TRAILS OF LODGEPOLE/WOLVERTON that the trail passes through a wide variety of habitats, winters. Feeding these wild animals disru pts their INTRODUCTION each with its own specially adapted plant life. natural habits and is prohibited. Ice-sculpted granite peaks - crystalline, rock rimmed But perhaps the most interesting story the Tokopah The Tokopah Trail ends at the base of 1200-foot-high lakes - ancient, storm-battered foxtail pines - all these Valley has to share is a story of mountain building and Tokopah Falls, a rolling cascade at its best in early beauties and more await the hiker who explores the trail erosion. This steep-walled canyon has a surprisingly summer, when the snowpack in the Pear Lake reg ion leading towards the high country of Sequoia National flat and open floor. (In cross section it might best be upstream is melting. Please do not travel beyond the Park from the Lodgepole/Wolverton area. described as "U-shaped.") To the geologist that by end of the trail. Slippery rock surfaces make off-trail itself is almost enough to tell the recent geological exploration in this area especially dangerous. Several At the heart of this country is the canyon of the Marble story of this place. The Tokopah Canyon is not solely fatalities have occurred here. When the river is high, Fork of the Kaweah River. Lodgepole, located in this the product of the Marble Fork. Rivers by themselves don't forget that it, too, deserves respect. Cold, rushing canyon at an altitude of 6.700 feet. is the human center tend to cut "V-shaped" canyons with narrow floors and mountain rivers are far more powerful than they appear. for area activities. From Lodgepole, or nearby sloping walls. The "U-shaped" profile of this gorge tells Please be careful. Wolverton, scenic trails lead north, east, and south into us that while the river may have initiated its shaping, country that can only be described as true " High the canyon we see today is the result of glacial THE LAKES TRAIL Sierra." These are not trails for the faint of heart. The erosion. shortest of these routes is a four- mile- long round trip, Distance: (One way, via Watchtower Trail) and much of the most exciting scenery requires long, Heather Lake, 4.6 miles The ancient Tokopah Glacier was formed during the Emerald Lake, 5.7 miles all-day hikes to appreciate. Ice Age when winter snows accumulated on the high Pear Lake, 6.7 miles ridges to the east in amounts too large to melt. This pam phlet provides information on the four major Difficulty: Strenuous (2,300 feet altitude gain) Ultimately, the snow accumulated to such depths that it wz m trails beginning at Lodgepole or Wolverton. Trails Starting point: Wolverton parking area compressed into ice and began to creep downhill. At immediately to the west of Lodgepole, in the Giant times, the mass of ice that crept slowly down this Forest area, are descri bed in the separate pamphlet The most popular backcountry trail in Sequoia National canyon was over 500 feet deep even where the "Trails of '. ' Within these two areas there is a Park, the Lakes Trail leads up through dense forests campground is today. In the process, immense amounts hike for every taste and ability. Choose a walk that suits into a clean, polished granite world of rock, sky, and of soil and rock were scoured away and the canyon you, but do choose one! There is no better way to know water. Heather Lake, the most easily accessible of widened to its present configuration. . Sequoia's alpine lakes, is found along this route, as is The story of glacial erosion is most easily visible in the the "Watchtower" cliff with its spectacular views. THE TOKOPAH TRAIL uppermost one-quarter mile of·the Tokopah Trail. Here, Our hike begins at the Wolverton parking area; the Distance: 1.7 miles (one way) our route emerges from the forest into a barren, rocky !railhead is plainly visible to the left as you eAter the Difficulty: Easy (500 feet altitude gain) gorge hemmed in by massive granite cliffs. Slowly moving ice sculpted this scene, removing uncounted area. For the first mile, our route trends almost due a: m Starting point: Lodgepole Campground east following a series of gravel ridges. These are the tons of hard rock. The "Watchtower," the 1,600 foot tall lateral (side) moraines of the ancient Tokopah glacier, Towering cliffs, a sparkling stream, and a giant, cliff dominating the