Carrizo Plain

Carrizo Plain NM https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/carrizo-plain-national-monument https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrizo_Plain The Carrizo Plain is a large enclosed grassland plain, approximately 50 miles long and up to 15 miles across, in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, California, about 100 miles of Los Angeles.

Welcome to Carrizo Plain Beetle National Monument Things to Do At less than 100 air miles from Los Angeles, Carrizo Plain Carrizo Plain National Monument is a great place to National Monument is a remnant of a natural habitat enjoy nature and witness human history. People visit where antelope and elk grazed and wildflowers swept the Monument to view wildlife, to see the spectacular the spring landscape. Within the Plain are vast open wildflower displays in the spring, to walk along the San grasslands, white alkali flats of the ancient Soda Lake, Andreas Fault at Wallace Creek, to visit the pictographs and a broad plain rimmed by mountains. Carrizo Plain is at Painted Rock, and to just enjoy the solitude. Other home to a variety of wildlife and plant species—includ- visitors enjoy hunting opportunities in the mountains ing several that are threatened or endangered. The area surrounding the plain, camping in the foothills, horse- has significant cultural and historical resources. Evidence back riding, hiking, mountain biking, and various other of the valley-carving and mountain-moving San Andreas outdoor activities. Fault can also be seen in the Carrizo Plain. The Carrizo Plain is approximately 250,000 acres in size—or about 38 miles long—and 17 miles wide and is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Nature & Science Hiking Equestrian Use Hiking in Carrizo is generally self-guided and takes place Equestrian use is permitted on the Carrizo Plain. Trailer on roads, trails, and cross-country. There are only a few parking is available, but limited to already impacted areas developed trails within the Monument. These include the such as campgrounds and parking areas. Equestrians Caliente Ridge Trail and various interpretive trails: are prohibited on most walking trails, including but Caliente Ridge Trailhead: This 7-mile long trail is accessed from a small trailhead located at the top of Caliente Ridge and provides panoramic views of the Carrizo Plain as well as the Temblor Range and parts of Cuyama Valley. This trail also provides excel- Recreation is oriented toward enjoyment of the area’s natural and historic resources lent opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Moderate hike. Nature Conservancy. Seasonal tours are provided of Soda Lake/Painted Rock and the El Saucito Ranch. To sign up for a tour you can visit, www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777, TDD 1-877-833-6777. The majority of recreational activities at the National Monument are concentrated around the Goodwin Education Center, Soda Lake, Painted Rock, Selby and KCL campgrounds, the Caliente Mountains, and along the San Andreas Fault. The Guy L. Goodwin Education center is a great place to start your visit. It is open December–May, Thursday– Guy L. Goodwin Education Center 166. Wide open spaces and spring wildflowers vehicles and must stay on designated roads. Mountain Prepare yourself for your adventure. The Carrizo Plain National Monument does not provide any services such as water, food, or fuel. Plan your trip accordingly and insure you get these items in one of the neighboring communities before you come (see Gateway Communities). These communities lie 15 miles from the south entrance and 60 miles from the north entrance. beginning of December to the end of May. Normal days and hours of operation during the winter and spring season are Thursday through Sunday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Make this your first stop to receive updated information. Informational maps and brochures are available at the front door when the Center is closed. Handicapped accessible restrooms at the Visitor Center are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout the year. time of year you are visiting. Auto Touring and other Motorized Recreation Use Weather Most Monument visitors tour the area in cars, stopping Also, insure you bring the appropriate apparel for the Expect warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Most rain falls between November and April with occasional snow. Average summer temperatures range from the low 50s °F at night to the upper 90s °F during the day. Daytime temperatures often exceed 100 °F, with a record high of 115 °F. Average winter temperatures range from highs in the mid 60s to lows in the mid 30s, with a record at scenic viewpoints, interpretive overlooks, hiking trails, and other points of interest along the way. Typically these visitors stay on Soda Lake Road. More adventurous visitors access the back roads of the Monument with pickups and sport utility vehicles. All vehicles must stay on designated routes. Popular routes are depicted on this map. The speed limit on BLM roads is 25 MPH. low of 0 °F. The Carrizo Plain receives between 7–10 inches of annual rainfall on the valley floor. Pets Pets must be controlled at all times. In addition, pets Burrowing owl, (background) Giant kangaroo rat precincts Pacific P

