Modoc National Forest

South Warner Wilderness

The South Warner Primitive Area was created in 1931. With the passage of the 1964 Wilderness Act, the area became a formal part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The 1984 Wilderness Act added more land, for a total of 70,385 acres.

The South Warner Mountain Wilderness of the Modoc National Forest is located in the southeast section of the Warner Mountain Ranger District and is 18 miles long by 8 miles wide.The Wilderness has very steep slopes on the east side and moderate slopes on the west. A variety of vegetation adorns the area from high desert sagebrush and juniper to high alpine terrain. The Wilderness offers breathless vistas and the highest peaks in northeast California. All of Modoc County, much of Lassen County, and the Black Rock Desert in Northwestern Nevada are visible from higher areas. Mount Shasta and Mount Lassen can be seen in distant panorama.

The South Warner Wilderness has breathtaking scenery and ample opportunities for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing. It offers snowcapped peaks, mountain meadows, sparkling streams, trout fishing amid scenic grandeur, a profusion of colorful flowers and shrubs, and countless birds and small animals.

Blue Fire Burned into the South Warner Wilderness

Areas of the wilderness burned in the 2001 Blue Fire. Visitors are being asked to be cautious when traveling in burned areas.

BE AWARE OF:

BLACKENED TREES; they could be weakened to the point of falling!

STUMP HOLES; A tripping hazard for people and livestock.

WIDOW MAKERS; fallen trees or branches hung up in other trees!

Please check the map at the trailhead to plan alternate Routes of travel as necessary.

Peaks of the South Warner Wilderness

Seven high mountain peaks dominate the South Warner Wilderness. The three most distinctive are Squaw Peak, Warren Peak and Eagle Peak. Squaw Peak at 8,646 feet is a landmark at the north end of the Wilderness. Warren Peak at 9,710 feet marks the north central section. Eagle Peak towers at 9,892 feet in the south central section. Massive cliffs rising dramatically behind Patterson Lake to the north of Warren Peak are typical of the strikingly beautiful geography in the Wilderness.

About Wilderness

Viewed with awe and some misgivings by early settlers, America's wilderness has been interwoven into the Nation's folklore, history, art and literature. Congress directs four federal agencies - the Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management - to preserve wilderness. The South Warner Wilderness is held in trust by the Forest Service for the use, enjoyment and spiritual enrichment of the American people.

Wilderness is not only a condition of physical geography, but a state of mind. It is a frontier where a visitor creates only limited impact. Wilderness is scenic beauty, solitude, opportunity for recreation or contemplation, and a place of retreat and renewal. One is exhilarated by breathing clean, fresh air and sleeping close to the stars.

Wilderness is defined in the Wilderness Act as federal land "where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man...which is protected and managed to preserve its natural conditions." No mechanized conveyances are permitted: one enters a wilderness only on foot or horseback. No facilities or campgrounds are constructed in a wilderness. People are merely visitors: they leave only footprints and take only memories.

The non Forest Service site  offers information about the Nation's Wilderness System.

Wilderness Ethics

The wilderness environment is extremely important for recreation, allowing people to enjoy the solitude in a natural environment. In a Wilderness, nature comes first. When using the wilderness and backcountry areas, please practice techniques that protect the land in a natural state to be enjoyed by future travelers.

Minimize evidence of your visit by practicing Leave No Trace traveling. No Trace traveling is more than a technique or set of rules defining appropriate behavior, it is an attitude. When traveling in the South Warner Wilderness, keep these tips in mind:

• camp at least 150 feet from streams, lakes and trails
• pack out everything packed in
• bury body waste at least 150 feet from water
• keep fires small and leave them DEAD OUT
• horses must be tethered or picketed at least 150 feet from water and in such a way as to prevent injury to trees, vegetation and soil
• do everything possible to protect water sources from contamination
• pick up any litter careless travelers may have left - your example may catch on
• please stay on the trails - cutting across switchbacks and trampling meadows can cause erosion and damage the vegetation.

Any ground disturbance could have a long lasting effect on the environment.

Permits and Maps

Permits are not required to enter the wilderness. To use campfires, propane or gas stoves, and/or propane or gas lanterns requires a California Campfire Permit. The California Campfire Permit authorizes the holder to build camp or warming fires in the Wilderness. Guidelines are listed on the campfire permits.

