In March 2003 I started a mapping project of the San Rafael Wilderness. During the next 4 months I hiked over 460 miles throughout the area noting trail mileages and conditions. The end result is the most up-to-date complete map of the San Rafael Wilderness and vicinity in existence.

Located just North of Santa Barbara and within a few hours drive of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and Bakersfield, the San Rafael Wilderness is the main hiking, backpacking, and equestrian destination within Santa Barbara County. It encompasses over 197,350 acres of primitive land and 125 miles of designated wilderness trails.

Geographically, the San Rafael is highlighted by Big Pine Mountain which towers over the area at over 6,800 feet. Its pine covered slopes are blanketed with snow many months of the year. The San Rafael is also home to the famous potreros (meadows) of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The Sierra Madre form the Northern boundary of the wilderness and contain some of the best Chumash Indian paintings in existence.

Disecting the San Rafael Wilderness is the Sisquoc River. The Sisquoc is designated a Wild and Scenic River and flows year-round from its headwaters below Big Pine Mountain.

The San Rafael Wilderness map covers all of the wilderness as well as much of the surrounding area including a large portion of the Dick Smith Wilderness (which borders the San Rafael on the East), Little Pine Mountain, the Santa Ynez River Recreation Area, Figueroa Mountain, Upper Oso trailhead, Nira trailhead, La Brea Canyon, Colson Canyon, Madulce, Indian Creek trailhead, Cuyama Valley, the mountains above Santa Maria, and much more...

MAP FEATURES

• Printed on tear resistant waterproof paper

• Full color user friendly graphics (only printed on one side)

• Shaded relief with topographic contour lines

• Created with GPS and GIS technology

• Includes OHV routes from Colson Canyon, Miranda Pine, and Upper Oso

• Covers mountain bike trails above Santa Maria and off of Paradise Road

• Accurate trail mileages and camp locations

• Designates trail conditions and quality

• Map dimensions: 28” x 31.5” unfolded - 4” x 6.3” folded