This month’s acquisition of 1,370 acres north of Interstate 80 near Donner Summit should boost recreation opportunities in the Tahoe National Forest.

The high elevation lands near Castle Peak, White Rock Lake and Lola Montez Lakes were noted for their recreational and wildlife habitat values.

Lola Montez Lakes

“We are quite excited about this purchase. The property will provide opportunities for more sustainable trails, increased access to beautiful lakes, and consolidation of National Forest lands,” Joanne Roubique, Truckee District ranger, said in a statement. “We are grateful to the Trust for Public Land and the Northern Sierra Partnership for facilitating this sale from Sierra Pacific Industries.”

The purchase price of approximately $1.3 million came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, allocated by Congress primarily from fees paid by companies drilling for off shore oil.

The acquisition provides an opportunity to reroute a popular mountain biking trail into a more manageable loop trail.

“This land helps complete the Hole in the Ground mountain bike trail, one of the nation’s best mountain biking trails and one which is enjoyed by large numbers of riders in the summer,” said Carl Somers, project manager for the Trust for Public Land, said in a press release. “This is an excellent example of our mission of protecting land for people.”