Franklin Trail

Conserved for

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When something of natural beauty and community value is lost it can be hard, even impossible, to bring back. Over the years, a trail near Franklin Creek was lost—and with it the historic link between the valley floor and the Los Padres National Forest network of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. Enter the volunteer committee Friends of the Franklin Trail, a community-led partnership to rebuild and reopen the Franklin Trail.

Acres:

1.58

The Land Trust sponsored the project to help with planning, permitting and construction management. In 2011, Friends co-chairs Jane Murray and Bud Girard and volunteers spearheaded public outreach that brought in $295,000 in community and grant funding in addition to $75,000 from the County Board of Supervisors and a $200,000 state environmental enhancement grant secured by the Land Trust.

The trail runs through existing neighborhoods, a public high school campus, creek banks and flood control berms, private avocado orchards, and up a mountain featuring plants and animals protected by law. The Friends, County Parks, Rancho Monte Alegre, and the U.S. Forest Service negotiated the rebuilding of the trail starting near Carpinteria High School to the peak of the Santa Ynez Mountains and connecting to East Camino Cielo and the existing back country trail system along the Santa Ynez River.

Visiting Franklin Trail

  • Trail difficulty: Challenging
  • Multiple use trail for hikers, bike riders, and equestrians
  • Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily
  • Parking, directions, and more on AllTrails

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OFFICE:
1530 Chapala St., Suite A,
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

MAILING:
P.O. Box 91830, Santa Barbara, CA 93190

PHONE:
(805) 966-4520

Non-profit tax ID:
#95-3797404

Accredited by the Land Trust Accreditaiton Commission

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