United states california spenceville wildlife area photos all. The wildlife area is bordered on the west by beale air force base and on the north, south, and east by privately owned ranches. Spenceville wildlife area has a very diverse reptile population. Daugherty hill 3,200 acres, donovan hill 1,800 acres, quail valley 1,300 acres, and darby road 700 acres. 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 california watchable wildlife viewing site. This means no hiking, no horse back riding, nothing but hunting. Look for cows to also be in the staging area at times too. Explore history in the breathtaking beauty of spenceville. 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. There are numerous ponds, creeks, trails and riparian zones in the area. The spenceville area was home to the foothill maidunisenan and a wealth of visible evidence of their villages remains.
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. 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. California department of fish and wildlife n orth c e nal r. 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. Shooting range county line s t ae highw y t o pgr ahic m 1. Fairy falls aka shingle falls ca teds outdoor world. Army corps of engineers camp beale military munitions cleanup team in the spenceville wildlife area in january, 2019. 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. In december when we hiked it there werent any wildflowers, but the waterfalls were really gushing due to the recent rainstorm. Spenceville wildlife area is comprised of approximately 11,900 acres of blue oak gray pine woodland characteristic of the sierra foothills.
It is owned and managed by the california department of fish and game. At various times throughout its history, camp beale was known as beale air force. 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. 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. After about a mile you will follow the road to the right and continue through the gate. The elevation of the area varies from 200 to 1200 feet.
Explore history in the breathtaking beauty of spenceville wildlife. Friends of spenceville was formed to educate the public about spenceville, and in so doing, preserve spenceville as a wildlife and recreation area. 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. California department of fish and wildlife n orth c e nal. 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. In addition to the imperial wildlife area, nearly 30 separate sites provide excellent public hunting for both whitewinged and mourning doves on. Driving on the roads in the wildlife area is a treat, as the landscape is low rolling hills, dotted with many blue oaks and grey pines. Horseback riding at spenceville state wildlife area, september 2008.
Top 25 spenceville wildlife area rv rentals and motorhome. Spenceville wildlife area department of fish and wildlife ca. Every year, the spenceville wildlife area is closed for the official ca fish and game turkey hunt. A 105 millimeter, high explosive projectile, found by the u. The spenceville state wildlife area is 11,887 acres of stateprotected blue oak woodland. The spenceville copper mine western mining history.
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. 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. 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. The waldo bridge, located at the trail head, was built in 1901 to serve the now extinct towns of waldo and spenceville.
Best trails in spenceville wildlife area california alltrails. Beale air force base camp beale, army service forces depot. The western pond turtle is a species of special concern and is common to the reserve. Dry creekspenceville foothills water network home page. Former camp beale military history acquired by the u. It is located in the sierra nevada foothills, within nevada county and yuba county of northern california. The daugherty hill wildlife area is approximately 7,000 acres of rolling hills covered with blue and live oak, gray pine, thick brush, and poison oak. During world war ii, spenceville was used as a military training area by camp beale. Spenceville wildlife area attracts great outdoor lovers all year round. Map the spenceville wildlife area is near camp far west reservoir in yubanevada counties where the. Camp far west, beale afb, spenceville i wondered about the purple roads in the spenceville wildlife area. 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. He is americas first back country sportsman of the year and the only twotime national outdoor writer of the year. 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.
Government prior to 1940 and consisted of approximately 87,672 acres established as a training post for the th armored division. Most of these species are permanent residents, but some are seasonal migrators such as anadromous fish and various birds including 26 as. 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. 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. The spenceville trip started with a surprise visit to the california foundation for birds of prey east of lincoln. Hike to fairy falls shingle falls, fairy falls trailhead. From the parking lot, cross a small bridge and make a right onto a dirt road. Two thirds of it are in yuba county, and the remaining third is in nevada county. Fun places to go in yuba city, california usa today. Full time rvers, hiking, maps a classic country estate venue, bealeshingle falls, bible lens app, ephesians 5.
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. The spenceville wildlife area, an 11,2 acre wildlife preserve, managed by the california state. Spenceville wildlife area 112 leader richard barbieri reported. 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. Spenceville is a foothill oak and grassland area notable for many species of birds and wildflowers. Fairy falls trail, spenceville wildlife area hiking trip.
Feb 17, 2014 his veins run cold when he realizes whos been haunting the homestead all along duration. 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. 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. Photos of spenceville wildlife area trails best trails in spenceville wildlife area. 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. We hiked out to the falls on the fairy falls trail. Spenceville wildlife area sierra foothills audubon. Spenceville wildlife area, smartsville, california. 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. Just north of the reservoir this wildlife area is 12,000 acres of blue oak woodland prominent to the lower foothills just above the. 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. Profits from the canteens went to buy more than 5,000 books for the.
In 1940, the camp beale area consisted of grassland and rolling hills and the 19th. Spenceville wildlife area is a california watchable wildlife viewing site. It also covers the rich and interesting history of spenceville. 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. T he waldo bridge was built in 1901 to serve the now extinct towns of waldo and spenceville. The trail head is located just about a half hour from grass valley. It is nice to see the thoughtfulness and accurate portrayal of the history. Nevada, ca printed at the daily gazette book and job office 1867. 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. Spenceville state wildlife area yubasutter localwiki. Hank meals will lead a 6 8 mile walk at spenceville wildlife area to. Bear yuba land trust secures funding to conserve historic. Humans, ironically, had a strange fascination with preserving the wildlife of their day.
David magney spenceville wildlife area, nevada and yuba. He gave us a short tour of the facility where we saw several birds that are in different stages. The preserve is approximately 18 miles 29 km east of the town of marysville and beale air force base in the eastern sacramento valley. Camp far west, beale afb, spencevillei wondered about the purple roads in the spenceville wildlife area. We met andy mcbride who, with his wife, run the foundation. 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. Gopher snakes and rattlesnakes are the most commonly observed snakes rogers et al. The spenceville copper mine, located in spenceville, nevada co. Spenceville is a foothill oak woodland of blue oak quercus douglasii and foothill gray pine pinus sabiniana, and a grassland habitat. Book a motorhome rental in marysville to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.
There are four units and the approximate acreages are. Its a nice beginner hiking trail to fairy falls at spenceville wildlife area. Bear yuba land trust to honor local archeologist and story. May 17, 2018 tom stienstra is the outdoors writer for the san francisco chronicle. It will be closed from march 26, the opening day of turkey season, to april 3 this year. Some areas can be viewed from vehicles, although trails provide the best access to viewing areas. The spenceville state wildlife area is bordered on the west by beale air force base and on the north, south, and east. The spenceville copper mine during their tenure on the site, the san francisco copper mine and reduction works co. Spenceville wildlife area closed for turkey hunt march 26. Spencer, who was a famous pharmacist in nevada city. The spenceville wildlife area is near camp far west reservoir in yubanevada counties where the bear river gets stopped behind a dam. 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 terrain of the area varies from 200 to 1200 elevation. This means no hiking, no horse back riding, nothing but hunting to licensed hunters who have won the lottery picks. Apr 19, 2010 both of my area guidebooks include the fairy falls trail, and neither mentions this fact. 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. Spenceville wildlife area is comprised of 11,942 acres of blue oak gray pine woodland characteristic of the sierra foothills. Map the spenceville wildlife area is near camp far west reservoir in yubanevada counties where the bear river gets stopped behind a dam. The spenceville post office operated during the period of 1872 through 1932. California oak woodlands natural history of the california chaparral and woodlands.
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