southern wall of the canyon, owes giant ridges of crushed rock and gravel pushed up by cascading waterfall all await discovery along the its shape to the work of ice. Too hard to be ground Tokopah Trail. This popular day-hike begins in the Log away by the glacier. this mass of rock was left standing the glacier as it moved down the canyon immediately to the north. The ridge w;e are following was moved Bridge area o' Lodgepole t.'uniµgYCJUl'rd, ~oo lor the when the lee las't me'ittitf -awaylb'are'l'.I' •1 ~yea rs ago. rock by rock from the lake basins we are climbing !railhead just after you cross the bridge. Parking is Geologists call these middle altitude glacial canyons Map designed nd pr pared by Calowell & Assoc1mos to see. Text by William Tw d, NPS. available in the large lot just before the bridge, about "yosemites:· alter the most famous canyon of this type. 200 yards short of the !railhead. As we approach Tokopah Falls we enter the "High Approximately one mile from the !railhead we turn to SEQUOIA NATURAL HISTORY ASSOCIAl ION the south, climbing along the densely forested east wall Much of the charm ·of the Jokopah Trail comes from Sierra." Left below are the thick conifer forests which in cooperation with tho of the Wolverton Creek basin. The dominant tree here the fact that it follows 'closely the banks of the Marble clothe the middle-altitude slopes of the Sierra. In their NATIONAL PARK SERVICC G:.1·0 is the red fir, perhaps the best adapted of all the E place, one finds a sometimes harsh land of sunshine Fork of the Kaweah River. Look for bird life in the clear, © 1985 Sierra's trees to long winters and deep snow. The tall, tumbling waters of the stream. The dipper, or water and rock. Different plants and animals live here. Look narrow shape of the fir, together with its short, tight ouzel, a small gray bird often seen standing on for the stunted junipers that grow on the dry bluffs needles, make this tree highly resistant to the ravages streamside roc ks, feeds beneath the water on aquatic above the trail. Watch, too, for two of the high country's ::s,p of heavy winter snows. This is important, for although Co insects. The ouzel can usually be found either flying most common animals - the marmot and the pika. the high altitudes endure colder winter temperatures, along water or perched on a streamside rock bounding These two rodents inhabit rocky areas and are often or "dipping" as it looks for food. seen near the base of Tokopah Falls. Marmots, the this is the zone of the heaviest winter precipitation. Mid­ largest member of the squirrel family, subsist mostly on winter snow depths here in excess of ten feet are not Life in many forms is abundant along this friendly green leafy vegetation growing fat during the summer exceptional. stream. Deer and squirrels are seen frequently, and in preparation for a long winter's sleep. The guinea­ At a distance of 1.7 miles from Wolverton our first trail during July, a hike along this trail may disclose 30 to 40 pig-like pika, on the other hand, industriously harvests junction comes into view. The trail to the right climbs to different wildfl ower species blooming at one time. A grasses and seeds during the late summer and tall, and Panther Gap and Alta Peak (see the next section of this good deal of this floral richness is explained by the fact remains active beneath the snow during even the worst pamphlet), but we turn to the left and continue our ascent. Shortly, we arrive at another junction. Both the About two-thirds of a mile past Emerald Lake a side camping spot during the summer months, Mehrten west, the views extend as far as the clarity of the the north end of this plateau and the resumption of our A FEW MORE THINGS TO REMEMBER "Watchtower" and "Hump" Trails lead to the lakes. but trail branches to the left, leading several hundred yards Meadow takes its name from the pioneer ranching atmosphere will allow. On a clear day even the coast climb. Within half a mile Cahoon Meadow appears. Many of the areas described in this pamphlet as day­ the experiences they offer are quite different. Under to the Pear Lake Ranger Station. Here emergency family that used this range during the late 19th century. ranges west of the San Joaquin Valley may be visible. Meadows like this remain free of forest trees because hike destinations are also popular destinations for most conditions