PLACERVILLE, Calif. – Work on the Cody Meadow Restoration Project is expected to begin on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and will continue on and off for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. The project will restore approximately 16 acres within the meadow, and remove 2.5 miles of non-system roads and skid trails from around the meadow. Heavy equipment will be in operation which will affect recreation in the project area.
Cody Meadow is a high elevation wet meadow located in the Placerville Ranger District of the Eldorado National Forest, approximately 32 miles east of Placerville and 3.5 miles south of Highway 50. The purpose of the Cody Meadow Restoration is to improve hydrologic function for the meadow, improve habitat for aquatic species, and provide a clean and consistent water supply for a variety of uses that benefit both humans and wildlife.
The 10N01 road used to access the Cody Meadow Trail will not be closed. Visitors should use caution in this area during project operations, and are advised that conditions will be noisy, dusty and hazardous while work is taking place.
Hikers looking for an alternative to the Cody Meadow Trail may consider the Cody Lake Trail or the Caples Creek Trail. Note that the road to the Cody Lake Trail is rough and requires a high clearance vehicle.
Dirt bike and ATV users should refer to the Motorized Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for motorized trails and may consider the Elkins Flat and Gold Note OHV Trail Systems which can be accessed by the North South Road. The Cody Meadow Trail is a non-motorized trail and is the only trail which provides access to Cody Meadow.
The Cody Meadow Restoration Project is being done in partnership with Plumas Corp, a non-profit organization that provides restoration services to promote healthy forests and watersheds. The project also received a State of California OHV grant for the restoration of land affected by non-system roads.
More information on motorized and non-motorized trails in the Eldorado National Forest is available on the forest website here. For assistance with recreation planning in the Placerville Ranger District, contact the District office at 530-644-2324.
