Silver Peak Wilderness
Encyclopedia
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 14500 acres (58.7 km²). On December 19, 2002 the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17055 acres (69 km²) to the existing wilderness.
The wilderness terrain rises steeply from near the Pacific Ocean to Silver Peak itself at 3590 feet (1,094.2 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.
In the spring when the creeks fill, some of the steeper canyons feature waterfalls. 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.
Santa Lucia Mountains
The Santa Lucia Mountains or Santa Lucia Range is a mountain range in coastal California, running from Monterey southeast for 105 miles to San Luis Obispo. The highest summit is Junipero Serra Peak, in Monterey County...
along the Central Coast of California
Central Coast of California
The Central Coast is an area of California, United States, roughly spanning the area between the Monterey Bay and Point Conception. It extends through Santa Cruz County, San Benito County, Monterey County, San Luis Obispo County, and Santa Barbara County...
. It southern boundary largely follows the Monterey County/San Luis Obispo County line. Its eastern boundary is defined by Ft. Hunter Liggett
Fort Hunter Liggett
Fort Hunter Liggett , named after General Hunter Liggett in 1941, is a United States Army fort in southern Monterey County, California, about 250 miles north of Los Angeles and south of San Francisco...
, while on the west it follows closely along Highway 1 and the Big Sur
Big Sur
Big Sur is a sparsely populated region of the Central Coast of California where the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. The name "Big Sur" is derived from the original Spanish-language "el sur grande", meaning "the big south", or from "el país grande del sur", "the big...
coastline. It is one of ten wilderness areas within the Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest is a forest located in southern and central California, which includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland...
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 14500 acres (58.7 km²). On December 19, 2002 the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17055 acres (69 km²) to the existing wilderness.
The wilderness terrain rises steeply from near the Pacific Ocean to Silver Peak itself at 3590 feet (1,094.2 m). Vegetation in the forests includes California sycamore
California Sycamore
Platanus racemosa is a species of sycamore tree known by several common names, including California sycamore, Western sycamore, California plane tree, and in Spanish Aliso...
, 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
Cypress
Cypress is the name applied to many plants in the cypress family Cupressaceae, which is a conifer of northern temperate regions. Most cypress species are trees, while a few are shrubs...
, gray pines, and Santa Lucia fir.
In the spring when the creeks fill, some of the steeper canyons feature waterfalls. Views on clear days extend to the Big Sur coastline to the north, the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
to the west, and the Salinas Valley
Salinas Valley
The Salinas Valley lies south of San Francisco, California.The word "salina" is spanish for salt marsh, salt lake or salt pan.-Geography:The Salinas Valley runs approximately south-east from Salinas towards King City. The valley lends its name to the geologic province in which it's located, the...
to the east.
Recreation includes backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
, horse camping, and day trips. As with all wilderness areas, motorized vehicles are prohibited.