A majestic meadow off the beaten path

Robbers Creek flows through the Mountain Meadows Gateway with ancient willows and tall grasses creating an oasis for birds. From raptors perched in the Ponderosa Pines, to rare sightings of the endangered Willow Flycatcher, this special Preserve is a place for observation, quiet enjoyment, and integration with the natural world. As FRLT’s newest preserve, improved parking, trails, and interpretive signs are still a work in progress. This natural open space preserve is best for sturdy boots and walkers who don’t mind uneven terrain. 

The 9-acre Mountain Meadows Gateway property was protected to improve public access to Mountain Meadows Reservoir and provide an outdoor classroom for Westwood schools.

Directions

The Gateway Preserve is in the town of Westwood, Lassen County on Delwood Street. Drive or walk down Delwood Street (headed South) and cross the railroad tracks. Follow it approximately ¼ mile south and look for a new, shiny gate on your right with a big willow stand and open field. If the gate is locked, park in front of the gate and walk onto the property.

Open in Google

Map

Download a map of the preserve to use while visiting the property.

Birding

The Gateway Preserve is a haven for a wide variety of wildlife including Western Bluebirds, Marsh Wrens, Red-winged Blackbirds, Willow Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Peregrine Falcons, Greater Sandhill Cranes, Bald Eagles, Tree Swallows, Osprey, and numerous other species. Bring your Plumas Audubon Society bird list and binoculars for a memorable experience. Birding is best late May through October.

Picnicking

Enjoy a meal overlooking the meadow and reservoir with prominent Keddie Ridge in the background. The Preserve is off-the-beaten-path so you will likely have the place to yourself!

Cross Country Skiing

When the town of Westwood has a lot of snow, Mountain Meadows is a great place to cross country ski and snowshoe. Make sure you are familiar with the area, go with a buddy, bring extra supplies, and have a communication device. It’s a beautifully remote winter wonderland.

Outdoor Learning

Good for kids! The Mountain Meadows Gateway is a Learning Landscapes site for Westwood Schools. During the school year teachers and students walk to the property for science inquiry, hands-on learning, and physical activity.

Kayaking/Canoeing

Mountain Meadows Reservoir is an excellent place for kayaking and canoeing, especially May through October. In the winter months the lake freezes over. The Gateway Preserve does NOT have boating access but just a short drive away is a put-in at Indian Ole Dam.

The property is just downstream of the historical site of the Red River Mill, once the largest lumber mill in the world. As you explore this natural open space preserve look for signs of its industrial past and how humans have manipulated the landscape.

When you enter the Preserve, Keddie Ridge is the prominent mountain view to the west. It is named after Arthur W. Keddie, a famous land surveyor who helped to develop the first detailed maps of the Feather River region for the United States Geological Survey.

Mountain Meadows is an integral part of the creation story of the Mountain Maidu people. The Maidu have continuously practiced their unique cultural traditions in the region including land management for ecological health and life-giving resources for thousands of years.