The Sespe Wilderness is a 219,700-acre (88,900 ha) wilderness area in the eastern Topatopa Mountains and southern Sierra Pelona Mountains, within the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF), in Ventura County, Southern California. The wilderness area is primarily located within the Ojai and Mt. Pinos ranger districts of the LPNF.

Sespe Wilderness
A map of the United States showing the location of the Sespe Wilderness
A map of the United States showing the location of the Sespe Wilderness
A map of the United States showing the location of the Sespe Wilderness
A map of the United States showing the location of the Sespe Wilderness
LocationCalifornia, United States
Nearest cityVentura, California
Coordinates34°35′06″N 119°01′12″W / 34.585°N 119.02°W / 34.585; -119.02[1]
Area219,700 acres (88,900 ha)
Established1992
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service

The wilderness was created by the U.S. Congress as part of the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-301). The same legislation also established the Chumash, Garcia, Machesna Mountain, Matilija, and Silver Peak Wilderness areas.[2][3] The Sespe Condor Sanctuary is within the Sespe Wilderness. It was established to promote the propagation and growth of the California condor, and is closed to the public.[4][5]

Aerial view of Sespe Creek and the Sespe Wilderness

Features

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The Sespe Wilderness is primarily chaparral-covered terrain, with areas of California oak woodland and riparian habitats. A section of Sespe Creek flows through it.

There are hiking trails, perennial and seasonal creeks, waterfalls, hot springs, rock formations, and designated campsites in the wilderness area.

Nearby wilderness areas of the southern Los Padres National Forest include the Matilija Wilderness (west) and Chumash Wilderness (northwest). The Dick Smith Wilderness is further to the northwest.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Sespe Wilderness". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "George Bush: Statement on Signing the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  3. ^ Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act (PDF). June 19, 1992. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "Sespe Wilderness". Wilderness.net. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  5. ^ "Sespe Wilderness". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved August 27, 2015.