Cow Mountain

Cow Mountain RMA https://www.blm.gov/visit/cow-mountain-recreation-management-area This 60,000-acre area offers a variety of recreational opportunities. The northern area is set aside for non-motorized recreation, and the southern area is for off-highway vehicles. A creek and mountain ridge separate the areas, and the trail systems do not interconnect. The terrain is rugged, and elevations range from 800 to 4,000 feet. The area offers beautiful views of Ukiah and Lake County; pockets of old-growth fir; several species of oak; willows; over 31 miles of stream; 13 reservoirs; and habitat for blacktail deer, bear, wild turkey, and other upland species.

2200 2400 180 0 Rd PLAN SMART! • Purchase and use all required safety gear. 180 0 oad 16 00 16 00 d Spri ngs R Oakwo o 18 00 • Respect wildlife and plant species. Cut your throttle during encounters and allow them to pass. The area is their home. • Ride at a safe speed and to the right of the road. All roads and trails are two way, avoid anticipated traffic. • Respect other users by keeping your machine as quiet as possible. Noise is the biggest complaint of private land owners and other users. • Be conscious of the impacts you are making on the land. Have as little impact as possible by avoiding excessive wheel spinning. 1600 180 0 200 0 180 0 180 0 16 00 1800 2800 0 1400 0 0.5 2200 2200 California State Sound Requirement: All OHVs must meet current standards. 1,250 re e k 2,500 12400 2200 2000 2000 1800 5,000 Feet 2 Miles 2400 2600 00 18 1800 • It is ILLEGAL to operate an OHV while under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while in possession of an open container of alcohol. If your OHV was manufactured: Noise Limit Before January 1, 1986 101 dbA On or after January 1,1986 96 dbA If you competition* OHV was manufactured: Noise Limit • ATV riders under 14 must be under the direct supervision of an adult with a Safety Certificate. Before January 1, 1998 101 dbA This does not include all California OHV laws and On or after January 1, 1998 96 dbA *Competition Off-Highway Vehicles are those that are not manufactured to comply with EPA noise or California emission standards. For information on designation of your OHV, refer to your owner’s manual or contact your local dealership. If you would like to have your ATV or motorcycle tested for sound compliance, please call the BLM Ukiah Field Office. Regulations • Your Vehicle MUST be properly licensed or have current OHV registration (green or red sticker). • All OHVs must be equipped with a properly installed USDA Forest Service approves spark arrestor. • State law prohibits passengers on ATVs unless the ATV was specifically designed for two or more people, this includes having seatbelts for all passengers in 4x4s or UTVs. • ATV riders must wear DOT approved helmets at all times. • Yield right of way to pedestrians, horses or bicycles. 2000 ll C 1800 cDowe 200 0 24 00 M 1800 240 0 2800 2000 1600 28 00 26 00 26 00 2400 260 0 • If you pack it in, pack it out. Help maintain the area by keeping it clean. 20 00 2400 2600 Leaving a Good Impression – Tread Lightly! or t 300 0 320 0 300 0 Ri Trail Riding and Safety Tips 1800 20 00 2000 2800 3000 280 0 2800 3200 320 0 3000 1600 1600 800 100 0 1200 2 miles to entrance. This is a low water crossing. 1800 140 0 1600 26 00 24 00 300 0 34 00 34 00 2600 2800 3000 Safe 320 t y Co urs0e r ee k 2600 ke La o- 26 00 30 00 1200 600 miles to Scotts Creek Road, turn right and proceed west 140 0 26 00 2000 2400 1800 1000 Riggs Road. Continue west on Riggs Road for 0.75 1600 Valley Road continue 0.5 miles west then turn left onto • Take all precautions to have a safe and enjoyable trail ride. A good day riding is one with no damages or injuries at the end of the day. 1800 1800 From State Hwy 29 take the 11th street exit onto Scotts 0 160 From Lake County: 1600 Road, proceed on above route. 0 160 approximate 13 miles then take a right onto Mill Creek 1800 to the roundabout, continuing onto Old River Road for • Act responsibly and have respect for other recreation users and natural and cultural resources s Hwy 101 from Hopland by taking Hwy 175 (River Road) • Maintain your vehicle and equipment in a safe and optimal operating condition. ep 1800 Road. South Cow Mountain can also be accessed via • Stay on designated trails. Restoration of damaged areas can lead to trail closures. tt Sco neighboring private land owners while using Mill Creek • Never ride alone! or k the Westside Staging Area. Please be considerate of • Always plan ahead! Get all required maps. Bring overnight emergency supplies for longer rides. 1800 Mill Creek Road approximately 6 miles until you reach • Let others know where you are riding and when you plan to return. 1400 th F River Road take a left onto Mill Creek Road. Continue on 800 Cr eek 2200 2 200 2600 right at the intersection onto Old River Road. From Old 0 100 to L a k 00 16 2600 800 00 10 Rd 20 00 ou S 2200 00 000 22 2 00 12 1600 on Talmage Road east approximately 1.5 miles, turn 2600 10 00 Cr eek 2600 0 80 Take exit 548A (Talmage) from Hwy 101 and continuing 0 240 0 100 Access 00 18 12 00 re C k ree 00 28 600 . Rd Campground 28 00 0 80 South Cow Mountain CA Department of Fish and Wildlife PROTECT YOUR PUBLIC LANDS BY STAYING ON DESIGNATED ROUTES AND TRAILS! e Restrooms 800 Mendocino County: BLM/CA/GI-2016/009+8300+1115 Picnic Area Private California Fish and Game Commission (916) 653-4899 All Photos by Thomas Delgado

