Lead a group of no more than 25 people to Dibble Mt. led by naturalist Larry Ballard. This infrequently used trail takes us through a large stand of chaparral on the upper west part of UCSB Sedgwick Reserve. The chaparral is entirely Buckbrush, Ceanothus cuneatus, one of the most widely distributed species in the California Floristic Province, and in early spring the plants are often covered in fragrant lavender blossoms. It will take some luck to find the spectacular Ceanothus Silk Moth but this is their peak flight period. Nearer the ground, annual wildflowers are abundant on this trail. After honoring Tom Dibblee on the summit named for him we'll head northeast to the serpentine grasslands overlooking the west fork of the Figueroa Creek watershed. The hike is about two miles roundtrip with most of the 600' elevation gain on the first part of the trail.

Approved