AUBURN, CA, JUNE 28, 2019 – Placer Land Trust has purchased and permanently protected the 46-acre Southern Cross Preserve on the North Fork American River north of Foresthill. The purchase was funded by Placer Land Trust members through the 2017 Placer Conservator Auction, the Emigrant Trails Greenway Trust, and a 50% bargain sale from the landowner.
The wooded canyon land Preserve includes several hundred feet of federally-designated Wild & Scenic river frontage, and a section of the public Euchre Bar Trail. The property is nestled within the Tahoe National Forest, connecting federal US Forest Service lands and other nearby Placer Land Trust Preserves to create a larger area of protected wilderness. Placer Land Trust strives to protect land that is adjacent to other protected land to create larger areas of intact wilderness to provide critical habitat, protect water and air quality in the region, and support healthy, diverse populations of plants and wildlife.
“The acquisition of the property is a great addition to the Placer Land Trust portfolio,” says Ron Gould, representative of the North Fork American River Alliance, member of Placer Land Trust, and North Fork American River aficionado. “The Southern Cross Preserve is located in one of the most scenic sections of the North Fork canyon, where the river drops from pool to pool, providing many recreational opportunities. The acquisition of the property not only provides protection for the North Fork American River Wild & Scenic River, but also helps to preserve the rich mining artifacts and history of the property and surrounding area for future generations to enjoy.”
The property was purchased in 1992 by Lanny Malfar and cousin Mark Emalfarb, under the company Southern Cross Natural Resources Inc. Their hope was to re-open the Southern Cross Gold Mine, a historic mine that was operated from the early 1900’s likely through the 1940’s. This never happened, likely due to economic and physical infeasibility. Lanny passed in 2017. His daughter, Julie Roberts, contacted Placer Land Trust to see if we could help protect the property in perpetuity, given the importance of it to her father and the family.
Cousin Mark Emalfarb came into ownership of the property and generously discounted the price by 50% of the market value (a “bargain sale”), which allowed the land trust to purchase it, and will afford Mark a tax deduction on the balance. “The generosity of landowners like this, and their desire to see family land protected, is critical to our success,” says Placer Land Trust Conservation Director Lynnette Batt.
“I have strong memories of visiting this former gold mine with my father and watching him swim in water so clear that I could see all the way to the bottom of the river,” says Julie. “It feels good to know that the Placer Land Trust will be protecting this beautiful property and working to transfer it to become part of the Tahoe National Forest. I’m glad our family can be a part of the history of bringing this land back into public management and to connecting and restoring natural habitat.”
The public Euchre Bar Trail runs through the property and provides excellent views of the river. Recreation activities possible from the Euchre Bar Trail include trout fishing, swimming, and floating the river. The trail will remain fully accessible and open to the public, although the rest of the Preserve remains closed to public access at present. If visiting the Preserve, please stay on the public trail.
Cart tracks are still visible between the mine openings, and the remnants of a 5-acre millsite are located nearby on USFS land. An environmental site assessment at the mine and millsite concluded there was no contamination from heavy metals, or environmental issues of concern. However, safety issues are a concern due to instability and lack of ventilation, and entry to the mine is prohibited.
The Euchre Bar Trail is a public trail that is open to public hiking, including the portion through the Southern Cross property. To hike the Euchre Bar Trail: park at the public “Euchre Bar Alta Trailhead” off Casa Loma Road, I-80 Alta Exit (146). Hike down to the river, cross the river via the footbridge, and head up river as far as you want. Return to the trailhead via the same trail route (out and back). The Euchre Bar trail ends at Humbug Creek, where it hits private land and a private dirt road. Please do not trespass onto the private dirt road.
