Alpine County Birding Sites

updated 1/6/04

Birding Spots in Alpine County

Alpine County is a small mountain county ranging in elevation from around 5000 feet to over 9000 feet above sea level. It is not a heavily birded county and the check list could probably be increased by more birding. But much of the county is only accessible by hiking and many of the roads are closed in the winter. But there are some outstanding birding spots and the Pacific Crest Trail which traverses the center of the county offers the opportunity to discover more birding areas. The crest of the Sierras divides Alpine County into the West Slope and the East slope offering birders different habitat. Following are some of the birding spots that are most easily accessible in Alpine County.

West Slope

Starting at Ebbetts Pass on Highway 4 and moving west. Use The CSAA Bay and Mountain Map and the Stanislaus National Forest map which is available at the Ranger Station in Hathaway pines and other Forest Service Facilities.

At Ebbetts Pass - across from Kenney Res. there is the Pacific Crest Trailhead Parking Area. (8730') This is off the road so you must watch the signs. Park here and take the PCT south (to Noble Lake). The first mile of this trail is the best birding area as it is a mix of forest, meadow, tree line, and mountain streams. It is not accessible until late June or early July - depending on snow levels and closes at the first snow. The meadows are filled with wildflowers of many species - a veritable spring in August at 8500 feet. August and September are very good birding times up here. Birds likely are Rufous Hummingbird, Hairy Woodpecker & Williamson's Sapsucker, Flycatchers, Clark's Nutcracker(lots), Mt.Chickadee, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Mt. Bluebird, Warblers, Sparrows, and Cassin's Finches. After the last large meadow the trail goes steeply down to Noble Creek and then up to Noble Lake. This is a good point to turn back unless you are interested is hiking.

Highland Lakes (8500'). This is similar birding to the Pacific Crest Trail but the walking is easier and the flowers are even more spectacular. But it requires driving 5 miles down a dirt logging road which will take you 30-60 minutes. High Clearance is helpful but not usually necessary. The turn off of Highway 4 is about one half mile west of the PCT Trailhead parking. Drive to the end of the road and turn left (away from the lake) and park at the trailhead. You will be hiking in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness area taking the trail to Asa Lake. Again the first mile or so is the best birding spot and the wildflowers in August and September will absolutely amaze you. You will see large numbers of Rufous Hummingbirds and Cassin's Finches and usually Mt. Bluebirds. The Finches and Bluebirds that nest here are often feeding young. Other birds are Woodpeckers including Hairy, Black-backed, (a Lewis' once in 1995) & Williamson's Sapsucker, Flycatchers, Clark's Nutcracker, Mt.Chickadee, Nuthatches, Kinglets, Warblers, Sparrows, Green-tailed Towhee and Dark-eyed Juncos. As far as the best birding you can turn back when you get to the intersection of the trail with the Pacific Crest Trail. This walk takes about an hour or two if you stop to look a lot.

Highway 4 between Highland Lakes turn off and Lake Alpine. As you drive from Highland Lakes to Lake Alpine there are several spots to pull off the road and look or walk near streams. Hermit Valley is a good place to park and look around for Warblers, Dipper, Crossbills. Mosquito Lakes is worth a short stop if it isn't too crowded. Also Stanislaus Meadow is worth a stop for various mountain birds. All of these places are marked on the highway and on the Stanislaus Forest map. At Lake Alpine the best place to stop is the east end at Chickaree Picnic Area (rest rooms are here also). Western Tanagers and the usual mountain birds are here. Give the lake a good scope from here and from the boat launch in the middle of the lake. Common Mergansers are often here and in September 1997 both Pied-billed Grebes and Horned Grebes were found.

All of the above birding can only be done from late May to the first snow. Highway 4 is closed at the west end of Lake Alpine when the snow starts.

Mt.Reba Ski Area Parking Lot. This has proved to be an excellent birding spot from the end of the ski season in May until the start in November or so. The turn off Highway 4 is just a short distance west of the west end of Lake Alpine. Drive to the end of the road and try various spots around the lot. Mt. Quail, Woodpeckers, Mt.Chickadee, Mt. Bluebird, Lazuli Bunting, Green-tailed Towhee, Chipping, Lincoln's, White-crowned sparrow have been seen here.

Bear Valley To Lake Alpine bike/horse/hiking trail. This trail starts just a few hundred yards east past the turn into Bear Valley. You can park on the road that is the second right turn past the Bear Valley entrance. You can also go a little further up where the highway first hits the creek. There is a small pull out there for parking. The trail parallels the highway, crosses the creek and continues up the hill. Walking a little way along the creek could be productive. I have stopped at the place where there is a gate with something that looks like a wooden cattle guard. I have seen Black-backed Woodpeckers here. Back where the trail crosses the creek if you turn right and walk along the bottom edge of Osborne Ridge you will find a trail that has some interesting bird habitat. This trail lead you to the fence where the sewage ponds are and the water is aerated. If you walk to the fence and turn right you will eventually come to the road where your car is parked. The sewage ponds are tempting and I have visited them in the past but with this new fence I see no way to approach them without climbing the fence. I have not yet found who to ask for permission so if you find someone to ask please let me know. Past birds here have been Killdeer, Spotted Sandpiper (nesting) Vaux's Swift, Rufous Hummingbird, & Williamson's Sapsucker, Flycatchers, Black Phoebe, Swallows, Mt. Chickadee, Nuthatches, Warblers, Lesser Goldfinch.

These are the best birding areas along Highway 4 on the West slope. Additional West slope birding is along Highway 88 where Alpine County just starts after Kirkwood to the crest. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses around Carson Pass. Along Highway 88 you could take the trail to Caples Lake (which is near Kirkwood). Further along at the summit of Carson Pass there's a parking area and a small information center. A trail leads to Frog Lake. Walking just half a mile along here has proven to be productive. For a more ambitious hike you could continue along this trail on to Winnemucca Lake .

East Slope of Alpine County From Ebbetts Pass east along Highway 4 there are not too many places to bird but stopping along the road at a few places where there is room to park may yield some excitement. Then a drive along 89 from Monitor Pass to Markleeville (5500') may offer some possibilities. Most of this road is closed in winter. Grover Hot Springs State Park (5600') near Markleeville offers a place to camp and bird. Some birds seen here include Mt. Quail, Common Nighthawk, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Hairy Woodpecker, White-headed Woodpecker, Western Wood-Pewee, Hammond's Flycatcher, Barn Swallow, Mt. Chickadee, Nuthatches, House Wren, American Dipper,Vireos, Warblers, Red Crossbill.

The area around Woodfords (5630') offers some interesting birding habitat. This is the center of the Woodfords CBC. Diamond Valley, Indian Creek Res, and Airport Road all have proven interesting bird habitat. In addition to some of the same birds as Grover Hot Springs there are also ducks, Bald Eagles, and hawks in this area. Watch for both Plumbeous and Cassin's Vireos as both have been seen in the Eastern part of Alpine Co. Finally the area from Carson Pass to Woodfords along Highway 88 offers more mountain birding. Blue Lakes Road off of 88 (near Sorensens) is a possibility.

written by Penelope Bowen about 2002