Modoc National Forest

Forest Plan Roadless Areas

National Roadless Policy web page. 

Within its boundaries, the Modoc National Forest has 19 inventoried roadless areas totaling 201,600 Acres.

The information about the Roadless Areas is summarized from Appendix E of the Modoc National Forest Land and Resources Management Plan Environmental Impact Statement prepared in 1991.  The Damon Area description has information pertaining to recent management activities.

Review of the Forest Plan Roadless Areas and transportation maps indicate that the Forest Plan EIS published in 1991 greatly under-estimated the number and amount of roads contained in many of the areas.  In addition due to the scale of mapping and data available at the time the Forest Plan management area mapping process did not accurately reflect the amount of riparian area prescriptions that applies to many of the areas. The descriptions do identify those areas that do not have water resources within the boundaries.

After the 1978 Roadless Area Review and Evaluation, the Forest Service recommended adding 1,940 acres to the South Warner Wilderness.  On September 28, 1984, The California Wilderness Act (Public Law 98-425) amended the boundary of the South Warner Wilderness to include those recommendations and released the remiaining inventoried roadless areas from wilderness consideration for this planning period.

Bear Camp Flat – 2,300 acres

Bear Camp Flat adjoins the South Warner Wilderness. The terrain is gently sloping until it approaches the Wilderness where it steepens sharply to the ridge tops that form the boundary on the west, north, and east sides of Bear Camp Flat. Lodgepole pine, mahogany, and meadows dominate the landscape.Primary uses include hunting and cattle grazing. Current uses include livestock watering ponds and drift fences, and approximately 6 miles of primitive road.

 Big Canyon – 6,400 Acres

Big Canyon is located in the central portion of the Forest and is bisected by the Pit River. The terrain is mountainous and extremely steep along the sides of the river. Elevations range from 4,320 feet to 5,730 feet at the summit of Noble Bluff to the west. The boundary is irregular and ill‑defined. Roads surround the area.

Big Canyon to the west is a long, arrow, moderately sloped canyon, with scattered ponderosa pine with dense pockets of timber at the head of the canyon. Pit River Canyon is extremely steep, dominated by large rocky outcrops. A major feature is Hanging Rock. The east side of the canyon contains numerous steep sided draws which contain scattered dense pockets of ponderosa pine. The canyon walls are vegetated with sagebrush and grass. Current uses include cattle grazing, hunting, and fishing.

Burnt Lava Flow – 8,800 Acres

Burnt Lava Flow is located on the western portion of the Forest and extends onto the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.  The configuration is generally oval with the boundary following the lava flow.

The Flow consists of a recent flow of jumbled, black lava surrounding three large islands of timber on old cinder cones that protrude above the flow as well as several small islands of timber in depressions caused by lava dividing and flowing around them.  The prominent feature is High Hole Crater at the north, a semi-barren cinder cone rising 386 feet above the flow, with a crater approximately 150 deep.  Several ice caves are located at the northern edge of the flow and others probably exist in the largely unexplored interior region.  There is no water source.

Well-traveled roads are visible from most points within the area.

The Burnt Lava Flow was withdrawn from mineral entry in 1967, following its original classification as a Virgin Area in 1957.  On May 21, 1982, the area was classified as a Geological Area by the Pacific Southwest Regional Forester.  This classification requires that the area remain in as near natural condition as possible.

Callahan Flow – 8,000 Acres

The Callahan Flow is located in the northwestern portion of the Forest and rests against the south and west boundaries of the Lava Beds National Monument.  The configuration is long and narrow.  The north, west, and south boundaries meander along the Callahan Lava Flow.

The topography is formed by two major lava flows and is characterized by broken rough lava, gently flowing into two wavy fan shapes.  The oldest flow to the north is extensively covered by native bunchgrass, while the southern area is rugged and difficult to travel.  No water exists.

Current uses are principally cattle grazing, occasional sightseeing, hunting, and educational and scientific study.

