Upper Clear Creek

Upper Clear Creek

Upper Clear Creek is located in the Carson Range of northwestern Nevada and occupies a portion of forested land east of Spooner Summit within the Clear Creek watershed. The property hosts several freshwater springs and an unnamed creek that runs year-round through the south side of the property. One of the springs feeds a pond that has been used as a dip pond for helicopter buckets to aid in aerial firefighting.

The property contains approximately 53.5 acres of Sierra Nevada forestland, which is surrounded on three sides by U.S. Forest Service and is near Lake Tahoe State Park.

Upper Clear Creek is dominated by Jeffrey Pines and contains numerous mature sugar pines. Known as the “King of Pines,” sugar pines are among the world’s tallest species of pine and have the longest cones. The sugar pines on the property are part of the largest contiguous stretch of sugar pines on the USFS Carson Ranger District.

Located on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, plants and animals flourish throughout Upper Clear Creek. The property provides habitat and valuable water resources for numerous species including mule deer, black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, goshawks, great horned owls, sooty grouse, and many other avian species.

Protecting the property enhances recreational opportunities in the area. Currently, the Clear Creek Trail goes around the property to the east and to the south. Conserving this property will help provide important trail links and could provide a loop option with the new Upper clear Creek Trail as well as providing an alternate route between Spooner Summit/Tahoe Rim Trail and the Clear Creek Trail.