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Manzana CreekNira to Manzana Schoolhouse |
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Manzana CreekNira to Manzana Schoolhouse |
| SUMMARY | |
| Location: |
Los Padres National Forest, San Rafael Wilderness, north of Santa Barbara, California |
| Put-in: |
Nira, at confluence with Davey Brown Creek (1760'). |
| Gradients: |
1) 80 2) 60 3) 60 4) 80
5) 80 6) 80 7) 40 8) 40
9) 50 9.3) |
| Take-out: |
The Manzana Schoolhouse at the confluence with Sisquoc River (1160'). |
| NOTES | |
 Manzana Schoolhouse |
This is a scenic, lower gradient run, that is generally class II-III, with at least a couple of harder rapids and other hazards to watch for. About 5 miles into the run there were two barbed wire fences that cross the creek. In 1997 the fences were at the beginning and end of the private inholding on the creek. Check the topo to see where this is located. Keep in mind that the flood of late February 1998 may have mangled these fences or washed remnants downriver. Don't miss the Manzana Schoolhouse. Standing on the bench above the confluence of Manzana Creek and the Sisquoc River, the Schoolhouse brings to mind images of turn of the century life and homesteading. Constructed in 1893, the schoolhouse served a community of about 200 people, living on 20 homesteads near the confluence. Los Angeles precipitation records suggest that five of the seven years from 1894 to 1900 were dry in Southern California. This drought followed a relatively wet 15 year period, and would have resulted in a dramatic change in water resources. Farms failed as the drought persisted, and in 1902 the school closed. The Schoolhouse is a Santa Barbara County Historic Landmark. Unless you are planning to continue down the Sisquoc River, bring a head lamp, or allow enough time to hike the 8 or 9 miles back to the put-in. We started hiking about 4:00 pm, and got back to the put-in just after dark. |
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| PHOTOS | |
