Wild places > Central Sierra: Regional Map

North Fork Stanislaus - Shoofly Potential Addition to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

Out of all of the remaining unprotected wild areas within the central region of the Sierra Nevada, the North Fork Stanislaus - Shoofly potential addition to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness is one of the largest, most impressive, and most deserving of wilderness protection. Visitors can lose themselves in solitude and challenging conditions, far removed from roads, disturbance, or the handiwork of humankind.

Size: Approximately 23,132 acres.

Managing agency: Stanislaus National Forest

Location: In Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.

Description: The North Fork Stanislaus ­ Shoofly area contains a vast wildland of steep canyon walls, hanging forests, open granite benches, prominent rock outcrops, old-growth groves, and spectacular scenery. Out of all of the remaining unprotected wild areas within the central region of the Sierra Nevada, this area is one of the largest, most impressive, and most deserving of wilderness protection. Within the deep canyons of the Middle Fork Stanislaus, Highland Creek, and the North Fork Stanislaus, powerful waterfalls surge over house-sized boulders, and thundering rapids flow into silent, glistening pools that reflect the lush greenery of overhanging trees.

This single area encompasses two vast fingers of wildland that thrust out from the "rock and ice" of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. The lower finger is the Middle Fork Stanislaus canyon, with prime old-growth patches hanging on the nearly sheer cliffs along the river's north slope. Visitors to this nearly unhikable canyon climb out of the granite-dominated canyon walls and move into mixed conifer and red fir forests as the terrain shifts toward volcanic rock formations. The impressive Whittakers Dardanelles, a massive volcanic mesa that towers high above the surrounding landscape, stands as a centerpiece in the broad wildland sweeping up to the ridgeline between the two watersheds.

On the north side of the ridgeline, the second finger of wildland thrusts out along the Highland Creek and North Fork Stanislaus drainages. Cliffs, rock knobs, and granite benches dominate this watershed, along with prime blocks of some of the best-remaining old-growth forest habitat in the region. This habitat is critical for species that no longer survive elsewhere.

According to the Stanislaus Forest Land Management Plan, the North Fork Stanislaus area ranks high for natural integrity, opportunity for solitude, and primitive recreation. Meadows in the roadless area are important fawning grounds. Habitat is suitable and valuable for furbearers (including wolverine and Sierra Nevada red fox), goshawk, spotted owl, and other forest species. Preserving this wild area will maintain important connectivity for species needing forest cover below the crest-zone elevation. Yet despite ranking the area so highly, the Forest Service left more than 5,000 acres of the area open to logging and road construction. Clearly, the pristine old-growth of this wild area could be lost without long-term wilderness protection.

The core of the northern arm of the North Fork Stanislaus ­ Shoofly area is the North Fork Stanislaus River. Recommended by the Forest Service for "Wild and Scenic" protection, this spectacular river rushes past oak forests on south-facing slopes, prime mixed conifer on lower slopes, and picturesque Jeffrey pine and fir forests in the upper ridges. Swarms of ladybugs migrate along the river. Kingfishers scold as they fly from one side of the water to the other. River otters frolic among the pools, while deer and bear leave tracks along the moist riverbanks.

The recreational value of this vast area is tremendous. It provides a wide variety of trailheads into the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, from Bummer Flat in the south, to Hells Kitchen and Ganns Meadow on the north. Fishing is excellent in the deep canyons, with countless pools along the rivers and at Rhodes Lake. Hunting, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, river rafting, camping, and wildlife viewing are all popular within the area.

Beartrap Meadow and other scenic destinations are outstanding day hike destinations, and archaeological sites can be found at many spots along the streams. Shoofly Creek, at the southern end of the area, exhibits spectacular cascades that fall from one granite ledge to the next. The diversity of the area is richly varied, with elevations ranging from 3,600 to 7,700 feet, and vegetation ranging from chaparral to oaks to subalpine forest.

The steep canyon walls of both arms of the area contain extremely rich pockets of old-growth conifers. For a century, these patches have remained unlogged due to shallow soils, sheer cliffs, and the concentrations of rock that dominate the canyons. The economic value of the canyons for recreation and watershed value far exceed any financial benefits from logging the prime patches of conifers.

All known off-road vehicle routes were carefully avoided during boundary design. No active mining claims are contained within the area, nor are there resource conflicts that would be created by wilderness protection. Grazing takes place in portions of the vast area, although the main canyons are not accessible to livestock. Wilderness designation would not affect grazing within the area.

Hydroelectric operations take place outside of the roadless area at Spicer Reservoir and other reservoirs upstream along the North Fork Stanislaus. Wilderness designation would not have any effect on hydroelectric management outside the area. The core river area along the North Fork Stanislaus has already been recommended for long-term protection as "Wild and Scenic" by the Forest Service.

The North Fork Stanislaus - Shoofly area is a breathtaking wild area of great size, great diversity, and abundant wildlife. The North and Middle Forks of the Stanislaus River, along with scenic Highland Creek, carve canyons that slice deeply through the granite and volcanic formations, giving the area contrasting vistas. accessible from both Highway 108 and Highway 4, this huge, roadless wildland provides manageable boundaries that make logical sense for expansion of the existing Carson-Iceberg Wilderness into these deep canyonlands. The patches of old-growth forest that can be found throughout the area add special value for both wildlife and recreation. This is truly a wildland where visitors can lose themselves in solitude and challenging conditions, far removed from roads, disturbance, or the handiwork of humankind.

For additional information, please contact:
California Wilderness Coalition
(510) 451-1450
info@calwild.org

Or:
John Buckley
Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center
Box 396
Twain Harte, CA 95383
Phone: (209) 586-7440
www.cserc.org