the Watchtower route is preferred. assistance is available during the summer months. But The precipitous north face of Alta Peak discloses views they are too wet, even during the summer months. overnight backpacking trips. If you intend to stay out Although slightly longer, it pursues an easier grade, and our route keeps to the right, and after one more climb Our steady climb continues beyond Mehrten Meadow of Emerald and Pear Lakes, nearly 1700 feet below. overnight you need to be aware of several additional the rocky promontory called "The Watchtower" (no we arrive at Pear Lake, the end of the Lakes Trail. A as we approach the southwest slope of Alta Peak. Even , the highest peak in California, Beyond Cahoon Meadow the trail climbs through the points. The most important of these is that all overn ight actual tower), allows grand vistas of Tokopah Valley, large lake firmly entrenched in hard granite, Pear Lake Along the way we pass a delightful trailside spring cai1" be glimpsed through a gap in the Great Western forest to Cahoon Gap (altitude 8,700) and then trail travelers must have wilderness permits, which C!;\n : some 1600 feet directly below, and the alpine ridges to is a shimmering surface of light and motion in a world which never fails to provide a cool drink during even Divide. What more need be said; from the summit of descends to a trail junction on the banks of Clover be obtained at the Lodgepole Visitor Center. The the north and east. This view, by itself, justifies the of rock. Camping is allowed here, and Pear Lake is a the hottest mid-summer days. Soon, just as the main Alta Peak it is possible to envision how an eagle might Creek. Here, adjacent to popular campsites, we take number of permits issued daily is limited to prevent climb. The trail east of the Watchtower, blasted out of popular base camp for hiking into the trailless areas slope of the peak comes into view, another trail see the Sierra. the right- hand fork and begin the final ascent to Twin overcrowding; reservations are available and solid rock, skirts the upper edge of the cliffs above beyond. junction appears. A choice of destinations must now be Lakes. The left fork leads to JO Pass and the Rowell recommended during the busy summer season. Tokopah Falls and then rejoins the Hump Trail just short made. To the· right, an easy one-mile trail leads to THE TWIN LAKES TRAIL Meadow area of Sequoia National Forest. Wilderness permits are NOT required for day hiking. of Heather Lake. THE ALTA PEAK/ALTA MEADOW TRAILS scenic Alta Meadow, with its lush flower gardens and Distance: (one way) From the JO Pass Junction to Twin Lakes is less than Distance: (one way) spacious views of the . The other Silliman Creek, 2.1 miles Because of the fragile nature of these alpine areas, a two miles, but in that distance the trail ascends nearly From its western junction with the Watchtower Trail, the Panther Gap, 2.7 miles fork leads to the summit of Alta Peak, 2.1 miles and Clover Creek, 5.0 miles number of special camping regulations control local a thousand vertical feet. Subtle changes in vegetation Hump Trail climbs steeply through dense forest, Mehrten Meadow, 4.0 miles nearly 2,000 vertical feet ahead. Twin Lakes, 6.8 miles use. The Tokopah area is completely closed to all passing over the ridge above the Watchtower and then mark the increasing altitude, but since this country was Alta Meadow, 5.7 miles Difficulty: Strenuous (2,700 feet altitude gain) overnight use, and along the Lakes Trail camping is dropping to Heather Lake. Although this route is Alta Peak, 6.9 miles The Alta Meadow Trail, physically by far the easier of much less heavily glaciated than the Alta Peak country permitted only at Emerald and Pear Lakes and there approximately one-third mile shorter, the steep grades the two, remains nearly level beyond the junction. Starting point Lodgepole Campground to the south, the changes that come here with altitude Difficulty: Alta Meadow - strenuous only in designated sites. Certain limitations also apply and lack of a view make it a second choice under most Almost immediately it crosses a large winter avalanche are not so obvious. Finally, the forested lip of the Twin along the Alta Peak and Twin Lakes trails; please (2100 feet altitude gain) Each Sierran trail has its own character. The Lakes conditions. The Hump route is useful, however, early