Bag limits, seasons of use, and size restriction of fish can be found on the same web site. Fisherman and Fire Wildfire can be both beneficial and devastating. It can wipe out homes and businesses as well as rejuvenate forested lands and riparian areas. It is always best to leave fire to the professionals and always make sure your campfires and burning items are completely out before you leave. Please remember to be very careful with fire. fishing accidents. Always be sure of your footing when walking or wading (and it is generally better for you and the aquatic species to stay out of the streams and rivers while fishing). Large and small wildlife (snakes and mosquitos) can Nutria be an annoyance when fishing. Be aware of your surroundings and watch where you step. Wear mosquito and bug repellant with deet to keep them from eating you alive. As always, be careful when driving to and from your secret fishing hole. When boating, always have a Quagga Mussels life vest handy (and kids under 15 must always wear a vest while in a boat per California State Law). Mother Lode Field Office (916) 941-3101 5152 Hillsdale Circle El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-5713 (El Dorado Co.) freshwater/license-information. fishermen and women are injured or lose their lives in Applegate Field Office (530) 233-4666 708 W. 12th Street Alturas, CA 96101-3130 (Modoc Co.) at http://www.eregulations.com/california/fishing/ opportunity, it can be dangerous as well. Every year, Surprise Field Station (530) 279-6101 602 Cressler St. phy./ P.O. Box 460 mlg. Cedarville, CA 96104-0460 (Modoc Co.) California. A listing of those requirements may be found Eurasian Milfoil Palm Springs Field Office (760) 833-7100 1201 Bird Center Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262-8001 (Riverside Co.) Freshwater Fishing license issued by the State of Hyacinth Needles Field Office (760) 326-7000 1303 So. Hwy. 95 Needles, CA 92363-4217 (San Bernardino Co.) Even though fishing is a tremendous recreational license, you are required to possess a California Arcata Field Office (707) 825-2300 1695 Heindon Road Arcata, CA 95521-4573 (Humboldt Co.) While you are not required to have a “BLM” fishing Aquatic Invasive Species include Bakersfield Field Office (661) 391-6000 3801 Pegasus Drive Bakersfield, CA 933086837 (Kern Co.) Safety Barstow Field Office (760) 252-6000 2601 Barstow Road Barstow, CA 92311-6653 (San Bernardino Co.) License Requirement water to another. Redding Field Office (530) 224-2100 6640 Lockheed Drive Redding, CA 96002 (Shasta Co.) Never release plants, animals, or fish into water bodies. Never move fish or plants or bait from one Bishop Field Office (760) 872-5000 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100 Bishop, CA 93514-3101 (Inyo Co.) Dry – Completely dry equipment and gear between visits to fresh water systems. Ridgecrest Field Office (760) 384-5400 300 So. Richmond Road Ridgecrest, CA 93555-4436 (Kern Co.) Drain – Empty coolers, bilge pumps, and buckets of all water before leaving a water body. Central Coast Office (831) 582-2200 940 2nd Avenue Marina, CA 93933-6009 (San Benito Co.) Clean – Rinse and remove all mud and plant materials from boats, fishing equipment, and clothing. Ukiah Field Office (707) 468-4000 2550 N. State Street Ukiah, CA 95482-5194 (Mendocino Co.) serious and irreversible harm to aquatic habitats in California if allowed to spread unchecked. Eagle Lake Field Office (530) 257-0456 2550 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130-4710 (Lassen Co.) Take measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals. They can cause El Centro Field Office (760) 337-4400 1661 So. 4th Street El Centro, CA 92243-4561 (Imperial Co.) Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species f you have any questions, feel free to contact ny of the following BLM offices in California: uestions? Catch and Release A large percent of California freshwater anglers are catch and release fishermen — meaning they are very careful with the fish after they catch them and they release them back to the water as quickly as possible. It is always a good thing to keep your fish in a “fish friendly” net in the water until you are ready to release it. Barbless hooks Leave No Trace How to photograph your catch Take only pictures and leave artifacts where you find them. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 makes removal of cultural resources punishable by fines and jail time. When it’s a catch and release fish species or regulation, that creates a challenge for getting a photo of your prize catch. Remember if you’re in a catch and release scenario keep the fish in the water at all times and take the photo of you also harm fish less that barbed ones. The use of live bait holding the fish in the water. is also a detriment to catch and release fishing. Please If it’s a not catch and release and it’s a keeper then you remember, the fish you catch and release today may be can have it out of the water. the fish yo