Upper Oso Canyon Mule Ride

By Lucky 777

On a breezy sunny day 2 mules and 2 Arabian horses set out to see the Upper Oso Canyon. We were on the trail for 3 hours and traveled 6.75 miles. For the mule gals it was home turf, for the visitors from Lebec it was a real treat.

We started out on Rancho Oso. I did my usual trick of backing through the open gate and daring the others to do likewise. The mules aced it, and then with a little consternation and swishing of tails the Arabs did too.

Then it was down the Arroyo Burro Road to cross the Santa Ynez River, that was so sparkling and lush a month ago when I was here last. Now it has once again gone underground and was only a pathway of rocks.

Then we rode down the Paradise Road / Gibralter Road carved into the hillside, which has recently been re-opened to vehicular traffic but we saw very few cars and they were all driven by courteous older men who slowed down as they passed us.

This is a flood zone, and the Upper Oso campground has been closed for many months because of damage from fire, rain, and cascading mud.

Read more here.