Merced National Wildlife Refuge Abounds with Wintering Waterfowl
Located on over 10,000 acres of wetlands and native grasslands, the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/Refuge/Merced/) welcomes an influx of migratory waterfowl during the winter months. This land was set aside as a refuge in the 1950s, in an effort to entice the migrants away from adjacent farmland, where they were causing extensive crop damage. Today this off-the-beaten-path stop offers a number of wheelchair-accessible trails, as well as an auto loop, where visitors can get an up-close-and-personal look at the winter visitors.
Getting There
Although the Merced National Wildlife Refuge isn’t exactly freeway close, it’s still pretty easy to find. From the north, take Highway 99 south, and exit on Applegate Road. Then follow Applegate Road to Highway 140 East, turn right on Gurr Road, and make another right on Sandy Mush Road. It’s about a 14 mile trek through the country from the highway
If you’re coming from the south, it’s more of a straight shot from the highway. Take highway 99 north, and exit on Plainsburg Road. Turn left on Plainsburg Road (which turns into Sandy Mush Road) and continue 16 miles to the refuge. This route is also bordered by farmland, and it’s not unusual to see cranes, geese and even the occasional egret in the fields along the way.
Hike the Cottonwood Loop
The Cottonwood Loop trail makes a a good first stop at the refuge. The trailhead is located on the right side of on Sandy Mush Road, just past Lonetree Road. Be on the lookout for the brown “Merced National Wildlife Refuge” sign that marks the entrance to the small parking lot.
Although the parking lot is dirt, there’s accessible parking on a cement pad near the trailhead. The Cottonwood Loop skirts the adjacent grazing land, and circles through a cottonwood grove. It’s prime prime raptor habitat so keep your eyes peeled for Red Tailed Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks and Red Shouldered Hawks. It’s also a favorite nesting spot for Great Horned Owls. The 1.1-mile hard packed dirt trail is level, and although you’ll have to dodge a gopher hole or two, that’s pretty easy to do on the wide pathway.
About halfway along there’s an accessible observation platform which looks out over the grassland, where you may spot a Sandhill Crane or two. During the winter it’s also easy to see flocks of Ross’s Geese circling overhead. And if you fancy a secluded spot for lunch, there’s an accessible picnic table on a cement pad right next to the observation platform. From there the trail continues through the cottonwood grove and winds back to the parking lot.
Although the Cottonwood Loop is detached from the main part of the refuge, that’s also part of its beauty. Most folks zip right on by it on their way to the more popular Auto Loop, so it’s not unusual to have the whole trail to yourself. Plan ahead though, as there are no restrooms or other facilities at this stop.
Drive the Auto Loop
The Auto Loop and the main part of Merced National Wildlife Refuge are located about a mile down Sandy Mush Road, on the left side. There’s no visitor center at the refuge, but there is a small information kiosk next to the beginning of the Auto Loop. Accessible vault toilets are also located next to the picnic area which features accessible tables on a covered cement pad. Additionally, there’s ramped access to an observation platform that’s located next to the accessible parking spots.
The five mile driving loop begins just past the picnic area. Along the way birds and waterfowl line both sides of the road. There’s plenty of room to pull over and watch all the activity, and there are even some interpretive panels along the route to help with identification. It’s an excellent way to explore the refuge, especially if you can’t manage a hike. And there’s no shortage of eye popping wildlife views along the way.
Explore the Marsh
Although walking along the Auto Loop is prohibited, the Bittern Marsh Trail is located about halfway along the route. Even if you can’t manage the whole trail, it still makes a nice stop on the Auto Loop.
There’s no accessible parking in the dirt parking area, but it’s possible to parallel park an adapted van in the designated parking areas. Accessible vault toilets are located near the trailhead, and there’s also an accessible observation platform across the street. Even if you can’t manage the trail, be sure to check out observation platform, as it offers an excellent view of the thousands of Ross’s Geese that winter in the marsh.
The hard-packed dirt Bittern Marsh Trail begins across the street. It winds through the wetlands, and offers a peek at the marsh birds, and perhaps the occasional raptor or two. About a quarter-mile down the trail there’s an accessible picnic table on a dirt pad, and since it’s tucked away off the trail it offers plenty of privacy. As you round the loop be on the lookout for the large flocks of geese that take off and circle the marsh. They’re had to miss, as their calls are thunderous as they fly overhead. All in all this one-mile trail offers a nice break along the Auto Loop and gives visitors an even closer look at the avian residents.
