Sierra National Forest Visitors Guide
With over 1 million acres composed of sinuous foothills, splendid snow-topped mountains, expansive lakes, reservoirs and groves of colossal sequoias the Sierra National Forest is an outdoorsmen’s delight. There are hiking trails amid the deep canyons, luscious meadows and assorted hills and mountains. Or you may wish to go fishing in its plentiful lakes. You can enjoy hunting in selected wooded areas, or go rafting, boating, or sailing. Winter offers downhill and cross country skiing.
The Sierra Summit Ski Area has 25 runs with the longest being 2 ¼ miles long. The slopes have a vertical drop of as much as 1,600 feet. There are 3 triple and 2 double chairlifts along the 4 surface lifts. Also at the Summit are a ski school, snow making, snack bar, cafeteria, restaurant bar and lodge.
As you travel the area’s highways, you will be enthralled by the magnificent views. You will see the Sierra Nevada, made of predominantly hard granite with nearly parallel block faults on its eastern side as well as Lake Tahoe located between the Sierra Proper and the Carson Range. Should you take the scenic US 395 south to Lone Pine and then head west on Whitney Portal Road, you will reach America’s highest peak — Mt. Whitney at 14,495 feet. To climb this high summit, you can hike the 22 mile round trip mountain trail. For the best views of the its peak, visit Lone Pine and take advantage of the scenic stops along Whitney Portal Road.
Gecko Tales Media loves this great country and mountains like the Sierra. If you love mountains too you'll love the state that is named for mountains. Visit our Montana tourism guide to see beautiful pictures, learn about the best things to do and see, and the best times to visit.
There are thousands of mountain streams that feed into the lake. One of these is Eagle Creek which tumbles 1,500 feet over Eagle Falls into Emerald Bay in the lake’s southwestern corner. At the D. L. Bliss State Park, you can follow the trail to Rubicon Point which affords a phenomenal view of the beautiful lake. To see the lake’s magnificence as you “travel” in elegance, reserve your place on one of the Lake Tahoe Cruises. You can choose from a cruise breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner/dance or sightseeing cruises.
To “get away from it all” head to Desolation Area in Tahoe’s El Dorado National Forest. Originally called Devil’s Valley, Desolation Wilderness is a quiet retreat from the heavy traffic and commerce in other areas. Here you will see granite peaks more than 100 alpine lakes and natural splendor that rivals Yosemite. The Wilderness is especially enjoyed by backpackers, hikers and horseback riders as it cannot be accessed by vehicle. Its mountain waters are populated by rainbow and brook trout making it a favorite of anglers. Also indigenous to theDesolation Area are mule deer, black bears, porcupines, badgers and coyote.
Sierra National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r5/sierra
1-877-444-6777
Photo Credits: Mt. Whitney image above by webmaster and blogger of hiking tips site Hiking Trip Reports, Scott Thompson. |
