LOWER CARPENTER VALLEY UPDATE

By the time the dazzling display of wildflowers in Lower Carpenter Valley transitions from Camas lilies to Penstemon to Lupine, ownership of the lower end large meadow will be conveyed to the Truckee Donner Land Trust. Click here for our most recent update on this beautiful valley. Huge thanks to our many supporters who helped make this acquisition happen! Deemed one of the most important mountain meadows in the Sierra Nevada by The Nature Conservancy, Carpenter Valley is known as a hot spot for natural diversity. The valley’s high water table results in an extensive mosaic of willows, nesting habitat for endangered birds and a home for an abundance of animal species. Natural springs, seeps, and fens augment the flow of North Prosser Creek year-round creating cascading gardens of wildflowers.

Just eight miles from downtown Truckee, you must visit Carpenter Valley to appreciate its splendor. Hundreds of Land Trust supporters took advantage of the Land Trust’s extensive docent hiking program in Lower Carpenter Valley during the summer of 2016 pre-acquisition. We’ll continue to offer docent led hikes during the summer of 2017 and we’re stepping up the schedule with two hikes weekly starting in late June. Stay tuned for our May Email Newsletter for dates.

Clearly, the Land Trust must protect the incredible biodiversity in the valley so access will be available via docent led hikes only until the Land Trust can implement the improvements necessary to protect the eco-system: a more extensive trail network that provides access to the valley and the creek, restrooms, additional parking to accommodate expected visitors, and a trail head replete with maps. As soon as the transaction closes in July, we can start the planning and permitting processes for these improvements.

Stay tuned and thank you! 

Photo: ©Tom Lippert