New Year - New Trails: Cold Springs

Hi everyone - I hope your New Years was, and is great!
Of course it didn't take long for me and Java to hit
the trails in pursuit of new ranges, ridges and peaks.

This past weekend we set out on a day hike to
reacquaint ourselves with the Santa Barbara front
country. We visited the south east end of the Santa
Ynez Mountain Range, inside the Los Padres National
Forest. We set off on what turned out to be a
relatively popular trail, Cold Springs.

We took the East Fork Cold Springs Canyon Trail, first
north then southeast, and again North to Montecito
Peak. We passed the peak and proceeded further north
to Cold Spring Saddle.

The weather was perfect for a hike, visibility was 60+
miles, which made for outstanding views of the central
California coast from Point Mugu to Point
Conception,and beyond, including most of the Channel
Islands. All that for the small price of a 9 mile
hike with a 2800 ft ascent.

The wildlife was surprising sparse, we saw mostly
birds, a squirrel and a lizard or two. The most
disconcerting species of wildlife we ran into was
Mountain-bikus Americanus. On our decent we were
suddenly chased off the trail by a pair of bikers
ripping down the rocky footpath we were on. We
narrowly avoided a collision by us jumping downhill
off the trail, into some bushes - Arghhh!!! I had a
few choice words to say of course, but refrained when
they actually stopped to apologize.

Thanks to the recent rains that we've had, the canyons
and mountain sides were alive with green foliage which
made a great contrast to the clear blue skies and
brisk breezes and gusting winds that accompanied us
throughout the hike.

For those of you willing to contemplate a suggestion:
The next time you see a distant hilltop resolve to see
yourself taking in the views from that vantage point,
and then make it a reality - I assure you, you will be
grateful for the experience.

As always I hope you are well and happy; for my part I
continue to be glad to be alive!

-Manny