Silver Peak Wilderness
| Silver Peak Wilderness | |
|---|---|
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IUCN category Ib (wilderness area) | |
  | |
| Location | Monterey County, California, USA |
| Nearest city | San Simeon, CA |
| Coordinates | 35°50′N 121°18′W / 35.833°N 121.300°WCoordinates: 35°50′N 121°18′W / 35.833°N 121.300°W |
| Area | 31,555 acres (128 km2) |
| Established | 1992 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Silver Peak Wilderness is located in the southwestern corner of Monterey County in the Santa Lucia Mountains along the Central Coast of California. It southern boundary largely follows the Monterey County/San Luis Obispo County line. Its eastern boundary is defined by Ft. Hunter Liggett, while on the west it follows closely along Highway 1 and the Big Sur coastline. It is one of ten wilderness areas within the Los Padres National Forest and managed by the US Forest Service.
It was established in 1992 when the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act set aside approximately 14,500 acres (59 km2). On December 19, 2002 the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17,055 acres (69.02 km2) to the existing wilderness. Unusually, the Wilderness is in two separate units, divided by the Willow Creek drainage and the fire roads to Alder Creek. [1]
The wilderness terrain rises steeply from near the Pacific Ocean to Silver Peak itself at 3,590 feet (1,090 m). Vegetation in the forests includes California sycamore, the big leaf maple, and red alder. Open slopes are dominated by ceanothus, manzanita, coastal live oak, and gray pine. There is also an isolated stand of coastal redwoods, the world's southernmost stand of redwoods. The wilderness also encompasses a rare grove of Sargent cypress, gray pines, and Santa Lucia fir.[1]
In the spring when the creeks fill, some of the steeper canyons feature waterfalls. Salmon Creek Falls, just off CA-1, is a very popular attraction, and the Salmon Creek Trail is a popular access point to the Wilderness. Views on clear days extend to the Big Sur coastline to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Salinas Valley to the east.
Recreation includes backpacking, horse camping, and day trips. As with all wilderness areas, motorized vehicles are prohibited everywhere except the forest service roads.
Government
At the county level, The Silver Peak Wilderness is represented on the Monterey County Board of Supervisors by Supervisor Dave Potter .[2] In the California State Assembly, The Silver Peak Wilderness is represented by Bill Monning as part of the 27th Assembly district.[3] In the State Senate, The Silver Peak Wilderness is represented by Sam Blakeslee as part of the 15th State Senate district.[4] In the U.S. House of Representatives, The Silver Peak Wilderness is part of California's 17th congressional district, represented by Sam Farr.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Silver Peak Wilderness Wilderness.net Retrieved April, 2008
- ↑ "Monterey County Supervisorial District 5 Map (North District 5)". County of Monterey. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ↑ "Bill Monning - Biography". Bill Monning, California State Assemblyman, 27th District. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ↑ "District Map". Sam Blakeslee, California State Senator, 15th District. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ↑ "The 17th District: About the 17th District of California". Sam Farr, United States Congressman, California's 17th District. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
External links
- Silver Peak Wilderness at Wilderness.net
- Salmon Creek Falls trail, with photo gallery
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