Wild places > Northern Sierra: Regional Map

Northern Sierra

The northern Sierra contains less protected and unprotected wilderness than most regions of the state. Logging has heavily impacted the region's forests, and the region now contains only about 380,000 acres of unprotected wilderness. Much of the forests here is broken up in a checkerboard pattern of private and public ownership. The parcels that remain wild, however, represent some of the most spectacular scenery in the United States. The Feather Falls area in the Plumas National Forest contains the sixth largest waterfall in the United States and is recognized as a National Scenic Area. The Grouse Lakes area is visited each year by thousands of campers, hikers, and backpackers from San Francisco to Reno. The lakes consist of numerous deep hollows that were created by glaciation, which has left the rock striated, polished and sculpted.

While this region contains high elevation areas, it also has lower elevation oak woodland and riparian landscapes. These last pockets of pristine wild forest lands offer an opportunity to protect some of the crown jewels of northern California. For example, the Black Oak potential wilderness area features rolling hills of oak woodlands that remain undisturbed and wild, while still providing access for backcountry enthusiasts to enjoy the wild Middle Fork American River.

Map

Black Oak Potential Wilderness
Castle Peak Potential Wilderness
Duncan Canyon Potential Wilderness
Feather Falls Potential Wilderness
Granite Chief Potential Wilderness Additions
Grouse Lakes Potential Wilderness
North Fork American Potential Wilderness

Also in this region:
Adams Peak Potential Wilderness
Bucks Lake Potential Wilderness Additions
Crystal Peak Potential Wilderness
Diamond Mountain Potential Wilderness
Dixie Mountain Potential Wilderness
East/West Yuba Potential Wilderness
Grizzly Mountain Potential Wilderness
Horton Ridge Potential Wilderness
Last Chance Potential Wilderness
McKesick Peak Potential Wilderness
Middle Fork Feather River Potential Wilderness
Mount Jura Potential Wilderness
Queen Lily Potential Wilderness
Red Hill Potential Wilderness
Squaw Peak Potential Wilderness
Thompson Peak Potential Wilderness