Historic logging railroad grade parallels the southern boundary.

Crane Mountain – 2,400 Acres

Crane Mountain is located in the north Warner Moun­tain range extending into Oregon on the Fremont Na­tional Forest. This discussion is confined to the 10% portion in California. The south boundary parallels the road north of Cave Lake and Lily Lake campgrounds.

The topography is steep and mountainous, ranging from 5,000 feet along the west boundary to 7,000 feet at the summit of an unnamed peak near the Oregon border.

Mixed conifer, white fir, juniper, lodgepole pine, and mountain mahogany dominate the area. Primary uses include a little cattle grazing and sight­seeing. Non‑conforming uses include 2 miles of primitive roads providing access into private property, and rem­nants of past gold mining activity.

Damon Butte - 24,700 Acres

Damon Butte is located in the western portion of the Forest. The area nestles between the Burlington North­ern Railroad to the west and State Highway 139 to the cast. Beyond the boundary to the north and south pro­jects Timber Mountain and Damon Butte

.The terrain is defined by vast expansions of relatively wary rough lava. Large areas of juniper and sagebrush to the north and established timber stands to the south provide some variety. Current uses include sheep grazing, hunting, and wood gathering.

Nearly 10,000 Acres of the area was burned in the 1996 Damon-Long Fire.  Over 65 miles of dozer lines were established during this 23,373 acre fire, many in the Damon Butte area.  Timber salvage occurred on the scattered timber stands over 2,600 acres.  Much of the area is in plantations and managed for timber production.  Over 48 miles of roads are contained in the area.

Dobie Flat – 12,900 Acres

Dobie Flat is located in the western portion of the Forest. The boundary runs parallel to the Southern Pa­cific Railroad and a 500‑KV power line on the east, and the Burlington Northern Railroad (BNR) on the west. The Lavas roadless area lies across the tracks to the west of the BNR. The terrain consists of expansive areas of flat, broken, rough lava. Grasses interrupted by extensive stands of sagebrush and juniper dominate the landscape. The predominant feature of the area is Casuse Mountain, a barren hill. The climate is generally windy year‑round. The topography provides little available refuge. Wild fires are common.

Dry – 7,100 Acres

Dry is located in the central portion of the Warner Mountain range, adjacent to the Forest boundary, and north of the Parker Creek Road. Terrain is mountainous and steep, ranging from 5,200 feet to 6,840 feet at the summit of an unnamed peak east of Dry Creek Basin. Vegetation consists of heavy timber in the canyons with juniper on the ridges.

Primary uses include hunting and cattle grazing. Non­conforming uses include livestock ponds, scattered throughout the area, and a fence which borders the pri­vate land to the north.

The area contains habitat for mule deer winter and summer range, and fawning areas, as well as prairie falcon nest sites.

Hat Mountain – 9,900 Acres  

Hat Mountain is located at the extreme southern end of the Warner Mountains adjacent to the Forest bound­ary. The terrain is generally mountainous, ranging from 7,000 feet to 8,700 feet at the summit of Hat Mountain. Lodgepole pine and mixed conifers, mountain mahog­any, and grasses dominate the landscape.

Hunting and livestock grazing are primary uses. Non­conforming uses including livestock watering ponds, ap­proximately 27 miles of primitive road and 2.5 miles of road providing logging truck access to a 730‑acre com­mercial firewood cutting area.

Wildlife habitat consists of mule deer summer range and fawning areas; existing and potential goshawk; po­tential for pileated woodpecker, osprey, and prairie fal­con; and nesting and brood rearing sites for waterfowl.

Knox Mountain – 5,900 Acres

Knox Mountain is located at the southern edge of the Forest and straddles the Modoc‑Lassen County line. Sears Flat roadless area is located to the east. The west boundary follows a ridge but the northwest and eastern boundaries lack definition. Knox Mountain, the promi­nent feature runs north and south through the central part. The eastern slopes of Knox Mountain are domi­nated with open stands of ponderosa pine. Wild fires are typical. The western slopes of Knox Mountain are domi­nated with sagebrush and scattered young juniper with large stands of mountain mahogany.

