Pine Mountain
and VicinityMap Satellite
One of the best examples of mixed conifer forest in Ventura County is found in this area. Included in this forest, which occurs primarily on the upper slopes on the south side and on the northern slopes, are ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa, Jeffrey pine, Pinus jeffreyi, sugar pine, Pinus lambertiana, big-cone Douglas fir, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa, and white fir, Abies concolor. This mixed forest grades from the ponderosa on the higher slopes to the pinyon, Pinus monophylla, which is dominant on the lower slopes.
Among the conspicuous elements on the lower slopes are chaparral with mountain mahogany, Cercocarpus betuloides, Ceanothus leucodermis, Ceanothus crassifolius, and scrub oak, Quercus sp.
On the Sespe Creek bottomlands and along some of the intermittent stream courses are stands of riparian vegetation, with sycamore, Platanus racemosa, big-leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum, and black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa.
A wide variety of animal life is present, including the mountain lion, Felis concolor. The endangered California condor, Gymnogyps californianus, is frequently seen in the area.
Geologically, the rocks range in age from the Eocene marine sedimentaries, through Miocene sedimentaries, to recent alluvium. Rocks of the upper Miocene marine Santa Margarita formation and the Oligocene nonmarine Sespe formation are found here. The former includes pelletal phosphate rocks in beds up to 30 meters (100 feet) thick. The Pine Mountain fault traverses the area.
See also Reyes Peak.
Integrity: A highway runs along the creek and cuts through the mountains. There are several campgrounds in the area and some jeep trails. Most of the area is relatively undisturbed.
Use: Research, educational, observational, light recreation.
December 1976
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman