E - NOTES RE: CARRIZO PLAIN AND EAST COUNTY

Prepared by Alan Schmierer. Comments, corrections and additions are welcome!

DISCLAIMER: These descriptions were developed through my own experiences, and are not officially endorsed by the Carrizo Plain National Monument (CPNM) administration.

PLAN: The general plan of these description is as follows: starting at the Rte 58 & Bitterwater Road junction, going south on Soda Lake Road to Rte 166, then starting at the north end of Elkhorn Road and following it south to its juncture with Soda Lake Road, and, finally, to note several areas in western Cuyama Valley within SLO County.

(NOTE: Going "north" to "south" on Soda Lake and Elkhorn Roads one actually goes southeasterly, and even due east at times. "South" on either road is used to mean toward Rte 166; "north" to mean toward Rte 58.

NAMES: Unofficial, but generally accepted, names of roads and places are given in quotation marks.

ROAD CONDITIONS: Although given for most areas, these are my best assessment of the roads as I have found them. Drive all of these roads with caution and at your own risk!! And, of course, drive on established roads only!

GAS: The closest gas stations in various direction are: on Rte 101, New Cuyama (expensive and unreliable hours) or in the Maricopa / Taft area.

PARKING: Whether on main roads or on back roads, park with minimum impact. Often the least impact on lesser dirt roads is to park IN the road in a place where someone can drive around you with minimal impact. Chances are that nobody will need to pass you and therefore there would be zero impact. Use caution parking (and driving) in grassy and weedy areas during the dry season to avoid starting a fire with your hot vehicle exhaust system.

BIRDS: Bird species in this guide are generally written in CAPITAL LETTERS. Although this guide is designed for birders, its emphasis is on describing places more than birds. BLM has published a bird list called "Birds of the Carrizo Plain National Monument". Use this guide as an adjunct to BLM's bird list.

MAPS: The Bureau of Land Management's official map of CPNM is useful. Also, the Google Maps Web site is very useful for map details (and was used to generate maps found throughout this guide), BUT the road overlays often show incorrect names, show roads that are closed or do not exist, show washes as roads, etc., so use caution. Morro Coast Audubon also has a map for Scott's Orioles and LeConte's Thrashers.

NOTE: In directions for #E-4 through #E-32, RED miles are cumulative miles going south on Soda Lake Road from the CPNM boundary. BLUE miles are cumulative miles going north on Soda Lake Road from Rte 166. When "right" or "left" is noted off of Soda Lake Road, it is assumed you are driving south from the CPNM boundary.

NOTE: For directions in #E-33, miles given in GREEN are miles from the last note; miles in RED are total miles south from thenorth end of Elkhorn Road; and miles in BLUE are total miles from the junction with Soda Lake Road at the south end and measured north to the north boundary of CPNM.

REPORTING BIRD SIGHTINGS: The new "BIRDS OF CPNM" will contain an email address to report new, rare, casual and other bird sightings WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE MONUMENT. Details of sightings are very much appreciated. Please include dates, places, descriptions, and a way to contact the reporting individual. (A courtesy copy emailed to me would also be appreciated, so that I can try to keep the list up to date.