 Primary uses of the area include hunting and cattle grazing. Suitable wildlife habitat consists of summer range for pronghorn, and winter and summer range for mule deer with localized areas used for fawning.

 Lavas – 25,400 Acres

Lavas is located in the western portion of the Forest. The boundary runs parallel to the Lava Beds National Monument on the west, and the BNR on the east. Dobie Flat roadless area lies across the tracks to the east of the BNR. The terrain consists of expansive areas of flat, broken, rough lava.

 Grasses interrupted by extensive stands of sagebrush and juniper dominate the landscape. The climate is gen­erally windy year‑round. The topography provides little available refuge. Wild fires are common.

Primary uses of the area are sheep grazing and big game hunting. The area provides key winter range for deer and pronghorn.

Mount Bidwell – 11,600 Acres

Mount Bidwell is located north of the Warner Moun­tain range extending into Oregon on the Fremont Na­tional Forest. This discussion is confined to the 72% portion in California. This roadless area is bordered on the east by the Forest boundary, and the road from Fort Bidwell to New Pine Creek forms most of the western boundary. About 620 acres of private land are located within the area.

Topography is generally mountainous and extremely steep, ranging from 5,400 feet to 8,290 feet high at the summit of Mount Bidwell, the dominant feature. Vege­tation consists of lodgepole pine and mixed conifer at higher elevations, giving way to mountain mahogany, aspen and willows and grasses at the lower elevations.

Primary uses include hunting and livestock grazing. Non‑conforming uses include fences and primitive roads. Old mining cabins, related facilities, and mine tailings are visible along the northwestern boundary.

Mount Hoffman – 10,800 Acres

Mount Hoffman is located in the western portion of the Forest to the north and northeast of Medicine Lake recreational complex. The area consists of two distinct contrasting features ‑ forested slopes of Mount Hoffman to the west and Glass Mountain volcanic glass flow to the east. The configuration is wide and narrow and generally surrounded by primitive logging and mining roads. The western portion extends into the Klamath National For­est.

The gentle slopes of Mount Hoffman sweep upward rising to a peak of 7,913 feet where the surrounding area, including Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak, can be viewed. Over 5,000 acres of fir, lodgepole pine, and mixed conifer cover the landscape in an unbroken pattern.

To the east, in stark contrast, is Glass Mountain which is devoid of vegetation. Formed through the accumula­tion of three independent lava flows, the area displays a great mass of volcanic extrusion and a wide variety of obsidian, pumice and minerals. Glass Mountain is a monolith reaching to 7,622 feet, the highest elevation of any lava flow in the Medicine Lake Highlands. Visitation to the area is generally confined to the exterior because of the rough, rugged lava terrain. There is no water.

Mount Vida – 9,100 Acres

Mount Vida is located on both sides of the main crest in the north Warner Mountains. It is bordered on the west by the Forest boundary and meanders in a southeasterly direction. Its configuration is long and narrow, and its boundary difficult to locate on the ground. The topogra­phy is mountainous with steep canyons. Elevations range from 5,200 feet along the western boundary to 8,200 feet at the summit of Mount Vida, the dominant feature. Mount Vida provides an excellent vista of California, Nevada, and Oregon.

Vegetation consists of scattered mixed conifer stands at the higher elevations giving way to sage and grasses at the lower elevations. Primary uses are cattle grazing and hiking. Non‑conforming uses include livestock water de­velopments and fences associated with grazing. The Highgrade National Recreation Trail bisects the area in a southwest to northeast direction, passing immediately west of the Mount Vida summit.

