The Wildling Art Museum organized a trip into the San Rafael Wilderness in memory of Dick Smith, the journalist whose efforts helped to preserve this area for generations to come. The trip, was open to both backpackers and horsepackers, under the guidance of professional packers, Jim Balsitis and Graham Goodfield. The group was accompanied by Liz Mason Gaspar, naturalist with the County Parks Service at Cachuma Lake, and Joel Smith, Dick Smith’s son, who shared anecdotes about his father.

Graham Goodfield is owner of Los Padres Outfitters, a wilderness guide and the only outfitter holding a permit to bring stock into the Los Padres National Forest. He has had years of experience leading packtrips into the Sespe and San Rafael Wilderness. Graham has honed his skills at dutch oven cooking over an open campfire, a treat not to be missed.

Jim Balsitis, owner and guide of Coyotetrack Adventures, has been guiding people into the wilderness for 16 years. Jim is certified in Wilderness First Aid and is an expert at map and compass reading. Coyotetrack Adventures focuses on backpack and canoe adventures solely into designated wilderness areas of our public lands and practices Leave-no-Trace principals. Jim is a naturalist, photographer, and enjoys bird and plant identification while in the wilderness.

Equipment (sleeping bags, tents, and backpacks) was available for rent. Hikers needed to carry only their own personal gear (as food and sleeping bags was carried by pack animals).

This was a great opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful and untouched areas in the county, guided by knowledgeable people ready to share fascinating information about the history and natural history of this wilderness preserve.

Notes:Was open to backpackers and horsepackers (no private horses were allowed). Led by Jim Balsitis and Graham Goodfield. Included naturalist Liz Mason Gaspar and Joel Smith, Dick Smith’s son.