Girard Ridge Potential Wilderness
 Managing
agency: Shasta-Trinity National Forests
Size: Approximately 42,248 acres
Location: Approximately 25 miles northeast
of Redding, and 5 miles southeast of Dunsmuir, in Shasta County.
Description:
- The largest unprotected swath of ancient forest in northern California.
- The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail traverses the area.
The Girard Ridge area shelters the most abundant and unbroken groves of
unprotected ancient forest in northern California. The McCloud River, which
borders it on the east and passes through a small portion of Girard, is one of
the world’s premiere trout fishing streams.
Limestone rock formations in the Girard region contain many caves of immense
importance to scientists. The area’s limestone rock creates soil conditions
favored by rare and unusual plants, some of which are found nowhere
else in the world.
The famous Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and the lesser-known but still
popular Squaw Valley Creek Trail provide visitors with outstanding scenery
and swimming and fishing opportunities galore. The rest of the Girard area is
largely trackless, and thus is a suitable refuge for the reclusive wolverine and
other species known to eschew humans.
Local Native American legend has it that the area is guarded by a half-man,
half-wolf, and people were afraid to stay in parts of this region after dark for
fear of falling prey to this werewolf.
For more information, please contact info@calwild.org
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Just three miles off of Interstate 80, 
