Quick Facts
- 51 acres on the North Fork American River at the bottom of the Green Valley Trail in Alta
- Prime habitat for foothill wildlife species
- 40 acres protected in 2016 by donation by the family and heirs of Matt & Betty Bailey; expanded by an additional 11 acres in December 2021
Protecting Canyon Lands
Placer Land Trust’s acquisition and protection of the Bailey North Fork Preserve, along with other PLT preserves, ensures that a significant stretch of the North Fork American River canyon land will be permanently protected and remain natural. The property is situated below Moody Ridge in the small relatively flat area of the North Fork American River called Green Valley. The preserve sits on bluff overlooking the river, and the view from atop the steep cliff is spectacular up and down the river corridor. The preserve borders a stretch of the North Fork American River designated as Wild and Scenic and provides prime habitat for many foothill species. The preserve is surrounded by federally owned land. Placer Land Trust’s stewardship of the property will ensure that no development occurs in this part of the canyon, keeping the river wild and scenic, forever.
The preserve is named in recognition of the Bailey family’s multi-generational work to protect the American River. Matt and Betty Bailey were leaders of a decades-long effort in the 1960s and ‘70s to protect the North Fork American River, culminating in 1978 when a 38-mile stretch of the river was awarded with the National Wild & Scenic River designation.
Recreation
Both the 40-acre and 11-acre portions of Bailey North Fork Preserve are connected by public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and can be visited by the public. The preserve is situated near the end of the Green Valley Trail, a trail made public by the Towle family of Alta as part of the broad ongoing effort to protect land and river access in the Giant Gap area of the North Fork American River. Views of Lover’s Leap and the river gorge make the trail to the preserve a popular one. The 11-acre addition to the preserve includes a beautiful swimming hole that can be reached from the trail.
Water Quality
The American River provides substantial domestic water for Placer County and the surrounding region, and Placer Land Trust has an interest in keeping that water clean and free from runoff, erosion, sedimentation, and pollution. The Trust accomplishes this by working with willing landowners and conservation partners to prevent development, and other harmful land uses in the canyon, to minimize pollution in the local waterways.
Wildlife & Scenery
The Bailey North Fork Preserve sits on a bluff above the American River in Green Valley. The topography surrounding the property is varied with steep canyon land consisting of mixed conifer and hardwood forest and a meadow located on the property. Due in part to its seclusion from human activity, this area is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife – from large mammals (bear, deer, coyote) to reptiles, amphibians, birds and insects. The Preserve borders a section of the North Fork American River that has the Wild and Scenic designation.
Visit the Preserve
Bailey North Fork Preserve contains part of the Green Valley Trail. Find more information and directions to the Green Valley Trail at the Visit Placer website.
