Читать книгу Sierra South. Backcountry Trips in California's Sierra Nevada онлайн

124 страница из 140

Beyond the gate, you continue across an open hillside in cadence to the rhythmic sound of a Pelton wheel that generates electricity for the ranch below. Reach an open knoll and then drop to a signed junction of a lateral accessing the ranch and Blayney Hot Springs.

BLAYNEY HOT SPRINGS

To visit the hot springs, turn right (south) and proceed a mere 50 feet, where the trail divides again—follow the path on the left marked HOT SPRINGS and pass overused campsites to the north bank of South Fork San Joaquin River. Ford the broad stretch of the river (difficult in early season) and reach more overused campsites on the far bank. Beyond the campsites, a use trail crosses Shooting Star Meadow to access the public pool at Blayney Hot Springs. Please enter and exit carefully, as the muddy pool is very susceptible to erosion.

Just beyond a patch of willows is “Warm Lake,” a magical little gem of a swimming hole that is the result of an unlikely combination of beaver dams, moraines, and springs having come together far below the usual elevations common for Sierra lakes. This area is very fragile, so please minimize your impact by being a good steward of this healing place.