Land Management Plan - Part 2 Los Padres National Forest Strategy

September 2005 Land Management Plan Part 2
Los Padres National Forest Strategy
creek, up in the brush, one can hear the calls of the scrub jay, California quail, and mountain
quail.
Other points of interest include the Man zana Schoolhouse and the standing ruins of homesteads
along the Sisquoc River.
These sites are all that remain of a vigorous farming community
that
settled the flats along the river around
the turn-of-the-century. The South Fork Cabin is a historic
Forest Service shack that has sheltered generations of Back Country Rangers.
Santa Lucia Wilderness Places: Cuesta 18,273 Acres
Located in San Luis Obispo County, the Santa Lucia Wilderness was established in 1978 by the
Endangered American Wilderness Act. Elevations within the wilderness range from 800 feet near
Lopez Reservoir to 3,000 feet near the summit of Hi Mountain. The area is most frequently
accessed via the East Cuesta Ridge Road (Forest Route 30S10) and Lopez Canyon Road (Forest
Route 31S06).
Chaparral-covered slopes and peaks, stream-fed
valleys, Morro Rock, and the Seven Sisters are
scenic images that are part of the Santa Lucia Wilderness experience. This wilderness
offers
numerous trails for hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Sespe Wilderness Places: Sespe 218,507 Acres
The Sespe Wilderness was established in 1992 by the Los Padres Condor Range and River
Protection Act and is located primarily within Ventura County. The wilderness includes the
53,000-acre Sespe Condor Sanctuary and the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation
Trail. Also found here is Sespe Creek, one of the last remaining undammed rivers in southern
California. Part of Sespe Creek is a designated Wild and Scenic River (31.5 miles) with an
additional 21.4 miles of Upper Sespe Creek eligible for designation. The creek is contained by
sandstone cliffs, rising up to 500 feet above the water.
Fabulous rock formations, along with
petroglyphs and other evidence of ancient Indians, can be observed along the creek corridor
(Tilton).
Elevations in the wilderness range from 7,510 feet at the Reyes Peak summit to approximately
1,000 feet where Sespe Creek leaves the wilderness. The Sespe Wilderness is mainly a chaparral-
covered environment, with rock cliffs throughout. Steep, narrow gorges, picturesque pools,
cascading riffles, and outstanding views of geologic formations create a unique visual
experience. There are numerous trailheads, trails, and camps.
Silver Peak Wilderness Places: Big Sur 30,311 Acres
The Silver Peak Wilderness (located in Monterey County along the famous Big Sur coastline)
was established in 1992 through the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act. The Big
Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17,055 acres to the Silver Peak Wilderness.
Elevations range from 3,590 feet at the summit of Silver Peak to near sea level along California
State Highway 1. Numerous access points along California State Highway 1 provide access to
trails. Most of the trails and camps are found in the original area of Silver Peak Wilderness.
Page 89