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Sand Pond - Site # 188
The craggy Sierra Buttes form a backdrop for this serene pond. An interpretive trail follows fern-lined paths and crosses creek channels and marshes created by beaver dams.
	Seasonal - these sites have high wildlife values during certain seasons, though they may have recreational value year-round.
Background:	While the nocturnal beavers usually elude daytime visitors, the dams, gnawed trees, runways, and stream bank burrows reveal their presence. Wooden boardwalks lead across stretches of shallow, clear water, offering views of trout and summer mallard broods. The forest hides hairy woodpeckers and many songbirds.
The Habitat:	Sand Pond was created from a depression caused by mining tailings dumped at the site from the nearby Young America Mine. When those tailings were later relocated, the resulting low spot filled with water from nearby Sardine Lake resulting in the beautiful pond known as Sand Pond. With a sandy bottom and water much warmer than the nearby lakes, this pond, with depths of up to 18 feet, is a favorite of generations of forest visitors and locals alike.
The Experience:	Site offers a close-up look at beaver activity and its positive impact on ecological processes.
Wildlife and Where to Find It:	Observe beavers at night, spring through fall. Songbird viewing is fair, spring and summer. Heavy winter snow.
Viewing Tips:	This trail near Sardine Lake Campground is barrier-free and provides viewing opportunities of a wetland that has been enlarged by a family of beavers. The path also allows visitors to view trout and summer mallard broods close up.
Site Notes:	Sand Pond is an easy walk from both Sardine Lake National Forest Campground and Sardine Lake Resort. There is also an interpretive nature hike from Sand Pond. Sand Pond Interpretive Trail features wheel chair accessible wooden boardwalks that follow fern-lined paths and cross stretches of shallow, clear water.
Nearby Viewing Sites:	Lake Davis Recreation Area Antelope Lake/Indian Creek
Festivals & Events:	Grebe Festival at Lake Almanor
Visitor Information:	Sierra County Chamber of Commerce - 800-200-4949 - http://sierracountychamber.com
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site:	No
Open:	Everday
Hours:
Year Round:	No
Seasonal:	Accessible from late spring to mid-fall. With an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet, the area is closed by winter snows.
Road Information:	Paved.
	Road Hazards:
	Number of Parking Spaces: 1
	Parking Fee: No
	Proximity to viewing area:
	Pull-Through Parking: No
	Parking Danger: Parking available. Gentle, sandy unpaved slope into the pond.
Special Tips:	Sand Pond has a number of picnic tables, barbeque grates, and seating benches available for day use. Restrooms, picnic area and interpretative trail. Swimming allowed at Sand Pond.
How to Get There:	From Highway 49 in Sierra City, drive east 5 miles on Highway 49 to Gold Lake Highway at Bassett's Station and turn left. Go 1 mile, take Sardine Lake turnoff. Continue about 0.5 mile to Sand Pond
Contact Information
Managing Agency:	USDA Forest Service Tahoe National Forest
Agency Site URL:	http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tahoe/recreation/picnickinginfo/recarea/?recid=55728&actid=70
Physical Address:	631 Coyote Street Nevada City, CA 95959	Agency 2:	317 South Lincoln Street Sierraville, CA 96126
Manager Phone:
Site Phone:	(530) 994-3401
County:	Sierra
Addition Website: