The south slope of Dry Lakes Ridge represents the upper watershed of the North Fork Matilija Creek, a major tributary to the Ventura River.
Topographic Map of Dry Lakes Ridge, Ventura County
The south flank, as see below from the pass on SR33, is very steep, with a series of thrust faults pushing up from the south. The slopes are covered with chaparral vegetation, dominated by patches of Ceanothus cuneatus-Cercocarpus betuloides Alliance at lower elevations and either Adenostoma fasciculatum Alliance or Ceanothus leucodermis-Quercus berberidifolia Alliance at higher elevations.
Pollard Point is located to the southeast of the ridge. Bellyache Falls, a perennial spring gushing out of the south flank of the ridge, provides a steady flow yearround, every year. The Forest Service used to maintain a drinking fountain at the turnout at the falls of this fresh water; however, continued budget cuts for resource management agencies led to the removal of the fountain in 2006, which was built in the early 1930s. The spring and falls got its name not from bad water; rather, from the bellyache a thirty traveler received after drinking way too much of the cold water from the spring.
The chaparral-covered slope on the eastern end of Dry Lakes Ridge west of SR33 is dominated by Chamise, California Scrub Oak, Whitethorn Ceanothus, and few other species. The climb up the "trail" (a bulldozed fuel break) from SR33 is grueling, but rewards on top are worth it.
Adenostoma fasciculatum, Chamise - Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Brickellia californica, California Brickellbush, and Brickellia nevinii, Nevin's Brickellbush - Sunflower Family (Asteraceae)
Ceanothus leucodermis, Whitethorn Ceanothus - Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae)
Cercocarpus betuloides, Birchleaf Mountain Mahogany - Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Dendromecon rigida var. rigida, Bush Poppy - Poppy Family (Papaveraceae)
Dudleya lanceolata, Lanceleaf Live-forever - Stonecrop Family (Crassulaceae)
Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum, Western Wallflower - Mustard Family (Brassicaceae)
Galium angustifolium var. angustifolium, Chaparral Bedstraw - Rue or Madder Family (Rubiaceae)
Hesperoyucca whipplei, Our Lord's Candle - Agave Family (Agavaceae)
Lobelia dunnii var. serrata, Ojai or Rothrock's Lobelia - Lobelia Family (Lobeliaceae), is found at Bellyache Falls.
Lupinus hirsutissimus, Nettle Lupine - Pea Family (Fabaceae), is found on dry talus slopes.
Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia, Hollyleaf Cherry - Rose Family (Rosaceae)
Dry Lakes Ridge Home
Dry Lakes Ridge North Slope
Dry Lakes Ridge Summit
Magney's Biogeography Photography Home Page
David Magney Environmental Consulting Home