Natural and Geologic Wonders of the Eastern Sierra, California

The Trip

Our trip will center in the Bridgeport Valley of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. From our campsites near Twin Lakes we will explore this unusually rich ecosystem with daily hikes, informative speakers, and environmental perspectives. The hikes will vary from easy strolls through large meadows to moderate climbs up to the alpine lakes.

The Eastern Sierra is a vast region where desert and mountain environments meet to create an area of unparalleled beauty. This area is the transition zone from the mountain-scapes of the Sierra to the rugged beauty of the Great Basin, with lush meadows, high alpine lakes, jagged peaks, expansive vistas, and desert scenery. This diversity once prompted John Muir to call it “a country of wonderful contrasts.”

Volcanic forces followed by glaciation were the prime forces shaping the region. Mother Nature has since used its magic to carve out the scenic beauty we see today. One salient feature is Mono Lake, formed only 760,000 years ago, but part of a 5-million-year history of tectonics and volcanism. Today, it is one of California’s richest natural areas, with 14 different ecological zones, a thousand plant species, and some 400 mammals, reptiles, and birds. Most notably, it is the critical nesting habitat for two million migratory birds. We’ll sample that awesome history and the more recent human influences.

For centuries the Washoe and Paiute tribes wandered the valleys and slopes of the Sierra Nevada range, but it was not until 1826 that this area saw its first white man, legendary mountain man Jedediah Smith. In 1859 the eastern slope saw its first gold rush that led to large-scale mining and now-deserted boomtowns. By the early 1900s, recreation and tourism took hold and the region is now known for its beautiful and rugged scenery, along with opportunities for outdoor activities throughout the year.

From our campsite near Bridgeport, CA, we will explore the eastern Sierra on four different and varied day hikes, particularly the amazing and unique ecology of Mono Lake. Participants will use their personal/rental cars to carpool to the trailheads. The cost of gas will be shared by participants and is not included in the trip price.

Day 1: Meet at our spacious, stream-side campground near Twin Lakes, CA. At an elevation of 7,000 feet, massive Jeffrey pines tower over the site, offering good shade. We'll set up tents, and have introductions and a trip overview. Then before dinner, we’ll carpool to natural Travertine Hot Springs, just east of Bridgeport, for stunning Sierra views and relaxing waters.

Day 2: We'll visit unique and scenic Mono Lake. There, a local conservationist will discuss natural history and environmental issues and we'll take a short walk along the shore. In the afternoon, we’ll see Horse Creek/Horsetail Falls on a beautiful waterfall hike just a few miles west of our campsite. We'll be treated to spectacular views of the Sawtooth Ridge area and Twin Lakes basin.

Day 3: Barney Lake Trail. Today we'll see a wonderfully scenic high alpine lake lying just inside the Hoover Wilderness. The trail winds through evergreen forests, alpine meadows, and aspen groves. The snowmelt basin of Barney Lake is wedged in steep, ragged granite with a sandy beach awaiting the hardy swimmer. The scenic views from this trail make it one of the most popular in the Bridgeport area.

Day 4: Visit the craters of Mono Lake. Spectacular young volcanoes look ready to erupt at any moment. The craters range in age from 600 to 40,000 years old. A local geologist will lead us on the Rim Trail around the youngest of the chain. Another trail climbs to the top of the plug dome and offers sweeping vistas of the Sierra Nevada range and the entire Mono Basin.

In the afternoon, hike Virginia Lakes to Summit Pass for incomparable vistas and 10 lakes within one mile! The trail climbs steadily through alpine meadows, passing lakes and waterfalls, along with a succession of glacier-carved terraces. The high viewpoint is Summit Pass at 11,100 feet, looking back east to the awesome Virginia Lakes. At the pass, shattered metamorphic rock leads to an outcrop with expansive backcountry scenery on the northern boundary of Yosemite National Park. 

Day 5: Hike Green Lake Trail south of Bridgeport. The initial trail is a patchy forest of Jeffrey pine high above Green Creek, but then it turns into gradual switchbacks on a moderate grade above the tumbling creek. There will be lots of shade and even some late-season wildflowers. Green Lake offers an expansive landscape and great photos because of its vivid, red-and-white metamorphic rocks and intensely blue water. Green Lake’s forest-lined shores are exceptionally scenic and offer an invitation to a (brief) swim.

Note: Please come with a flexible attitude. The leaders will make every effort to follow the itinerary. However, the weather can be unpredictable and snow can still be lingering at the higher elevations.

Getting There

Our delightful, wooded California State Parks campground is located near Bridgeport, CA. The closest major airport is Reno, NV, only about two hours and 112 miles to Bridgeport, CA; and then 9 miles along the Twin Lakes Road to the campsite. The trip leader will provide detailed travel instructions along with the trip roster to assist in making carpool arrangements with fellow participants. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified by the leader.

