Any of the hikes heading out from the Bear Dam Junction trailhead makes a good introduction to the area. This area contains the greatest single block of unbroken wilderness in the southern Sierra. Still untainted by roads, its core enjoys the protection of national park status. Spread out over roughly 1,200 square miles, this country boasts some of the most remote and scenic sections of the Sierra, and it is replete with scores of peaks that soar above 13,000 feet, hundreds of lakes, and thousands of streams. Peculiar to the east side is the lower juniper woodland belt, replete with the scattered grasses, pi on pine, Utah juniper and brush plants associated with the Great Basin.
Hikes heading out from Onion Valley trailhead are true American classics.
Both Charlotte Lake and especially Rae Lakes are popular destinations for very good reason. Move on to Bear Dam Junction to Twin Falls Return to Top Sierra South is available from the Adventurous Traveler Bookstore. Click here to visit Wilderness Press Article copyright Wilderness Press. Work Outdoors at GORP Jobs Click Here. All rights reserved.