Slope, along with seasonal availability of light, water, temperature and nutrients are all ingredients influencing what type of plants grow where. Plants that thrive in similar conditions form “plant communities” on the landscape. Learn about plant communities along the one mile interpretive trail. In that short distance you will see riparian, Douglas-fir forest, and chaparral plant communities. Community Partners Getting There From Willits, drive east on Commercial Street, which becomes Hearst-Willits Road (County Road 306). Continue east on Canyon Road (County Road 308) and the Little Darby parking area will be on your left. Little Darby Environmental Education Area To Legget Outdoor Classroom Little Creek Youth continue to steward Little Darby today through service learning and community science projects. In 2018, large amounts of water from a winter storm plugged up a culvert near the Little Darby Trailhead. This sent water and sediment down the trail and into Little Creek, a tributary to the Eel River. Local school groups use the 1,200 acres of public land as an outdoor classroom providing hands-on field experiences, such as citizen science and environmental monitoring projects that connect the next generation to public land. Little Darby The trail was reconstructed to reduce the risk of more storm debris and soil sediment from entering the Eel River, the third largest watershed in the state. The Eel River provides clean water and breeding habitat for fish including Coho and Chinook salmon. Watershed health is critical not only for their survival, but ours too, as it provides clean drinking water for people and agricultural purposes. For many decades, the Little Darby Environmental Education Area has provided a place for the Bureau of Land Management to partner with local organizations that support youth and their connection to outdoor recreation and wildlife. The Little Darby Trail was originally built in 1978 by the Youth Conservation Corps in Ukiah. ä Plant Communities £ ¤ Hearst Rd 101 Willits Canyon Rd E Commercial St Interpretive signs created by Willits Charter School and Humboldt State University students offer a peek into the unique natural and cultural history of Little Darby. 20 Access Bureau of Land Management To Ukiah ä AGENCY 0 1 Miles 2 Bureau of Land Management Arcata Field Office 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521 Phone: (707) 825-2300 Website: www.blm.gov/office/arcata-field-office email: BLM_CA_Web_AR@blm.gov www.facebook.com/blmcalifornia Map & Trail Guide Douglas-fir Community When walking in the Douglas-fir community, you will see fir trees that are well over 100 years old and a broad canopy that shades the plant community below. The plants, lichens and moss and other shade tolerant plants all like to grow here. Forest Loop Riparian Community Big leaf maple, Acer macrophyllum Photo by Christopher Brown These trees need large amounts of water to survive. Riparian corridors improve water quality, increase groundwater recharge, provide flood protection, enhance wildlife and aquatic habitat, and support the recovery of salmon, steelhead and other endangered species. 19 00 Brushland Loop Know Before You Go 220 is closed to motorized The area 0 vehicles (43 CFR 8365.2-4). 220 parking area is closed to The 0 vehicles from 1 hour after sunset to sunrise (43 CFR 8365.2-3). Fires are allowed in fire rings only (43 CFR 8365.2-3). Overnight camping is not allowed (43 CFR 8365.2-3). Discharge or use of firearms, other weapons, or fireworks is not allowed (43 CFR 8365.2-5). Rd 10 0 Dogs are allowed off-leash but 2 must be under the owner’s control at all times (43 CFR 8365.2). ny on Little Creek is a riparian area, which is a plant community growing next to a river or stream. You will notice trees include big leaf maple and California bay laurel. Manzanita Arctostaphylos luciana, The full sun Photo by Steve Matson exposure and location higher on the mountain creates a drier climate where only plants and animals adapted to those conditions can exist. Look for manzanita, wild lilac, ocean spray and chemise. eek Little Cr 180 0 Ca Chaparral is the most common plant community in California. This community is on the sunny, south-facing slope of the Brushland Loop. 0 200 2000 Chaparral Community Outdoor Classroom 00 18 The shorter loop leads you through the moist riparian and Douglas-fir forest, while the longer loop includes vast mountain views and dry chaparral brushland. The entire trail distance is one mile and is considered moderately difficult. Little Darby Trail Map This map should not be used for navigation or legal purposes. It is intended for general reference use only. The Little Darby Interpretive Trail has two loops that lead you through an educational journey of fire and its benefits, traditional food sources, wildlife habitat and learning how to trek lightly. Douglas fir seeds provide food for small mammals, including chipm