Suitable habitat for bald eagles has been identified in the area. Other habitat includes mule deer. summer and winter range, existing and potential habitat for goshawk, and potential nesting sites for prairie falcon and pere­grine falcon.

Parsnip – 8,200 Acres

Parsnip is located in the southwest corner of the Warner Mountain range adjacent to the Forest bound­ary. Blue Lake is located just east of the area, with West Valley Reservoir to the west, outside the Forest boundary.

Terrain is gently sloping in the western portion, be­coming gradually steeper in the eastern portion with elevations ranging from 5,000 feet to 7,000 feet. Vegeta­tion consists of mixed conifer at the higher elevations, giving way to juniper and mahogany at the lower elevations.

Primary uses include hunting and cattle grazing. Non­conforming uses include livestock ponds, trails, fences, a water diversion ditch not currently in use, and four miles of primitive roads.

Portions of three cattle allotments, and one special use pasture, exist within the area, producing approximately 650 AUMs annually.

Powley – 6,200 Acres

Powley is located in the north central portion of the Warner Mountain range between Lake City Canyon on the south and Heath Creek on the north. The area is contiguous to the eastern boundary of the Forest. The community of Lake City is located to the east in Surprise Valley. The Lake City Canyon road separates this area from the Soldier roadless area to the south.

Situated on the eastern facing escarpment of the Warner Mountains, Powley is mountainous and ex­tremely steep. Elevations range from 5,000 feet to 7,600 feet at the crest of the Warners.

Vegetation in the area consists of lodgepole pine, mixed conifer, white fir, and ponderosa pine at the higher elevations, giving way to bitterbrush, mahogany, sage, and grasses at the lower elevations.

Primary use is limited by the steep terrain and consists of hunting and cattle grazing. There are no physical improvements within the area.

Sears Flat – 12,500 Acres

Sears Flat is located at the southeastern edge of the Forest and straddles the Modoc and Lassen County lines. The Knox Mountain roadless area is positioned to the west. Likely Mountain and a major ridge running north and south dominate the eastern landscape.

The topography is characterized by moderate terrain dominated by sage, juniper and mountain mahogany. Several small pockets of ponderosa pine are located in the western portion.

Primary use of the area is cattle grazing and big game hunting.

Wildlife habitat consist of pronghorn summer range and kidding grounds, and mule deer intermediate and summer range.

Soldier – 9, 400 Acres

Soldier is located in the central portion of the Warner Mountain range between Lake City Canyon on the north and Highway 299 on the south. The area is contiguous to the eastern boundary of the Forest. The communities of Lake City and Cedarville are immediately east in Surprise Valley. The Lake City Canyon road separates this area from Powley roadless area to the north.  

Situated on the eastern facing escarpment of the Warner Mountains, Soldier is mountainous and ex­tremely steep. Elevations range from 5,000 feet to 8,270 feet at the summit of Bald Mountain.

Vegetation consists of lodgepole pine, mixed conifer, white fir, and ponderosa pine at the higher elevations, giving way to mountain mahogany, sage, and grasses at the lower elevations.

Primary use is limited by the steep terrain and consists of hunting and cattle grazing. There is evidence of past logging on some of the lower slopes (abandoned road, mill site, old stumps) but the area has almost returned to a natural state. There are no other improvements existing in the area.  

Steele Swamp – 20,000 Acres  

Steel Swamp is located cast of Clear Lake Reservoir approximately three miles south of the Oregon border. It is a remote area, and seldom visited except for occasional recreational hunting and livestock operations.

Most of the land is open; topography is flat. Regular patterns of juniper and grass dominate the landscape. The boundary is not well defined by topographic or readily identifiable land features.

Wet meadows exist on about 30% of the area.

Current uses in the area include livestock watering tanks, fences, an old telephone line right-of-way, and approximately 15 miles of primitive road. The historic Applegate Trail crosses the southwest portion.

USDA Forest Service - Modoc National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 02 August 2004 at 14:10:53 EDT