Silver Peak Wilderness

Infobox_protected_area | name = Ventana Wilderness
iucn_category = Ib

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caption =
locator_x = 11
locator_y = 90
location = California, USA
nearest_city = San Simeon, CA
lat_degrees = 36
lat_minutes = 34
lat_seconds = 22
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 122
long_minutes = 17
long_seconds = 52
long_direction = W
area = convert|31555|acre|km2|0|sing=off
established = 1992
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = US 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. It's eastern boundary is defined by Ft. Hunter Liggett, while on the west it follows closely along Highway 1 and the Big Sur coastline.

It was established in 1992 when the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act set aside approximately 14,500 acres. On December 19, 2002 the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17,055 acres to the existing wilderness.

The wilderness terrain rises steeply from near the Pacific Ocean to Silver Peak itself at 3,590 feet. 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. [ [http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Silver%20Peak Silver Peak Wilderness Wilderness.net Retrieved April 2008] ]

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.