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Scenic Tours
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Displaying activities 1 - 10 of 12 found.
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Cave Rock
The day-use facility is located on US Hwy. 50, 3 miles south of Glenbrook, just south of the Cave Rock tunnel. Features a boat launch, comfort station, six picnic tables, and a small beach with a beautiful view of Lake Tahoe.
Deep waters close to shore make the two ramps accessible to watercraft of all sizes. Parking is limited in the summer; when the lost is full, vehicles and trailers must park outside the park.
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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
These trees were ancient even in medieval times. The oldest recorded living things on earth, some have been dated back to more than 4,500 years. Bristlecone pines grow in the White Mountains at elevations over 9,000 ft. It's hard to imagine anything living in this harsh, wind-swept environment, but that is part of the reason these trees flourish.
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Visitor Center at Schulman Grove features extensive interpretive displays which tell the story of these amazing trees.
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Exploring the Eastern Sierra
An activity that has always been popular around Big Pine since Pioneer days is exploring the vast expanses of publicly owned land. Locked gates and "no trespassing" signs are rare. Canyons, ravines, meadows, desert flats, Pinyon pine forest and historical sites known by only the few who have ventured there await the modern day explorer. It is actually unusual to see another person at all once you get a few miles off the popular track. Some of these remote places have scarcely seen a footprint in 100 years. Archeological and petroglyph sites, some dating back thousands of years, are scattered around Big Pine. New ones are still being discovered to this day. Mines and town sites dating back to the gold rush era are to be found in various stages of decay. Gold as well as other interesting and valuable minerals can even be found in some places. Geological features like the Crater Mountain lava tubes which extend far into the earth are located here as well.
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Tioga Pass Scenic Byway
You'll never forget the alpine scenery along the Scenic 120 Byway from Lee Vining to Yosemite National Park. In only twelve miles, Hwy. 120 climbs to Tioga Pass at almost 10,000 feet, then winds past lakes, meadows, and forests to Yosemite Valley. Trout-filled lakes and streams abound. Spend a few days exploring the Mono Basin before traveling into the park. Hwy. 120 is usually open from Memorial Day weekend through October.
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Birdwatching
A major stopover on the pacific flyway, Mono Lake hosts over 98 species of water birds and in 1991 was dedicated as an International Shorebird Reserve. The diversity of habitats in the surrounding area creates a wide range of birding opportunities. Visit us in the summer and fall for the best bird watching.
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Scenic State Highway 140
Scenic Highway 140 out of Mariposa follows the Merced River to the Arch Rock entrance of Yosemite National Park. Magnificent scenery and incredible recreation, including white water rafting and great fishing abound as you wind your way up canyon. Lodging is available along the way and at El Portal, where two newly renovated and redecorated hotels, the Cedar Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge, provide hundreds of rooms right at the park's doorstep.
One of three entrances to the park found in Mariposa County, Arch Rock is the quickest and most direct route into Yosemite Valley. Once inside the Valley, you'll experience the magnificence of one of nature's most awesome creations. World-famous Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridal Veil Falls which have inspired artists, poets, photographers and philosophers, will delight and inspire visitors to the queen of America's parklands.
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Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things.
Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large subalpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley.
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Geologic Wonders along a River of Life
High on the estern slope of the Sierra Crest, nature reveals two of its wonders - the unique Devils Postpile and the 101-foot Rainbow Falls.
The geologic formation known as "the Postpile" is one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt. Its hexagonal columns formed under ideal conditions and were exposed during the last glaciation.
Another important resource in the Monument is the San Joaquin River. Along the river corridor, the Monument flourishes with life. Meadows burst forth with flowers that nourish deer, birds, and butterflies. This portion of the San Joaquin is a designated Wild Trout River where you can catch four different species of trout. Along the river there are a combination of old-growth red-fir forest and new growth rejuvenated by wildland fire.
In addition to its geologic wonders the monument is a portal to the High Sierra backcountry. Some 75% of the monument is part of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. It is traversed by the historic John Muir and Pacific Crest trails; you can follow a trail from here to Mexico or Canada!
At 800 acres, Devils Postpile National Monument may be considered small by some, yet its natural and recreational values abound.
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Lake Tahoe Scenic Drive
This may be the most beautiful shoreline drive in the United States. You'll see many natural and man-made wonders during your 72-mile drive around the largest Alpine Lake in North America. Alpine beaches, beautiful bays, a waterfall, hidden lakes, state parks and national forest lands, historic sites, museums, casinos and so much more.
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Horseback Trail Rides
Several private stables in Placer County have horses available for rent and offer private trail rides. Remember that the stables at North Lake Tahoe are seasonal.
Horse owners worldwide laud the trails throughout Placer County for their beauty and ruggedness — including the famous Western States Trail that hosts the 100 Mile Tevis Cup Ride (it’s the 46th anniversary in 2000!). Contact Auburn State Park Recreation at (530) 885-4527, or the U.S. Forest Service at (530) 367-2224 for staging areas, horse campgrounds, and equestrian trail access.
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Displaying activities 1 - 10 of 12 found.
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