Glen Deven Ranch

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Bequeathed to The Big Sur Land Trust (BSLT) by Dr. Seeley and Virginia Mudd in 2001, the 860-acre Glen Deven Ranch is a stunning property with a rich cultural history and significant natural resources. Glen Deven is located in northern Big Sur, west of the Ventana Wilderness and Los Padres National Forest, north of the Palo Colorado Canyon community. It features both breathtaking Pacific coastal vistas and fertile but delicate riparian habitat. The Ranch supports several native plant communities, including the rare maritime chaparral, northern coastal scrub, mixed woodland, grassland, and riparian. The name Glen Deven means “small brook,” referring to Garrapata Creek, which runs through the northern part of the property and is important habitat for threatened steelhead trout. Garrapata Creek is the most valuable ecological resource on the Ranch, and controlling erosion on the Ranch’s dirt roads to minimize sediment runoff into the Creek is a major focus of BSLT’s restoration activities.

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The Ranch is also a natural laboratory for the study and removal of non-native, invasive species. Why do certain exotic species, such as blue gum eucalyptus and cape ivy, thrive in areas such as Glen Deven? These non-natives are significant threats to the Ranch’s native plant and animal communities. The Land Trust’s stewardship program at Glen Deven consists of facilitating invasive species research and removal. Other stewardship activities include fire prevention and maintenance of the Ranch’s structures and facilities.

In addition to the abundance and beauty of its natural resources, Glen Deven Ranch has also had a diverse and colorful human history. A Depression-era Christmas tree-growing operation, an Angus cattle program, horses obtained from the federal Bureau of Land Management horse rescue program, beekeepers and a trout farm have all been a part of Glen Deven’s remarkable history. More recently, BSLT has partnered with the Big Sur Arts Initiative to offer an artist-in-residence program at Glen Deven, bringing new and creative perspectives to our stewardship of this magnificent landscape. The Ranch has also been used in times of disaster, such as fire and flood, to provide refuge, emergency ingress and egress, and helicopter access. BSLT is committed to ensuring that Glen Deven will remain available to the nearby Palo Colorado community for emergencies.

Glen Deven Ranch is available for hiking to BSLT members. BSLT members may participate in the Land Trust’s season of scheduled hikes or may explore the property on their own by calling the Land Trust office at (831)-625-5523 to make a reservation.

You can help protect the natural resources of Glen Deven Ranch.