An Introduction To Alpine Basins Of The Central Sierra Nevada

By Dale Matson

I now realize that so many of the places in the Sierra Nevada I have loved to visit are mountain alpine basins. Mountain passes and peaks are singular and impressive but they are places we pass on our way to a campsite in a mountain basin. For example the climb to a pass may be difficult and arduous. We may like the view but we press on because we hope to end with a well deserved longer rest at the pass followed by a descent to a basin campsite. We may have to put our windbreaker back on there. We may have to sit down every few switchbacks to rest ourselves by sitting on a boulder in the shade. I often think of the difficult climb up to Glen Pass on the northbound John Muir Trail. Once on top there is only time for a short celebration and rest because our campsite will be in the Rae Lakes Basin below. A mountain basin reminds me of a great cathedral where we are surrounded by lofty steeples. Alpine basins are at 10,000' plus feet yet you still look up and are walled in by massive granite walls. I was at guitar lake at 12,500' and looked around at peaks 1,500' higher yet. These basins (also called watersheds) all have their own ecosystem but share common elements. Uplift or glacial scouring generally forms them. Basins are similar to valleys but valley tends to be "V" or "U" shaped while basins are round or oval shaped. There is generally a stream and a beautiful rather stark expansive view with scattered vegetation. These basins also contain several tarns or lakes, which may be fed by the same creek. Eventually these creeks flow into a river. For example Piute Creek flows into the San Joaquin River. The lakes can be deep blue or even green if fed by glaciers. Some basins are very popular like Rae Lakes and Kearsarge where there is length of stay limits.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 151768482X
• ISBN13: 9781517684822
• Release Date: October 2015
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.3" x 5.0"