El Capitan Canyon Hosts Trails Council BBQ This Sunday
Hikes, Rides & Trail Runs Highlight an Afternoon of Food, Fun & Music by Local Band Kalinka
SB hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and trail runners are invited to Santa Barbara Trails Council’s 3rd annual BBQ and concert at El Capitan Canyon this Sunday April 29.
Tickets for the afternoon of trail activities, food and music are $30 for individuals and $45 for the whole family. Those wishing to join us can save $10 by purchasing their individual or family ticket prior to the event online at http://sbtrails.org/bbq-ticket/.
Though the Bill Wallace Trail originally was opened to the public in 2004 on a limited basis after 2,500 acres of the El Capitan Ranch was sold to the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County and then transferred to state park ownership. However, because of a state budget crisis (sound familiar?) only docent-led hikes were offered, and as a result, access to the backcountry portions of El Capitan Ranch was restricted quite a bit.
To share some of the spectacular vistas and backcountry beauty, the Trails Council will offer a selection of hikes, mountain bike and equestrian rides, as well as a first-ever trail run on the Bill Wallace Trail to kick off the day’s activities. Those interested in joining one of these should meet at 10AM at the parking area on the west side of El Capitan. The hikes and rides will leave promptly at 10:30pm and will last about 2 hours each.
Those who join the mountain bike and trail runs will have the opportunity of completing the entire 12 mile circuit of the Bill Wallace Trail. “Though challenging, the route offers the opportunity to experience some of Gaviota’s finest scenery,” Calef says.
The BBQ, thanks to the Santa Barbara Chicken Ranch, will begin at 1:30PM at the picnic area in the canyon near the market, followed by music at 2pm. The concert will feature Kalinka, a local band that plays high-stepping French and gypsy-style music.
