
outings were conducted by the Los
Padres Sierra Club throughout
Santa Barbara and Ventura
counties. National Geographic’s
Adventure Magazine rates the
club’s outings “Best on Earth.”
~ Over 200 people attended
the “coming out” party of the
Ventura Sierra Club (formerly
Sespe Group) at the Pierpont Inn,
and a lot of local officials attended;
it also launched a new website:
www.VenturaSierraClub.org.
~ A first-ever college course
offering outdoor skills was
launched at Ventura College
as an outgrowth of our popular
Wilderness Basics Course.
~ Sierra Club was active in
helping to stop the annexation of
Cañada Larga property into the
city of Ventura.
~ Venoco quit its plan to drill
new oil wells from the Carpinteria
shore into the sea, thanks to a
coalition that included the Sierra
Club.
~ Sierra Club is part of an
Earthjustice agreement with the
Forest Service that helps protect
about 900,000 acres of “roadless
areas” in the four SoCal National
Forests.
~ Wilderness Basics Course
fills up again with enthusiastic
students. However, during a
weekend backpack, severe
weather strands participants who
required help from Search and
Rescue.
~ Sierra Club’s Solar Permit
Fee Campaign is successful in
getting cities and counties to
reduce the price of photovoltaic
systems, as an investigation
showed a wide disparity in permit
fees.
~ Two new trails were opened
on the Gaviota Coast, thanks to
the Santa Barbara Trails Council,
of which the Los Padres Sierra
Club is a part. Also a new bridge
connection in Wildwood Park in
the Conejo Valley was finished,
Continued on page 2
Some say there is “light at the end” concerning the dream to rehabilitate Ormond Beach wetlands
into a world-class attraction, but for now we have to settle for an occasional rainbow for inspiration.
(© Photo by Larry Wan)
February/March 2012 • Condor Call 1
February - March 2012
The exhilaration of being outdoors is clearly shown here, which
is a great inspiration to sign up for the Wilderness Basics Course.
(Photo by Robert Bernstein)
YAY! WBC BEGINS
Los Padres Sierra Club’s
Wilderness Basics Course is a lot
of fun and designed to enhance
enjoyment and safety while in the
backcountry either for a daylight
stroll or a backpack adventure.
WBC’s presenters are of the
highest caliber in their fields in Ventra
and Santa Barbara counties and offer
excellent training to adults from the
beginner to the proficient. After the
classes are over, there are opportunities
to explore with your fellow students
or with WBC leaders and staff, many
of whom graduated from the program
and are sharing their passion.
Nuances challenge new
open primary elections
By Fran Farina
Co-Chair Political Committee
It’s not enough that 2012 is a
presidential election year with all
the interest that it attracts, but in
California we have the new “Top
Two Candidates Open Primary Act.”
While this new Act does not
affect the presidential election,
county central committees, or local
offices like city councilmembers,
county supervisors, or school board
elections, it does change what were
previously partisan elections like
state officers or legislators. Here’s
how it will work.
On the June 5 primary ballot,
all candidates for voter-nominated
offices will be listed on one ballot
and only the top two vote-getters
move on to the general election in
November. It may mean that the
two candidates moving forward
are both from the same party.
Furthermore, what used to be
“party affiliation” is changed to
“party preference” and it may
or may not be stated under the
candidate’s name!
Another nuance is that
even if a candidate for a voter-
Now in its fourth successful year,
the course runs from February 29 to
April 25, with a break during Easter/
Passover week. See story and flyer
on page 5 for more details.
WBC will teach you how to
select and use equipment from proper
clothing to backpacks. You’ll be able to
navigate using map and compass, and
learn the basics of wilderness first aid,
outdoor safety, reading the weather,
planning the trip, plus much more.
Questions? Call 746-6030, email
lospadresWBC@gmail.com or
go online at www.lospadres.
sierraclub.org/wbc.
nominated office receives over
50 percent of the vote in June,
he or she must continue on to the
November election against the
second highest voter-getter. This
is true even if there were only two
candidates to begin with on the
June ballot.
Your Los Padres Sierra Club
Political Committee is already
working on endorsements for
strong environmental candidates
so stay in touch through the
Condor Call or at our website
http://lospadres.sierraclub.org
To understand how we will
endorse, see the article on Page 3
COVER PHOTO
The Sierra Club’s national
and international outings of
all kinds are now out, see
details on page 6. Here,
leader Suzanne Swedo took
a photo of a horse at Dorothy
Lake for her Northern
Yosemite Natural History
outing in August. (© Photo by
Suzanne Swedo; see more
at www.wildswedo.com).

February/March 2012 • Condor Call 2
A hiker’s eye view of the Gaviota Coast gains the high ground in the ongoing efforts to save it from
urban development. (Photo by Dave Pierce)
Here’s looking...
continued from page 1
also supported by our members.
~ Our chapter took an active
part in Earth Day festivities
throughout our area, picking up
some new members, too.
~ Members continue to work
with others to ban single use
plastic bags; city of Carpinteria
becomes the first in our area to do
so.
~ One of our Environmental
Hero winners, teenager Alec
Loorz of Ventura, organizes the
international iMatter March to
draw attention to global climate
change.
~ National Sierra Club
chooses the Ormond Beach
Wetlands as part of its “Resilient
Habitat Campaign,” one of only
three areas in California. It means
“it has gone from an obscure local
issue to a nationally recognized
campaign,” said member Trevor
Smith, who applied for the
designation.
~ Chapter joins an
Environmental Defense Center
lawsuit challenging Oxnard’s plan
for development around Ormond
Beach, and a partial victory is
won.
~ Ventura Sierra Club again
fills up a whole “green block”
during the Fourth of July street
fair, highlighting alternative
vehicles and Wilderness Basics
Course, among others.
~ Our chapter was chosen
to host an important wilderness
gathering that detailed
controversies and political
problems and emphasized a new
campaign to add wilderness
designations in the Los Padres
National Forest via www.
LosPadresWild.org
~ Sierra Club joins forces
with SunRun to bring affordable
solar energy to homes, vastly
reducing the cost to the owners.
~ Coalition of local ecology
groups celebrate a political
victory that requires Venoco to
transport oil off the Gaviota Coast
via a new pipeline, ending years
of carrying the oil through the
Channel via a barge.
~ Sierra Club campaign
begins to add marine sanctuaries
off the Southern California coast.
~ Ventura Sierra Club
and EDC join for a gala party
to celebrate local success in
protecting the environment.
~ Backcountry author Bryan
Conant begins a series of articles
in Condor Call about creating an
epic trail in the Los Padres; details
at www.CondorTrail.com.
~ Sierra Club supports the
Occupy movement, and local
members take part in Occupy
Ventura and Occupy Santa
Barbara protests.
~ Santa Barbara group
members get involved in saving
Hot Springs Canyon, site of sulfur
hot springs where a renowned spa
was located before it burned down
in 1964.
~ Member Gerry French
conducts Food and Farm
Adventures, in which participants
visit health-oriented businesses.
EAVESDROPS
“Single-use bags
are a disaster not
waiting to happen, but
happening. It’s really
time to break the habit.
We’ve tried education,
tried persuasion, tried
setting examples for
people, but it just hasn’t
been enough.”
-- Former Carpinteria
mayor Donna Jordan,
speaking on behalf of
Carpinteria Beautiful,
during a meeting in which
the city was the first in
Santa Barbara County to
ban plastic bags.
Typography etc.
by Jim Cook • RIP
By John Hankins
Editor Condor Call
Over at least 20 years I
received many compliments
about the content and design
of Condor Call, but the design
praise I passed on to Jim Cook
where it belonged.
As our long-time typographer
from Western Web, Jim translated
my hand layouts into a crisp,
readable and good looking
newspaper, manipulating columns
of type, photos, graphics and
headlines as if he was composing
an aria. And he was, perhaps
due to his training as a classical
musician. His fingers flew across
the keyboard of either a piano or
word processor, trying to keep up
with his quick mind.
But cancer finally silenced
him, and he passed away on
Nov. 29th after months of
refusing to take a sickening mix
of cancer cocktails.
“I have done all I want to
do, and I’m at peace,” he told me
while lying in bed at Sara House
in Santa Barbara.
The modesty of this gifted man
was such that I had to sneak in the
phrase, “Typography by Jim Cook”
at the end of our Page 2 directory, for
he never followed my instructions
to put it in himself. He would work
off the clock, nights and weekends,
to ensure Condor Call met its
deadlines, and always cheerfully
and often with a quick witted quip.
