The Dick Smith Wilderness Comprises 64,700 acres of diverse topography with elevations ranging from 3,700 to 6,541 feet. While chaparral is the predominant vegetation, the Madulce Peak area has some of the most beautiful stands of mixed conifers found in the Forest. The Rancho Nuevo area is more open with massive sandstone rock formations, chaparral, big cone Douglas fir and Great Basin sagebrush. This wilderness is mainly covered by chaparral, which consists of chamise, buckthorn ceanothus manzanita, scrub oak and yucca. The two main corridors into the wilderness are the Sisquoc River and Manzana Creek.
Most trails follow the creeks and rivers.
These areas are called riparian zones and provide food, water, and shelter for most species of wildlife. In the water are rainbow trout, western pond turtles, and aquatic garter snakes, to name a few. Bordering the water you may find the western toad or hear the call of the pacific and California tree frogs From April through June you can hear the many songbirds that nest in riparian zones, such as the yellow warbler, house wren, orange-crowned warbler, and plain titmouse. Further from the creek, up in the brush, you will hear the scrub jay, California quail, and mountain quail. Other points of interest include the Manzana Schoolhouse and the standing ruins of homesteads along the Sisquoc River.