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Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area

Description

The approximately 13,200-acre Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area sits at about 5,200 feet in elevation. The land is gently sloping and all but the highest portions are dominated by sagebrush and bitterbrush. Several hundred acres were burned in a 1986 wildfire and are being rehabilitated. Other more recent fires, and a century of heavy livestock grazing, have resulted in fair to poor vegetation conditions. Long Valley Creek drains from south to north through the property and terminates in Honey Lake, southeast of Susanville in Lassen County.

This area serves as a key migration corridor for part of the Loyalton-Truckee deer herd. Mammals which occur here include coyote, gray fox, bobcat, and possibly badger. The Long Valley area is also wintering habitat for golden eagles, and red-tailed and rough-legged hawks.

For more information, call the North Central Region Rancho Cordova office at (916) 358-2900.

Recreational Opportunities

hiking wildlife viewing deer hunting quail hunting

Activities: hiking, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, nature photography, and hunting

Area is closed to public entry from February 1 through June 30.

Hunting: Deer, rabbit, quail, and dove may be present.

Type C: Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area does not require the purchase of a hunting pass for entry. Entry permits and/or passes or special drawing may be required for hunting on some Type C wildlife areas.

Facilities: None

NOTE: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of Department lands.

Refer to the Public Uses on State and Federal Lands section of the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

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You may not operate a drone on CDFW Lands without a Special Use Permit.

Area History

Humans have occupied Long Valley for thousands of years. At the time of contact with Euro-American people, Hokan-speaking Washoe were the primary occupants. They were fortunate to have several large bodies of water rich in fish resources. Trappers such as James Beckwourth visited the area. In the 1850s, Beckwourth developed a trail that improved access to Marysville and is followed fairly closely by today’s routes. Miners likely also visited the area early on, though activity in the valley appears to have been fairly limited.

Farming and ranching began as early as 1866. Compared with much of its arid surroundings, the valley was a rich environment with Long Valley Creek providing a year-round source of water. In 1880, construction began on a narrow gauge railroad. It changed hands and was reorganized several times, extending incrementally. In 1925, it was purchased by Southern Pacific and then converted to standard gauge.

Initially acquired in 1989, and expanded in six subsequent acquisitions though 2005, the Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area consists mainly of parcels that formerly made up the Evans Ranch and Green Gulch Ranch along with parcels acquired from the Bureau of Land Management through a land exchange program. The property was designated as a wildlife area by the Fish and Game Commission in 1991.

Related Documents

Map of Hallelujah Junction WA - click to enlarge in new window
Click to enlarge

Location

North Central Region (Region 2)

Lassen and Sierra counties

approximately 15 miles north of Reno and 11 miles east of Loyalton

Access: From Reno travel north on Highway 395 approximately 15 miles. Enter through a double gate on the west side of the highway about 2 miles north of the California-Nevada state line.

Topographic Map (PDF)

CDFW Lands Viewer