Behold the Beauty of Butterfly Valley
Leslie Edlund, Plumas National Forest, Mt. Hough Ranger District
February 22nd, 2024
Listen for the “nom nom nom” of the pitcher plants along the Butterfly Valley trail, waiting to nosh on passing insects. (USDA Forest Service photo by Jim Belsher).
If you listen closely enough, “nom, nom, nom” might be the sound you hear from thousands of carnivorous plants noshing on insects in the Butterfly Valley of the Plumas National Forest.
The Butterfly Valley Botanical Area, designated in 1976, is home to four varieties of carnivorous plants the California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor) and common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris). In addition to the carnivorous plants, the botanical area also hosts 12 species of orchids, 24 species in the lily family, 9 species of ferns, and a plethora of poppies, buttercups, wild rose, bear grass, and lady slipper.
These special species have found their ecological niche in the marsh and surrounding meadowland of this valley, just 15 minutes from the town of Quincy, California.
Tatum Lynch drives in pier supports while Lucas Goldfluss secures the extension cord. (USDA Forest Service photo by Lucas Donald)
About 10 years ago, Mt. Hough District Botanist Jim Belsher became concerned about the impacts of humans visiting the area.
“People were driving along a badly placed road and impacting the spring-fed habitat,” Belsher said. “They were also wading through the wetlands for an up-close look at the plants, trampling them in their earnest pursuit of a photo op.”
He took action to close the road and develop a public boardwalk across the meadow. People could then immerse themselves in the botanical experience, while protecting the fragile ecosystem.
Closing a Road, Saving the Plants
The road closure was fairly simple. Set up natural barriers, signs and updated maps. The boardwalk, however, took a bit more creativity to bring to life, especially in a marsh environment.
So Jim teamed up with the district recreation and forest engineering staff to grow his vision.
Together, they obtained two grants for the project — to design a boardwalk that could be supported in a marsh environment and purchase the specialized piers, lumber, and tools needed.
The 2023 Mt. Hough trail crew helped bring the Butterfly Valley boardwalk construction to life in the Plumas National Forest. (USDA Forest Service photo by Leslie Edlund)
The Mt. Hough District trail crew then kicked into action.
They purchased some waders, embraced their inner swamp creature, and dove feet first into the construction.
The total construction took place over three years.
Imagine driving pier supports deep into the ground at an angle, to disperse the weight and support the piers above water. Once piers were in place, the crew attached stringers to the piers. Next came the decking, which was laid on top. A bull rail was installed for safety, and an accessible approach was added to complete the 410-foot span.