Wild places > Central Coast: Regional Map

Dick Smith Potential Wilderness Additions

Size: Approximately 48,625 acres

Managing agency: Los Padres National Forest

Location: Fifteen miles north of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County.

How to get there: To reach the Buckhorn Creek and Mono potential wilderness additions, take Hwy 101 to Hwy 154 in Santa Barbara. Hwy 154 leads you up to the Santa Ynez Mountains and East Camino Cielo. Drive on East Camino Cielo until you reach the end of the road (about an hour). East Camino Cielo turns into a dirt road on the backside of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Park at the gate and then hike up the marked trail into the Buckhorn/Indian Creek watershed.
To reach the Cuyama potential wilderness addition, take Hwy 101 to Hwy 33 in Ventura. Hwy 33 climbs over the coastal mountain ranges and deposits you into the upper portion of the Cuyama Valley.

Description:

• Designated as an Area of High Ecological Significance by U.S. Forest Service.
• Provides critical habitat for threatened and endangered species including southern steelhead, southwestern pond turtle (see picture), arroyo toad, California red-legged frog, least Bell's vireo, California condor, San Joaquin kit fox, blunt-nosed leopard lizard, California gnatcatcher, southwestern willow flycatcher, and others.
• Buckhorn Creek and Mono areas include popular hiking trails, pristine swimming holes, waterfalls, and a popular backpacking destination – the Mono Narrows, an incredible area of rock formations, large pools, and spectacular waterfalls.
• The Cuyama area is very wild, with few trails and completely undisturbed habitat for many species.
• The Buckhorn Creek and Mono areas contain major tributaries for Santa Ynez River and urban water supplies.

Many visitors come to these proposed wilderness additions to enjoy its interesting topography, scenic trails, diverse wildlife, and peaceful tranquility. Although it is only an hour drive from Santa Barbara, the rugged terrain imparts a very remote quality to the area. California condors can be seen riding warm air currents high above the steep chaparral slopes of the San Rafael Mountains.

The Mono Narrows draws many people into the area. This beautiful place contains countless deep pools, weather sculpted boulders and cliffs, and incredible wildlife. Signs of bears, mountain lions, bobcats, and other species can be found everywhere.

Indian Creek and Buckhorn Creek are major tributaries for the Santa Ynez River. Mono Creek is largest tributary for the Santa Ynez River. The Santa Ynez is the primary source of drinking water for the coastal urban areas around the city of Santa Barbara.

The Cuyama potential wilderness addition is found on the north slope of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. Upon its slope the cool, moist climates of the north combine with the warm, dry climates to the south creating incredible biodiversity. The area is relatively free of trails that create a rare landscape of completely connected habitat. Spacious native grasslands with oak woodlands offer needed foraging habitat for the endangered California condor. The great San Joaquin Valley, Cuyama Valley, and the interior high desert are all visible from Cuyama Peak. The wildflower displays in late February and early March are breathtaking and many people make the long drive to see the springtime sights.

For additional information, please contact:
Erin Duffy California Wild Heritage Campaign
Phone: (805) 564-2460
Email: calwild_sb@yahoo.com