Legacy Trails Program Awardee

Restoration of Buckhorn and Indian Trails

This project will begin by clearing a large quantity of brush sieves and sediment from the stream channel, reconnecting 6 miles of aquatic habitat. After removal, retaining walls, natural waddles, and improved trail sustainability techniques will ensure a lessening of erosion. These practices will also improve resiliency to future wildfire and heavy storm events. This work will immediately improve a watershed that supplies water to Gibraltar Reservoir, a primary source of water for Santa Barbara County. Through working with the USFS resource specialist and local Tribe, we have already planned monitors on site to ensure cultural and environmental values are kept pristine.

Applicant: Sage Trail Alliance
Project Location: Santa Barbara Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest, California
Amount Awarded: $45,000.00

The Buckhorn and Indian Trails within the Santa Barbara Ranger District of the Los Padres National forest make up 8 miles of single track trail that follow a creek drainage from the upper Santa Ynez River (Wild and Scenic pre dam confluence) up to the headwaters of Little Pine Mountain. In 2007 these trails were destroyed in the Zaca fire, and hit again in 2016 during the Rey Fire. They have not been usable for nearly 20 years and have since been taken off of USFS issued maps, being hidden as deferred maintenance but not decommissioned.

Several issues have arisen from this closure via fire and regrowth:

Erosion has gone unchecked, leaving the creek bed blocked in some corridors thus preventing water passage. Fallen burned brush / hardwood from the fire has also blocked the creek with sieves.

Rogue recreational users have instead begun walking straight up the river bed due to the lack of trail. These trails are the primary entry points to the Dick Smith Wilderness (but do not enter the wilderness).

This trail restoration of one of the oldest trails on record in the Los Padres has been discussed and led by Sage for some time, with a current partner list including the USFS, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash, the Boy Scouts, and a number of local volunteering groups. This trail work will take place over late winter and Spring of 2023 with all trail work days being led by Sage. The USFS has approved of trail reroutes within the canyon that will help the trail avoid the creek / waterway and bolster both to be more resilient to climate and use impacts. Old metal culvert remains will be pulled from the site during this project, and any water crossings necessary will be done via wooden bridge at USFS aquatic positive standards.