Pico Blanco Scout Reservation - Little Sur River Watershed

Little Sur River Watershed

The North Fork of the Little Sur River, fed by several tributaries, passes through the camp. Because the river's watershed is entirely within the Ventana Wilderness, the upstream area is in pristine condition. The river is a key habitat for endangered Southern Steelhead Trout." In 1973 the California State Legislature, recognizing the river's "extraordinary scenic, fishery, wildlife, (and) outdoor recreational values" and to protect its "free-flowing and wild status," added the river to the California Protected Waterways System. Responding to the state's request, in 1981 Monterey County added the river to its Protected Waterways Management Plan and encouraged the state in its Big Sur Coast Land Use Plan to designate the Little Sur area as a "coastal resource of national significance."

The Little Sur River watershed contains stands of some of the most impressive uncut Coastal Redwood trees in the entire Big Sur area, including specimens over 200 feet (61 m) tall. It also contains the largest and tallest stands of Douglas Fir on the Central Coast, up to 150 feet (46 m) in height. A stand of the rare Santa Lucia fir, described as "the rarest and most unusual fir in North America," are found on Skinner's Ridge, east of the Scout camp. The North Fork of the Little Sur River supports the largest known population found on public lands of the rare Dudley’s lousewort. Endemic to redwood forests, fewer than 10 known locations are known to support the plant. The largest location is found within the camp itself at the site of the former Catholic Chapel.