Soon, hikers will replace cattle in these Northern California meadows. Photo: California Outdoor Properties
A vast tract of cattle ranching land in the Klamath Mountains of Northern California will soon become a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The nonprofit Wildlands Conservancy is in the process of buying the land, opening it up to the public for hiking and camping.
According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Wildlands Conservancy received an $11.5 million state grant that will allow it to purchase the land for a negotiated price of $15.5 million. (It was originally listed at $16.9 million.) The property, called AP Ranch, sits west of Mount Shasta in Siskiyou County along the East Fork Scott River. The conservancy plans to build trails, restore meadows, and improve the ecosystem for salmon.
The ranch was founded in 1856 and was last bought by a family in 1961 that has operated a cattle ranch since. Seven houses and several barns come with the property.
The purchase is expected to be completed on October 30.
Earlier this year, the California-based Wildlands Conservancy also purchased a 547-acre plot of Sonoma County coastline, opening a new recreation space at Estero Americano Coast Preserve. The group has protected millions of acres of land across the Western United States, including California, Oregon, and Utah.
