Trails Report
If the sight of trail-hardened PCT hikers, a mass of marathon runners, a flock of fishermen, and the sounds of two stroke engines isn’t indication enough, make no mistake: summertime is now fully upon us in the Mammoth Lakes Trail System (MLTS). While the town swells in size practically overnight, Friends of the Inyo stewards and volunteers remain steadfast in their task of preservation, exploration, and stewardship in the Eastern Sierra.
In preparation for the influx of traffic on trail and off, stewards this week brushed, removed hazards, and maintained water-bars for a total of 15+ miles of trail.
For those seeking to escape the swell, a retreat up the Duck Lake Pass and Deer Lake trailheads may be in order. Leading you to high up onto the iconic Mammoth Crest in the John Muir Wilderness, these hikes offer breathtaking views, and a reminder of the vast meaning and merit of Wilderness to the American psyche.
Deer Lake is one of many spots within the MLTS where you can escape the crowds this summer. Photo courtesy Matthew Paruolo.
Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, in which Wilderness is defined as a place “…in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape… where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, [and] where man himself is a visitor who does not remain,” (for more, see Evans story on p.7) patrons of the MLTS wilderness are reminded to stand staunch to those ideals which define us; to tread lightly, and to enjoy this unique and beautiful place.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, the USFS, BLM, NPS, and partner organizations will be hosting a number of activities, symposiums, and webinars which may be found online at wilderness50th.org and wildernessalliance.org.
Despite a somewhat dismal winter, these trails are nonetheless burgeoning with wildflowers, lush meadow grasses, and running water. Monkey Flower, Penstemon, and Lupine are now in full bloom, graced by the presence of pollinators such as the Western Tiger Swallowtail and other symbiotic species relied upon for reproduction and survival. So please, get out there and enjoy this beautiful land of ours—and if you want to give back to your public lands, the next Summer of Stewardship (SOS) volunteer day is July 5 at Mammoth Rock Trail. Come and join us there for a free breakfast, lunch, and prizes. In the meantime, we will be at the races … vroom, vroom!
For more info, contact Chris Niebuhr: chris@friendsoftheinyo.org and/or Matthew Paruolo: matt@friendsoftheinyo.org
