Pacific Valley Potential Addition to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness
 Yosemite
toads and mountain yellow-legged frogs thrive within the riparian areas of Pacific
Valley, with a variety of migratory songbirds. Eagles and pileated woodpeckers
live in Pacific Valley as well. The Marshall Canyon area, in the southern portion
of the potential addition, is particularly favorable for wildlife moving from
the existing Carson-Iceberg Wilderness northward past Mosquito Lakes and into
the Mokelumne Wilderness.
Size: Approximately 9,600 acres.
Managing agency: Stanislaus National Forest
Location: In Alpine County.
 Description:
The Pacific Valley potential addition to the Carson-Iceberg provides outstanding
scenic views, excellent opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation,
challenging terrain, and pristine, natural conditions that show no significant
human impacts. In every rating by the U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Valley has
received high rankings for wilderness value.
The Pacific Valley area ranges from 7,000 to 9,600 feet. Lookout Peak and Black Dome tower over the rest of the scenic landscape, with other massive granite ridges and knobs protruding skyward along the southern edge of the areas, where it abuts the existing Carson-Iceberg Wilderness. Stretching from above the North Fork Mokelumne to the top of the peaks and on beyond to the south, Pacific Valley is a wonderful place for those seeking high alpine terrain for hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, hunting, and cross-country skiiing. It offers great trailhead access to Lookout Peak, Henry Peak, and Marshall Canyon.
In the past, Forest Service officials withheld a formal wilderness recommendation for Pacific Valley because they were eager to find a location for future alpine ski development. However, after extensive review of road conditions, driving time, and other constraints on the viability of the area for ski development, there is consensus that this site is not conducive to any logical development for alpine skiing.
Pacific Valley is, however, highly valuable for dispersed recreation and wildlife. When the nearby Highland Lakes area is overflowing with recreational use, the Pacific Valley area offers solitude and rugged, remote terrain for wilderness-seekers.
The Pacific Valley area is summer deer range, as well as one
of the best remaining habitat areas for sensitive furbearers. Fisher and marten
(rare carnivores in the mink family) as well as wolverine have been spotted
within the area, making it extremely valuable for refugia for this disappearing
species. Pacific Valley also provides excellent habitat for Sierra Nevada red
fox. Yosemite toads and mountain yellow-legged frogs also survive within the
riparian areas of Pacific Valley, with a variety of migratory songbirds. Eagles
and pileated woodpeckers live in Pacific Valley as well. The Marshall Canyon
area, in the southern portion of the potential addition, is particularly favorable
for wildlife moving from the existing Carson-Iceberg Wilderness northward past
Mosquito Lakes and into the Mokelumne Wilderness.
The extensive conifer forest within the rugged area is all at too high an elevation and on too sensitive soils to be available for logging. Grazing that occurs within the allotment would not be affected at all by wilderness designation. Because the northern edge of the potential addition slopes down toward Highway 4, a broad buffer has been designed to ensure that road use does not diminish wilderness values.
The Pacific Valley potential addition is a remarkable area with extremely valuable wildlife habitat. Its high elevation forests and granite slopes provide impressive views for those far below on Highway 4, while its rugged terrain and diverse vegetation screen wilderness visitors from seeing other people in close proximity. Grouse Creek, the North Fork Mokelumne River, and Pacific Creek each add summer lushness and beauty to the centuries-old junipers, Jeffrey pines, and lodgepole pines that grow between great granite slabs. The Pacific Valley area is a crest-zone gem of a wildland.
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
Email: cserc@sonnet.com
www.cserc.org
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Just three miles off of Interstate 80, 
