South Sierra Wilderness: Difference between revisions
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The '''South Sierra Wilderness''' is a federally designated wilderness [[protected area]] located 65 miles northeast of [[Bakersfield, California]]. Created in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act by the [[U.S. Congress]], it is 60,084 acres<ref>[http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=acreage&WID=569 Wilderness.net acreage data]</ref> in size, is within both the [[Sequoia National Forest|Sequoia]] and [[Inyo National Forest]]s and is managed by the U.S. [[United States Forest Service|Forest Service]]. Elevations range from 6,000 feet up to 12,123 feet at [[Olancha Peak]].<ref>[http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=105:2:1558785925777109::NO::: USGS]</ref> |
The '''South Sierra Wilderness''' is a federally designated wilderness [[protected area]] located 65 miles northeast of [[Bakersfield, California]]. Created in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act by the [[U.S. Congress]], it is 60,084 acres<ref>[http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=acreage&WID=569 Wilderness.net acreage data]</ref> in size, is within both the [[Sequoia National Forest|Sequoia]] and [[Inyo National Forest]]s and is managed by the U.S. [[United States Forest Service|Forest Service]]. Elevations range from 6,000 feet up to 12,123 feet at [[Olancha Peak]].<ref>[http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=105:2:1558785925777109::NO::: USGS]</ref> |
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[[File:Olancha peak.jpg|thumb|left|300px|[[Skinnydipping|Off-duty]] member of 1975 [[Pacific Crest Trail]] building-crew relaxing at Soda Creek by Bakeoven Meadow in what is now the [[South Sierra Wilderness]]. Note [[Olancha Peak]] in distance.]] |
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The South Sierra Wilderness is the most southern part of a continuous chain of wilderness areas protecting the [[ Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] crest from [[Walker Pass]] to [[Lake Tahoe]]. Two very different landscapes are within the boundaries; the [[Kern Plateau]] occupies the southern portion with low, forested ridges, narrow meadows, and woodlands of [[Jeffrey pine]], [[red fir]] and [[lodgepole pine]]. The northern portion is more mountainous with Olancha Peak and Round Mountain. |
The South Sierra Wilderness is the most southern part of a continuous chain of wilderness areas protecting the [[ Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] crest from [[Walker Pass]] to [[Lake Tahoe]]. Two very different landscapes are within the boundaries; the [[Kern Plateau]] occupies the southern portion with low, forested ridges, narrow meadows, and woodlands of [[Jeffrey pine]], [[red fir]] and [[lodgepole pine]]. The northern portion is more mountainous with Olancha Peak and Round Mountain. |
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== [[Forest Service Guard Station|Guard Stations]] == |
== [[Forest Service Guard Station|Guard Stations]] == |
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There are two [[Forest Service Guard Station|Guard Station]]s in the Wilderness, Casa Vieja and Tunnel Meadow (destroyed by fire in early 2000's), and one, Monache Meadows, just outside. |
There are two [[Forest Service Guard Station|Guard Station]]s in the Wilderness, Casa Vieja and Tunnel Meadow (destroyed by [[propane]] [[explosion]] & [[fire]] in early 2000's), and one, Monache Meadows, just outside. |
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[[File:Casa_Vieja_GS.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Casa Vieja Guard Station, South Sierra Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, Mount Whitney Ranger District, circa 1976. Built in 1959.]] |
[[File:Casa_Vieja_GS.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Casa Vieja Guard Station, South Sierra Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, Mount Whitney Ranger District, circa 1976. Built in 1959.]] |
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Revision as of 19:09, 30 June 2009
South Sierra Wilderness | |
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Nearest city | Bakersfield, California US |
Area | 60.084 acres |
Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The South Sierra Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness protected area located 65 miles northeast of Bakersfield, California. Created in 1984 with the passage of the California Wilderness Act by the U.S. Congress, it is 60,084 acres[1] in size, is within both the Sequoia and Inyo National Forests and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Elevations range from 6,000 feet up to 12,123 feet at Olancha Peak.[2]
The South Sierra Wilderness is the most southern part of a continuous chain of wilderness areas protecting the Sierra Nevada crest from Walker Pass to Lake Tahoe. Two very different landscapes are within the boundaries; the Kern Plateau occupies the southern portion with low, forested ridges, narrow meadows, and woodlands of Jeffrey pine, red fir and lodgepole pine. The northern portion is more mountainous with Olancha Peak and Round Mountain. The Wild and Scenic South Fork Kern River bisects the wilderness in a north - south direction on the east side.
Wildlife includes the large Monache deer herd, the sensitive Sierra Nevada Red Fox, the pine martin and the black bear.
The Forest Service encourages the practice of Leave No Trace principles of outdoor travel to minimize human impact on the environment.
Recreational activities
Recreational activities include backpacking, skinnydipping, day hiking, fishing, rock climbing, skiing and snowshoeing.
Hiking trails
There are six trailheads leading into the wilderness, and one campground, Kennedy Meadows, providing access to the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Wildrose Trail is nine miles in length and travels through Pinyon pine forests.
The Olancha Pass Trail starts at the Sage Flat Trailhead on the eastside and is six miles in length.
The majority of trail users are hunters in autumn and the grazing allotment permittees.
There are two Guard Stations in the Wilderness, Casa Vieja and Tunnel Meadow (destroyed by propane explosion & fire in early 2000's), and one, Monache Meadows, just outside.
Footnotes
References
Adkinson, Ron Wild Northern California, The Globe Pequot Press, 2001
External links
Center for Outdoor Ethics-Principles of Leave No Trace