Grouse Lakes Potential Wilderness
 Managing
agency: Tahoe National Forest
Size: Approximately 21,405 acres
Location: In southern Nevada County, two miles north of Interstate 80
Description:
- The Grouse Lakes area is a
critical source of clean
drinking water for Nevada
County.
- Grouse Lakes contains
significant old-growth red fir groves
and close to 100 lakes and
ponds.
- Grouse Lakes contains a
large number of Native
American sites.
- Sierra educators use this
unique area as a natural
classroom.
 There
are few places in the northern Sierra that can match the Grouse Lakes area for
its number of lakes and ponds, with roughly 40 lakes and likely twice as many
ponds. This area is also notable for the number and concentration of archaeological
sites, including petroglyphs and mortars. In addition, Grouse Lakes contains
evidence of early settler exploration with numerous mines and caverns. Educators,
including geologists and archaeologists, use this unique area as a classroom.
 The
lakes were created by glaciers which swept through the area at varied speeds,
leaving a diversity of lake depths and plant life. Now, throughout the area
one can see every stage of the evolution of these lakes as they transform into
lush meadows, full of wildflowers.
The Grouse Lakes area is also critical as a source of
clean drinking water for Nevada County. Several of
the pristine rivers and creeks that run through Grouse
Lakes feed reservoirs such as Sawmill and Bowman
and provide drinking water for Nevada County.
 For
additional information, please contact:
California Wilderness Coalition
(510) 451-1450
info@calwild.org
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Just three miles off of Interstate 80, 
