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The Tahoe National Forest, covering 800,000 acres, offers an abundance of natural beauty and historic charm. Visitors can choose from a wide range of activities, including exploring beautiful high mountain lakes, the fascinating geology of the Sierras, or the rugged Granite Chief Wilderness. The 1,500 to 9,400 foot elevation range of Tahoe provides a wide variety of year-round recreational activities. There are also wonderful opportunities for discovering the rich history of the area.
In the late 1800’s concern was raised over commercial denuding of the forested lands of this area. Excessive logging was occurring with little regard for its effects. A major controversy developed over treatment of these lands and, ultimately, the Lake Tahoe Reserve was established on April 13, 1899.
In time severe over grazing and fire protection problems added to the concern for watershed protection. Ranchers from the valley and preservationists asked for expansion of the preserve, and in 1905 the Lake Tahoe Reserve was expanded and a second reserve called the Yuba Forest Reserve was established. A year later the two reserves were combined, forming the Tahoe National Forest. Early management included surveys of timber and rangelands to determine the sustainable capabilities of the land.
During this period, only a small amount of timber was harvested from the National Forests. Private timber companies did not want government timber flooding the market, causing prices to drop. Prior to World War II, timber from National Forests made up only two percent of the total wood harvested nationally.
As the automobile became popular in the 1920’s, people were able to travel and enjoy the mountains like never before. The demand for recreation and road construction increased. The Lincoln Highway replaced the old wagon road providing access for greater numbers of people to enjoy the Sierra scenery. This was soon replaced by Highway 40. Sections of both roads still exist within the Forest Boundary, are visible and, in some cases, still in use.
The Second World War brought a need for many raw materials, and National Forests were called upon to supply wood for gunstocks, boxes, crates, ships, and docks. After the war, a post-war boom brought tremendous economic growth that dramatically increased the demand for wood. Demands for other resources, including wildlife habitat, recreation, and watershed protection, were also increasing. As the population, were also increasing.
As the population grew, needs intensified, and so did conflict over management of National Forest resources.
From 1960-1974, five congressional acts were passed in an attempt to resolve conflicts over use of public lands. Forest planning was emphasized so that future needs for recreation, wildlife habitat, timber, water quality, soil quality and air quality would be met, while fully evaluating impacts. The Tahoe National Forest Plan was finalized in 1990. It allocates land for a variety of uses, and set stringent environment standards for forest management activities.
A look at the Tahoe National Forest map shows National Forest System lands distributed in a pattern that looks much like the squares on a checkerboard. This ownership pattern of public and private lands makes managing the forest very complex. Today’s forest offers a variety of plant, fish, and wildlife populations and provides a wide range of settings for people to experience and enjoy the out-of-doors.
The forest also plays in important role in the economies of small communities located within and near the forest. Timber and other forest products, grazing and water production help meet these local needs for National Forest products and values such as scenery, wildlife, recreation an open space. Impacts on forest resources during the Gold Rush era clearly demonstrated the need for publicly managed lands and resulted in the creation of the Tahoe National Forest.
Balancing many activities and uses is a challenging job, but with active public input into the decision making process, most historic uses can be maintained and new demands met. The Tahoe is an incredibly complex ecosystem that provides a wide range of activities and goods, with resources as diverse as the people who use them. Camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, sightseeing, wood production, electronic site location, and water storage are just a few of the activities occurring within forest boundaries that play a critical role in meeting the needs of today’s society.
Agriculture in the Tahoe National Forest was primarily located on the eastern portion of the Sierra Crest. The Sierra Valley produced vegetables, potatoes, and hay that were shipped to Downieville for the miners. The livestock industry consisted of cattle, dairy ranching, and sheep. Animals were moved from the lower valleys to mountain pastures in the spring, and returned to the valleys in the fall. The Italians and Swiss who settled in the valley had large dairy ranches that produced milk, butter, and cheese for markets in the foothills and Reno. The sheep industry attracted many Basques form the Pyrenees Mountains in Spain and France. They also used the high meadows of the Sierra for summer grazing.
Since James Marshall’s discovery of gold at Sutter’s Saw Mill, the timber and mining industries have been closely linked. Timbers were needed to shore up the walls of the mine shafts and for buildings, flumes, equipment and fuel. Lumber was also needed for construction of the Central Pacific Railroad. Small sawmills were established around mining towns to meet these needs. Early photos show the hillsides around these towns were denuded of trees.
The Granite Chief Wilderness is located at the headwaters of the Middle Fork of the American River. It offers beautiful scenery with its forests, meadows, granite cliffs and glaciated valleys. The Pacific Crest Trail skirts the eastern boundary providing outstanding views of Lake Tahoe. In July glorious displays of wildflowers usually occur throughout the area. Motorized vehicles ad bicycles are not allowed within the boundaries of a designated Wilderness area.
Wilderness permits are not necessary for visits to the Granite Chief, but campfire permits are required for those using camp stoves or campfires. Check with the nearest Forest Service office for information on conditions, weather, and possible fire restrictions.
As long as 4,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Washoe, Maidu, and Niseman people lived in the areas that is now the Tahoe National Forest. Though their permanent homes were generally at lower elevations outside the Forest boundary, they ranged widely throughout the forest from spring to fall, hunting game and gathering acorns, berries, seeds and other foods and natural materials.
In the 1840’s trappers began to explore the Sierra Nevada. They found it rich and diverse in plant and animal life. This pre-gold rush condition is directly tied to the resident Native Americans, whose beliefs taught them to respect the land and its gifts, and to maintain them for future generations.
Yuba Donner Scenic Byway traces the various historic activities that shaped the forest resource of today. It takes travelers to both slopes of the Sierra Nevada and spectacular scenery. Historic information highlighted along the way includes: Native American trading and migration routes, the Overland Emigrant Trail, gold mining, the Transcontinental Railroad, agriculture, timber harvesting, ranching, and the Lincoln Highway.
The route follows paved primary roads with opportunities for exploring on secondary roads. The primary route is open year round. Along the way you’ll find campgrounds, picnic areas, and historic towns with fuel, groceries, restaurants, shops, hotels and motels. Some communities such as Nevada City, Grass Valley and Truckee offer all major services.
Compiled from map, Tahoe National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, 1995.
