Saturday, November 4: Trees of Figueroa Mountain: A Hike Down Fir Canyon
Field trip with John Evarts and Margie Popper
Davey Brown Trail passes near the historic site of the backcountry patrol cabin used by US Forest Ranger Edgar B. Davison. Photo by John Evarts.
Saturday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Participation is limited to 20. Good physical condition and good balance are essential for this trip. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on October 5 for members and on October 15 for nonmembers at syvnhs@syvnature.org or 805/ 693-5683.
Members $10 / Nonmembers $25 / Children $5
Few places in our region embrace a greater diversity of native trees than the Figueroa Mountain area. Rising over 4000 feet above the valley floor, this 4534-foot-high mountain harbors a variety of microclimates and soil types that support a rich selection of trees, including six conifers and five species of tree oaks. Naturalists Margie Popper and John Evarts will lead this hike into Figueroa’s cool, deep Fir Canyon, which supports large specimens and some of the highest tree diversity in Santa Barbara County. Participants will learn easy ways to identify the canyon’s oaks, pines, and streamside broad-leaved trees. We’ll see 14 of the more than 20 plus tree species that grow on the mountain.
By November, one can expect fall color in Fir Canyon, like this image from 2022 along the Davey Brown Trail. Photo by John Evarts.
The trip will start at the parking area below the entrance to Midland School Trails with a short introduction and to allow for voluntary carpooling. Then we will drive approximately 30 minutes to the parking area for the historic Davey Brown Trail, including a stop to see one of the species on our list. This 3.5-mile roundtrip “upside down” hike entails a steep descent into the canyon. The trail is narrow in places with sections that have steep drop-offs and there are four modest creek crossings. We plan a midday lunch stop at a spot where we can see at least 12 native tree species before we climb over 600 feet back up to the trailhead and parking area. By early November, we can expect some fall color in the canyon.
Fir Canyon contains especially large specimens of big-cone Douglas fir and canyon oak. Photo by John Evarts.
Sturdy hiking shoes, trekking poles, and long pants (to protect against poison oak) are strongly recommended. Bring plenty of water, a lunch, and trail snacks. This trip is not suitable for novice hikers.
John Evarts and Margie Popper have retired from running their company, Cachuma Press, which published Oaks of California, Conifers of California, and other natural history, travel and gardening books. They helped launch the SYVNHS in 2000 and have been active in the Society since it was founded.
Margie Popper and John Evarts in the John Muir Wilderness. Photo by Stephen Ingram.
