# San Rafael Wilderness — March 2025

2025-03-26 · San Rafael Wilderness, Santa Barbara County, CA

[Read the journal with daily maps](https://garrettgcraig.com/trail-san-rafael-2025)

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## Day 1 · March 26

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**Approx. distance:** about 14 miles.

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**Observed:** [Conophorus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524529), [narrowleaf goldenbush](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267431935), [chick lupine](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436808), [Miniature Lupine](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267432119), [Big Berry Manzanita](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267432144), [hollyleaf redberry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267432178), [Golden Yarrow](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436832), [California scrub oak](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436848), [stork's-bill chytrid](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524868), [Redstem Stork's-bill](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267432502), [Thick-leaved Yerba Santa](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267432577), [Buckbrush](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436877), [silver rock-lettuce](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436892), [bluewitch nightshade](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436910), [Brassiceae](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436929), [charlock](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436942), [Tall Psathyrella](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436953), [California Peony](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436970), [hollyleaf cherry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267436986), [white sage](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437022), [Pacific poison oak](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437040), [Small Cats](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437054), [Bush Poppy](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437071), [Northern Flicker](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524492), [California Ash](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437083), [Zigzag Larkspur](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437101), [Pacific Sanicle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437115), [miner's lettuce](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437149), [California asterella](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437202), [Mining Bees](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437268), [western sycamore](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437316), [Elegant Clarkia](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437340), [goldback fern](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437373), [Cumberland Rock Shield](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437398), [bushmallows](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437435), [oaks](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437495), [Coffee Fern](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437540), [Chilicothe](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437557), [Variable Checkerspot](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437592), [southern bush monkeyflower](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437650), [California cudweed](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437699), [Common Fiddleneck](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437730), [Canyon liveforever](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437770), [yerba santa](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437804), [blue dicks](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437828), [Pale Swallowtail](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524458), [deerweed](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437865), [chamise](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437885), [California Dogface](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524436), [Beaked Twig Gall Wasp](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437908), [Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437927), [strigose lotus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267437968), [variable linanthus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438000), [Rusty Popcornflower](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438026), [Prickly Phlox](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438061), [Fiesta Flower](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438108), [Agaricineae](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438168), [Mulch Maids](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438196), [Western Velvety Tree Ant](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438218), [California mugwort](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438236), [True Bugs](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524410), [Stinging Lupine](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438299), [Chalk Dudleya](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438349), [Cobwebby Thistle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438380), [branching phacelia](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438405), [Italian thistle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438424), [lanceleaf liveforever](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438445), [Irbisia](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524370), [Bigelow's Spikemoss](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438480), [California bay](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438506), [Eucrypta](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267438553), [Pipestem Clematis](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449085), [Thin-legged Wolf Spiders](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449100), [Bombyliini](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524349), [Nemognatha](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524309), [Painted Meadow Grasshopper](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449528), [Common Side-blotched Lizard](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449465), [Western Wallflower](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449116), [Pacific pea](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449162), [California juniper](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449188), [Paintbrushes](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449220), [Arroyo Willow](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449266), [Coulter pine](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449301), [Gopher Snake](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449442), [Mountain Lion](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449396), [Pacific Velvet Ant](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267430608), [Ojai bushmallow](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267449378).

## Day 2 · March 27

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**Approx. distance:** about 22 miles.

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**Observed:** [Western Minnows](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532295), [Naked Buckwheat](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524563), [Tall Psathyrella](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524599), [California Buckwheat](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524627), [Oats](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524643), [Man-roots](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524686), [Green Ephedra](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524714), [hollyleaf redberry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524747), [mule fat](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524786), [Chia](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267524836), [Pacific Coast Tick](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532262), [blue elder](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527198), [Western Honey Bee](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532239), [California Quail](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530764), [blue oak](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527227), [North American Deer Mice](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527261), [Silver Bush Lupine](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527287), [North American Jerusalem Crickets](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530739), [Two-striped Garter Snake](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530716), [Sara Orangetip](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530692), [Habropoda depressa](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530659), [Gopher Snake](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530614), [Frémont Cottonwood](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527326), [grasses, sedges, cattails, and allies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527362), [white fiesta flower](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527398), [Padre's Shooting Star](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267527418), [Wishbone Bush](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528292), [Western Pond Turtles](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530512), [White Sweetclover](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528317), [prickly sowthistle](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528362), [coast live oak](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528390), [American Black Bear](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528444), [California poppy](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528467), [chaparral yucca](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528516), [Sierra False Bindweed](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528817), [Western Toad](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530569), [California Polypody](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267528851), [California cudweed](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267529343), [Abedus indentatus](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267529363), [American Kestrel](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267529663), [grasses](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530445), [Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267530478).

## Day 3 · March 28

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**Approx. distance:** about 7.5 miles.

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**Observed:** [Vestal Tiger Moth](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532430), [coast live oak](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532458), [Wild Turkey](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532478), [California Golden Violet](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532514), [Hummingbird Sage](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532585), [western jack-o'-lantern](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532810), [Ungulates, Carnivorans, and Allies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532841), [spearmint](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532868), [Cypresses, Cedars, Junipers, and Allies](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267532955), [hairy vetch](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/267533006).