After long consideration of the conditions in the Los Padres National Forest given the mop up of the Lake Fire, it was concluded that a Sunday morning run on Camino Cello from west to east was plausible and of low risk to those fire fighting efforts.
Part of the group met up at the 5 points spot with the rest joining in at Refugio Rd exit from the 101. This brought us to 15 rigs and 20 participants.
While we understood that David and Otis couldn’t join in today, we appreciated their encouragement at the rally point .
In the climb up Refugio we only encountered limited downhill traffic
This route elevated us 4,200+ ft to reach the communication towers.
It was amazing clear sky view from there, just a few lingering marine layer influences in some of the valleys below.
There was no smoke rising from the Lake Fire that we observed
However I did notice this in the capture after the fact – drone or aliens?
We used this location to be a combination air down site and conversation point in the shade from the towers.
It was nice to see Lake Cachuma still stretching so far and wide.
We continued on Eastward and experienced a little dust, heat and a fair amount of 2 wheeler traffic. Oh, and one trail runner out for a challenge!
Reminder to viewers of this post, this trail is not an OHV restricted trail so you will need more than OHV tags on your motorcycle. We observed three USF rangers, one who was working through education with a group of 8 enthusiasts without a license plate .
As Mike Willam’s noted, this trail does provide the opportunity to some offshutes where you can test out your low gears, flex and lockers
It also provides the comfort that if they aren’t working, the main road is easy enough to still get home.
Back at the pavement we found more groups of explorers, nice to see our public lands being appreciated by the public.
Thanks to all who enjoy / support our sport