Tuolumne County
Success and Ongoing Stewardship
Tuolumne County Conservation Projects
The Mother Lode Land Trust has multiple ongoing projects in Tuolumne County; Kennedy Meadows, Middle Fork Stanislaus River, Lyons Reservoir, Phoenix Lake, Long Gulch Ranch and the Bennett Juniper.
Kennedy Meadows
In 2014 we added the 244-acre Kennedy Meadows property and Pack Station to our portfolio. This is the first conservation easement, of many, that we acquired through the PG&E/Stewardship Council process. Kennedy Meadows is located on State Route 108 in Tuolumne County, just west of the Sonora Pass. The Middle fork of the Stanislaus River runs through the property and there are several high alpine meadows surrounded by steep granite cliffs. The Pack Station has been in operation since 1925 and operates cabin rentals, horse excursions, a bar, a store, and a restaurant. Many of the same people come year after year, to experience all that Kennedy Meadows has to offer. It is a beautiful property protected for its natural and historic features.
Middle Fork of The Stanislaus River
The approximately 515 acres of conservation easement lands located in the Middle Fork Stanislaus River Watershed were acquired by the Mother Lode Land Trust in 2015. This is one of the many conservation easement projects that we acquired through the PG&E/Stewardship Council process. The Middle Fork Stanislaus River parcels are dispersed throughout the steep slopes of the Middle Fork Stanislaus River canyon. The parcels in the eastern reach of the River include the Spring Gap forebay and powerhouse, just downstream from Beardsley Reservoir. Closer to the confluence of the mainstem of the Stanislaus River, the protected parcels include the Stanislaus forebay and powerhouse located at the end of Camp 9 Road near Vallecito. All of these parcels are popular places for fishing, hiking, and nature observation.
Long Gulch Ranch – In 2014 we acquired 576 acres of land just outside of Groveland that includes Great Gray Owl Habitat. Long Gulch Ranch was our third fee-owned property. The MLLT has been working with the community of Groveland to offer equestrian, hiking, and other recreational opportunities on the property.
Bennet Juniper
The Bennett Juniper is the largest known Juniper in North America. The Mother Lode Land Trust acquired the tree, and the three-and-a-half acres surrounding it, from the Save the Redwoods League in 2022. For more information please see the Wikipedia page about the Bennett Juniper.
Lyons Reservoir
Lyons Reservoir property is multiple separate parcels totaling 460 acres. Public access is allowed on some portions of this property for hiking, fishing, bird watching, and other passive recreational pursuits, but no contact with the water is permitted.
Parcel 1 is 369 acres and consists of a portion of Lyons Reservoir and the dam and associated infrastructure. Lyons Reservoir provides drinking water to the majority of Tuolumne County. There is a gravel access road to the property that is opened seasonally, which conveys visitors to a parking lot, restrooms, drinking water, and some informational kiosks. No bodily contact with the water is allowed nor are watercraft of any kind permitted in the reservoir.
Parcel 2 is a remote 41-acre parcel that the Tuolumne Canal runs through. There is an elevated, old wooden flume on this parcel. The terrain is steep and rugged and only a small portion of the Property is accessible.
Parcel 3 is an easily accessible 39-acre parcel in Twain Harte that is bisected by the Tuolumne Canal. There is also an elevated flume on this parcel. Approximately half of this parcel is steep and overgrown with vegetation, but the other half is accessible to the public for fishing, hiking, and appreciating nature. There are developed parking, trails, and several footbridges over the canal.