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Hiking - The Romero Canyon Trail -- July 2, 2006, 9:30 AM
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Elden?Romero Canyon Trail, July 2, 2006, 9:30 AM
Directions: From the 101, take the Sheffield Road exit just before going up the hill to Summerland. This is a left exit for traffic going south, getting off the freeway from the left lane.  Turn right on the mountain side of the freeway, onto Sheffield Dr. The road winds immediately to the left. Don't go to the right, up the hill. When you get to East Valley Road, turn left, then almost immediately turn right onto Romero Canyon Rd. Follow Romero Canyon Rd. for a mile and a half. There is a fork in the road. Make sure to take the right fork.  At Bella Vista Rd, turn right. Go about 1/4 mile and park just before or just after the stream crossing where there is a metal gate across a dirt road to the left. The Trailhead is at the metal gate on the dirt road.

Description: Romero Canyon is a popular destination for hikers and mountainbikers. The trail is shady and along a creek bed for the first half. There is a strong scent of bay laurel in the air. The creek almost always has plenty of water, making the first half of the hike a tranquil forest hike. Then about 2 miles up, there is a junction with a very old road that is almost completely grown over with the chaparral until it is narrow as a trail again. Mountainbikers often use this road because it offers a challenge. We will probably turn around at the two mile point, but if everyone's game, we can go further:!

As the trail continues you can follow the trail instead of the road for a challenging climb up and over the Santa Ynez range to East Camino Cielo Rd, which is a dirt road where the trail meets. Follow East Camino Cielo leftward to the watertower and follow the old fire road back down to the junction. Then choose to follow the shady trail or the interesting, shaley road back to the trailhead. 
Helpful hints: Be sure to bring drinking water, and wear a hat. 
Friends: Bring 'em all!
Cost: None, except for optional brunch after the hike, at a place we'll choose during the hike.
Reservations: None -- Rain cancels.
More information? See these websites. Notice that mountain bikers frequent these trails, so we need to be watchful.

http://members.cox.net/brucecoolpix/HikingHighlights/   (trails in general)
The hiking crew most often features Elden Dellanina and Bob Lilley (pictured below) -- on this hike we also had the company of 
Sally Hinton, Ilan and Barbara Levi and a pair of new Newcomers.

These guys are really happy -- just thoughtful about the hike to come next!