| Rock Creek | |
| "Lower Rock Creek" (downstream of Toms Place) | |
|
Rock Creek with the Sierra Crest in the background
|
|
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | California |
| Region | Mono County |
| District | Inyo National Forest |
| Part of | Long Valley—Crowley Lake Watershed |
| Range | Sierra Nevada (U.S.) (eastern slope) |
| Tributaries | |
| - right | Witcher & Pine Creeks |
| River | Owens River |
| Elevation | 7,087 ft (2,160 m) [1] |
| Source | Rock Creek Lake [1] |
| - coordinates | |
| Mouth | |
| - location | Owens River Gorge[1] |
| Length | 30 mi (48 km) Rock Creek plus Lower Rock Creek[2] |
| GNIS code | 234580[1] |
Rock Creek is a stream that flows from the high Eastern Sierra Nevada to the Owens River in Mono County of eastern California. The upper watershed is in the John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra and Inyo National Forests.
Rock Creek drains from the Sierra Crest near Bear Creek Spire. Additional creek drainage is from the crest's Mount Abbot, Mount Mills, Ruby Peak, and Mount Starr. They combine with flow from Little Lakes Valley to Rock Creek Lake.
From the lake Rock Creek flows north to the location known as Tom's Place along U.S. Route 395, less than two miles from the Owens River. The creek, however, turns southeast and flows parallel to the Owens River (and is shown on maps as "Lower Rock Creek"), eventually joining the river near the mouth of the Owens River Gorge.
Upstream from Tom's Place, Rock Creek is 15.9 miles (25.6 km) long. Lower Rock Creek, below Tom's Place, flows an additional 14.1 miles (22.7 km) to the Owens River.[2]