Northern Sierra

The Northern Sierra is a massive area that is as geographically and ecologically diverse as it is large. In the far Northeast lies Modoc county, a sprawling area comprised mostly of high desert and dry conifer forests. The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre area located along the South Fork of the Pit River. This refuge serves as an oasis in the high desert environment and is a migration stopping point for several species of birds.

Traveling south, Lassen Volcanic National Park lives up to its name with its jagged volcanic peaks and active geothermal activity including hot springs, geysers, and other wonders. Sadly, much of Lassen National Park burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire, which was worsened by the effects of climate change and improper forest management.

To the west of Lassen, Mt. Shasta towers above the surrounding landscape. Mt. Shasta is the fifth-highest peak in California at 14,179 feet, but its unique strato volcanic formation makes it especially impressive. Shasta features several glaciers and the mountain serves as the headwaters for the Sacramento River, a vital source of water for agriculture in the Northern Central Valley and for many unique species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

Just south of Mt. Shasta, in the foothills of the Southern Cascades, lies the Ishi Wilderness. This 41,000-acre area is defined by rugged basalt caves, outcroppings, formations, and ridges. The wilderness provides a safe haven for many animals, including the Tehama deer herd—the largest migratory herd in California.

Moving south, Butte and Plumas counties are defined by large national forests, miles of winding rivers, and large natural and dam-created lakes. This region has been hard-hit in recent years with over 1,000,000 acres burned by forest fires, including both the Camp Fire and Dixie Fire, among others. 

The southern portion of the Northern Sierra is comprised of Nevada, Yuba, and Sierra counties. In Sierra County, the Sierra Buttes are a small mountain range within the larger Sierra Nevada that feature unique craggy peaks and several streams, waterfalls, and lakes. 

To the south in Nevada county, Donner Summit’s open granite slabs and high peaks make it a beautiful but rugged environment. The infamous Donner Pass claimed the lives of several members of the Donner Party, but today it is known for treacherous conditions and frequent road closures of I80 during winter.

To the west, Yuba county stretches from the floor of the central valley up to the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. Home to the three forks of the picturesque Yuba River, this area is host to some favorite summertime swimming holes and unique flora and fauna.

As the largest reservoir in California and the third largest body of water after only Lake Tahoe and the Salton Sea, Shasta Lake is an unmistakably significant part of the Northern Sierra. The lake is manmade, created by the 602-foot Shasta Dam, which was constructed in the 1940s. Water from the Sacramento, McCloud, and Pit Rivers, among others, are all stored by Shasta Lake. While the reservoir provides valuable water to California’s Central Valley, it is also the site of a lot of environmental and cultural controversy.

The flooding of the area now known as Shasta Lake erased over 90 percent of the ancestral territory of the Winnemem Wintu tribe. Additionally, it blocked the migration of salmon upstream, erasing habitat for the fish and cutting off a large area of the dammed rivers from vital nutrients provided by them. Despite unresolved issues with environmental and endangered species impacts, record-low water levels due to prolonged drought, and further potential damage to Native American cultural sites, the Bureau of Reclamation has a plan in place to raise the dam an additional 18.5 feet.

To the north of Shasta Lake, near the Oregon border, Tule Lake provides a unique and vital habitat to many migrating and endangered species. Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge protects a large portion of Tule lake and surrounding waterways. Species like the greater white-fronted goose and snow goose use the area to rest and feed along their long migratory journeys, and endangered fish like the Lost River sucker inhabit its waters.

To the South, the Feather River, which consists of three forks, is the Sierra Nevada’s largest river, flowing 185 miles from its headwaters at the Sierra Crest to the Sacramento River. Aside from being breathtakingly beautiful, the river provides a habitat for critical species including steelhead trout and Chinook salmon. Though 111 miles of the Middle Fork of the Feather River remain dam-free, the river eventually flows into Oroville Reservoir, the namesake dam of which threatens fish populations and the overall health of the river.