Sierra Valley overview
Sierra County is located in the heart of the northern section of the Sierra Nevada. It remains today as much as it was over 100 years ago when the goldseeking Argonauts worked the rivers and mountains in search of their fortune in gold.

Sierra Valley is easily accesible most of the year. All major higways into the county are regularly maintained and plowed during periods of snowfall. These beautiful mountain highways wander through some of the finest winter recreation sites in California. The County is located within the Tahoe National Forest so that residents and visitors alike benefit from the maintained campgrounds, picnic areas and historic sites.

The scenery in Sierra Valleys varies from conifer and aspen forest, to drier woodland forest, to a large valley covered with crops, pastures and wildflowers in the spring. Smaller valleys and meadows are laced with meandering streams. Old platy-barked ponderosa pine trees are a special feature in the landscape along the upper stretches of highway 89 near Truckee. Cattle share the pastures with deer and other wildlife. Ranches dating back to the 1800s provide a historic flavor to the dramatic backdrop of the surounding mountains.

If you are lucky, you might see a cattle drive...

 

 

Wildlife

FISHING
The Sierra Valley has more German brown trout, mile for mile, than anywhere else in California.
Smitneck Creek is a favourite among fishermen seeking this elusive trout. This area is also home to Nevada mule dear, grouse, chucker and California mountain quail. Please contact the California Department of fish and game for information about hunting seasons.

VIEWING
The Carman Valley north of Calpine has 30-40 acres of vernal habitat during spring and early summer. The area is an excellent plave to view nesting waterfowl, including wood ducks and shorebirds. Steel Bridge, located over the headwaters of the Feather River, provides an opportunity to view Canadian geese, great blue heron, sandhill cranes, numerous ducks, and songbirds. This is private property, so please do not explore on foot! Antelope Valley is an exellent place to observe deer fawning areas. If you see a lone fawn, please do not touch it. It`s mother is nearby.

The Smithneck Creek area off Smithneck Road travels through extensive aspen groves, with scenes of beaver activity-dams, stick lodges, and beaver-logged timber. Kyburz Marsh, off Highway 89, is approximately 200 acres and provides wildlife viewing for waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, numerous species of hawks, osprey, and bald eagles. Several waterfowl nesting islands are located within the area. Enjoy your view!

Summer activities

Summer in the city is cool. Summer in Sierra Valley is cooler. And when you are just about to wrap up an eventful day, the best is yet to come: A cold beer is waiting for you at the lodge!

GOLF
The lodge is less than 10 minutes from Whitehawk Ranch Golf Club, an 18 hole championship course with breathtaking views of the valley and surrounding mountains from every hole. Graeagle Meadows and Plumas Pines Golf Resort are less than a fifteen minute drive from the lodge and offer incredible views and wide open fairways on their 18 hole championship courses. Plumas Pines is situated along the Feather River and offers more than one chance to place your shot over the river to the awaiting fairway or green. The Dragon at Gold Mountain offers challenging terrain and beautiful canyon
views along its 18 holes and is only 15 minutes from the lodge. Grizzly Ranch Golf Course is also about a fifteen minute drive from the lodge and is the newest course in the area. Grizzly Ranch is a mountain course with several water features and panoramic views of the valley below. We recommend tee times at all our local courses but walk-ons are usually accommodated.

FISHING
The Lodge is located near some of the finest Rainbow, Eastern Brook and German Brown trout fishing in the US. The North Fork of the Yuba River and the Feather River are nearby, as well as the Lakes Basin Recreation area, which includes Gold, Eagle, Salmon, Packer and Sardine lakes.

HORSEBACK RIDING
Nearby equestrian facilities offer horseback riding, trail rides, wagon and surrey rides, and pack trips. Boarding facilities are available for persons who want to bring their own horses.

HIKING AND BACKPACKING
Miles of trails are available for day hiking or extended backpacking in the area. The alpine lakes, streams and waterfalls of the Lake Basins Recreation area are all accessible by U.S. Forest Service marked trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail.

WHITEWATER RAFTING AND KAYAKING
During the spring snow melt, the rivers provides great Class 4 and 5 whitewater rafting. Kayaking can be done all summer long depending on the level of the rivers. There are several outfitters than provide guided rafting, including Tributary Whitewater tours.

In addition to these activities, windsurfing, jet skiing and water skiing are available on several nearby lakes including Gold Lake and Frenchman Lake.

GOLD PANNING
Gold panning is open to the public in Downieville. Gold pans and panning instructions are available at the Sierra Gold Shop.

OHV Trails
The Bear Valley Loop OHV Trail near Loyalton is 18 miles of pure exhilaration and scenic beauty. The trail is open late spring.

AT THE LODGE
Enjoy a friendly game of horseshoes or Bocce Ball on our pits and courts right here at the lodge. Play tennis on our local tennis court right next to the lodge or just relax on one of our outdoor decks and enjoy a nice glass of wine or a cold beer from our full service bar.

Winter activities

Sierra Valley is the largest alpine valley in north America. Winter trails for skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers wind through valleys and hills and around beautiful alpine lakes.

SNOWMOBILING
More than 130 miles of U.S. Forest Service groomed trails are available for winter snowmobiling. The Yuba Pass «Sno-park» is located 9 miles from the Lodge. Snowmobile rentals are offered in the area.

CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
U.S. Forest Service trails are available in the Jakson Meadow - Little Truckee Summit, Yuba Pass, and Lakes Basin areas. In addition open meadows are located near the Lodge for beginners.

DOWNHILL SKIING
There are several world class downhill ski resorts within a short drive from the Sierra Valley Lodge. Sugar Bowl, Donner Ski Ranch and Boreal Ridge are about a 45 minute drive from the lodge off Interstate 80 at Donner Summit. Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are about an hour’s drive from the lodge along highway 89 south from Truckee.