The Sierra Club was not
the only recipient of his unsung
genius, as he designed scores of
newspapers and books, notably
two dozen written by John
McKinney (www.TheTrailmaster.
com): “Day Hiker’s Guide to
Southern California” (1981),
“Walk Santa Barbara” (1991),
“Day Hiker’s Guide to California
State Parks” (2001) and “The
The Wildling Art Museum is
offering the next “Learn to speak
fluent nature” class on Saturday,
Feb. 18, from 9-11:30 a.m.
Join esteemed local naturalists
Dr. Fred Emerson and botanist
Larry Ballard for an enjoyable
and informative morning learning
about the natural history of the
Santa Ynez Valley at the Los
Alamos County Park. Known as
one of the “hidden treasures,” the
Hiker’s Way: Hike Smart, Live
Well, Go Green” (2009).
“Some book designers scoff
at mere guidebooks, but not Jim
Cook. He believed in the mission
of connecting people with the
great outdoors and embraced
that mission when he designed a
book, striving for ease of use and
the best way to acquaint a wouldbe
visitor to new territory or a
new trail,” McKinney said.
“Jim always listened to
classical music—often opera—
while he designed and produced
books. Jim appreciated all the
arts and directed many plays. He
brought an elevated and artistic
sensibility to every publication,
from fine cookbooks to student
newspapers, from literary works
to catalogs,” he added
The last book he designed
was a small hiker’s dictionary
compiled by McKinney, “Hiking
from A to Z” (2011).
“Even though he was
really getting too ill to work,
Jim insisted on completing the
design. This crossword puzzle
master and ultimate authority on
grammar and punctuation loved
words of all kinds.”
“Despite the obvious pain he
was suffering, Jim was fascinated
(and the one person who did
not think me crazy) that I had
compiled 1,000 hiker words and
terms. He had a good laugh over
some of them such as touron (a
combination of tourist and moron)
and Nature Deficit Disorder,”
McKinney said.
While much of Jim Cook’s
talents were unknown by the
general public, he touched so
many of them over 40 years
through the publications he
shaped with his creative mind,
and for those of us lucky enough
to know him, he touched us with
his heart.
As Jim Cook’s good friend and photographer Eric Larson remembers, Jim
was presumably relaxing in the outdoors, but just had to phone Western Web
and declare, “Freddy, we need more (printing) plates.” He also took time
out to attend Condor John’s wedding (right) at the County Courthouse.
Do you speak nature
class will travel through Coast
live oak woodland and grasslands
on this 51-acre park at the mouth
of Drum Canyon.
Classes will continue on the
third Saturday of each month
with field classes at the Santa
Ynez River Estuary, Rancho La
Vina, and La Purisima Mission.
For more information, call
686-8315 or log on to: www.
wildlingmuseum.org.

Los Padres Group News
The public is welcome to our programs
RAISED ARGUELLO BED PLANTERS on & not on casters. www.PocketReferenceJournals.com GROUP(714)
Cal talks of trek
Grow your favorite herbs, vegetables and
berries at home organically and vine ripe.
Gopher proof. 643-5902. See Ad Page?
SAUNA FOR SALE: Manufactured by
Heavenly Heat (ecologically safe). White
poplar, Arguello electric, seatsGroup’s two. Make offer. February
17 monthly meeting will feature
“A Hike from the Desert to the
Gimme Piece
Sea” by Cal French from the
As told by Sierra Club Board of
Santa Lucia Chapter in San Luis
Directors President Robin Mann in
support
Obispo
of
County.
union workers’ rights:
AThis public will union be employee, an entertaining a tea
party and educational activist, andpresentation a CEO are sit- on
ting Resilient at a table Habitats withby a plate this well- of a
dozen known cookies hiker and in the conservationist,
middle of it.
who Thecontributed CEO takes an 11 article cookies, and
turns photos to on the tea the partier subject andto says, the
“Watch Condor out Call for that in union the October/ guy. He
wants a piece of your cookie.”
914-2565.
PET/HOUSE SITTING,Many,many great references.
Very reasonable rates. Lorraine, 450-0241
SAVE THE TOWN from demolition, go to city
planning hearings, 630 Garden St., Gebhard
Room, November agendasissue. posted Don’t there ormiss www.santa it.
barbara.ca.gov/abr There will also or /sfdb, be /hlc, a /sho, potluck, /pc and
city starting council. at Very 6:30 important p.m. followed Chumash burial by
grounds everywhere, don’t add on to your
house, the program no condos, presentation no building. Go at to7:30 the
hearings p.m., and or write you comments can come and save for theboth town.
SAVE or just THEthe OLD program. GROWTH redwood houses,
shed and 1960’s workshop at 1236 San
Andres The fromevent massive happens condo project. on Friday, Call the
SB Feb. City planners 17 at atthe 564-5470, Lompoc ask for Danny First
Kato. Presbyterian Tell your friends, Church call your 1600 legislators. East
Save all SB from demolition of similar historic
houses Berkeley throughout Ave. theTo city. We arrange need another car-
Pearl pooling Chase! from Help now. Santa Maria, or any
PASS other ON information, your outdoorcontact gear or whatever Jerry at
through the Condor Call Classified. Just fill in
the 928-3598. blanks (right) and send us a check.
Name:
Phone:
February/March 2012 • Condor Call 3
April/May 2011 • Condor Call 3
TRAIL TALK:
Can’t keep a good leader down
STEERING COMMITTEE
• The Steering Committee normally meets on the fourth Thursday of every
STEERING COMMITTEE
month in Carpinteria. Email Chair Gerry Ching for agenda: gching@cox.net.
• The Steering Committee normally meets on the fourth Thursday of every month
in Carpinteria. Email Chair ARGUELLO Gerry Ching for agenda: GROUP gching@cox.net.
• Volunteers needed as ARGUELLO hike leaders and GROUP
for monitoring issues, etc. ExCom
meets • Volunteers first Monday needed of as most hike leaders months. andAll for information monitoring issues, from Jerry etc. ExCom Connor, meets 928-
3598, or email: Connor.gd2@verizon.net “Hike from desert to the sea” program
first Monday Feb. 17. of most See months. details below. April 15 program on “Community Gardens.” May 20
is annual dinner and Walter Robie show on “Color of Spring.” All information from
Editor’s Note: In this issue,
Condor Call launches a new series
about our intrepid hike leaders, the
selfless souls who literally take
thousands of people out on hikes
for free throughout Ventura and
Santa Barbara counties each year.
What is your favorite
hike?
Probably Chorro Grande.
I’ve done it at least 15 times.
One time I ended up with
nine people I didn’t really
know, and there was a lot of
Jerry Connor, 928-3598, or CONEJO email: Connor.gd2@verizon.net
GROUP
• Get all information from CONEJO John Holroyd, GROUP 495-6391, email: backpacker2@
earthlink.net. On the web: http://lospadres.sierraclub.org/conejo/index.html
• Get all information from John Holroyd, 495-6391, email: backpacker2@earth
link.net. On the web: SANTA http://mysite.verizon.net/res117q7b
BARBARA GROUP
• Join our email list: SANTA contact stephen@lospadres.sierraclub.org
BARBARA GROUP
• •Get ExCom the normally latest updates meets the on first events Tuesday and of issues each month at: www.SBSierraClub.org
at 7 p.m. in the Faulkner
Gallery in the S.B. Public Library—except for May 3, meet at 6 p.m. at Hill-Carrillo
VENTURA SIERRA CLUB
• Adobe, Up-to-date 15 E. Carrillo information St. on our website: www.VenturaSierraClub.org.
• Get the latest updates on events and issues at: www.SBSierra Club.org
VENTURA SIERRA CLUB
We start out with one of our veterans,
84-year-old Ted Guenther, who
has led hikes for almost 25 years
and would love to have you along.
By Mike Stubblefield
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Palo Alto. After
serving in the Army, I attended Cal
snow up there. I was kinda
worried about taking people
I didn’t know into snow
country, but when they
started having snowball
fights I stopped worrying.
Ever had anything
weird happen on a hike?
Yes. It was in Matilija
• Up-to-date information on our website: www.VenturaSierraClub.org.
