A friend and I have a 3 day bikepacking trip scheduled in about 2 weeks. We are planning a traverse of the Santa Barbara back country via dirt roads. With the recent heavy rain we've had (and snow up high) the route may be impassible or at the best, really really muddy.
What I'm hoping to find are any suggestions for an alternative multi-day bike route that will be relatively dry and is not too far from Santa Barbara. Would also be open to places that would be good for a base camp with day trip options.
With this weather, you should be fine up there, of course, but the good other option is Carrizo Plain (did a great bikepacking trip there last year,spinning around and through the temblor range). Depending on when you're going, I may very well see you up there. In any event, I'm heading out to Bluff Camp this weekend- I'll let you know what I find.
The original plan was: Santa Barbara Canyon -> Big Pine Road-> Buckhorn rd -> Camuesa rd -> Romero rd. (up and Over) and get picked up somewhere down by the beach.
Bates Canyon -> sierra madre -> side hike to Sisquoc @ Sycamore (backpacking scout) -> santa barbara Potrero -> hike in to Sisquoc Falls ->big pine rd-> santa barbara Canyon.
Not quite as adventurous but should still be a good 3 day trip. Maybe the buckhorn road later in the year!
For what it's worth, I was up there today, and things are drying out very, very quickly. I rode the singletrack up Little Pine, but the road is dry to the turnoff, and conditions are perfect. The worst part of your first itinerary will be the crossing at Lower Oso- it was waist deep and fast today.
No crossing @ lower Oso. We'll cross the SY between Jameson and Gibraltar near the hot springs.
As it turns out my partners can't make it so I think I'm going to go it solo Sat - Monday. I'll post when I get back.
-Kfox
The Route didn't go. Snow up to knee deep on all aspects once up high, even southern above 5700'. Started shuttling gear and bike one at a time and realized It wasn't what I was interested in. Lots of blowdown, a few small slides and one large one that seems to have taken some of the road with it!
Nice ride back down the canyon and out to New Cuyama for a pick up.
I'll be back soon Mr. Buckhorn!
Thanks to the trailer I think my suspension linkage is pretty hammered :-(
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