Tag: High Sierra

The High Sierras are a breathtaking expanse of rugged beauty nestled along the eastern edge of California. Towering granite peaks, some soaring over 14,000 feet, dominate the skyline, their jagged silhouettes contrasting against the clear blue skies. Deep, glacier-carved valleys harbor pristine alpine lakes reflecting the surrounding peaks like mirrors. Patches of dense pine forests cling to steep slopes, providing habitat for diverse wildlife ranging from elusive mountain lions to playful marmots. Trails wind through meadows ablaze with wildflowers in spring and summer, offering hikers and adventurers unparalleled vistas and a profound sense of solitude amidst nature’s grandeur.

Rock Creek Lake Campground

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Rock Creek Lake Campground, located in Mono County, California, is a picturesque alpine lake set amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. At an elevation of about 9,600 feet, Rock Creek Lake is tranquil lake is a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Rock Creek Lake Campground
Rock Creek Lake Campground

Natural Beauty

Surrounded by towering pine trees and rugged mountain peaks, Rock Creek Lake offers stunning views that change with the seasons. In the spring and summer, wildflowers dot the meadows, and the clear blue waters of the lake reflect the surrounding landscape. In the fall, the area is painted with vibrant hues of gold and orange as the aspen trees change color. During the winter, the lake and its surroundings are blanketed in snow, creating a peaceful winter wonderland.

Facilities

Rock Creek Lake Campgrounds campsites are well-spaced along the lake shore, with several tent-only, walk-in sites overlooking the lake. Boat rentals, educational programs, groceries and showers are all nearby. Firewood is available on-site for a fee. Bears inhabit the area, so bear-proof lockers are provided for campers to store food.

The campsites at Rock Creek Lake sit on a low hill with scattered aspen and lodgepole pine trees overlooking the lake’s crystal blue waters. At an elevation of 9,600 feet, the facility affords visitors excellent mountain views.

The area is home to abundant wildlife, including black bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin, pika and many species of fish and birds.

Recreation

Rock Creek and other waterways in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains are known for exceptional trout fishing. A catch from the lake may include brook, brown, rainbow and stocked Alpers trout, while anglers may be treated to golden trout in the backcountry. Power boats on the lake are limited to electric motors only.

The area’s majestic scenery and challenging trails are a draw for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Tamarack Trail begins in the campground and wanders up to several high-elevation, glacially-carved alpine lakes and ponds.

Campground Summary

Campground NameRock Creek Lake Campground
Latitude, Longitude37.4526, -118.7324
Sites25
Elevation9,600 ft
AmmenitiesBear Boxes, Fire rings, Table, Flust Toilets, Shower, Water, Camp host

Rock Creek Lake Campground Map

References

Coldwater Campground

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Coldwater Campground is a campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake Mary is the largest and the most developed of the eleven lakes in the Mammoth Area. The campground is located along Coldwater Creek, which feeds water into the scenic Lake Mary.

Coldwater Campground, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California
Coldwater Campground, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California

The campground is quite popular due to its location on the mountain and proximity to Lake Mark. The lake offers tremendous fishing and opportunities for hiking and enjoying the picturesque scenery. The fishing at Lake Mary features Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout and on more than one trip, my evenings were spent watching sunsets while fly fishing. The peak season is from late May to early September each year.

The campground offers access to many nearby activities including Devils Postpile, Reds Meadow,, Rainbow falls and Hot Creek. Two boat ramps and marinas allow for boating however the 10 mph limit on the lake keeps the lake angler friendly. Campsites typically share parking and the sites are reasonably flat. Tall pine trees offer shade from the high altitude sun.

This campground is in bear country and typically bears activity is fairly high. All food and scented items must be stored in the lockers. All trash must be disposed of in the bear proof trash receptacles. Do not store food, trash or scented items in your vehicle.

Coldwater Campground Map

Campground Summary

NameColdwater Campground
LocationMammoth Lakes, Inyo County, California
Latitude, Longitude37.5980514,-118.9974829
Elevation9,000 feet
Number of Sites74
AmenitiesCampsites are organized into two loops, with sites fairly close together and near either creek. Pressurized water spigots and flush toilets are provided throughout the facility, and there are picnic tables, campfire rings and bear-proof food storage lockers at each campsite.

References

Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery

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Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery
Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery

Located just outside of Independence, Inyo County, California the Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery has played an important role in the preservation of the Golden Trout.  Beyond the hatchery’s primary purpose, the site makes an excellent location to pull off the highway, relax in the shade and enjoy a picnic lunch.  This is how I was introduced to the hatchery 30 years ago, and it is still much anticipated stop each time I travel the 395 highway.

