I hiked this weekend in the hills above Gaviota (about 20 miles up the 101 from Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez mtns). Mostly just rolling grassland, then came to an area of chapparal and massive sandstone outcrops at around 1400 ft elevation, some of which were cracked and fractured all over the place and quite fragile. Each fracture had at least one lizard in it (I believe side-blotched).

What I noticed was that the sandstone fissures were quite a bit cooler than the surface, and the sandstone was not real hot to the touch even at 4pm in direct sun. A contrast to the granite in the San Bernardino mtns.

Beyond this area across a small ravine was a huge wall of sandstone outcroppings that was too daunting to try to get up into.

What zonata ssp (traditional ssp) would this area support? Does weathered sandstone like that support mtn kings?

In the sandy soil around these outcrops, I saw a huge feline pawprint, my guess was mountain lion. That was enough to send me packing back down the mountain. First time I've ever felt afraid like that.

Thanks for any info.
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Mark

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