Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy
Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy
Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy
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<strong>Land</strong> <strong>Management</strong> <strong>Plan</strong> <strong>Part</strong> 2<br />
<strong>Los</strong> <strong>Padres</strong> <strong>National</strong> <strong>Forest</strong> <strong>Strategy</strong><br />
Proposed<br />
September 2005<br />
Big Pine Mountain 3,258 acres Places: San Rafael<br />
The Big Pine Mountain<br />
proposed RNA is l ocated on the Santa Barbara Ranger District<br />
about 19<br />
miles north of the city<br />
of Santa Barbara. Encompassing 3,258 acres, the RNA lies<br />
between 3,600<br />
to 6,828 feet in elevation. The topography of the area is characterized by a level summit that<br />
changes quickly to a moderately steep to steep north-facing slope. Side canyons vary from<br />
relatively gradual slopes to steep pitches with occasional waterfalls.<br />
<strong>Plan</strong>t communities within the RNA are highly varied and strongly influenced by the 3,000-foot<br />
change in elevation within the area. Jeffrey pine forests occupy the summit and mixed conifer<br />
forests spread down the upper north slope. Coulter pine forests, canyon live oak forests, bigcone<br />
Douglas-fir/canyon live oak forests are below the montane forests and above northern mixed<br />
chaparral that dominates the lowest elevations. The Buckhorn Road traverses the upper southeast<br />
corner of the area. Road access is for administrative<br />
use only. Trails skirt the southern and<br />
northeastern boundaries of the area; however, recreational backpacking and hunting<br />
use are very<br />
light. This proposed RNA is an excellent example of high-elevation montane vegetation types<br />
that are compressed into a steep elevational gradient. The area also harbors two rare plant species<br />
and a number of animal species of special concern.<br />
Sawmill Mountain 3,451 acres Places: Mt. Pinos<br />
The Sawmill Mountain proposed RNA is located on the Mt. Pinos Ranger District about 12 miles<br />
west of Frazier Park, within the Chumash Wilderness. The 3,451-acre area reaches from 6,250 to<br />
8,750 feet in elevation, and the topography is characterized by small<br />
peaks and ridges, and steep<br />
and moderately steep slopes with narrow drainages.<br />
Jeffrey pine forests and Jeffrey pine-singleleaf pinyon/canyon live oak woodlands and forests are<br />
present on the south facing slopes, while Jeffrey pine-white fir forests dominate mesic, northfacing<br />
slopes. Small islands of mountain meadow vegetation are scattered throughout the area.<br />
The RNA also contains portions of two sub-watersheds, one that drains into San Emigdio and<br />
Cuddy Creeks to the south and the other that drains into Dry and Apache Canyons to the north.<br />
Since the area lies within designated wilderness, it is closed to motorized use, and no roads are<br />
present in it. The two trails traversing the area are used for hiking, primitive camping and Nordic<br />
skiing.<br />
This RNA is in very good to excellent ecological condition and contributes to the Region 5<br />
network; a typical example of southern California Jeffrey pine and white fir forests, as well as<br />
undisturbed mountain meadows. Recreation use is low and confined to trails, and access for<br />
research is good.<br />
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