Tioga Lake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tioga Lake is a small glacier-carved lake in the Inyo National Forest, about two miles north of the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park. The lakebed is alongside California State Route 120, the state's highest paved road at 9,646 feet (2,940 m) elevation MSL. This is in the Sierra Nevada mountains of northern California.[1]
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[edit] Recreation
The lake offers spectacular views, as well as trout fishing, a picnic area, and a 13 site managed campground. Some of the wildlife in the area are brave (and obnoxious) enough to approach humans, especially birds and marmots. Occasionally a bobcat or bighorn sheep can be seen, although the latter are particularly shy.
Because of the altitude and being at the crest of a major pass, the weather is extremely unpredictable, and the length of the seasons varies quite a bit from year to year. The image below shows what Tioga Lake can look like as late as June; while there's an abundance of camp sites, all of them could be closed almost at any time. Campers can usually find an open site below in Lee Vining Canyon.
Although Tioga Lake is technically outside the borders of Yosemite, many consider it a part of the park because of the lush topography. This is especially in contrast to the desert below, surrounding the Mono Lake area, US 395 and the Eastern Sierra Nevada. While the region has a stark beauty, this is far less popular than Yosemite Valley, mostly because of the added distance to most of California.
Because of the inaccessibility, the region and Tioga Lake itself is most popular with campers who want to avoid the crowds of Yosemite, photographers, anglers, and nature lovers in general. Birds of prey are more common here, making Tioga Lake and its surroundings popular especially with bird watchers.
[edit] History
Unlike most passes through the Sierra, named for an individual, "Tioga" is a Mohawk and Iroquois word meaning "where it forks" or "swift current."[2][3] The name is taken from New York and Pennsylvania tribes, specifically a place in Pennsylvania, although it is believed to have been settled as early as 10,000 years ago by California aboriginies.
John Muir was among the first white men to see the area. The next major interest came in the form of industry, specificially mining and logging.
[edit] References
- AAA, California & Nevada Campbook, 2006 edition
- US Forest Service