A map of the Modoc National Forest or South Warner Wilderness can be obtained at any of our Buisness Offices or by mail.

Pack Animals and Hikers

Since forage is limited, it is advisable to take stock feed. Packing hay and unprocessed grain is prohibited. Processed grain or pellitized feed is an excellent substitute. This also helps stop the spread of noxious weeds. Corrals are available at Pepperdine campground. Hikers and Backpackers please note that if travelers with horses are encountered, hikers are to move off the trail at least 8 feet on the downhill side and let them pass. Horses are easily frightened by backpack equipment.

Climate and Weather Conditions

Summer temperatures in the Wilderness provide mild, warm days; cool nights; and light rainfall. Summer lightning storms can occur any time. Maximum high temperatures can be expected during August. The most consistent warm weather is in July and August. Severe snowstorms are likely after mid-September. Snow typically stays in the Wilderness until mid-July. Winter temperature are well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, with snow depths from 6 to 8 feet. Rain or snow can occur during any month of the year. Travelers should always be prepared for inclement weather.

Water

Many water sources are available in the Wilderness in early spring. In wet years, water is abundant through September. In dry years, water may be limited as early as late June. Water sources are closer together on the east side. Experienced Wilderness visitors always carry in their own water. All water in the Wilderness must be boiled for five minutes or filtered before drinking. Chemical purification may not kill harmful organisms.

Trails

On the South Warner Wilderness Trails page you will find a list and basic characteristics of the trails within the South Warner Wilderness. There are 77 miles of trails well suited for hikers and horseback riders. Trail elevations range from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. The South Warner Wilderness may be entered from eight trailhead locations, making much of the area accessible by a series of one-day excursions.Many possibilities exist for loop hikes or rides. One scenic trip begins on the Summit Trail at Pepperdine, head south, then return by Squaw Peak Trail. This is a moderate, one-day hike that covers about 10 miles of trail viewing crystal blue lakes, verdant meadows and alpine splendor.

Winter use

is limited in the Wilderness due to restricted access and high snow levels. Ice fishing is popular at Clear Lake with the best access through Mill Creek Campground. Snow shoeing and Nordic skiing are also available.

Fish and Wildlife

The Rocky Mountain mule deer is the primary large animal seen in the Wilderness, although an occasional mountain lion has been observed. Beaver live along streams and lakes. Rabbits, squirrels, porcupines, chipmunks, coyotes, badgers, bobcats, martens and weasels are common.Bird watchers enjoy quail, dove, geese, duck, woodpeckers, warblers, sapsuckers, flycatchers, owls, hawks and grouse. Rare, endangered or threatened species in the Wilderness include golden eagles, bald eagles, prairie falcons and Goshawk. Opportunities for photographers are endless. For more information you can request a copy of our Wildlife Species list. Hunting and Fishing regulations are set each year by the California Department of Fish and Game Commission. Adjoining the west boundary of the Wilderness is a 6,016-acre California State Game Refuge where all hunting is prohibited. Many of the lakes and streams are stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout.

Grazing

The South Warner Wilderness was used for cattle and sheep grazing long before it was classified as a wilderness. Grazing was authorized to continue under the 1964 Wilderness Act. Rangelands have traditionally provided forage for wildlife and livestock. Local livestock ranchers depend on grazing permits to supplement their operations. Five cattle and three sheep allotments exist wholly or partially on the South Warner Wilderness. Livestock usually graze on these allotments from July through September, under restrictions designed to maintain the health of the rangeland and riparian areas.

Living Ecosystem

"Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile,and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."
John Muir

In September 1981, a fire raged through the Poison Flat area and burned 575 acres. In September 1987, another fired burned 709 acres in the Highrock Creek area. Both fires were started by lightning. Extremely dry conditions and strong winds caused rapid spread of each fire with spot fires erupting quickly. In some areas, fire swept through the crowns of trees; other areas had ground fire or were unburned. Visitors can now see the natural recovery of plants and animals in each burned area, a living example of the dynamic wilderness ecosystem.

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USDA Forest Service - Modoc National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 10 July 2009 at 13:19:04 EDT