Area #13 - SIERRA VALLEY AND YUBA PASS

Rough-legged Hawk - Photo by Alan Gubanich

WHAT TO EXPECT: Sierra Valley is a broad, open valley in Northern California with a mix of seasonally flooded sagebrush flats, agricultural fields, and wetlands formed by the headwaters of the Feather River. This area is excellent for wintering waterfowl and raptors, as well as spring migrants and marsh birds. Sandhill Cranes usually nest in the valley. At the western edge of the valley, Yuba Pass (elevation 6,701 feet) offers prime mountain forest habitat. At the right time of year, it is possible to see over 100 species in a day by starting at Yuba Pass in early morning, continuing through the valley, and ending at Frenchman Lake to the east.

BEST TIME OF YEAR: Sierra Valley itself can be productive at any time of year. Mid-October through February is the best time for raptors, while May through June offers the most diversity. Yuba Pass is best from May through June.

NOTABLE SPECIES: Sandhill Crane, Hermit Warbler, Black-backed Woodpecker, sapsuckers, Calliope Hummingbird, Sooty Grouse, Northern Pygmy-Owl, Mountain Quail, eagles, hawks, and geese may be found in appropriate habitats. (See the Popular Birding Routes.)

PRECAUTIONS: Exercise caution on dirt roads in central Sierra Valley, particularly after heavy rains.

HOW TO GET THERE: From the I-80 & US 395 interchange, drive north on US 395 for approximately 24 miles to Hallelujah Junction/SR 70. Exit and turn left (west) onto SR 70. Drive 7.9 miles to Vinton.

POPULAR BIRDING ROUTE: 
Springtime Route: From Vinton, continue west an additional 12 miles to A23 and turn left (south). Continue another 11.8 miles on A23 to the Calpine turnoff to SR 89. Turn right (west) on the cutoff and drive 1.3 miles to SR 89. The stand of pine trees on the south side of the road can be a good place to find owls.

Turn left on SR 89 (southeast) and continue 3 miles to SR 49. Turn right (west) on SR 49 to Yuba Pass and Downieville. The willows and small meadows at about 1.1 mile often have numerous warblers and hummingbirds, including Calliope. The lookout at 2 miles is a good place to listen for Winter Wren and Northern Pygmy-Owl. Proceed 4 miles from the lookout to Yuba Pass. Park in the lot on the south side of the road. The first quarter- to half-mile of the roads to the north and south of the parking lot as well as the small adjacent meadow can be productive. These areas, birded in early morning, are the best spots to find Black-backed Woodpecker and Williamson's Sapsucker, as well as Hermit and Townsend's Warblers. Mountain Quail can also be found here.

If time permits, continue west from Yuba Pass on SR 49 for 7 miles to Bassett's Station on the right side of the highway (food, gas, restrooms). Check the hummingbird feeders at the restaurant, then walk to the bridge over the North Yuba River on the south side of SR 49 to look for American Dipper. Retrace your route on SR 49 back to the junction of SR 49 & SR 89.

At the SR 49 & SR 89 junction continue straight ahead 0.9 miles on SR 49/SR 89 to Sattley. (Side Trip A) At Sattley turn left (north) onto Route A23 and drive about 10.7 miles to unsigned Marble Hot Spring Road, a dirt road (look for a small power station just north of the road). Turn right (east). For the next 3.3 miles, until Marble Hot Spring Road joins A24, stop frequently to check for Brewer's and Vesper Sparrows as well as Sandhill Cranes, bitterns, and terns. The old iron bridge is a great place to view up to six species of swallows. Where Marble Hot Spring Road joins A24 (unsigned) at a stop sign, turn left (north) and drive 4.4 miles to SR 70. Route A24 is rather narrow, but birding can be productive. The seasonally flooded sagebrush habitat along this road may produce Short-eared Owl. Turn right (east) onto SR 70 to return to Reno. (Side Trip B)

Fall/Winter Route: From Vinton, turn left (south to Loyalton) on SR 49 and drive 3.6 miles to Dyson Lane. Turn right (west) on Dyson Lane. This is great raptor country. Continue 5.3 miles to Heriot Lane (misspelled "Harriet Lane" on the sign) and turn left (south). Drive 5 miles to SR 49, which follows the eastern and southern boundaries of Sierra Valley. The fields on both sides of the road just before arriving at SR 49 tend to be the best places to find Ferruginous Hawk.

Turn right (west) on SR 49 and drive 9.4 miles to Sierraville. Continue right (west) on SR 49/SR 89 for 4.4 miles to Sattley and turn right (north) on A23. Drive about 10.7 miles to unsigned Marble Hot Spring Road, a dirt road (look for a small power station just north of the road). Turn right (east) and drive 3.3 miles until Marble Hot Spring Road joins A24 (unsigned) at a stop sign. Turn right (southeast) at this junction and continue east (now Dyson Lane) until it dead-ends at SR 49. Turn left (north) to return to Vinton and then back to Reno.

OPTIONAL SIDE TRIPS: 
Side Trip A Sagehen Creek: This is one of the finest riparian areas in the region. From Sattley, continue another 3.9 miles east on SR 49/SR 89 to the junction where SR 89 turns south in Sierraville. Turn right (south) on SR 89 and drive 16.2 miles to Sagehen Creek (unsigned). Park in the dirt parking area on the left just before the bridge over Sagehen Creek. Two routes are possible. To follow Sagehen Creek east 2 miles to Stampede Reservoir, take the trail from the parking area along the north side of the creek. To follow Sagehen Creek west, cross the highway and make your way through boggy seep areas along the south side of the Creek, finally reaching meadows and higher ground. The latter option is better late in the summer. From the parking area, return to Reno either by turning left (south) 7.5 miles on SR 89 to Truckee and from there 30 miles back to Reno on I-80 east or by turning right (north) and retracing your route through Sierraville and Hallelujah Junction.

Side Trip B Frenchman Lake: This reservoir lies at the head of a high-walled, narrow canyon in an area of ponderosa pine and mountain mahogany. From Vinton drive 2 miles east on SR 70 to Chilcoot, which is approximately 30 miles from Reno. Turn left (north) onto Frenchman Lake Road/SR 284 and drive 8.4 miles to the reservoir. En route, bird the canyon's rich riparian areas, checking for American Dipper, Violet-green Swallow, warblers, vireos, orioles, and other songbirds. When you reach the reservoir, circled by a good road, park at the dam and look for loons and diving ducks. If time permits, circle the lake, birding along the way; or return to SR 70.

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