Stanislaus National Forest

Stanislaus National Forest
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)

Cherry Lake in Stanislaus National Forest
Map showing the location of Stanislaus National Forest
Location California, United States
Nearest city Sonora, California
Coordinates 38°15′01″N 120°00′01″W / 38.25028°N 120.00028°W / 38.25028; -120.00028Coordinates: 38°15′01″N 120°00′01″W / 38.25028°N 120.00028°W / 38.25028; -120.00028
Area 898,099 acres (3,634 km2)
Established February 22, 1897
Governing body U.S. Forest Service
Website Stanislaus National Forest

Stanislaus National Forest is a United States national forest which manages 898,099 acres (1,403.3 sq mi; 3,634.5 km2) of land in four counties in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. It was established on February 22, 1897, making it one of the oldest national forests. It was named after the Stanislaus River.

Geography

A second of Stanislaus National Forest along CA-120.

The forest is located primarily in eastern Tuolumne County, adjacent to the northwestern part of Yosemite National Park, but parts of it extend (in descending order of forestland area) into southern Alpine, northern Mariposa, and eastern Calaveras counties. Forest headquarters are located in Sonora, California. There are local ranger district offices in Groveland, Hathaway Pines, Mi-Wuk Village, and Pinecrest.[1]

The Emigrant Wilderness is located entirely within its boundaries. Portions of the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, including the Dardanelles Cone, and the Mokelumne Wilderness are also within the Stanislaus National Forest.

Features

It contains 78 lakes, and 811 miles (1,305.2 km) of rivers and streams. It has 1,100 miles (1,770.3 km) of non-motorized trails, and 2,859 miles (4,601.1 km) of roads, 188 miles (302.6 km) of which are paved.

The Rim Fire of 2013 was named after the Rim of the World vista point on the forest.

The Forest contains some 139,000 acres (560 km2) of old growth, which includes Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta), Jeffrey Pine (Pinus jeffreyi), and White Fir (Abies concolor).[2]

Recreation

The proximity of the Stanislaus National Forest to the San Francisco Bay area makes it a popular recreation destination. The stunning volcanic and granite formations in the wilderness are somewhat marred by the heavy cattle grazing, a shock to many backpackers. Exceptional whitewater rafting and kayaking can be found in the wild and scenic Tuolumne River and Cherry Creek. Other beautiful rivers flowing out of the Stanislaus include the Clavey River the Stanislaus River, and the Merced River along the southern boundary.

Two ski resorts Dodge Ridge and Bear Valley operate here under a special use permit.

Rim Fire

The Rim Fire was ignited on the Stanislaus National Forest in August 2013, and eventually grew to become the third-largest fire in California history. The fire was named after the Rim of the World Vista on California State Route 120, where the fire was initially reported.

See also

References

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