Rattlesnake-Tunnel Connector Trail Project Status....Incomplete!

Dear Trail Users,

Trail maintenance is tough work, there is no way around it. Since the fires there has been an enormous amount of trail work to get our trails open again. Our feeling is that the trails here in Santa Barbara should be more than just passable at best, as several of them are now. Our hope is that we can help our trails back to the level they deserve to be and beyond then help keep them this way for years to come. With only one other organization (SBMTV) actively performing trail maintenance along with the agencies, the burden is huge.

We appreciate all that have supported our efforts and have attended trail maintenance projects over the last year. Yesterdays event scheduled for the connector trail had a turnout of three volunteers and it was decided that rather than try and work the connector with this small group we should focus on problem areas along the main Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. We accomplished a ton of work up to the meadow but were unable to reach the connector leaving it overgrown and washed out in many areas.

We are more than happy to continue the "Happy Hour" idea either once or twice a month but attendance has been dropping and we feel that for now going on hiatus until we find people or groups wanting to get involved is the best solution. Please contact us if you are interested in participating in trail "work"outs and we will schedule around people's availability. There is plenty more work to be done on Tunnel, Jesusita, and Rattlesnake.


SEE PHOTOS FROM TUESDAY'S HAPPY HOUR

Tunnel Trail Happy Hour Re-Cap

A small but dedicated crew hit the trails this past Tuesday to prepare Tunnel/Jesusita Trails for the big opening today. Tunnel Trail was the focus of this trail work as it suffered the most damage from the rains following the Jesusita Fire. The area most damaged was just below Rattlesnake Connector where washouts edged up to sheer drop offs. Thanks to Chase, Joani, Matt, and Cinder that area has become safe again but due to the size of the group and amount of work many problem areas still exist and will be the focus of future trail work. - Dave

The crew heading up Tunnel Trail
One of the few problems on Jesusita trail
Problem solved

Matt at work

Tunnel washout before

Tunnel washout after Joani and Chase did work

The large rockfall section

Now, just like the rockfall never happened

Happy Hour Coming To Tunnel Trail

Learn More Here

Happy Hour Off To A Good Start

Perfect cool temps, good people, and hard work brought Rattlesnake Canyon Trail back to life during Tuesday's Happy Hour. Downed trees, rutted out trail, and wash outs were fixed thanks to the hard work of six workers including myself. Most of the damage was in the Jesusita Fire burn area where bare canyon walls allowed a flood of water and mud to reign havoc on the trail below.

Yes trail work is hard work but it is rewarding when you look back and see how you've made the trail better for everyone. Stay tuned for the next "Happy Hour" on Tunnel Trail at the end of the month.- Dave

Steve and Matt sawing the downed tree prior to removal

One of the bad "wash outs" before

Paul, Joani, and Matt digging a trail out of the hillside

Finished product

Another "washed out" gulley- before

All filled out and safe to use

The Happy Hour Team-

Steve, Matt, Joani, Sonia, Paul

Thanks guys and gals, you rock! D

The Return Of The Happy Hour

Happy Hour on our trails returns next Tuesday, 3/16/10! We will be repairing trails damaged by the Jesusita Fire then further damaged by recent rains. Find out more about this event by clicking here and please email Dave if you plan on attending as we are limited to group size of 10 or smaller each event.

Below- some of some of the damage we will be repairing