State Humboldt. I was a general Canyon. Twenty-eight peo-
contractor It’s a lot of for work 40 years; to evaluate I worked political ple signed candidates in at the who trailhead. share the Sierra Club’s ecological ethic, but
March VENTURA is SIERRA appealing on here the are back four end of of our houses, volunteers room who And put back in at the the time trailhead to do atit
right (from left), Fran Farina (Chair),
CLUB
additions, Gwen Phillips, kitchens, Carolyn bathrooms. Cogan, Sally the end Warner-Arnett of the day, I counted and Selma Rubin. (Photo by Bill Arnett)
It’s nearly that time of year can experience first-hand How’d you get started as a 28 people. But two ladies
when the Los Rapport Padres Sierra why gained we’re so adamant about hike REDISTRICT leader? MIX had become too tired to con-
Club asks you to support the resource protection and loving After I was divorced I started tinue, so without telling any-
incredible work with our volunteers lawmakers
the earth.
going on Sunday hikes with John body, they had just stopped
are The doing Ventura in Sierra Santa Club’s Barbara first TimThe Flynnfuel and his for wife, all Julie, of this also Olson. We’d Endorsement have nice afternoon and sat down on process a rock. And is tough
social and Ventura turned out counties. to be a very unique attended. is money, and with a down hikes, then go to a pizza parlor. In two other people who usu-
and casual That includes venue in which hundreds to chatof in economy The legislators it’s tough themselves to stay also the By early Fran ’80s, Farina John told some of us ally hiked The process with us is had somewhat joined less announced for Congressional District
afree relaxed outings and friendly per year manner and first- with used ahead the of those quality who time do not to have chat that and David the Club Gold needed more local up formal with for us incumbents after the hike who have 26. Hannah-Beth Jackson and Jason
so many of our capitol representa- between themselves on important hike leaders. I thought about it, began, so we still had 28
class activism protecting the our same ethic of respecting
solid environmental voting records Hodge are already campaigning for
tives from both sides of the aisle. issues. For instance Jeff Gorell and became interested, took some train- people at the end of the hike.
ecology, notably the Gaviota the earth and all its creatures Securing an endorsement from and have been accessible to Sierra this Senate seat and the Political
Held on March 5, members were Das Williams are cooperating on ing, and started leading hikes. Then somebody asked,
able
Coast
to
and
converse
the dream
about virtually
to restore
all several
great and
bills
small.
the Sierra Club is not a simple process Club leaders. Sierra Club has a Committee is proceeding with a full
that need to be pushed What do you like about lead- “What happened to so-and-
of Ormond our priority Beach. items, which included through The while March Jeff leaves Appeal nor should it be. Our endorsement fundamental policy and practice evaluation of these candidates.
for ing hikes?
so and so-and-so?” I had to Long-time hike leader Ted Guenther is 84 and
Ormond The Beach March wetlands Appeal preserva- letter Afghanistan contributions on a one-year are not military tax carries great weight with voters of endorsing these incumbents for So you can see that we
It’s fun. It gets me out. And you walk about halfway back up can probably out-hike most of you … but he’s
tion on behalf to the Peaker of the Plant, club to Jones will stint deductible, in April. as Jeff they and are Juliaused also meet
and our
an incredibly
Political
diverse
Committee
group
must
of the
reelection.
trail, late
Thus,
in
endorsements
the after- glad for to are saunter busy at your trying own to pace. provide (Photo you by
Ranch be mailed and Cañada in March. Larga, from Please plas- brought to support members the club’s of theireffective local dis- people, follow specific most always guidelines happy before people. an noon, Das Williams to find in Assembly these ladies. District Mike 37 Stubblefield) with the best recommendations.
tic read bagit bans and toseriously coastal access consider issues trict citizens-based office staffs advocacy who pledgedand to endorsement Have you receives ever had final any approval. prob- They and Fran were Pavley still sitting for Senate on theDistrict
Look for complete endorsement
around helping Channel us out. Islands Harbor. work lobbying closely efforts. with us.
lems We with have anyone, a minimum and what of three kind rock. 27 have already been approved. information in the next issue of the
There We only was no ask formal once agenda, per year, no Thanks However, goes tothere Jim and is Colleen also a of approval problems levels, were each they? requiring a What Congressional kind of pace races do will you be likea
Condor Call and on our website at
EAVESDROPS
speeches, unless there’s no group a special addresses—but need, McComb way to contribute and their daughter and take Shanit
two-thirds After several vote, and hundred must hikes document over to high set? priority this year as redistricting http://lospadres.sierraclub.org.
“These are our future policy-
because of the small, intimate venue, non for an awesome job of organiz- two decades and more, I’ve only I’ve had people walk off from
and we never ask something as a tax deduction, by writing whether all candidates were has placed Lois Capps in a makers. If you If are they not already value registered nature, to if
the conversations could be compreing the event. Food was provided had trouble with seven or eight peo- me or get mad at me because “we
for nothing as we have a long a check to the chapter’s Sierra given an opportunity to submit a demographically more competitive they vote, please see the register. beauty Finally, and complex- if you can
hensive and very constructive. by Marty’s Catering of Ojai. ple. One that I still remember was were walking too slowly.” But I
history
The politicians
of accomplishments,
who attended
Club
All
Foundation.
questionnaire or be interviewed or district (CD 24) and Elton Gallegly’s ity give of some it, that’s of your worth time and/or gold.” money to
in all it was a very produc- on the White Ledge Trail [a shortcut stick to my own rule that we will
were some Assembly of which are members detailed Julia in tive To evening contribute, in terms ofuse creating the justify why they were not. retirement and new district boundary help Stephen our endorsed Davis candidates, of Pepperdine, let them
up the Sisar Canyon fire road to only walk at the speed of the slow-
Brownley, this issue (see Jeff Gorell, page 1 story). and Das positive appeal rapport letter with sent our to you elected in
(CD 26) has created a rare opportunity remarking know you are on a Sierra the emerging Club member. popu-
Topa Topa bluff; on the way to est hiker. Some people who come
Williams, While withsolicitations his new bride, Jon- for officials March, from or simply both sides send ofyour the White Vote Ledge nears campground]. for on
for a
my
new
hikes
representative.
larity of outdoor classrooms (a
are not that experi-
long-time Sierra Club ethic), which
nie. funds Oxnard from City so Council many member worthy political contribution aisle. to: Los —Jon Padres Ziv We put down in the Condor Call enced, Tony but Strickland’s if they read Senate the descrip- District Fran Farina and David Gold are Corange
from preschools to universi-
groups might make your eyes Sierra Club, PO Box 31241, that it was a 900-foot elevation gain. tion 19 has of been a hike, reconfigured then decide so he to doesn’t come Chairs of the Los Padres Sierra Club
ARGUELLO GROUP
Well, club one leaders
ties. Ventura County Star headlined
glaze over, consider that our Santa Barbara, CA 93130-
lady got pretty well on even that live hike, in it; they furthermore, deserve to he’s be Political Committee
its article: “Seeds of Knowledge.”
work has literally helped save 1241.
pooped The out annual on election the hike. for I the told Sierra her taken care of reasonably. I think
the essence of Food, our beautiful flora, To support and our effective that Club’s we national were going Board to of come Directors back is that’s one reason why my hikes
this way; you can sit here and wait have been popular.
myself off and tried to continue,
area, from the color mountains of to action spring programs (not tax- now underway, with materials available
for us if you want. She called me up Yet even I have a certain num- but was only able to walk another
the sea.
deductible), make the check on the web March 1, and voting through
The Arguello Group’s free pro- theme music throughout.
that night and said she was going to RAISED ber of people BED come PLANTERS once, and on then & half-mile. SAVE THE It’s OLD a little GROWTH hard for me red- to
grams
Beyond
will include
the
lasagna,
necessary
the color
out
Place
to
for
“Los
both programs
Padres
is
Sierra mid-April.
at the have to have to go to the hospital not they on don’t casters. show up Grow again. your One favorite lady breathe wood houses, anyway, shed but and I just 1960’s couldn’t work-
herbs, vegetables and berries at home
of activism, spring, andalso community consider gardens. that First Club, Presbyterian and for a shop at 1236 San Andres from massive
Church tax deductible Members frequently state that they
of Lom- and that it was my fault because it came on a hike, and after watching go on.
organically and vine ripe. Gopher condo project. Call the SB City plan-
we First offer up onhundreds Friday, April of 15, free at poc, donation, 1400 Berkeley make Ave. it out to don’t know the candidates and find it
was actually a 1,500-foot elevation proof. her and 643-5902. talking to her, I realized ners Luckily, at 564-5470, some ask friends for Danny of mine Kato.
7:30 public p.m. outings will be so David that people Eccles For details, call Jerry 928-3598. gain.
difficult
It was
to vote
a little
without
scary
learning more. A
“Sierra Club Foundation.”
