Wild places > Central Coast: Regional Map

Matilija Potential Wilderness Additions

Managing agency: Los Padres National Forest

Size: Approximately 70,073 acres.

Location : Twenty miles east of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County.

How to get there: To reach the Juncal Canyon and Agua Caliente proposed 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 for about an hour. East Camino Cielo turns into a dirt road on the backside of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Make a right at Pendola Road; continue on this road for about 10 minutes until you reach the end. The trailhead is just above the parking area.
To reach the White Ledge proposed addition, take Hwy 101 south from Santa Barbara to Hwy 150, heading toward Ojai. There are no trailheads leading into this wilderness area. The ridgeline can be accessed by following Hwy 150 to Matilija Creek Road. This road travels just behind (north) of White Ledge.

Description:

• Provides critical habitat for threatened and endangered species including arroyo Toad, California red-legged frog, least Bell’s vireo, southwestern pond turtle, southwestern willow flycatcher, and others.
• Very wild, few trails, completely undisturbed habitat for many species.
• Coastal climate and steep rugged slopes offer a variety of habitats for native species.
• The Agua Caliente proposed addition contains the hottest (about 104 degrees) hot springs in Santa Barbara County.
• The Agua Caliente and Juncal Canyon proposed additions are within hiking distance of the Upper Santa Ynez National Recreation Area.

The Matilija proposed wilderness additions are incredibly wild. Very few people visit these areas due to their remoteness and lack of trails. Thus, this is an excellent place to observe wildlife. The seasonal creeks found within the proposed additions offer many opportunities for challenging hikes through dense riparian areas, tranquil oak forests, and boulder-strewn meanders. From the tops of the ridges, one has views of the entire forest as well as the Pacific Ocean. On a very clear day, all of the Channel Islands can be seen, including tiny Santa Barbara Island over 80 miles away. Signs of bears, mountain lions, bobcats, and other species can be found throughout the wilderness.

Agua Caliente Canyon contains one of the few hot springs in Santa Barbara County. Steep chaparral slopes, boulder-strewn creeks, dense oak woodlands, and expansive grasslands can all be found within a short hike. The upper canyon is very remote seeing very few visitors each year. The two primary trails through this wilderness offer very different perspectives. One travels along the creek into the very upper portions of the watershed passing beautiful pools teeming with native trout and rugged canyon walls with sculpted rocky cliffs. The other trail takes the high road offering panoramic vistas of the entire wilderness as well as the many mountain ranges that make up the Los Padres National Forest. One cannot leave this place without feeling humbled by it majesty.

The White Ledge proposed addition epitomizes wilderness. The area lacks trails and except for the seasonal creek beds, the area is completely inaccessible to people. Wildlife teems throughout this area – black bears, mountain lion, California condor, and other native species can be found throughout the wilderness.

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