Wildlife and Nature near Auburn Placer County has abundant wildlife; a variety of birds and fish, bears, deer, mountain lions, and much more. There are bird sanctuaries in Auburn and Meadow Vista that are home to raptors and songbirds like the California Spotted Owl and the Dark-Eyed Junco to popular game birds like wild turkey and quail, to migratory visitors like the Western Tanager.

Granite Chief Wilderness Trail Information

The Granite Chief Wilderness is located between 5000 feet in the valleys to 9000 feet on some peaks. This 25,680 acre wilderness is not as crowded as other nearby wilderness areas. Be prepared for changeable weather and bring clothing that will keep you warm and dry.

Season: Deep snow usually makes the Granite Chief inaccessible to hiking until May or early June, though this varies with the snowfall from year to year. North facing slopes can remain patchy with snow until July.

Hikers are not required to have wilderness permits at this time. Campfires are allowed with a current California campfire permit. Some camping restrictions are in effect in the Five Lakes Basin and along portions of Five Lakes Creek to protect fragile resources.

While permits are not required for travel or overnight stay in Granite Chief Wilderness, some other rules and regulations do apply:
Permit: California Campfire Permit for gas stove or wood fire. When wildfire danger is high, you may be restricted from building campfires, using stoves, or smoking. Check the Fire Restriction Status page for more information.

Group size: 12 persons, day and overnight use.

Stock limits: 12 head of stock per group for either day or overnight use. Stock are prohibited within 600 feet of all wilderness lakes except to pass through the Five Lakes basin on the trail.

Restoration Areas
Five Lakes Basin: Camping, fires and stoves are prohibited within 600 feet of any of the lakes in the Five Lakes Basin (NE corner of wilderness, just above Alpine Meadows.
Whiskey Creek Structures: Camping, fires and stoves are prohibited within 250 feet of the Whiskey Creek structures (less than one mile southwest of Five Lakes on the Whiskey Creek trail).
Fawning Season Closures:
During fawning season, deer are extremely sensitive to disturbances. Fawns are in their most vulnerable stages and does are stressed from the birthing process.

From May 15 to July 15 fawning areas in the Granite Chief Wilderness are closed to dogs. During this time, visitors are also discouraged from travelling in these areas.

Dogs are prohibited between May 15 and July 15 in these locations:
Wilderness portion of the French Meadows Game Refuge, except for the area east of the Pacific Crest Trail, and Big Springs trail and the portion of Five Lakes creek that parallels the trail south of the Whiskey Creek structures, basically in the middle of the wilderness.