SAUNA that she came FOR on SALE: our hike Manufac- because were Tell your farther friends, up call the your trail, legislators. waiting
presenting “Community Gardens.”
key What’s source is the your election most website: popular tured she wanted by Heavenly to find Heat a man. (ecologically And she for Save me all to SB show from up demolition where I of had similar told
Then on Friday, May 20, will by EAVESDROPS hike? www.sierraclub.org/bod/2012election safe). looked White at our poplar, whole electric, group seats of peo- two. them historic I houses would throughout meet them. the When city and I
the All annual springtime who lasagna din- ran “There is not an win
e-waste recy- Probably This site “Ted’s provides Famous links Beach to the $1500. ple and Danel didn’t Trevor find 805 who 566-1252 she was didn’t Cottage show Hospital. up, they We need backtracked, another
ner at 6:30 p.m., followed by a cler out there who doesn’t try to Hike candidates, and and Steak their Feed.” views on We a variety walk SAVE looking THE for, so TOWN she didn’t from demoli- come found
Pearl Chase!
me, then
Help
called
now.
a helicopter.
Three of the four groups in the won the four open seats on the
program at 7:30 p.m. by Cambria look as green as possible . . . yet the along the beach from the Rincon up tion, back. go Did to city I feel planning hurt? No! hearings, 630 After
USED
more
CELL
than
PHONES for sale as a
of issues facing the Club and even a
200 Sierra Club
Garden St., Gebhard Room, agendas benefit for the Santa Barbara Group of
artist
Los Padres
Walter
Sierra
Robie
Club
on “The
had ballots
Color
Executive Committee, and the
reality is most of them aren’t.” to online Carpinteria, forum. You then can cook also sign our up own to Tell me about your accident. hikes I’ve never had any other
posted there or www.santabarbara. Sierra Club. Only $15 - $35 for older
of in the Spring last issue in Colorado, of Condor Arizona, Call to ExCom voted by email to replace
—Comment on the reality of the steaks vote electronically. at The Palms (a one-time
ca.gov/abr
It was
or
last
/sfdb,
year
/hlc,
on
/sho,
9-11;
/pc
it was
and
accident. cell phones with charger. Also char-
Utah decide and who California.” would be the Executive Selma Rubin with Ginny Turner on
state’s program that forbids elec- stagecoach The board inn—now consists of 15 a members, popular city my own council. 9-11! Very important Chumash gers Any for older plans phones: to resume $2. Guaran- your
Committee This willof highlight each. The outstanding Ventura
tronic
the Election
waste
Committee.
to go into landfills, steakhouse—that opened in 1905 burial I fell, grounds on everywhere, the Mishe don’t Mokwa add popular tee: You hikes? have 3 days to get your cell
of whom five stand for election every
floral Sierra photography Club is appointed in wild places. by the fromConejo JaniceGroup Oldemeyer, -- John president Holroyd, on the corner of Palm and Linden) on Trail to your on house, Boney no Ridge condos, near no Echo build- phone Now up that and I’ve running. recovered If for any I plan rea-
year. The election pamphlet will be
We overall haveSteering had several Committee. May meeting of Joanne Onsite Sulkoske, E-Recycling. Melanie TheAshen L.A. in Carpinteria. One day I walked ing. Cliffs. Go I to broke the hearings six ribs or and write punccom- to son resume you want leading to return hikes it soon within [see the
programs, year after year, by Robie, Times article asserts most of the e- into
posted
The
when
Palms
it becomes
and had to
available
tell them
on mentstured a and lung. save But the I town.
three-days, you may do so and get
Members were satisfied with the and Eugene Babcock won the four
didn’t know that the Outings Calendar for Ted’s lat-
who coordinates two projection waste is simply sent overseas. that March we had 1. For 59 people questions, for dinner! call (415) ACUPRESSURE at the time, so I MASSAGE, got up, shook Rest a full refund. Call 962-8415.
candidates, and all who were on the open seats.
est hikes].
systems and features outstanding
977-5653.
your back & feet. Call Paula 687-4671.
ballots were elected. The results: Arguello Group -- Doris
Santa Barbara Group -- Robert Connor, Jerry Connor, Connie Classified Ad Placement Form
Bernstein, Stefanie Condor Boehme, Jim Classifieds
Geiger and Rosemary Holmes won A classified ad in the Condor Call reaches over 6,500 Sierra Club members in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Childress, and Stephen Dougherty
PLUMBER/CARPENTER, Santa Barbara to
reelection for the open seats.
Danel Trevor 805 566-1252
Ads cost only $6 for three lines, and 75¢ for each additional line per issue.
Specify by bycircling circling the themonths months below. Deadline for for next next issue is isMarch May 20. 23.
San Fernando Valley. Member ASPCA, 818 ACUPRESSURE MASSAGE, call Paula 687-4671.
Questions? Call the Condor at 745-5432. 452-2885.
602-9535.
STEP ON IT! Food and walking journal by
Enclose Enclose a check a check made made out out to the to the Condor Condor Call, Call, 1056 260 Eugenia Pacos Pl., Street, “A”, Ventura, Carpinteria, CA 93001 CA 93013
Number of Issues:_______ Feb/Mar • Apr/May • June/July • Aug/Sept. • Oct/Nov • Dec/Jan

February/March 2012 • Condor Call 4
The Sierra Club runs a service outing every year at the spectacular Arches National Park. The
National Park Service keeps a “wish list,” and waits for Sierra Club volunteers to return in the
spring, when we work directly with its staff on various projects; see page 6 for details of the
national outing opportunities. (© Photo by Karen Abel, more at www.trekearth.com)
February 4
SAN YSIDRO/COLD SPRING
LOOP: Strenuous 10.5 mrt hike
up San Ysidro trail to E. Camino
Cielo Road for lunch. Return via
Cold Spring trail, then connect
back to San Ysidro. Great views of
the back country and the coastline.
Bring lunch and plenty of water.
Meet behind B of A on upper State
St. at Hope Ave. at 9am. JIM 447-
1876/644-6934 (SB)
February 5
WEST FORK COLD SPRINGS
TO WATERFALL: Hike along the
trail then do some rock-hopping
up the creek. Difficult 3 mrt. Some
climbing. Bring lunch and water.
Meet behind B of A on upper
State St. at Hope Ave. at 9am.
ALEJANDRO 898-1240 (SB)
February 5
La Jolla Canyon/La Jolla Valley/
South Overlook/Ray Miller Loop
trail: Moderate 8-mile round trip,
1000-foot elevation gain, about
three hours. Park on PCH at the
mouth of La Jolla Canyon, then
walk up road to the trailhead.
Meet at trailhead at 10am. Bring
at least one liter of water (two is
better, if it’s warm), trail snacks,
hat, sunglasses, sun block, good
lightweight hiking shoes or boots
and an extra pair of socks, plus
10 essentials. At this time of year,
it might rain; watch the weather
report, then decide whether to
bring a raincoat (which can also
serve as a windbreaker). This is
one of the most scenic hikes in
the Santa Monica Mountains: up
top you’ll have beautiful views
down into Sycamore Canyon and,
towering above it on the far side,
Boney Ridge. On the return part
of the trip down Ray Miller you’ll
have magnificent vistas of the
Pacific and the Channel Islands,
so be sure to bring a camera.
Mike, 216-2630 cell; 988-0339
home (VEN)
February 6
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
9am at McGrath State Park to
walk to McGrath Lake & More. Pat
643-0270 (VEN)
February 11
TEQUEPIS: Hike up to West
Camino Cielo from Santa Ynez
Valley. View of Cachuma Lake
and the Pacific Ocean. Moderatestrenuous
8 mrt. Bring lunch and
plenty of water. Meet behind B of A
on upper State St. at Hope Ave. at
9am. CHRISTINE 963-2347 (SB)
February 12
GAVIOTA CAVES EXPLORATORY:
Hike from Gaviota beach to the
caves and wind tunnels in the
ridges above. Includes off-trail
cross-country exploration on a
new route! Some rock scrambling
and bush-whacking and agility
required. About 5 mrt. Wear long
pants and bring lunch and plenty
of water. Meet behind B of A on
upper State St. at Hope Ave. at
9am. ROBERT 685-1283 (SB)
February 13
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
8am at Mission Plaza to carpool
to Loon Point (Low tide 8am) to do
beach walk. Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
February 18
SAN MARCOS FOOTHILL
PRESERVE: This is an easymoderate
4 mrt hike across the
San Marcos Foothill Preserve,
part of our County Parks system.
We’ll explore the parts of the
current trail system. Bring water
and a light lunch. Sun protection
is recommended as there is
limited shade. Meet 9am at the
Bank of America parking lot,
Hope & State St. GERRY 964-
5411 (SB)
February 18-20
EXPLORE AND SERVE IN THE
GRASS VALLEY WILDERNESS:
Slightly east and south of
Ridgecrest, CA, the Grass Valley
Wilderness was created in 1994.
It features rolling hills and a few
higher rock outcroppings. As it is
no longer available for grazing
we will join a group of college
age SCA interns in removing
old fence poles and disguising
an illegal road. Saturday and
Sunday are for work, and
Monday, President’s Day, will be
reserved to hike and explore the
Wilderness. This is an opportunity
to combine car-camping, dayhiking,
exploring, and service in
a relatively unknown wilderness.
