Directions
From Truckee
Sagehen Creek can be found just off Highway 89, north of the town of Truckee. From Truckee go east on Interstate 80 a short distance and take Highway 89 north approximately 8 miles. Turn left at the sign marked Sagehen Creek (Forest Road 11). Follow this relatively well-maintained dirt road approximately 4 miles to the Sagehen Creek campground.
Sagehen Creek
Sagehen Creek possesses outstanding ecological value. It supports a healthy native fishery that is considered highly representative of eastside Sierra streams, including speckled dace, Tahoe and mountain sucker, and Paiute sculpin. In it's lower reaches where it flows into Stampede Reservoir, non-native species such as brown and brook trout can also be found. Browns commonly use Sagehen as a spawning trib in the fall.
The Sagehen watershed emerges out of numerous springs, fens (bogs), and wetlands, which support rare and unique species of plants and several rare caddisfly species. The surrounding forest also supports varied wildlife, including pine marten, Sierra red fox, and goshawk.
Much of the Sagehen basin was logged in the late 1800's. Evidence of the early non-mechanized logging systems are still visible, making the watershed eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Fishing and hiking along Sagehen Creek are popolar today thanks to a healthy brown, brook, and rainbow trout fishery and proximity to the expanding popluation along the Reno/Truckee corridor.
Important note: Fishing is permitted from the Highway 89 bridge upstream to the gauging station at the east boundary of Sagehen Creek Station from the last Saturday in April through November 15th. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used. Catch and release only.
A Forest Service campground provides a convenient base camp for anglers and other visitors. Near the campground, the creek flows through a series of scenic meadows which are studded with a diverse array of wildflowers in the summer.