Bag limits, seasons of use, and size restriction of fish can be found on the same web site. Fisherman and Fire Wildfire can be both beneficial and devastating. It can wipe out homes and businesses as well as rejuvenate forested lands and riparian areas. It is always best to leave fire to the professionals and always make sure your campfires and burning items are completely out before you leave. Please remember to be very careful with fire. fishing accidents. Always be sure of your footing when walking or wading (and it is generally better for you and the aquatic species to stay out of the streams and rivers while fishing). Large and small wildlife (snakes and mosquitos) can Nutria be an annoyance when fishing. Be aware of your surroundings and watch where you step. Wear mosquito and bug repellant with deet to keep them from eating you alive. As always, be careful when driving to and from your secret fishing hole. When boating, always have a Quagga Mussels life vest handy (and kids under 15 must always wear a vest while in a boat per California State Law). Mother Lode Field Office (916) 941-3101 5152 Hillsdale Circle El Dorado Hills, CA 95762-5713 (El Dorado Co.) freshwater/license-information. fishermen and women are injured or lose their lives in Applegate Field Office (530) 233-4666 708 W. 12th Street Alturas, CA 96101-3130 (Modoc Co.) at http://www.eregulations.com/california/fishing/ opportunity, it can be dangerous as well. Every year, Surprise Field Station (530) 279-6101 602 Cressler St. phy./ P.O. Box 460 mlg. Cedarville, CA 96104-0460 (Modoc Co.) California. A listing of those requirements may be found Eurasian Milfoil Palm Springs Field Office (760) 833-7100 1201 Bird Center Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262-8001 (Riverside Co.) Freshwater Fishing license issued by the State of Hyacinth Needles Field Office (760) 326-7000 1303 So. Hwy. 95 Needles, CA 92363-4217 (San Bernardino Co.) Even though fishing is a tremendous recreational license, you are required to possess a California Arcata Field Office (707) 825-2300 1695 Heindon Road Arcata, CA 95521-4573 (Humboldt Co.) While you are not required to have a “BLM” fishing Aquatic Invasive Species include Bakersfield Field Office (661) 391-6000 3801 Pegasus Drive Bakersfield, CA 933086837 (Kern Co.) Safety Barstow Field Office (760) 252-6000 2601 Barstow Road Barstow, CA 92311-6653 (San Bernardino Co.) License Requirement water to another. Redding Field Office (530) 224-2100 6640 Lockheed Drive Redding, CA 96002 (Shasta Co.) Never release plants, animals, or fish into water bodies. Never move fish or plants or bait from one Bishop Field Office (760) 872-5000 351 Pacu Lane, Suite 100 Bishop, CA 93514-3101 (Inyo Co.) Dry – Completely dry equipment and gear between visits to fresh water systems. Ridgecrest Field Office (760) 384-5400 300 So. Richmond Road Ridgecrest, CA 93555-4436 (Kern Co.) Drain – Empty coolers, bilge pumps, and buckets of all water before leaving a water body. Central Coast Office (831) 582-2200 940 2nd Avenue Marina, CA 93933-6009 (San Benito Co.) Clean – Rinse and remove all mud and plant materials from boats, fishing equipment, and clothing. Ukiah Field Office (707) 468-4000 2550 N. State Street Ukiah, CA 95482-5194 (Mendocino Co.) serious and irreversible harm to aquatic habitats in California if allowed to spread unchecked. Eagle Lake Field Office (530) 257-0456 2550 Riverside Drive Susanville, CA 96130-4710 (Lassen Co.) Take measures to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals. They can cause El Centro Field Office (760) 337-4400 1661 So. 4th Street El Centro, CA 92243-4561 (Imperial Co.) Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species f you have any questions, feel free to contact ny of the following BLM offices in California: uestions? Catch and Release A large percent of California freshwater anglers are catch and release fishermen — meaning they are very careful with the fish after they catch them and they release them back to the water as quickly as possible. It is always a good thing to keep your fish in a “fish friendly” net in the water until you are ready to release it. Barbless hooks Leave No Trace How to photograph your catch Take only pictures and leave artifacts where you find them. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 makes removal of cultural resources punishable by fines and jail time. When it’s a catch and release fish species or regulation, that creates a challenge for getting a photo of your prize catch. Remember if you’re in a catch and release scenario keep the fish in the water at all times and take the photo of you also harm fish less that barbed ones. The use of live bait holding the fish in the water. is also a detriment to catch and release fishing. Please If it’s a not catch and release and it’s a keeper then you remember, the fish you catch and release today may be can have it out of the water. the fish yo