Leader: Craig Deutsche, (310-
477-6670), craig.deutsche@
gmail.com (CNRCC Desert
Committee)
February 19
SAN ANTONIO CREEK:
Beginning at Tuckers Grove
County Park, we will walk on a
creek side trail that meets up with
Hwy 154. A short walk on this busy
highway will link us to a return via
San Antonio Creek Road. Easy, 2
mrt. Meet at the Bank of America
parking lot, Hope Ave. & State St.
at 9am. VICKI 563-4850 (SB)
February 19
Boney Ridge: Moderate 8-mile
round trip, about three hours.
Meet at trailhead parking lot at
By Teresa Norris
Outings and WBC Chair
WBC Starts Feb 29: Our
Wilderness Basics Course returns
for our fourth exciting year. If
you know people who would be
interested, please refer them to
our website:
www.lospadres.sierraclub.org/wbc
Hike Leader Training
Update: Wilderness First Aid and
Outings Leader Training (OLT)
101 classes in January attracted 21
hike leaders and nine provisional
leaders from our chapter.
Steve Schuster, Sigrid Sexton,
EAVESDROPS
“We are not ready
to exhale yet, but it’s
getting close.”
-- Melanie Beck,
referring to the possible
completion of the Backbone
Trail, which runs from the
Santa Monica Mountains
in Los Angeles and north
into Ventura County.
It has been cobbled
together since the 1960’s
by purchasing 177 parcels
covering 65 miles.
10:30am. Take PCH to Neptune’s
Net and go up Yerba Buena
Road about three miles. When
you reach Circle X Ranch (Park
ranger station), trailhead parking
lot is another half mile, on left,
uphill, side of road. If that parking
lot is full, another parking area is
inside the next big turn a hundred
yards up the road. We’ll take a
short and fairly steep feeder trail
up to the Backbone Trail, cross
the Backbone and head west
on the Mishe Mokwa Trail on
the northern side of Boney, with
breathtaking views of the Echo
Cliffs, a local climbing mecca, as
well as the Conejo Valley and on
a clear day, the San Gabriels all
the way to Mt. San Gorgonio (just
west of Joshua Tree) and to the
northwest, the rugged peaks of
the southern Los Padres National
Forest high country. Then as we
head back east on the return part
of our loop, on the Backbone Trail,
you’ll see spectacular vistas of the
coastal side of the Santa Monica
mountains, Malibu and the
Channel Islands. And we’ll take a
little detour to Sandstone Peak, at
Outings continued next page
Hike leaders aid first
and Donna Hryshchyshyn took
turns leading different parts of
the Wilderness First Aid class.
The combination of valuable
information and hands-on practice
really made it a worthwhile
course. They also head the 24 hour
weekend training at Harwood
Lodge, so if you are interested
in a more comprehensive
learning experience, contact
them at their website: www.
wildernessfirstaidcourse.org
After lunch, Marc Hertz, Jerry
Connor, Mike Stubblefield and I
led OLT 101. Marc is the Chair of
the National Sierra Club’s Local
Outings Committee, and Jerry
and Mike are the Outings Chairs
of the Arguello and Ventura
Groups. This class covered the
skills and requirements involved
in leading groups of day hikers
into the wilderness.
We covered a lot of material, but
the instructors’ hiking stories
made it real. One of the students
said that hike leadership is going
to new levels in this chapter.
Many thanks to all the instructors
for sharing their wilderness and
first aid knowledge and hiking
expertise with the hike leaders.
I am looking forward to the
provisional hikes of the nne new
leaders. Our chapter outings
program is really taking off!

February/March 2012 • Condor Call 5
Adventures await during wilderness course
By Mike Stubblefield
No matter where you live in
California, the Golden State offers
a range of outdoor delights so
varied and vast that few of us will
live long enough to experience
this entire natural splendor.
The most effective way I know
to start is to sign up for the Los
Padres Sierra Club’s Wilderness
Basics Course, starting Feb. 29,
covering the Ventura and Santa
Barbara areas.
When I relocated from the San
Francisco Bay Area to Ventura
County in 1983, I doubted that
I would ever recapture that
sense of living in the midst of
my own outdoor playground
of the East Bay. But, surprise! I
quickly discovered that the two
counties give nothing away to
the Bay Area when it comes to
an overabundance of nearby
adventure and beauty.
Both counties have miles
of beaches, some with famous
surfing breaks and some so
secluded that you’ll never find
them unless you know the right
people. The 50-mile long Santa
Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area is the largest
urban park in the National Park
system. Most of the trailheads
there are less than an hour from
Outings continued from page 4
3111 feet, the highest point in the
Santa Monica Mountains, to have
lunch and take in the view. Bring
at least one liter of water (two is
better, if it’s warm), trail snacks,
hat, sunglasses, sun block, good
lightweight hiking shoes or boots
and an extra pair of socks, plus
10 essentials. At this time of year,
it might rain; watch the weather
report, then decide whether to bring
a raincoat (which can also serve
as a windbreaker). Mike, 216-2630
cell; 988-0339 home (VEN)
February 20
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
9am at Corner Park & Bard in Port
Hueneme to do beach walk & to
lighthouse. Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
February 25
FREMONT TRAIL: Park on East
Camino Cielo and walk North
along ridge used by Fremont to
cross the ridge into Santa Barbara.
Superb views of valley. Bring lunch
and water. Easy-Moderate, 4 mrt.
Meet behind B of A on upper State
St. at Hope Ave. at 9am. TONY
682-8290 (SB)
February 26
SWEETWATER TRAIL: A hike
from the Bradbury Dam lookout to
the Lake Cachuma County Park.
We’ll explore a portion of the park
before retracing our steps. Easy
5mrt. Bring a light lunch and water.
Meet behind the Bank of America
on upper State St. at Hope Ave. at
9am. If you are coming from north
of Santa Barbara, you can meet us
at the trailhead. Call for instructions.
GERRY 964-5411 (SB)
February 27
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
9am at Ventura Harbor parking lot
to do Circle around harbor & the
jetty ponds. Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
March 2
Kennedy Ridge picnic area in
Ojai: 4 miles round trip, moderate
hike to the Lookout Point picnic
table on Kennedy Ridge trail in
Ventura River Preserve. Meet at
9:30am at the parking lot for the
Oso Ridge trailhead in the Ojai
home, taking you into remote
canyons, up and over the coastal
range, with spectacular views of
the Channel Islands National Park
along the way.
And the big islands of Santa
Cruz and Santa Rosa offer miles
of solitary hiking trails with
magnificent ocean views in every
direction.
Just a short haul from our coast
lays the Los Padres National
Forest, stretching from Ventura
County all the way to Big Sur.
Yet many trailheads are less than
an hour from civilization, and in
Santa Barbara’s front country,
literally in the backyards of
hundreds of homes.
Within minutes of hitting the
trail you’re quickly climbing,
ascending the river bottom of
a steep-walled canyon shaded
by magnificent oak trees, with a
swift mountain stream burbling
by you as it flows down the hill.
From atop a peak, like Topa Topa
or Mt. Hines, you can see for
miles to the north, where you’ll
spot 8800-foot Mt. Pinos.
It’s an astonishing, breathtaking
view of what is arguably one of
the highest, remotest and wildest
wilderness areas in California.
Right in our backyard!
I could wax on, but you get
the picture . . . I can go outside
Land Conservancy (north end of
Rice Avenue at the end of Meyer
Lane). The trail is easy to walk,
but an elevation gain of about
1000 feet makes this a moderate
level hike. Water, snack, hiking
boots required. Hiking poles, sun
block, sun hat and 10 essentials
recommended. We might stop
for lunch after the hike at an
Ojai eatery. Rain cancels. LORA
(Ventura), 218-2105 (VEN)
March 3
SAN YSIDRO FIVE TRAILS:
Hike up San Ysidro, over to Cold
Springs, down to Hot Springs and
the bamboo tunnel of doom and
then down the Bud Girard and
McMenemy trails. Bring Lunch
and at least two liters of water.
Strenuous 11 mrt. Prepare for an
all-day adventure. This hike is not
suitable for beginners or people
with health issues. Meet behind B
of A on upper State St. at Hope Ave.
at 9am. DIANE 455-6818 (SB)
March 3-4
DEATH VALLEY AREA TOUR:
Meet in Shoshone, south of
Death Valley at 8:00 am Saturday
morning, or camp overnight
nearby. Tour will take us to stops at
Badwater, Natural Bridge, Golden
Canyon, and Artists Palette. Short
hikes and lunch stop along the way.
