Friends of spenceville was formed to educate the public about spenceville, and in so doing, preserve spenceville as a wildlife and recreation area. T he waldo bridge was built in 1901 to serve the now extinct towns of waldo and spenceville. In december when we hiked it there werent any wildflowers, but the waterfalls were really gushing due to the recent rainstorm. Jan 28, 2019 on sunday, archeologist and celebrated trails author hank meals will begin his first in a yearlong yuba trails and tales series by venturing to spenceville wildlife area. Fairy falls aka shingle falls ca teds outdoor world.
Robinson ranch provides local and regional open space connectivity to other conserved lands, such as the adjacent 11,900acre spenceville wildlife area, owned by california department of fish and wildlife. Spenceville wildlife area, a 11,026acre wildlife preserve located on the western edge of nevada county and eastern edge of yuba county, is a valuable area of natural habitat surrounded by rural development. Explore history in the breathtaking beauty of spenceville. Just north of the reservoir this wildlife area is 12,000 acres of blue oak woodland prominent to the lower foothills just above the. The elevation of the area varies from 200 to 1200 feet. Most of these species are permanent residents, but some are seasonal migrators such as anadromous fish and various birds including 26 as. We met andy mcbride who, with his wife, run the foundation. Jan 26, 2018 for a more rural ride or jog, head 19 miles east of town to spenceville wildlife area, where youll find more than 11,000 acres of oaks and pines with an elevation gain of about 1,200 feet. Spenceville wildlife area has a very diverse reptile population.
A 105 millimeter, high explosive projectile, found by the u. The spenceville wildlife area is near camp far west reservoir in yubanevada counties where the bear river gets stopped behind a dam. Explore history in the breathtaking beauty of spenceville wildlife. It is located in the sierra nevada foothills, within nevada county and yuba county of northern california. Book a motorhome rental in marysville to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. California department of fish and wildlife n orth c e nal r gi sp enc v ilw d f ar y ub a, n ev d co nti s marc h20 lis o, wb. Mar 22, 2019 celebrated archaeologist and author of local hiking and history books, hank meals will lead a yuba trails and tales adventure into the heart of spenceville wildlife and recreation area on sunday. California department of fish and wildlife n orth c e nal. The spenceville wildlife area, an 11,2 acre wildlife preserve, managed by the california state department of fish and game, is a treasure that should be celebrated and protected for present and. Profits from the canteens went to buy more than 5,000 books for the. Full time rvers, hiking, maps a classic country estate venue, bealeshingle falls, bible lens app, ephesians 5. David magney spenceville wildlife area, nevada and yuba.
The waldo bridge, located at the trail head, was built in 1901 to serve the now extinct towns of waldo and spenceville. We hiked out to the falls on the fairy falls trail. The spenceville state wildlife area is 11,887 acres of stateprotected blue oak woodland. Spenceville wildlife area, smartsville, california. Fun places to go in yuba city, california usa today. This means no hiking, no horse back riding, nothing but hunting to licensed hunters who have won the lottery picks. The spenceville area was home to the foothill maidunisenan and a wealth of visible evidence of their villages remains. While they were busy changing the very atmosphere and seas, cutting and burning away swaths of forest and jungle to build cities and farms, they somehow felt better about all their damage by making sure species on the cusp of extinction still had a place in the worldeven if they were really just a. It will be closed from march 26, the opening day of turkey season, to april 3 this year. Humans, ironically, had a strange fascination with preserving the wildlife of their day. California department of fish and wildlife n orth c e nal r. Shooting range county line s t ae highw y t o pgr ahic m 1. The terrain of the area varies from 200 to 1200 elevation.
Spenceville wildlife and recreation area is an 11,2 acre preserve just east of beale afb, south of state route 20 and north of new camp far west reservoir. The spenceville copper mine western mining history. Best trails in spenceville wildlife area california alltrails. At various times throughout its history, camp beale was known as beale air force. Spenceville wildlife area attracts great outdoor lovers all year round.
Photos of spenceville wildlife area trails california. Start at the fairy falls trailhead in spenceville wildlife area field trial grounds in penn valley careful on the bumpy roads in. Former camp beale military history acquired by the u. The preserve is approximately 18 miles 29 km east of the town of marysville and beale air force base in the eastern sacramento valley. Spenceville state wildlife area yubasutter localwiki. Spenceville is a foothill oak woodland of blue oak quercus douglasii and foothill gray pine pinus sabiniana, and a grassland habitat. Dry creekspenceville foothills water network home page. Photos of spenceville wildlife area trails best trails in spenceville wildlife area. Spenceville wildlife area is comprised of 11,942 acres of blue oak gray pine woodland characteristic of the sierra foothills. Fairy falls trail, spenceville wildlife area hiking trip. The spenceville post office operated during the period of 1872 through 1932. After about a mile you will follow the road to the right and continue through the gate. Spenceville wildlife area is a california watchable wildlife viewing site. The spenceville trip started with a surprise visit to the california foundation for birds of prey east of lincoln.
Celebrated archaeologist and author of local hiking and history books, hank meals will lead a yuba trails and tales adventure into the heart of spenceville wildlife and recreation area on sunday. Just north of the reservoir this wildlife area is 12,000 acres of blue oak woodland prominent to the lower foothills just above the valley floor. Spenceville is a foothill oak and grassland area notable for many species of birds and wildflowers. Spenceville wildlife and recreation area, managed by the california state department of fish and game, is a treasure in our own backyard, just a pleasant drive north past lake far west. Map the spenceville wildlife area is near camp far west reservoir in yubanevada counties where the bear river gets stopped behind a dam. Spenceville wildlife area closed for turkey hunt march 26. Top 25 spenceville wildlife area rv rentals and motorhome. Government prior to 1940 and consisted of approximately 87,672 acres established as a training post for the th armored division. Map the spenceville wildlife area is near camp far west reservoir in yubanevada counties where the. Bear yuba land trust to honor local archeologist and story. Apr 19, 2010 both of my area guidebooks include the fairy falls trail, and neither mentions this fact. Look for cows to also be in the staging area at times too. California department of fish and wildlife north central region spenceville wildlife area yuba, nevada counties march 20 lisa ohara, wlb m.
