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

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DAY 1 (Fernandez Trailhead to Vandeburg Lake, 4.5 miles): The Fernandez Trail begins a gentle northwestward ascent through a forest of white fir, Jeffrey pine, and lodgepole pine. Stay on this trail as it bypasses two lateral trails heading left (west) to the Norris Trailhead, eventually climbing high to gain an open ridgetop. Here, find a signed junction with the Lillian Lake loop: The right (east) fork goes directly to Lillian Lake; the left (west) fork goes to Vandeburg, Staniford, and the many other lakes in the Madera Creek drainage.

For this trip, turn left onto the loop and enter Ansel Adams Wilderness, admiring the grand views to the east. In a mixed forest of red fir, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole and western white pine, pass two meadows on the left, and then swing north to climb steeply up a rocky ridge. From the ridgetop, descend a short distance through hemlock forest to ford the outlet of Vandeburg Lake (8674´; 11S 292284 4158434). A little uphill to the west are the well-used campsites on the north side of this attractive lake. The farthest campsite to the northwest is within earshot of a lovely waterfall.