From the South Fork of the Sisquoc River, virtually every crossing while backpacking toward its mountainous headwaters was worth a thorough gaze. The colorful canopies of cottonwood and sycamore trees still held vibrant fall foliage hovering above tranquil and reflective pools within the Los Padres National Forest.
Still, it wasn’t just backcountry visuals within the forest that surrounded myself and fellow guides I work with at the Channel Islands National Park. The cacophony from the river’s steady flow and cascading waterfalls carried throughout the winding canyon between the chaparral-choked San Rafael and Sierra Madre Mountains. Weaving our way through stunning riparian passages, mild canyon breezes filtered through crackling oak, sycamore, and cottonwood trees. It was soothing to the senses as we gradually trekked to the upper reaches of the Sisquoc.