Camp Saturday night at Texas
Springs (fee). Sunday morning,
visit Zabriskie Point, then drive
through 20 Mule Team Canyon.
Continue to Death Valley Junction,
then to Ash Meadows National
Wildlife Refuge. If time allows, we
will go south to Amargosa Canyon
and China Ranch for a hike and
date shakes. For those wanting
to stay over Sunday night there
will be primitive camping in the
area and we could do more hiking
in Amargosa Canyon. Contact
leader for reservations and trip
details. Carol Wiley, desertlily1@
verizon.net or 760-245-8734
(CNRCC Desert Committee)
March 4
PARMA PARK LOOP: A pleasant
four mile morning hike through
Santa Barbara’s largest and
least used park. Dirt roads and
primitive trails, sometimes steep.
During a conditioning hike with the Wilderness Basics Course, leaders and students are outlined
at the top of a ridge. (Photo by Suzanne Tanaka)
and goof off to my heart’s content
right here, always in a moderate
climate that’s seldom too hot
or too cold. I’m in paradise,
basically.
Do you share this realization
that you are living in the middle of
your own private playground and
that you should take advantage
of it?
Bring water and a snack. Meet
behind B of A on upper State St.
at Hope Ave. at 9am. KEITH 965-
9953 (SB)
March 5
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
9am at Mission Plaza to go into
Emma Wood & bicycle trail. (Low
tide 7:00am). Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
March 10
CANINE HIKE JESUSITA TRAIL
TO INSPIRATION POINT: Hike
through woods and meadows to
a scenic view point. Moderately
strenuous 7 mrt. Well behaved
dogs welcomed and encouraged;
must be leashed. Bring lunch and
water for you and your canine
companion. Hikers without dogs
welcome too. Meet at B of A
parking lot at 9am. Hike limited to
six dogs - please call to reserve
your dog’s place. Rain cancels.
Call leader if in doubt. SALLY
689-7820 (SB)
March 11
GIBRALTAR ROCK VIA
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL: Hike up a
wooded canyon with scenic views
to Gibraltar Rock. Moderately
Strenuous 5.5 mrt. Bring lunch and
plenty of water. Meet behind B of A
on upper State St. at Hope Ave. at
9am. ROBERT 685-1283 (SB)
March 12
Monday Morning Walk: Meet
at 8:30am at Mission Plaza to
carpool to Miramonte and do a
trail there. Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
March 15
Anacapa Island: $51.00 Coreopsis
in bloom! Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
March 16-18
WHIPPLE MTS DESERT
SERVICE: Join CA/NV wilderness
committee and Mojave Group’s
annual service trip with the
Needles office of BLM; for this
patrician greening of the desert,
we’ll return to the Whipple Mts,
home of elusive saguaro cactus.
Actual work project details still a
secret, to be revealed to those
who sign up with leader Vicky
Outings continued next page
Well, what are you waiting for?
Give it a shot! Make the most of it,
now, while you’re healthy enough
to do so. Get Out There and have
some fun and as soon as you hit
the trail, you will quickly meet
many nice, interesting, intelligent
people, folks not unlike yourself.
I bet that some of you have been
meaning to get out there, but the
kids take up too much of your time,
or your career is too demanding,
but first you need to get in better
shape or lose weight or get the
right gear or . . . whatever.
The thing is: This is a hobby
that, once you get into it, will get
you in shape and it will reduce
your stress levels. And you can
bring your family with you.
Like any sport, hiking and
backpacking are somewhat
technical. While it took old
timers like me literally decades
to learn how to live well and safe
in the outdoors, WBC condenses
and distills this special set of
skills into a nine-week series of
Wednesday night workshops and
weekend outings.
The course is from February
29 to April 25, with a break during
Easter/Passover week. It offers
expert training to prospective new
hikers or folks wanting to brush
up on their outdoor skills.
WBC will teach you all the
basics, from articles to weather,
featuring experts on equipment and
techniques. A textbook, Walking
Softly in the Wilderness, is part of
the deal. Outdoor training begins
with conditioning hikes, from
which you’ll work your way up to
overnight backpacking trips.
Find out more by calling (805)
746-6030, email lospadresWBC@
gmail.com or log on to www.
lospadres.sierraclub.org/wbc.
The cost is a bargain: Sierra Club
members: $155/single or $279/
couples, ($15 to join SC); nonmembers:
$170/single or $306/
couple. If you’re ready to go, cut
a check payable to WBC, P.O.
Box 7656, Ventura CA 93006.
Learn to Backpack
Los Padres Wilderness Basics Course
It is time again for the Los Padres Sierra Club’s WBC! We o� er comprehensive
training for people at all levels of � tness who want to enjoy and
explore the wilderness. A dedicated sta� of experienced leaders will demonstrate
and teach students the necessary skills in eight classroom sessions
and conduct several exciting outings over the course of the program.
� e lecture class will be Wed. nights from 7–9:30 p.m. in Ventura, February 29 through
April 25, skipping the holiday week of April 4th. � e lectures, led by local experts,
will demonstrate backpacking equipment, wilderness ethics, wilderness � rst aid and
safety, weather, water � ltration, cooking, map and compass, backcountry clothing, and
other pertinent topics. Students will gain experience by participating in several outings
including day hikes, a camping trip, and backpacking trips in our local mountains.
Class starts February 29, 2012
www.lospadres.sierraclub.org/wbc
lospadresWBC@gmail.com
2012 Los Padres Wilderness Basics Course
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Email/Phone:__________________________________________________________________
Course Fees:
Sierra Club Member: $155/single, $279/couple Member #____________________
Non Member: $170/single, $306/couple
Send your check made payable to: Los Padres WBC
PO Box 7656, Ventura CA 93006-7656
For questions, call 805-524-7170

February/March 2012 • Condor Call 6
Sierra Club offers
300 trips anywhere
The Sierra Club has just
launched its full 2012 lineup
of national and international
outings, featuring over 300 trips
that’ll get you on the fast track to
outdoor ecstasy.
Whether you’re seeking rest
and relaxation, rugged wilderness
challenges, international treks, or
outdoor fun and games with the
family, the Sierra Club has the
trip that’s right for you.
Check out our newest
offerings like trail-building in
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Got a particular destination in
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Select from our featured
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Visit the website and find the
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national
Founder Kim Stroud of the Ojai Raptor Center invites all to get up
close and personal with the raptors at the only once-per-year open
house, this time on Saturday, March 10. (Photo contributed)
See raptors up close
The Ojai Raptor Center is
having a Spring Open House
event at its headquarters on
Saturday, March 10.
This is a unique opportunity
to see the Raptor Rehabilitation
Center, which is normally closed
to the public.
The ORC is a non-profit
dedicated to the rescue,
rehabilitation and release of birds
of prey and other wildlife, and to
providing educational programs to
teach communities about raptors
and our shared environment.
Un-releasable “ambassador”
hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls
will be on hand to greet guests and
the raptor handlers will explain
Information please!
By Arthur Unger
Just as the Condor Call keeps
us informed of chapter and group
doings, email newsletters from
Sierra Club headquarters inform
us of national environmental
issues. We can become members
of the Sierra Club’s Online
Community. The newsletters
offer opportunities to contact
President Obama and other
officials about issues currently
being decided. Below is a list of
most and to get any of them, go
to: www.sierraclub.org/email
GENERAL NEWSLETTERS
The Insider (biweekly):
Our flagship newsletter.
The Green Life (weekdays):
Daily tips for living well and
doing good.
Daily Ray of Hope (weekdays):
Inspirational quotes and user-
how to reduce human-caused
hazards to our native wildlife.
The ORC takes in an average of
over 1400 native birds annually
from the Tri-County area.
“Raptors are learning how
to live among us in our cities
and towns, as well as being an
important part of the ecology of
our farmland and ranches. We
need to learn how to co-exist
with them,” explains Kim Stroud,
Executive Director of the ORC.
The ORC is located on 370
Baldwin Rd, Ojai. While the
event is free, the ORC would
appreciate a donation of $5 or
more. For details, go to: www.
ojairaptorcenter.org
submitted images.
Currents (weekly):
Holding our decision-makers
accountable.
Coming Clean:
Sierra Club Executive Director
Michael Brune’s blog.
Sierra Student Coalition News:
The latest for environmentally
minded students.
The Buzz (monthly):
News from the Sierra Club’s Building
Bridges to the Outdoors Program.
Clubhouse Updates
(monthly):
How to use Sierra Club’s
organization and contact leaders.
ISSUE NEWSLETTERS
Green Trader (monthly):
Responsible Trade campaign news.
Hotline (twice monthly):
Global Warming campaign news.
PopNews (monthly):
Global Population campaign news.
