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1991 Map of Cuyama Peak

Name: 1991 Topographic Map of Cuyama Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1991
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1991

About this map

Cuyama Valley serves as the focal point of this 1991 survey, where the arid high-desert floor meets the steep ascent of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The settlement of Ventucopa sits along the Cuyama River, marking a vital human outpost near the Ventucopa Work Center within the expansive Los Padres National Forest. The map documents a rugged landscape defined by deep drainages like Quatal Canyon, Deer Park Canyon, and Apache Canyon, illustrating the complex water-carved topography of the California backcountry.

Elevation rises dramatically toward the southern portion of the sheet, culminating at the high lookout of Cuyama Peak. To the southwest, the boundary of the Dick Smith Wilderness begins, preserving a roadless area distinct from the valley's agricultural and industrial pockets, such as the Gravel Pit located near the river. This survey captures a specific moment in the land management history of the Santa Barbara and Ventura county line, detailing the transition from valley agriculture to protected wilderness.