Accommodations and Food

This is a base camp setting, using your own tents, sleeping bags, and pads. The location is a wooded California State Parks campground along a scenic stream near Twin Lakes outside of Bridgeport, CA. Showers for a small fee are available nearby at Twin Lakes Resort.

All meals are provided, from dinner the first day to breakfast on the last day. Participants need only bring their plate, bowl, cup, and utensils, as well as containers to pack their lunch and snacks. We’ll use propane stoves for food preparation and our own ice chests for food storage. The leaders will do meal preparation and clean-up with the assistance of group members. The leaders take pride in providing tasty, satisfying meals -- most are multi-course and usually contain soup and/or salad, a main course, and dessert. Some meals may contain meat or meat substitutes. Though the menu is not vegetarian, participants with moderate special dietary needs should check with the leader before the trip to see if accommodations can be made. Some trail snacks will be provided; because preferences vary, you are encouraged to bring your personal favorites.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is rated as moderate in difficulty, but don’t underestimate the importance of getting and staying in good physical condition. We’ll be hiking in mountainous terrain. The trails are well-maintained but with uneven, rocky surfaces, some steep sections, along with minor stream crossings and snowmelt/runoff. The hikes are 6-8 miles round trip, with a total altitude gain of 900-1,700 feet. We will be camping at 7,000 feet and hiking as high as 11,000 feet. On average, high temperatures in late July are in the mid-80s, but 15-20 degrees cooler at the high altitudes; lows are near 50 at night.

Strenuous and sustained exercise such as hiking in the thin air of high altitudes requires conditioning well before our trip starts. Once accepted on the trip, you should ramp up your aerobic and endurance training to increasingly sustained aerobic activity. This is your vacation and you are under no pressure to do every hike. The better the condition you are in when our trip starts, the better the time you’ll have without needing to be concerned about holding up the group or not fully enjoying the amazing beauty that the eastern Sierra offers.

Equipment and Clothing

Since this is a base camp trip, gear weight is not a major issue. Essentials include well-broken-in, waterproof boots, a daypack, water bottles, tent, sleeping bag and pad, and adequate clothing for weather that can vary from warm during the day to chilly at night and at the higher altitudes. Walking sticks or trekking poles can help on steep or rocky sections of trails and stream crossings. You will need to bring your own eating utensils, plate, bowl, and cup/mug. The leader will provide a detailed equipment list after registration. The weather is unpredictable so be prepared for possible thunderstorms, lighting, and even an occasional summer snowstorm.

The Sierra Club furnishes a group first-aid kit in the event of an emergency; however, you need to bring a basic personal first-aid kit and any personal medications. We will provide commissary equipment including pots and pans, stoves, and all cooking equipment. Potable water is readily available.

References

Books:

• Whitehill, Karen and Terry, Best Short Hikes in California’s Northern Sierra.
• Parr, Barry, Hiking the Sierra Nevada.
• Irwin, Sue, California’s Eastern Sierra, A Visitor’s Guide.
• Giacomazzu, Sharon, Exploring Eastern Sierra Canyons; Sonora Pass to Pine Creek.
• Irwin, Sue, California’s Eastern Sierra, A Visitor’s Guide.

Maps:

• Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests, Bridgeport Ranger District, United States Forest Service
• Hoover Wilderness Trail Map, Tom Harrison Maps
• Hoover Wilderness, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, Utah

Websites:

• http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/
• http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=509
• http://www.twinlakeresort.com/
• http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&wname=Hoover
• http://www.monolake.org/
• http://www.bridgeportcalifornia.com/

Conservation

Rural development, logging, air pollution, and our changing climate are taking their toll on our natural areas. Many of our wild areas are being “loved to death” and finding areas of solitude and ways to disperse use are becoming increasingly difficult. Our focus will be on preservation of public lands and the changing face of the wilderness concept. 

The Forest Service has a dual role of both caring for the land and serving the people. Combine this with the diversity the area offers, both desert and mountain environments, and you have a huge challenge. Some of the activities that must be considered include keeping streams clean; providing access to hunters and fisherman; managing trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrian use; and providing opportunities for mining, logging, and recreation. We will focus on the difficulty in balancing all of these opportunities.

Your outings leaders are volunteers and Sierra Club members with a long-term dedication to the Sierra Club, conservation, and enjoyment of the outdoors. We hope to impart to you our love for the area and an understanding of the work of the Sierra Club. We believe that the Sierra Club's Outings program provides an excellent opportunity for members to enjoy the fruits of past conservation victories and to learn about current concerns. You will be encouraged to share environmental issues, stories, and practices you’re familiar with back home so we’ll be learning from each other.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.