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The beauty and solitude of nature is what Plumas County is all about. There is plenty of quiet, open space and fresh air. You won’t find it crowded with tourists. More than three-quarters of Plumas County’s 2,618 square miles is national forest land. The Plumas National Forest encompasses the majority of that, while the Lassen National Forest takes in part of the northern end of the county, and the Tahoe National Forest touches into the south and east. The Plumas National Forest occupies 1.2 million acres of scenic mountain lands in the northern edge The Plumas, Lassen and Tahoe National Forests have many spectacular waterfalls. of the Sierra Nevada, just mountain valleys and lofty peaks. south of the Cascade range. Known for its high alpine lakes There are hundreds of maintained campsites and numerand thousands of miles of clear-running streams, the forest ous picnic spots to choose from. sits at the top of the watershed that supplies water to many Recreational opportunities are available in every season. California citizens. Some 300 miles of trails are maintained throughout the forTrees within the forest are mostly grand conifers, which est, including the Pacific Crest Trail. reach high into the sky and are beautifully latticed with snow The forest and the sparsely populated rural communities during winter, and various hardwoods that turn brilliant colors that surround it provide a feeling of seclusion and tranquillity. in the fall. If you’re needing to rest, reflect and get away from it all, this is Outdoor enthusiasts are attracted year-round to the nathe place. tional forest and its waterways, beautiful deep canyons, rich Bill Obernesser
Richard Scully
off-road adventures
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N AT I O N A L F O R E S T S
PVG 2012 64-98 sports USE:Layout 1
You might want to carry a shovel, hilift jack, come-along and tow rope if you decide to venture off-road.
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Sport utility vehicle owners take note! Plumas County has plenty of well-maintained, unpaved forest service roads that lead to lakes, fishing spots, lookouts and picnic sites. The roads access some 1.2 million acres of public land that can keep intrepid explorers happy for days on end. The Plumas County Visitors Bureau has developed brochures featuring four popular backcountry road adventures, designed with SUVs in mind. If you’re looking for more rugged off-highway adventure, head for one of the 4x4 routes, staging areas or campgrounds developed specifically for off-highway vehicles. The Plumas National Forest visitor map is available for sale to help guide off-highway users. To avoid fines, stay on designated roads and trails. High Sierra ATV Tours, (800) 596-8840, and Explore! Sierra Touring Company (530) 832-5450, offer guided rides to scenic destinations in the Sierra Valley east of Portola. High Sierra also offers ATV and Snow Tracks rentals. Contact visitor centers to request maps, brochures or more information. Or contact the various forest service offices listed on page 10 of this guide.
2012 - 2013 PLUMAS COUNTY VISITORS GUIDE