Celebrated archaeologist and author of local hiking and history books, hank meals will lead a yuba trails and tales adventure into the heart of spenceville wildlife and recreation area on sunday, march 24 for hiking for good. During world war ii, spenceville was used as a military training area by camp beale. Spenceville wildlife area department of fish and wildlife ca. It is nice to see the thoughtfulness and accurate portrayal of the history. Bear yuba land trust secures funding to conserve historic. The spenceville copper mine during their tenure on the site, the san francisco copper mine and reduction works co. Camp far west, beale afb, spencevillei wondered about the purple roads in the spenceville wildlife area. Feb 17, 2014 his veins run cold when he realizes whos been haunting the homestead all along duration.
May 17, 2018 tom stienstra is the outdoors writer for the san francisco chronicle. Gopher snakes and rattlesnakes are the most commonly observed snakes rogers et al. The former town of spenceville lends its name to the spenceville wildlife area which encompasses over 11,400 acres around and including the townsite and is protected by the california fish and game. Local archaeologist hank meals will lead a six to eight mile walk at spenceville wildlife area to fairy falls and beyond on sunday, march 24. The spenceville copper mine, located in spenceville, nevada co. In its day, it was considered one of the most longlived copper mines in the state, although it exploited a relatively lowgrade ore consisting of massive chalcopyrite with bornite and pyrite occurring in wide irregular fissures near the contact of two large areas of country rock. It is owned and managed by the california department of fish and game. In 1940, the camp beale area consisted of grassland and rolling hills and the 19th. Some areas can be viewed from vehicles, although trails provide the best access to viewing areas.
Army corps of engineers camp beale military munitions cleanup team in the spenceville wildlife area in january, 2019. Spenceville wildlife area, spenceville wildlife area field trial grounds, 14936 spenceville rd, penn valley, ca 95946, usa spenceville wildlife area saturday, march 11, 2017 8. Beale air force base camp beale, army service forces depot. Spenceville wildlife area is comprised of approximately 11,900 acres of blue oak gray pine woodland characteristic of the sierra foothills. With a vision to build a healthy community through connections to people, place and nature, hiking for good offers a full calendar of guided hikes, saunters and. Spenceville california watchable wildlife viewing site. United states california spenceville wildlife area photos all. This means no hiking, no horse back riding, nothing but hunting.
Spenceville is among the largest of the publicly owned areas of blue oaks, and the creek drainage provides a continuous corridor from the valley to the foothills. Spenceville wildlife area march 17, 2009 being anxious for the spring flowers finally to appear in the valley, i venture hopefully to this littleknown area just an hours drive north of sacramento. Surveys that have been conducted at spenceville wildlife area swa document the presence of 42 mammals, 160 birds, 12 reptiles, 4 amphibians, and 20 fishes including lamprey and crayfish rogers et al. From the parking lot, cross a small bridge and make a right onto a dirt road. The spenceville state wildlife area is bordered on the west by beale air force base and on the north, south, and east. Hike to fairy falls shingle falls, fairy falls trailhead. The spenceville wildlife area, an 11,2 acre wildlife preserve, managed by the california state. There are four units and the approximate acreages are. Nevada, ca printed at the daily gazette book and job office 1867. Spenceville wildlife area 112 leader richard barbieri reported. The wildlife area is bordered on the west by beale air force base and on the north, south, and east by privately owned ranches. Apr 15, 2019 join passionate pedestrian hank meals on this yuba trails and tales adventure into the heart of spenceville wildlife and recreation area, the first in a monthly series offered by hiking for good and outlandish experiences. The trail head is located just about a half hour from grass valley. Its a nice beginner hiking trail to fairy falls at spenceville wildlife area.
He gave us a short tour of the facility where we saw several birds that are in different stages. The western pond turtle is a species of special concern and is common to the reserve. The spenceville state wildlife area is bordered on the west by beale air force base and on the north, south, and east by privately owned ranches. Every year, the spenceville wildlife area is closed for the official ca fish and game turkey hunt. Daugherty hill 3,200 acres, donovan hill 1,800 acres, quail valley 1,300 acres, and darby road 700 acres. Some of his favorite places are those found within the watersheds of the north and south yuba river, bear river and north fork of the american river, places like the chimney rock trail, the upper reaches of the downie river and its tributaries, young america lake and the road to mountain mine, fordyce creek, grouse ridge and spenceville wildlife area. Horseback riding at spenceville state wildlife area, september 2008. Spencer, who was a famous pharmacist in nevada city.
California oak woodlands natural history of the california chaparral and woodlands. For a more rural ride or jog, head 19 miles east of town to spenceville wildlife area, where youll find more than 11,000 acres of oaks and pines with an. After a second failed search in the lake of the woods state wildlife area, the key information came together, hayes said, leading detectives to the spenceville wildlife area. In addition to the imperial wildlife area, nearly 30 separate sites provide excellent public hunting for both whitewinged and mourning doves on. On march 30, california naturalist steve roddy and friends will lead a three mile saunter at table mountain to view the wildflower display and visit coal canyon falls sometimes called phantom falls. It also covers the rich and interesting history of spenceville.
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