The fish hatchery began life in 1915, when the town of Independence raised money for and subsequently purchased a 40 acre parcel of ideal land in Oak Creek.  Using foresight not seen in our time, Fish and Game Commissioner M. J. Connell directed he direct the design team “to design a building that would match the mountains, would last forever, and would be a showplace for all time.”  Charles Dean of the State Department of Engineering and the design time team decided upon a “Tudor Revival” architectural style.

Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery Display Pond
Mount Whitney Fish Hatchery Display Pond

Utilizing a budget of $60,000 the hatchery project was started in March 1916 and complete one year later.  The building was built using 3200 tones of  local granite quarried nearby, boasts walls up to three feet thick and features a Spanish Tile roof.  When the facility was brought online in 1917, the hatchery could produce two million fry per year.  The fish hatchery operated until 2008, when on July 12th a flood and mudslide tore down the Oak Creek watershed which in 2007 was burnt in a wild fire.  The resulting mudslide buried the fish rearing ponds, destroyed four buildings and killed the entire population of Rainbow Trout.

The pond offers some beautiful flowers in the spring.

Currently a restoration project is in process, however the fate of the hatchery operation remains unknown.

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Hot Creek Geologic Site

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Hot Creek Geologic Site is located near Mammoth, Lake just off the 395 Highway in Mono County, California. The stream originates from Twin Lakes in Mammoth and continues on to Lake Crowley. The site is located near and a beautiful cold water stream which is located over a geothermal vent. Warm water is heated from a magma chamber located about three miles below the earths surface and bubbles up into the steam warming the water.

Hot Creek located off the 395 highway near Mammoth in Mono County, California
Hot Creek located off the 395 highway near Mammoth in Mono County, California

The Hot Creek does offer excellent fishing opportunities and popular among fly fisherman. Fishing used to be limited to barbless hooks.

No Swimming

The stream is now closed to swimming becuase “Earthquakes can cause sudden geyser eruptions and overnight appearances of new hot springs at Hot Creek.  Water temperatures can change rapidly, and so entering the water is prohibited. ” Reports of hot water geysers up to 6 feet tall in 2006 and rapidly fluctuating temperatures apparently caused the closure of the stream to swimming.

My grandfather used to point out that some hot water vents where not in the same locations as when he was a child. Perhaps, within my life the hot springs area has become too dangerous to swim.

J Rathbun

As a child and young adult, the stream was open to swimming and my family did this routinely on almost every trip. I recall active conversations about the possibility of an geyser eruption which would kill us and we understood the risk of swimming. However, we also understood the possibility of an such an event was very remote when one considers the geologic time tables. My grandfather used to point out that some hot water vents where not in the same locations as when he was a child. Perhaps, within my life, the area has become too dangerous to swim.

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Convict Lake

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Convict Lake is located on the east side High Sierra Mountains in Mono County, California below Mount Morrison (12,241 ft). The serene lake is nestled in a serene canyon and offers great opportunities for boating, hiking, fishing and camping. Overall, the lake if an oblong shape, and carved from the hard rock from glaciers and at 140 feet deep, it is one of the deepest in the area. Paiute Indians called the lake Wit-sa-nap

Another beautiful day at Convict Lake, in the High Sierra Mountains
Another beautiful day at Convict Lake, in the High Sierra Mountains

Some History

Originally known to Europeans as Monte Diablo and named Convict Lake after an prison escape on September 17, 1871 in near by Carson City, Nevada. About half of the twenty nine convicts followed Charlie Jones, who use to life in the area, into the area on Monte Diablo (Convict) Creek a few miles away from the lake. While camping near the creek, the party killed a local man.

The killing prompted the local community to form a posse on September 22, 1871 which encountered the convicts at the creek where a gun battle ensued. By November 1, the convicts were either captured, or dead and many of them executed on the way back. Convict Lake is certainly a well deserved if not macabre name.

Today

Today, the lake has all anyone could ask of a lake in the High Sierra. The lake and stream offers great fishing of Rainbow Trout and Brownie Trout.

It was like a scene from “Grumpy Old Men”, when a man walked into the store in a tuxedo while I am purchasing a fishing license.

J. Rathbun

There is a small boat rental shop near the north end of the lake. A trail circumnavigates the lake and offers a great hike and many places to picnic. In some areas around the lake the trail is inundated with California Wild Rose which offers a blast of pink in a green hedge.

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) found around Convict Lake, California
California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) found around Convict Lake, California

Visitors to the lake may enjoy camping, fishing, hiking and boating. A small general store can help stock up your supplies or buy a fishing license.

For those not into camping, there is a nice small resort at the lake were you can rent a cabin, and on my last visit, a wedding was hosted there. It was like a scene from “Grumpy Old Men”, when a man walked into the store in a tuxedo while I am purchasing a fishing license. The resort is a decent size, meaning that it is not too large and does not detract from the scenery.

Overall, Convict Lake is a great place to camp and visit, and I just can’t wait to get back.

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