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After months of waiting, two popular bouldering areas located in the hills above Santa Barbara have reopened to public use. The Brickyard, a remarkable sandstone boulderfield that holds such classics as Yeti (V4) and Grotesque Old Woman (V7), and The Playground, a bouldering destination that also has 20+ sport routes, have been closed since the Gap Fire in summer 2008.
Both areas are located above the city of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Mountains where, after the Gap Fire, the Los Padres National Forest Ranger district applied hydromulch to the soil to promote root growth and limit erosion.
The hydromulch is supposed to promote healthy soil and a solid root foundation, but the mixture cannot be walked on during the initial months, making some areas inaccessible. While these two areas and the trails that lead to them are open, the surrounding areas are still closed to preserve the integrity of the soil.
The U.S.F.S. press release states: ” Walking, biking or horseback riding on hydromulch that has been applied to surrounding areas will compromise the protective mat and reduce its effectiveness leading to more erosion. All other areas of the Gap Fire where hydromulch was applied will remain closed through June 1, 2010.”
For more information contact the Los Prietos Ranger Station at (805) 967-3481 or for the original press release click here.
