Cache Creek Management Area
Site 36 in the California Wildlife Viewing Guide.

Description

This secluded, hilly expanse of oak woodlands, grasslands, and chaparal is cut by Cache Creek, with its year-round water flow. Elevation ranges from 3200 feet atop Brushy Sky High, down to 600 feet in the eastern end of Cache Creek along State Route 16. Showcasing the area is about 35 miles of the main fork of Cache Creek and 2.5 miles of the north fork. Also present are several side drainages that contain permanent water.
      Along the creek, wetland grasses, rushes and sedges under a canopy of cottonwoods, willows, oaks and alders provide excellent wildlife habitat. About half the Cache Creek area is shrubland, with vegetation including mixed chaparral, serpentine chaparral and chemise chaparral. The remainder of the area is about equally divided between native oaks and grassland. Numerous bird species have been spotted here.
      The Cache Creek management area is a primitive area, closed to motorized vehicles. There are no developed campgrounds or facilities.
      Instead, the area is managed to improve habitat for wildlife and rare plants; to protect Native American values; and to offer primitive recreation values, including wildlife viewing and also river running, hiking, equestrian use, hunting and fishing.
      Cache Creek offers visitors spectacular views of the endangered bald eagle, free-roaming tule elk herds, wild turkey, black bear, blacktail deer and other upland species. The area also holds pockets of the rare adobe lily, and archaeological resources dating back 5,000 years. The Hill Patwin Indians used the area as a refuge after their first contact with Euro-Americans.

Animals you may see here

• The endangered bald eagle is one of the more spectacular winter visitors to the Cache Creek area, as they feed, soar and roost here from mid-October to mid-April. The waters of Cache Creek support catfish and carp, the primary food source for wintering bald eagles.
• Also of special note: one of the few free-roaming tule elk herds in California wanders over the area's grasslands and chaparral. In summer, they seek out the creek's reliable water and shade.
• Birds: A bird checklist can help you spot and record the birds you see. At least 154 species of birds have been spotted in the Cache Creek area. Certain birds are present only in summer, others winter in the area, some just migrate through or occur irregularly. Great blue herons and belted kingfishers may be in vegetation along the creek. Wild turkeys usually live in woodlands within a mile of water. Other birds include waterfowl, quail, dove and many spring songbirds.
• You may see mountain lion, black bear, coyote, gray fox, bobcat, badger, raccoon, beaver or river otter during your visit.

Viewing tips for this area

• Redbud Trail offers an excellent opportunity to view bald eagles along Cache Creek. The trail extends seven miles to Wilson Valley and its broad grassy benchlands (level or gently sloping areas with steep downslopes along Cache Creek). These are important range for the tule elk herd that lives in the area.
• The Wilson Valley portion of Cache Creek (including Redbud trail) is closed from April 1 to June 30 for tule elk calving.
• Blue Ridge Trail climbs 2,000 feet in three miles, for spectacular views of the Central Valley to the High Sierra.
• Guided bald eagle tours are popular mid-January to mid-February. Call the BLM's Ukiah Field Office for schedule information. (Also call for schedules of April wildflower tours.)
• Tule elk and blacktail deer may be seen October through April. Watch for tule elk on hillsides, near cover. You may see elk in the Wilson Valley portion of Cache Creek; or one mile west of the entrance, near the gravel pit on Highway 20; or near the junction of Highways 20 and 16.
• Look for river otters under the Highway 20 bridge, near the gravel pit one mile west of the western entrance to Cache Creek.
• Have patience: it may take a little time to spot certain wildlife.
• This is a primitive area: exercise extra safety precautions and bring a personal supply of drinking water. No potable water is available on-site. No first aid is available on-site. The nearest hospital is located in Lakeport.
• Restroom facilities are available at the Highway 20 and Highway 16 access points.

How to get here

- Redbud Trail: From Interstate 5 at Colusa, take Highway 20 west about 29 miles to the North Fork Cache Creek/Redbud Trailhead. The trailhead provides parking, maps and information for hiking and equestrian access. (Or: From Clearlake Oaks, travel east on State Highway 20 for 8 miles to the trailhead.)
- Blue Ridge Trail: From Interstate 5 at Colusa, take State Highway 20 west for about 19 miles to its junction with State Highway 16. Travel south on Highway 16 for 10 miles. Turn right on County Road 40. Proceed 1/4 mile, and cross Cache Creek on a low-water bridge. Turn onto the access road that parallels the creek, and proceed downstream to the parking area. Note: if the road is closed by winter weather, park at the Yolo County Recreation Site and walk in. (Or: from Clearlake Oaks, go east on State Highway 20 to Highway 16 intersection, then follow directions above.)
- Davis Street access: From Highway 53, Davis Street leads east to the edge of the Cache Creek management area. From there, visitors can hike along existing firebreaks to scenic Perkins Creek Ridge.
- For more trails in the Cache Creek area, and other information, please see the Cache Creek page maintained by our Ukiah Field Office.

For more information, contact: BLM's Ukiah Field Office.

Site 36 in the California Wildlife Viewing Guide.

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