A dense forest of broadleaf and coniferous species dominates this potential addition to the Ventana Wilderness. Many of the trees here approach the maximum size for their species. In contrast to many other areas of the forest, here the forest floor is largely open, and in areas where the canopy is less dense, grasses and wildflowers abound. A perennial stream, Anastasia Creek, meanders through the canyon.
In addition to the wide variety of broadleaf trees, a grove of rare Santa Lucia fir is also found in the potential addition. It represents both the most northeastern and most interior population of this Santa Lucia Mountains endemic.
Anastasia Canyon is also noteworthy for its history. The canyon is named for Anastacio Garcia, a notorious outlaw in Monterey County, who used the canyon as a hideout in the 1850s.
