Montoya Wilderness National Park

Montoya Wilderness National Park is a U.S. National Park located in the northern region of Marin County, California. The park was established on November 28, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The park is also a key location in Mission 246.

Early Settlers
The Montoya Wilderness was first inhabited by Bay Miwok Native Americans. The first recorded European to set foot in the area was Spanish explorer was Francisco Montoya in the year 1779. He and his team mapped the whole area, and even claimed the land for Spain on top of a rock formation he named "Los Nido de Cuervos" or The Raven's Nest, due to the many raven's who'd nest at the rock during the spring months.

The land became generally untouched until settlers arrived from the Eastern United States, and settled in the nearby areas. In 1906, it is said a Chinese immigrant by the name Lorena Chen lived isolated in the Montoya Wilderness for six years. She lived in a cave with barely anything, except for an old family relic. In 1912, it is rumored she died on top of the Raven's Nest. The cause of her death has deemed unknown.

National Park
The Montoya Wilderness was established as a U.S. National Park on November 28, 1942 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Many trails were paved through the various redwood forests and hills of the park, including one to the infamous Raven's Nest. The influx of tourism scared off many of the ravens, and the trail was eventually closed off to provide a safe habitat for the ravens.

Key Landmarks

 * SentinelRock.jpg[[The Raven's Nest]] - The Raven's Nest is a sandstone rock in the middle of the Montoya Wilderness. It gets its name for being a popular roasting area for ravens in the spring months. It is the exact place where Francisco Montoya claimed the surrounding land for Spain in 1779, and is said to have a rather mysterious background. The rock was once accessible by a hiking trail, but was closed off to preserve a habitat for the ravens.

Notable Events

 * March 29, 1779 - Francisco Montoya first sets foot in the Montoya Wilderness.
 * April 16, 1906 - Lorena Chen performs a ritual on a family relic, and runs off to live in the Montoya Wilderness.
 * July 13, 1912 - Lorena Chen dies, supposedly at the Raven's Nest in the Montoya Wilderness.
 * November 28, 1942 - The Montoya Wilderness is declared a U.S. National Park by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.