Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2
Los Padres National Forest Strategy
Appendix A - Special Designation Overlays
- Los Padres National Forest
Wilderness
Existing Wilderness
Chumash Wilderness Places: Mt. Pinos 37,248 Acres
This area was established in 1992 by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act.
The Chumash Wilderness is within Ventura and Kern Counties and west of Frazier Park. It
includes the area surrounding Mount Pinos, which was an integral part of Chumash Indian life
and is still extremely important to the local Chumash residents. Elevations range from 8,800 feet
near the summit of Mount Pinos to 4,400 feet in Apache Canyon. There are numerous access
points; the most popular are at Mount Pinos and Mount Abel.
The vegetation consists mainly of pine forests in the northern portion, and a combination of
badlands and chaparral in the south. Hiking and camping are among the many recreation
activities available in this area, and snow in the winter provides opportunities for winter
recreation.
Dick Smith Wilderness Places: San Rafael 71,350 Acres
The Dick Smith Wilderness was established in 1984 by the California Wilderness Act and is
located in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, approximately 12 miles north of Santa Barbara.
The writer, artist, and photographer for whom this wilderness was named was referred to by
some as the "conscience of Santa Barbara" (Tilton).
The area is extremely rugged with numerous canyons and ridges. Elevations range from less than
2,000 feet in canyon bottoms to 6,541 feet at Madulce Peak. Prominent canyons include Indian,
Mono, Alamar, Don Victor and Santa Barbara. The area has eight trails totaling 49 miles and
eight trail camps. Vehicular access to trailheads in the Los Prietos area is limited by seasonal
closures and long drive times over low-standard roads. Better access exists in the eastern portion
from trailheads along California State Highway 33.
While chaparral is the predominant vegetation, Madulce Peak has some of the most beautiful
stands of mixed conifers found in the national forest. The eastern portion of the area (known as
the Rancho Nuevo Region) is more open with massive sandstone rock formations, chaparral,
bigcone Douglas-fir and Great Basin sagebrush.
Garcia Wilderness Places: Avenales 13,393 Acres
The Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act established this wilderness in 1992. It is
located within San Luis Obispo County and is most easily accessed from the Lake Lopez and
Pozo areas. Elevations range from 1,500 feet to 2,600 feet along the crest.
The Garcia Wilderness area offers a variety of panoramic views, solitude and a variety of lush
wildflowers in spring. The terrain ranges from chaparral-covered mountains to grasslands and
abundant creek-side vegetation. Two hiking trails totaling 17 miles cut through the wilderness
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