in zone. An open, sunny place in summer, this slope, Lakes basin is gained, and within a short distance the check for local restrictio ns. Because trees are often Alta Peak - very strenuous Trail, for example, explores a country scoured nearly the season when snow may remain on the ledges east dotted with stunted. broken trees, is a testimony to the trail is on the banks of the larger of the two lakes. scarce in the high country, open campfires are (4,000 feet altitude gain) free of soils by ancient glaciers, while the Alta Trail of the Watchtower, and for those uncomfortable harshness of winter in the high country. As we turn the discouraged in all areas and prohibited in many, seeks heights that give its user unexcelled vistas. The with heights. Starting point: Wolverton parking area corner of the ridge, increasingly exciting views of the Although glacial in origin, these lakes were not formed including Pear and Emerald Lakes, Alta Meadow, and peaks to the east open. Rounding another corner, we Twin Lakes Trail is like neither of its neighbors; its in exactly the same manner as Pear or Emerald Lakes. "Alta" in Spanish means " high," and no better Twin Lakes. Pets are not allowed on any national park Heather Lake, the first of the lakes along the Lakes find ourselves at the head of spacious Alta Meadow. beauty is the beauty of small details - an exquisite Twin Lakes are held in place by a dam of earthen name could be given to Alta Meadow and Alta Peak. trail. Trail, is a popular destination for day hikers. Fishing Nearly a mile long and perched on a terrace with Alta meadow wildflower - a bubbling forest brook - a debris pushed up in front of a glacier while it was Nowhere else within day-hiking distance of Lodge­ glimpse of a shy pine marten. and even some swimming occur in the cold waters of Peak above and the Middle Fork Canyon below, Alta advancing. When the ice melted, the resulting Mountain travel is only as safe as you make it. If you pole/Wolverton can you obtain the views and feeling the lake. Camping is prohibited. Like all the lakes along Meadow affords one of the great views of the Sierra. A depression filled with water. This dam is known as a leave the trail, use caution; slippery rocks can lead to of space available in the Alta Country. A trip to Twin Lakes begins in the Log Bridge section of this trail, Heather Lake was formed by a glacier eroding sometimes faint train continues four miles past Alta terminal moraine. If you have the opportunity to visit falls and injuries. Early in the season be careful as you Lodgepole Campground. Leave your vehicle in the rock of differing resistances. The basins that now Meadow and ends at high, barren Moose Lake. both Pear and Twin Lakes, notice how the lakes differ. cross snowbanks. Not ony can icy surfaces be Although the formal ''Alta Trail" begins in Giant Forest, large parking area in the center of the campground, contain these lakes were scoured out because thos Pear Lake, gouged out of hard rock, is deep and dangerous, but spring snowbanks may be unstable. the shortest trail route to the Alta Country begins at and walk along the camp roads, crossing over the road areas contained relatively more fractured bedrock. As To climb Alta Peak is to ascend into another world - relatively barren. Twin Lakes, on the other hand, are Streams and rivers always should be treated with Wolverton. For the first 1.7 miles our route follows the bridge that leads into Log Bridge area. Less than fifty the glacier melted, these basins in the glacier's course the harsh, yet exciting world found above timberline. shallow and tree-lined. The combination of warmer caution and respect; they are usually more powerful Lakes Trail (see above). Then. at the fi rst junction, yards past the sign that marks the beginning of the filled with water, to become lakes or " tarns '. ' Don't undertake this trail unless you are in good water, resulting from the shallow nature of Twin Lakes, than they appear. Don't allow children to play where the LaY.es · ~ ~' 'ett t1 procood to Tokopah Tr.ail, another trail si_gn appears on the road physical co.n~"1i.m . lflt-<.9,, ,eyi"%l:~

Trail descriptions (over)

---- Tokopah Trail

---- Lakes Trail

---- Alta Peak / Alta Meadow Trail

---- Twin Lakes Trail

---- Trail Silliman ------Faint trail (not maintained)

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