Lillian Lakes

16 Pages·2010·1.21 MB·English

Lillian Lakes
BCM Course Area Guide
Backcountry
Trip Code ________________________
Team Leader ________________________
Table of Contents

Trail Summary ...................................................... 3
Trail Information .............................................................. 3
Trail Description .............................................................. 4
Route Description............................................................ 5
Trail Distances ................................................................ 5
Trail Elevation Profile ...................................................... 5
Map ....................................................................... 6
Key to Trail Map.................................................... 8
Camp Site Information .................................................... 8
Map Legend .................................................................... 9
Hazards ........................................................................... 9
Recommended Destinations ......................................... 10
Fishing ........................................................................... 10
Summits ........................................................................ 11
Daily Outline ....................................................... 12
Curriculum Checklist ........................................... 13
Team Leader Recommendations ....................... 14
Team Leader Comments .............................................. 14
Team Leader Feedback Form ...................................... 15
Emergency Information ....................................... 16
BCM Phone Numbers ......................................... 16

2
Trail Information
Trailhead Name: Norris Trailhead
Trailhead Camp: Bowler Grp Campground (Bring Water, No Wa-
ter)
Clover Meadow Campground

Permit (Expiration): 10-Year Special use Permit (Spring 2020)
Permit Pick-Up: Special Use Permit is provided in Trip Binder.

Wilderness Permit: Information and your Wilderness Permit Reser-
vation is in your TL Binder.
Permit Pick-Up: Sierra National Forest Service Office
41969 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA, 559.658.7588
Please have a printed permit confirmation letter
with you (it will be in your trip binder).
Closed Sunday, Open 8:30am-5pm M-Sa

Trail Name(s): Trail names are unknown. Please record any trail
signs that you see for future records.

Type of Trail: Loop
Mileage: 14.4 miles

Alternate Routes: No information is available. Feedback is appreci-
ated!
Alternate Mileage: No information is available. Feedback is appreci-
ated!

Trail Location: Sierra National Forest
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Bass Lake Ranger District

Maps: BCM provides Trails Illustrated Maps:
T.I. #309 (Yosemite SE/ Ansel Adams Wild.)

Flora/Fauna: The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada
Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide by John Muir Laws

Weather Trends: Average High 88 °F / Average Low 32 °F
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Trail Description
Hiking in California is dry and fast. Beautiful granite slabs make for
an easier terrain, great picnic areas and flat, smooth campsites.
Expect to hike through pine forests and fields of Manzanita brush.
Manzanita, which literally means "little apple" in Spanish, is charac-
terized by orange or red bark and twisting branches. Sometimes
Manzanita grow to the height of small trees.

The mountain ranges of California are known for their excellent light
quality, referred to as alpenglow. When the sun is just below the
horizon, a red glow can sometimes be seen on the opposite horizon.
Look for alpenglow after sunset or before sunrise, when there is no
direct sunlight. Instead, light reflects off airborne snow, water, or ice
particles low in the atmosphere. At any time of day, the views above
tree line are stunning.

During wildflower season, late spring through early summer, expect
lots of lupins, paintbrush, columbine, and California poppies. Watch
for marmots and pikas--they are everywhere.

4
Route Description
Overview
Follow this loop route, approaching Lillian Lake from the east, and
save the most interesting terrain for the last half of the trip. Return
via Vauderburgh Lake with a day hike to Lady Lake. To add more
mileage, camp at Twin Lakes. Summiting Sing Peak is a must.

Details
Starting at Norris Trailhead, hike east, a little out of the way, to add a
little extra mileage to the first day of travel and to add some trail di-
versity. The loop route is preferable to an out-and-back, because
doing an out-and-back to Lillian Lake via Vauderburgh Lake does
not cover as much mileage and offers less of a backpacking chal-
lenge.

If this loop is not enough of a challenge for the group, add some ex-
tra mileage by backing up to Twin Lakes or Rainbow Lake. Just
make sure to make time for summiting Sing Peak.

Chittenden Lake is a well-liked camping spot, especially since you
can see Sing Peak towering overhead. The day hike to Lady Lake
is popular.

Trailhead to Creek-1: 3.5 miles
Trailhead to Twin Lakes-2: 4.6 - 5.8 miles
Creek-1 to Lillian Lake-3: 3 miles
Lillian Lake-3 to Chittenden -5: 1.75 miles
Chittenden-5 to Vauderburgh-6: 2 miles
Vauderburgh-6 to Trailhead: 3.7 miles

Trail Elevation Profile*
Elevation Gain:4,791 ft. Min. Elevation:7,598 ft.
Elevation Loss:4,788 ft. Max. Elevation:10,500 ft.

* The elevation details and corresponding graphic pertain to the main route
5
only—not alternate routes.
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7
Camp Site Information
Favorites
Chittenden Lake (CHITTN) -5 - UTM 290337E 4159042N
Located just below Sing Peak, there are great views of the peak
from Chittenden Lake. Feedback about this camping spot is only
positive.

Vauderburgh (VAUDER) -6 - UTM 292192E 4158491N
Vauderburgh Lake is a beautiful and well-liked camping area below
peaks. The day hike to Lady Lake also recieves high marks.

Good Alternative
Creek-1 - UTM 294996E 4159256N
Camping conditions are unknown. Feedback would be great.

Twin Lakes-2 - UTM 293173E 4161117N

Lillian Lake-3 - UTM 291336E 4160209N
There is nice camping around the lake.

Shirley Lake-4 - UTM 290200E 4159804N
Shirley Lake is a nice alternative to Chittenden Lake. It may have
more tree cover.

Pond-7 - UTM 294068E 4157436N
Camping by the pond makes for a quick exit the next day.

Not Recommended
No information available. Feedback is welcome!

Refer to trail map for corresponding numbered campsites. 8
Map Legend
Campsites (Not all sites are recommended.)

Kitchen area
Reported Water Source (River, Pond, Creek, Spring)

Portages
Point of Interest

Hazards

Fishing

Main Route

--- Alternate Routes

Points of Interest
Lady Lake- Day hike from Vaudenburgh Lake
Lillian Lake- Nice lunch spot or camping spot

Fishing
There are many lakes to try in this area. Feedback would be great.
Refer to trail map for corresponding hazards. 9
Hazards
The biggest hazards are afternoon storms and the public. Keep hy-
drated, wear sunscreen, and be self-aware, taking care of problems
immediately. Sprains, strains, blisters, and river crossings are all
possible hazards.
Animals • Black bears are common especially in campgrounds.
• Rattle snakes are uncommon though present.
• Bees, wasps, and spiders are all possible hazards.
• Animals are wild. Do not approach any animal.
Poisonous • Poison Oak
Plants
Weather • Intense high altitude sun. Watch for dehydration and
Hazards heat exhaustion. Afternoon thunderstorms common.
Lightning • Afternoon thunderstorms common.
Exposures
No Water • Water is scarce during late season & low snow pack
Between years.
Scree • Loose talus. Watch for rock fall and shifting rocks.
Slopes Early season creeks may not be crossable.
Refer to trail map for corresponding locations. 10