San Bernardino National Forest Land Management Plan - Part 2

Land Management Plan Part 2
San Bernardino National Forest Strategy
September 2005
Lytle Creek Place is very popular as a gathering location, especially for the area's ethnically
diverse population dominated by Latino visitors. Family units share traditional, cultural values
within the cool confines of the shaded streams and refreshing water during hot summer days in
this Place. Water-based recreation is popular here during the warmer months, with waterplay,
fishing, picnicking, and dispersed camping concentrated mainly along the canyon bottoms of the
Middle and North Forks of Lytle Creek. Recreation impacts affect portions of the creek and
management is needed to allow vegetative recovery in some locations. Dispersed camping
opportunities at Yellow Post sites in the upper reaches of the North Fork are numerous here.
Other activities include sightseeing, hiking, hunting, and photography. Lytle Creek Firing Line (a
popular concessionaire managed target shooting area) is located here. The Applewhite Picnic
Area and Campground is located adjacent to the North Fork of Lytle Creek. There is a lack of
designated trails originating from the campground and picnic area, as well as easy access loops
for families hiking in the canyons. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail crosses the Place near
its northern boundary. The Cucamonga Wilderness can be accessed via trails located along the
Middle Fork of Lytle Creek and from San Antonio Canyon on the west. A native plant garden
with bilingual interpretive signing and the recently renovated front office interpretive display at
the Lytle Creek District Office are visited by thousands of school children annually.
Unlawful activities, such as trash dumping, unauthorized off-road vehicle use, and property
vandalism are reoccurring difficulties. Other unlawful activities, such as marijuana cultivation,
methamphetamine lab dumps, and abandonment of stolen vehicles are increasing as areas
adjacent to the national forest are being developed.
Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers:
• Lytle Creek - Middle Fork 2.4 miles
Existing Wilderness:
• Cucamonga Wilderness 8,350 acres
• Sheep Mountain Wilderness 1,804 acres
Recommended Wilderness:
• Cucamonga B (Cucamonga Wilderness) 6,516 acres
• Sheep Mountain (Sheep Mountain Wilderness) 1,823 acres
Total national forest acres--Lytle Creek Place: 42,384
Desired Condition: Lytle Creek Place is maintained as a natural appearing landscape that
functions as a location for family-oriented, day-use and dispersed and developed recreation. The
valued landscape attributes to be preserved over time are scattered riparian-area vegetation, the
presence of mature stands of mixed conifer and bigcone Douglas-fir, the presence of sugar pines,
coastal sage scrub, and an age class mosaic in chaparral. Chaparral and forested areas are
managed to provide fire protection for adjacent communities, recreation areas, and wildlife
habitat. Habitat conditions for threatened, endangered and sensitive species are improving over
time. Heritage properties and Native American gathering areas are identified and protected.
Access to the Cucamonga Wilderness is maintained. No new winter sports areas or expansion of
existing winter sports areas are developed. Property lines are located and managed. Law
enforcement presence in high-use areas minimizes unauthorized activities and conflicts.
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