1967 Map of Los Machos Hills

About this map

Los Padres National Forest contains this mid-century view of the California interior, dominated by the La Panza Range and the Los Machos Hills. The landscape is defined by its drainage basins, with Alamo Creek and Salinas River winding through deep canyons. Settlement is sparse, represented primarily by the Avenales Ranch and supporting infrastructure like the Avenales Observation Pt and various water storage features including a Water Tank. High elevations such as Garcia Mountain overlook a network of seasonal water sources like Machesna Spring and Bluff Spring. The map documents a primitive transportation network consisting largely of Jeep Trails, serving back-country recreation at sites like Agua Escondida Campground and Paradise Campground. This survey provides a record of the remote San Luis Obispo County backcountry before later decades of management changed the local fire-lookout and ranching footprints.