Granite Chief Proposed Wilderness Additions
 Land management
agency: Tahoe National Forest
Size: Three units totaling approximately
4,480 acres.
Location: Western and southeastern
edge of the Granite Chief
Wilderness, five miles west
of Lake Tahoe.
 Description:
The contiguous wild areas that were not included in the wilderness when Granite
Chief was designated are of exceptional ecological, scientific, and recreational
value. The area is located five miles west of Lake Tahoe with its easternmost
portion being in the Truckee River drainage. The steep terrain ranges in elevation
from 5,000 ft in canyon bottoms to 8,800 ft in the north where the granite cliffs,
glaciated valleys, and meadows typical of alpine environments dominate.
 Fully
forty percent of the acreage consists of sensitive watershed lands, and both
the headwaters of the Wild & Scenic North Fork American River and the Middle
Fork American are located in the area. Mixed conifer, red fir, and lodgepole
pine are found here, the southern portion of the area being most heavily forested,
while aspen, riparian, and brush vegetation account for the remainder of the
area. Fisher, pine marten, Sierra Nevada red fox, spotted owl, bald eagle, and
goshawk are among the wide variety of sensitive wildlife species that can find
suitable habitat in this area.
Outstanding scenic views are common from the numerous backcountry
trails, and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses the eastern
boundary.
 For
additional information, please contact:
American River Wildlands
P.O. Box 3008
Auburn, CA 95604
 Or:
California Wilderness Coalition
info@calwild.org
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Just three miles off of Interstate 80, 
