Land and Infrastructure at Polcum Springs

Polcum Springs is 203 acres of rural, mountainous terrain in inland Northern Mendocino County. Located 25 minutes northwest of Laytonville, Polcum Springs is a ridge-to-valley watershed varying in elevation from 1,800 ft. to 2,700 feet. The four seasonal creeks on the property are tributaries to year-round Grubb Creek, which soon converges with Ten Mile Creek, and soon again with the South Fork of the Eel River. Four year-round springs provide water to the site.

Polcum Springs is a southwest facing hillside comprised of steep, open grasslands mixed with thick forest consisting of at least 17 major tree species including California Bay Laurel, Madrone, Douglas Fir, and six species of Oak. The primary ridge runs approximately north/south and comprises the Eastern property boundary. From the ridge line, 2 pronounced secondary ridges reach out to the west, forming the complex topography and watershed that is characteristic of the region.

Due to its isolated setting, extreme topography, and overall lack of hunting in the past 50 years, Polcum Springs and the surrounding Star Light Ranch are a haven for animals. Black Bear, Mountain Lion, Bobcat, Fox, Coyote, Turkey, Deer, Ring-tailed Cat, Skunk, and Western Fence Lizard are a few of the terrestrial animals that call this land home. Steelhead, Coho Salmon, Giant Pacific Salamander, California Newt, and Pacific Treefrog thrive in the creeks, ponds and springs. Pileated Woodpecker, Golden Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk, Raven, Ruffied Grouse, Blue Heron, Goldfinch, and Quail grace the skies.

At its peak altitude of 2,697 feet, the landscape offers sweeping vistas of Brush Mountain to the West, Iron Peak to the East, Bell Springs to the North, and Cahto Peak to the South. At its more hospitable elevations of 2,000 – 2,200 feet, current and future building sites are nestled into moderate hillsides, and are more protected from strong winds and storms that approach from the south-west.

Rainfall for the region historically averages 60 – 90 inches per year; the wet season is October through May. The remainder of the year is dry and hot, with summertime temperatures reaching over 100 degrees, but with averages in the 90’s. Average daily wintertime temperatures hang in the 40’s, with a recorded low at Polcum Springs of 21 degrees. The property is above the fog line, producing more solar days, fewer frost days, higher winter temperatures, and lower summer temperatures than Long Valley. The temperature can differ more than 20 degrees from Polcum Springs to Long Valley.

The village at Polcum Springs is under construction. Built by community members and friends, with reclaimed and green building materials, our 2,000 sq. ft. common house is nearly completed. Local Ponderosa Pine ceilings, Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors and large picture windows create a comfortable place to enjoy the rustic, serene setting and dramatic views.

Our permaculture- and pattern language-inspired site plan, developed during a design workshop in July 2005 with Bob Theis (www.bobtheis.net), consists of a compact village center including the common house, a central kitchen and bathhouse, gardens, rainwater storage, pole barn, and dining terrace. Cabin sites are clustered in small groups – some near the village center, and some nestled deeper in the wild. The large meadow above the village center is fed by two year-round springs and is ideally suited for an orchard, large-scale food crops, and animal husbandry.

Before any community or personal project is started on the property, a written proposal is submitted to the Membership for approval. As we undertake to implement our site plan, engineer systems, and design and build structures, we desire to leave the vast majority of the land in its wild and natural state. In addition, our intentions are to:

Allow the carrying capacity of the land to dictate the extent and nature of its use;
Blend and harmonize with our surroundings;
Focus on minimizing construction and maintenance of our infrastructure;
Choose designs, building techniques and materials that promise longevity and sustainability;
Minimize roadways and disturbance of the land;
Promote pedestrian-scale design and minimize the visual impact of vehicles; and
Focus on clustered development at the Village Center in order to minimize our impact on the land and to efficiently utilize infrastructure and resources

For community projects, our hope is to perform as much of the work as possible ourselves and with friends, using experts judiciously and paying for labor when necessary to move along at a reasonable rate.