Outings continued from page 5
Hoover, 415-977-5527, or Vicky.
hoover@sierraclub.org. Central
commissary, usual exorbitant fee.
(CNRCC Wilderness Committee)
March 17
COLD SPRING TRAIL TO
GORILLA ROCK: Hike down
to Forbush Flat onto an off-trail
hike under strenuous conditions
to rock formations in a remote
canyon. Difficult/strenuous 8 mrt
with over 1500 elevation gain/loss.
Rock scrambling, bush whacking
involved. Wear long pants and
shirt. The hike will begin headed
down hill and end headed up hill.
Prepare for an all-day adventure.
Call hike leader for details. TONY
455-4212 (SB)
March 18
ENNISBROOK: Morning walk
through this Montecito area with
large trees and plants near San
Ysidro Creek. Flat, slow paced
2-3 miles. Children welcome,
bring water and meet behind B of
A on upper State St. at Hope Ave.
at 9am. DAVE 563-4850 (SB)
March 19
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
9am at the end of 5th St. to do
beach circle. Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
March 23
Sycamore Canyon to Danielson
Ranch: 8 miles round trip, easy
hike on mostly level terrain. Meet
at 9am on the old bridge near the
north end of the parking lot. If you
use the parking lot, you have to
pay a parking fee; or you can park
on PCH and walk in. Water, snack/
lunch, hiking boots required. Sun
block, sun hat and 10 essentials
recommended. Rain cancels.
PHIL (Ventura), 218-2103 (VEN)
March 24
La Jolla Canyon to waterfall
children’s hike: Slow, familyfriendly
hike; children welcome!
Only 1 mile up the scenic La Jolla
Canyon trail to a trickling waterfall.
We’ll cool our feet and have lunch.
2 miles round trip. Meet at the La
Jolla Canyon parking lot in Point
Mugu State Park, 10am. Parking
fee in lot or park on PCH. Bring
water, lunch, sunscreen, hiking
shoes, sunglasses. Call Teresa,
524-7170 (VEN)
March 24
CHORRO GRANDE: Strenuous
12 mrt hike with 3200’ elev. gain/
loss - experienced hikers only. The
hike starts at 4000` and climbs
steadily for 6 miles to 7200’,
ending up on the Pine Mountain
Ridge near Reyes Campground.
Wear hiking shoes/boot, bring lots
of water, snack, lunch. There’s a
good chance that there will be in
snow at the top, so bring a warm
jacket, a hat, and gloves. Meet at
8:30am at the Ventura carpool lot
(Seaward and Harbor between
Chase Bank and Carrows). JIM
805-447-1876/805-644-6934 (SB)
March 25
ROCKY PINE RIDGE - SHORT
ROUTE: From Camino Cielo,
hike into this wonderful pine
tree/rock region and skirt along
the ridge line. Short, moderate
morning hike, 4-5 mrt. Bring water
and a snack. Meet behind B of A
on upper State St. at Hope Ave. at
9am. ALEJANDRO 898-1240 (SB)
March 25
The Old Cabin Site: Moderate
7 miles round trip hike with 900
foot elevation gain up to the old
cabin site in the northern part of
Mugu State Park. Bring good
walking shoes, water and lunch.
Enjoy your lunch under beautiful
oak trees. Meet at 9:15am at the
carpool spot at Vons on Seaward,
in Ventura, or at 10am at Wendy
and Potrero Road in Newbury
Park. Rain cancels. Ted Guenther,
985-8963 (VEN)
March 26
Monday Morning Walk: Meet at
9am at the small center VTA side
of Bridge Harbor Blvd to walk into
McGrath State Park & McGrath
Lake. Pat 643-0270 (VEN)
March 31
BARON RANCH TRAIL: A 7.5 mrt
moderate hike on a new trail on
the Gaviota Coast. This trail leads
us high into the foothills for great
views of the coast and valley.
We’ll include the upper loop in
our route. Although mostly on
old ranch roads, the route starts
rising steeply towards the rear
of the valley, then transfers to a
newly cut trail leading us to the
1200’ high point. Meet behind the
Bank of America on upper State
St. at Hope Ave. at 9am. If you
are coming from north of Santa
Barbara, you can meet us at the
trailhead. Call for instructions.
GERRY 964-5411 (SB)
April 1
ARROYO HONDO PRESERVE:
A docent led hike through a scenic
canyon. Enjoy the views and learn
the area’s history. Easy trail along
the creek then more strenuous up
to the ridge (Upper Outlaw trail).
About 6mrt. Bring lunch & water,
& be prepared to carpool to the
Preserve, approx 30 minutes
north of Santa Barbara. Meet
behind B of A on upper State St.
at Hope Ave. at 9am. CHRISTINE
963-2347 (SB)
April 7
PLAYGROUND: Explore the
labyrinth of boulders forming
a natural playground off West
Camino Cielo. Some rock
scrambling and agility required.
Always a new route! Bring lunch
and plenty of water. Meet behind B
of A on upper State St. at Hope Ave.
at 9am. ROBERT 685-1283 (SB)
April 7-8
MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE
TOUR: Saturday morning we will
meet at Teutonia Peak trailhead
on Cima Road for a hike to
Teutonia Peak and out onto Cima
Dome and then camp at Sunrise
Rocks, which is primitive camping.
Sunday we will hike from Midhills
to Hole-in-the-Wall. This is an 8
mile, downhill hike and if the timing
is right could have wonderful
windflowers. For those wanting to
arrive on Friday we can go out to
the Rock Springs Loop Trail. For
those wanting to stay over night
on Sunday we can primitive camp
near the Kelso Dunes and hike
the dunes on Monday morning.
For reservations contact Carol
Wiley at desertlily1@verizon.net
or at 760-245-8734 (CNRCC
Desert Committee)
April 8
RATTLESNAKE TRAIL: Hike up a
wooded canyon with scenic views
to Gibraltar Rock. Moderate 5.5
mrt. Bring a snack and water.
Meet behind B of A on upper State
St. at Hope Ave. at 9am. DAVE
563-4850 (SB)
Job forum
In 2006 the BlueGreen Alliance
was launched by the United
Steelworkers and the Sierra Club,
and has now grown to nearly 15
million people from organized
labor, environmental, faith and
human rights groups.
On March 15 and 16, it will
have a conference in Los Angeles
and three other locations to attract
an even wider audience.
Those wanting to attend
can apply for scholarships by
contacting Joan Jones Holtz at
(626) 443-0706 or jholtzhln@
aol.com. More information
is also on the website: www.
greenjobsconference.org
If you haven’t seen the migrating Monarch butterfly clusters at the Coronado Butterfly Preserve
Ellwood, now’s the time to go there; entrance is at the end of Coronado Drive in Goleta. (Photo
by Robert Bernstein)

Oil never sleeps;
sea project looms
By Fran Farina
You would have thought that
the folks in Carpinteria had fought
the good fight and could rest once
Venoco’s Paredon Project was
shot down by the voters. Well,
think again.
Not only may Paredon be
coming back in another form
sometime in February, but
Carone Petroleum Corporation is
proposing its “Carpinteria Offshore
Field Redevelopment Project.”
Carone wants to redevelop the
state portion of the Carpinteria
Offshore Field oil and gas
resources from the existing
Platform Hogan. The field extends
in both federal and state waters and
includes federal and state leases.
Additional wells would need to be
drilled on the platform – perhaps
as many as 25. Extended-reach
drilling is proposed from federal
into state waters.
Platform Hogan was built
in 1967. If this application is
approved, operations could
continue for another 40 years or
Island’s rosy future
Marking the end of an era,
but a new beginning benefitting
the public, a private deer and elk
hunting operation on Santa Rosa
Island was stopped in December,
and the National Park Service wants
to make it more user friendly.
The second largest of the
Channel Islands, “Santa Rosa has
the most potential for change,
because it’s an island that’s
highly underutilized today,” NPS
Superintendent Russell Gallipeau
told the Ventura County Reporter.
Unfortunately, the Island’s
natural resources were degraded
by cattle, deer and elk grazing and
in 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Get color Condor Call
It’s easy to order up the Condor
Call in full color with hot links to
emails and websites, and it’s a
pleasure to read that way.
Every time we print this notice, more
members have signed up to receive the
Condor Call in a PDF format via email
instead of the hard copy, and we would
like more to sign up as it saves paper,
postage and recycling. Plus you get it
days ahead of the mailed version.
Even if you stay with the hard
copy, please note that all Condor
Call issues are posted on our
website in color with the hot links:
Bird display
Dianne Bennett will be
exhibiting panels from her
series, “Before Our Very Eyes,”
that features bird species and
plants common to Ventura County
that are threatened by the effects
of diminishing habitat and global
climate change.
