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2018 Map of Partington Ridge

Name: 2018 Topographic Map of Partington Ridge
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2018
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2018

About this map

The Santa Lucia Range dominates this coastline where high summits like Anderson Peak and Mt Olmstead drop precipitously toward the Pacific Ocean. This 2018 survey reveals the steep vertical relief of the Big Sur coast, characterized by a series of narrow canyons such as Torre Canyon and Castro Canyon that drain the western slopes. The human footprint is defined by isolated settlements and a network of remote routes, including Coast Ridge Rd and the Tan Bark Trl, which navigate the difficult terrain of the Los Padres National Forest.

Significant coastal landmarks provide specific points of reference for researchers, including the notable McWay Falls and the rocky outcrops of McWay Rocks and Saddle Rock. The settlement at Partington Ridge sits perched above Partington Cove, illustrating the precarious nature of habitation in this region. Along the northern boundary, the Big Sur River and its various forks, including the N Fork Big Sur River, carve through the high ridges, creating a landscape where inland peaks and coastal cliffs are separated by only a few miles of horizontal distance.