No hike if raining.  Bring plenty of water.

This is a Friday 8:30am meetup – no need to register.

RATTESNAKE CANYON – 8:30am.  With the loss of many trails in the area, this shady old trail remains a favorite and a regular in our rotation.  The trail follows the creek up a winding canyon to the far end of a meadow and back, with an optional continuation beyond the turnaround area.  Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles round trip; Elevation gain: 1,000 feet; Hiking Time: 2 to 2.5 hours (go at your pace); Difficulty: Moderate-Strenuous.  At the turnaround point, there are several add-ons available.  This time some of us will take the (steep) switchbacks that add 600' of elevation in 0.7 miles, ending at Gibraltar Road.

DIRECTIONS: Trailhead is at the Los Conoas stone bridge over Rattlesnake Creek. From either direction, Exit 101 at Mission and head toward mountains. Three blocks past State, turn left on Garden, go two blocks and turn right on Los Olivos. Pass the Santa Barbara Mission on your left, staying in left lane into Mission Canyon Rd. At the dead-end at Foothill Drive (Hwy 192), turn right. After 0.1 miles, turn left on continuation of Mission Canyon. Go 0.5 miles to Las Conoas, turn sharply to right and follow Skofield Park sign. Take winding road 1.2 miles to the trailhead, by the stone bridge. Pullouts are on the right just before the bridge, and there is more parking across the bridge in Skofield Park.

 Hike Leader: Chip Gierhart

 Hope to see you there!