Western Rivers Conservancy stands at the cusp of permanently protecting a special stretch of the East Fork Carson River by conveying the 1,688-acre Park Ranch to Alpine County. We purchased the property in two phases beginning in 2025 and intend to transfer it to the county in the coming weeks. The project represents an extraordinary opportunity to deliver habitat conservation for fish and wildlife, recreational access for people and wildfire protection for the community of Markleeville.
The East Fork is the largest of the Carson River’s tributaries and one of the few major undammed rivers in the Eastern Sierra. It’s a scenic gem that draws recreationists from all over, with trophy trout waters, a state-designated wild and scenic segment, hot springs and exciting whitewater. Our efforts will conserve 1.6 miles of the East Fork Carson and three combined miles of its tributaries Markleeville Creek, Pleasant Valley Creek and Hot Springs Creek. The river and creeks together are home to federally threatened Lahontan cutthroat trout, as well as other native fish like Paiute sculpin, mountain whitefish, mountain sucker, Tahoe sucker, Lahontan redside shiner and speckled dace.
Park Ranch provides vital habitat for a variety of wildlife. Its intact stands of cottonwood and willow, mixed conifer forests, sagebrush-steppe and expansive mountain meadows make up a key link in a migratory corridor that mule deer, black bear, western monarch and numerous other species rely on for survival and seasonal movement. During our ownership, WRC has removed extensive fencing that blocked wildlife movement, making it easier for migrating animals to move freely across the landscape. Conserving Park Ranch will also expand access for fishing, hunting and birding, while connecting the property to Markleeville Campground and hiking trails that begin at Hangman’s Bridge, just upstream of the ranch. The portion of the East Fork Carson that runs through Park Ranch is also cherished among anglers and whitewater enthusiasts who seek out its feisty trout and lively Class II-III rapids.
One of the key benefits for the nearby community of Markleeville is the property’s potential to serve as a bulwark against catastrophic wildfires. Once in county ownership, the ranch will continue to be managed for conservation and recreation, with compatible grazing playing a role in both improved habitat and wildfire fuels reduction. Park Ranch will remain a haven for fish and wildlife, while exemplifying the open space and ranching legacy that make this corner of eastern California so special.
