Wild places > Northeast CA: Regional Map

Caribou Potential Wilderness Additions

Management Agency: Lassen National Forest.

Location: Adjacent to the Caribou Wilderness and on the eastern boundary of Lassen Volcanic National Park in Lassen County.

Size: Approximately 8,385 acres.

The Caribou Wilderness proposed additions are composed primarily of lower elevation lands left out of the wilderness bill that protected the existing wilderness. The proposed additions contain outstanding ancient forests of white fir, western white pine, sugar pine, lodgepole pine, red fire, incense cedar, Jeffrey pine, and other species. There are many seasonal and permanent lakes and ponds in the potential additions, the largest of which is Caribou Lake, after which the adjacent wilderness is named.

Large, lush meadows providing critical summer range for deer also exist in the proposed additions, especially Indian Meadow in the southwestern portion of the area. Recognizing its value, the Forest Service has proposed that 2,000 acres of the potential additions be designated wilderness by Congress.

The elusive and endangered Sierra Nevada red fox has been seen in and around the wilderness and proposed additions, and the Forest Service still considers it suitable habitat for the exceedingly rare wolverine. The adjacent Lassen Volcanic National Park has had a difficult time protecting wolverine, Sierra Nevada red fox, great gray owl, and other rare species because of logging and road construction on the edge of the park. Every wild acre on the park’s border should be protected to give the region’s wildlife a chance to survive. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and hiking and camping are popular activities in the Caribou Wilderness and its proposed additions.

For additional information, please contact:
Sierra Club, Shasta Group
P.O. Box 993323
Redding, CA 96099
Phone: 530-246-3087