The exhibit runs through April
15 at the Community Memorial
Hospital Cancer Center, located
at Joanne and Loma Vista roads.
Bennett is the recipient of a Ventura
County Community Foundation
grant aimed at expanding
awareness of endangered species
and the natural world. To see
her work online, go to: www.
BeforeOurVeryEyes.com
more. Current oil production
is about 219 barrels per day
increasing to 3,500 barrels per
day at peak production. Existing
infrastructure will also be used to
transport oil and gas via pipeline
to the La Conchita Processing
Facility in Ventura County.
The project requires both
state and federal environmental
review. The process began
with scoping hearings held in
Carpinteria in January. Written
comments must be submitted by
February 21. The Los Padres
Steering Committee authorized
the Environmental Defense
Center to submit comments on
behalf of the chapter.
For additional information, go
to www.slc.ca.gov (under the
“Information” tab and “CEQA
Updates” link) or to http://www.
boem.gov/Carpinteria.aspx.
Fran Farina is the representative
for Los Padres Sierra Club on
the Environmental Coalition
addressing energy issues primarily
in Santa Barbara County.
Service listed 16 island plant
species as endangered because
of these impacts, noted the
Environmental Defense Center.
Currently, the park only has
camping accommodations, but
that might change by converting
the historic ranch house into a
“bed and breakfast” or converting
the bunkhouse to a hostel.
“We’re going to see a lot more
use, especially backcountry use with
the ability to hike for days and days
without having to run into other
people,” says Gallipeau. “It’s also
one of the only islands that have fresh
water, so that you can accommodate
those multiday experiences.”
If you haven’t already requested
the e-version, send in your name,
phone number and email to:
Note to those already getting the
e-version: if you change your email, let
us know, we are getting error messages
back on about a dozen subscribers.
Editor’s note: This continues the
story of establishing an epic trail
in the Los Padres National Forest
via the Condor Trail Association.
By Bryan Conant
Over the past decade, the
Condor Trail has been working
to discover the best hiking route
across the Los Padres Forest.
One of the more perplexing
sections of trails is the stretch from
Madulce to Pine Mountain through
the Santa Barbara and Ventura
backcountry. Both are frequented
by hundreds of backpackers each
year, yet outlining a safe, enjoyable,
sustainable trail between the two
camps has posed more issues than
just about anywhere else.
The original architects of the
Condor Trail envisioned the route
heading through the Dick Smith
Wilderness, east from Madulce
Camp down into Don Victor
Valley. It would then head up to
Potrero Seco and eventually Pine
Mountain Camp. According to
most maps, the five miles along
the Don Victor Trail appear easy,
yet appearances can be deceiving.
The trail sees little use and has
not seen any professional trail
maintenance in many decades. The
DV Trail was more of a torturous
bushwhack than an actual trail.
Everything changed in August
2007 when the Zaca Fire torched
the backcountry. The brush that
had blocked the trail for decades
was gone. Now was our chance to
keep this trail open.
Starting in December 2007 we
optimistically led work parties to
flag, lop and clear the old trail. We
led trips in ‘07, ‘09, ‘10 and two in
2011, yet each time we visited it
seemed the trail was getting worse
and worse. The brush was coming
back faster than we could cut it.
We’d arrive the following year to
find our trail work and flagging all
but gone from the previous year.
When overlaying GPS tracks
from four Don Victor trips we
noticed that there wasn’t a single
defined trail, but rather a three
mile braid dropping down from
Madulce. There was no trail. The
point marked #1 on the map shows
an ideal section of single trail line,
the rest of the trail is a mess.
A little depressed, we went
back to the drawing board, studied
maps, put our feet on the ground
and came up with what we believe
is a better route from Madulce to
February/March 2012 • Condor Call 7
Looking down upon the Don Victor Valley, it seems like an easy place for a link in the Condor Trail,
but it turned out to be more of a torturous bushwack than an actual trail, but an alternative was
found. (© Photo by Bryan Conant)
Torturous trail avoided
Charles and Lia Barteet find that the outdoor area known
as the “Playground” is a whole lot more natural than the
one at school. (Photo by Robert Bernstein)
For their future
Join the Club
Pine Mountain.
Instead of bushwhacking into
Don Victor and then having to hike
20 mostly uphill miles of waterless
dirt road, we opted to drop from
Madulce down Santa Barbara
Canyon. The Condor Trail then
heads east on Dry Canyon Road
before utilizing the Tinta, Rancho
Nuevo, Deal and Boulder Canyon
Trails in order to reach Pine
Mountain. This new route is a
few miles longer but we feel it’s
much more enjoyable and requires
far less marching on dirt roads.
Perhaps the braided trail of Don
Victor was a blessing in disguise.
For more information on the
Condor Trail and hikes involving
the Condor Trail, email info@
condortrail.com or go online at
www.CondorTrail.com.
Happy New Year!
EAVESDROPS
“Once you paint it, you
want to protect it.”
– Larry Iwerks, a
painter with the SCAPE
group of artists based
in Santa Barbara, who
believe art is another
way of emphasizing the
importance of protecting
wild places.

GREETINGS fRIENDS
By Jim Hines
We have parks
wild and urban
The Los Padres chapter
region has some often overlooked
state parklands which are well
worth exploring and enjoying.
While many of these parklands
are wild, a number are close to
urban areas, making them easily
accessible for many people.
The beautiful Santa Monica
Mountains
range offers
a large
number
of state
parklands
both in Los
Angeles
and Ventura
counties.
In Ventura County we have
Leo Carillo State Park, which
straddles the LA-Ventura county
line. Carillo is noted for its easyto-explore
coastal tide pools and
its upland hiking opportunities
at areas such as Nicholas Flats.
One of the largest state parks
in the Santa Monicas is Pt. Mugu
State Park, noted for her white
sand beaches and wonderful
hiking trails which lead along
Sycamore Creek to inland areas
such as Bromme Ranch. It will
not be long until the earliest of
the spring wildflowers begin to
bloom in the parklands of the
Santa Monica Mountains.
Our urban state coastal parks
journey begins at McGrath State
Beach, a great park to explore
the Santa Clara River Estuary
area. The park’s beautiful
beaches easily makes one see
why this area was one of the
major campsites for the Spanish
explorer of early California,
Juan Bautista de Anza.
San Buenaventura State
beach allows residents and
visitors easy access to open
beaches and sand dunes. While
at Ventura’s northern boundary,
Emma Wood Sate beach has
great coastal camping (both for
tents and RVs) and Emma Wood
is home to the beautiful Ventura
River Estuary, noted as a great
bird watching location.
And not to be outdone,
Carpinteria State Beach offers
plenty of camping, a long beach
for a romantic sunset walk and,
in the spring of each year, dozens
of baby sea lions are born at the
park’s southern beach. What a
site it is and noisy too ... but so
beautiful and full of life.
North of Santa Barbara is
one of the most beautiful and
threatened coastal areas in all of
California, the Gaviota Coast,
one of the top priorities of the
Los Padres Sierra Club. It is
dotted with many small state
beaches such as El Capitan
and Refugio, which lead up to
the crown jewel of the Gaviota
Coast, the Gaviota State Park.
Whoa, what’s that jumping out of the chaparral? Just Big
Bird, one of the surprise attractions at one of the many state
parks in our region; this one at Santa Monica Mountains
State Park that edges into Ventura County. The © photo, by
Sandor Havasi, won a prize during the park’s “Memories of
the Mountains” contest.
Gaviota State Park has a fishing
pier, rocky beaches, sea caves,
roaring surf and one of the
tallest coastal peaks on the
central coast, 2500-foot Gaviota
Peak. It offers great views of the
high country to the north and the
Channel Islands to the south.
Point Sal State Beach offers
Santa Maria residents and
visitors a remote, but beautiful
coastal experience. Bird
watching, surfing, and nature
study give the visitor a great
nature experience.
And let’s not forget that
state park units give us a glimpse
back into early California with
such places as Chumash Painted
Cave State Historical Site north
of Santa Barbara, which displays
early Chumash cave paintings.
And in downtown Santa Barbara
is El Presidio de Santa Barbara,
home to the early Spanish army
which patrolled an area from
Los Angeles to Santa Maria.
La Purisima Mission State
Historical Park close to Lompoc
is one of the earliest Spanish
missions in California and in
addition to its historical setting,
has a great nature trail and open
areas for bird watching.
So when looking for a place
to spend time and get close to our
natural world, don’t overlook
the many wonderful state park
units in our region.
See you on the trail.
comes out 1st of April
DEADLINES:
Editorial: March 23
Advertising: March 25
Questions? Call 452-2885