Local historian Neal Graffy discusses and demystifies the legend of Benjamin Foxen warning fellow explorer Lt. Col. John C Frémont of a trap at Gaviota Pass, leading a batallion safely over the "San Marcos Pass."

In early December, 1846, “The Pathfinder,” Lt. Col. John C. Frémont, and his recently assembled California Battalion were encamped some 20 miles below Mission San Juan Bautista. Their goal? Head south and liberate Santa Barbara and then Los Angeles from the forces of General José María Flores and claim California for the United States. To do so, for the next twenty-five days Frémont and his men would embark on an historic march of 230 miles culminating in a Christmas Day descent from the Santa Ynez mountains in a torrential rainstorm. According to legend, Benjamin Foxen warned Frémont of a trap at Gaviota Pass and then led Frémont and the battalion safely over the “San Marcos Pass.”