Bordered by Bucks Lake on the south, this relatively small area boasts a broad diversity of vegetation (brush fields, conifers, oaks, pure stands of red fir) and topography (bare rocky slopes, cliffs, quaking bogs, small alpine meadows) with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet in the Feather River Canyon to 7,017 feet atop Spanish Peak. The higher elevations are separated from the lower by a long escarpment along which the Pacific Crest Trail runs for approximately 13 miles, granting the occasional spectacular view to the east and north. Throughout the area, you'll stumble upon small lakes and ponds, primarily near the base of the escarpment.
Leave No Trace
How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Bucks Lake Wilderness.
Digital and paper maps are critical tools for wilderness visitors. Online maps can help you plan and prepare for your visit ahead of time. You can also carry digital maps with you on your GPS unit or other handheld GPS device. Having a paper map with you in the backcountry, as well as solid orienteering skills, however, ensures that you can still route-find in the event that your electronic device fails.
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited in all wilderness areas.
This includes the use of motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters.
Citizens who volunteer their time to steward our wilderness areas are an essential part of wilderness management. Contact the following groups to inquire about volunteer opportunities.