Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2
Los Padres National Forest Strategy
Wild and Scenic Rivers
Designated
Sespe Creek Places: Highway 33 Corridor,
4.7 miles; and Sespe, 24.3
miles
Page 93
31.5 Miles (27.5 Miles, Wild;
4 Miles, Scenic)
Interesting geologic formations, unusual gorges, and rich riparian vegetation provide excellent
scenic diversity and recreation opportunities. This stream is considered an outstanding rainbow
trout fishery and provides critical habitat for the endangered California condor (www.nps.gov).
Big Sur River Places: Ventana, 20.6 miles 20.6 Miles, Wild
Located in the Ventana Wilderness, this river offers outstanding opportunities for hiking,
camping, swimming and fishing. It is one of the longest coastal California streams lined with
redwoods (www.nps.gov).
Sisquoc River Places: San Rafael 32.6 miles;
and Figueroa-Santa Ynez, 1.9
miles
Sisquoc Creek:
34.6 Miles, Wild
Most of this river lies within the San Rafael Wilderness. It offers excellent opportunities for
solitude, wilderness-oriented activities, and appreciation of the outstanding scenery
(www.nps.gov).
Wild and Scenic Rivers, Recommended for Designation
Piru Creek Places: Sespe, 5.8 miles; and Hungry Valley/Mutau, 32.8 miles
The upper portions of Piru Creek (those below a point in the Sespe Wilderness in the southwest
corner of Township 6 N., Range 22 W., Section 3 to the maximum pool of Pyramid Lake) have
been found suitable for classification as either a wild or scenic river. Upper Piru Creek provides
an outstandingly remarkable opportunity to recreate in and along a year-round stream. The faults
and rock formations found along the Creek include important features crucial to the
understanding of the very complex structural and geomorphic evolution of the west coast of
North America. Along the upper portion of Piru Creek, exposures of the oldest basement rocks in
the coastal mountains of the western United States are considered to be outstandingly
remarkable. This portion of the Piru Creek supports a population of arroyo toads, and the
scientific and interpretive values offered by several of the prehistoric/ethnographic sites
constitute outstandingly remarkable values.
Sespe Creek Places: Highway 33 Corridor, 11.5 miles
The portion of Sespe Creek that originates in the confluence of Chorro Grande Canyon in
Township 6 N., Range 23 W., Section 21, and extends to the confluence of Rock Creek in the