Rutherford Lake/Fernandez Pass 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: Trailhead Camp: Norris Trailhead Bowler Grp Campground (Bring Water, No Water) 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: Wilderness Permit is in your Trip Binder. Permit Pick-Up: Sierra National Forest Service Office 41969 Hwy 41, Oakhurst, CA, 559.658.7588 Closed Sunday, Open 8:30am-5pm M-Sa Trail Name(s): Type of Trail: Mileage: Alternate Routes: Alternate Mileage: Trail Location: Maps: Flora/Fauna: Trail names are unknown. Please record any trail signs that you see for future records. Out and Back 21.82 miles No information is available. Feedback is great! No information is available. Feedback is great! Sierra National Forest Ansel Adams Wilderness Bass Lake Ranger District BCM provides Trails Illustrated Maps: T.I. #309 (Yosemite SE/Ansel Adams Wild.) 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 3
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 characterized 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 From Norris Trailhead hike to Rutherford Lake, out-and-back. Summit Fernandez Pass or a neighboring peak. Details Follow this linear route beginning at Norris Trailhead, travel NE on the trail to Twin Lakes for camp. Continue NW on the trail to travel to Rutherford Lake, your second campsite. Fernandez Pass is a little further west and southern. This will be your summit destination. If there is a safe route to a peak above Fernandez Pass, you may summit a peak in addition to the pass. Return to Rutherford Lake for another camping night. Head SE to spend night four along Madera Creek. On the last day your group will exit where you started. Day hikes to Lillian Lake or Rainbow Lake are good options for short days. Twin Lakes-1 to Rainbow Lake: 2.28 miles Twin Lakes-1 to Lillian Lake: 2.28 miles Rutherford Lakes-2 or 3 to Anne Lake: 0.33 miles Trail Elevation Profile* Elevation Gain:5,441 ft. Min. Elevation:7,597 ft. Elevation Loss:5,438 ft. Max. Elevation:10,100 ft. * The elevation details and corresponding graphic pertain to the main route only not alternate routes. 5
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Camp Site Information Favorites 1- Twin Lakes (TWIN) - UTM 292812E 4160948N 2- Fernandez Creek (CREEK) - UTM 291771E 4162792N 3- Rutherford Lake (RUTH) - UTM 290800E 4163622N 4- Madera Creek (MADERA) - UTM 295015E 4159364N Good Alternative No information is available. Feedback is appreciated! Not Recommended No information is available. Feedback is appreciated! 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 No information is available. Feedback is appreciated! Fishing No information is available. Feedback is appreciated! Refer to trail map for corresponding hazards. 9
Hazards The biggest hazards are afternoon storms and the public. Keep hydrated, wear sunscreen, and be self-aware, taking care of problems immediately. Sprains, strains, blisters, and river crossings are all possible hazards. Animals Poisonous Plants Weather Hazards Lightning Exposures No Water Between Scree Slopes 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. Poison Oak Intense high altitude sun. Watch for dehydration and heat exhaustion. Afternoon thunderstorms common. No information is available. Feedback is appreciated! Loose talus. Watch for rock fall and shifting rocks. Early season creeks may not be crossable. Refer to trail map for corresponding locations. 10
Summit FERNANDEZ PASS (FPASS)- UTM 289418E 4162684N Hiking to Fernandez Pass is a good option for summit day. Hiking to a peak above Fernandez Pass could be even more exciting for the teens. Please assess if there is a safe route and if the group is ready for the challenge. A typical view whilst in the trail of Fernandez Pass. Refer to trail map for corresponding locations. 11
Area History These trails travel through national forest and a wilderness area, both public lands, owned by the federal U.S. government and protected from private commerical development, but for different purposes. The initial and continued mission of the National Forest Service, established in 1905 (within the Department of Agriculture), is: "...the greatest good of the greatest number of people in the long run. Focused on conservation, timber and mineral deposits are managed in a manner similar to agriculture or farmed crops. Wilderness Areas were established with preservation in mind. The Congressional Wilderness Act of 1964 was approved to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness. As such, Wilderness designation protects the area from roads, logging, oil and gas drilling, and any commercial enterprises. In part, to retain the quiet, motorized and mechanical vehicles and motorized equipment are not allowed. Local Environment The Sierra Nevada Mountains are an uplifted, tilted block of granite 400 miles long by 100 miles wide; the result of fault-line tectonic plate activity. Subsequent erosion, due to streams and glaciers, carved out U-shaped valleys, lakes, rugged peaks and cliffs. Sediment fills lakes creating meadows. There are several threats to the natural condition of the Sierras: air pollution, light pollution, and global warming, evident in the thinning snowpacks. Stray light, particularly from San Joaquin Valley, brightens the night sky. Darkness allows vistors views of the stars, while nocturnal animals depend on darkness to hunt, conceal their location, navigate, and reproduce. Artificial light can disrupt plant cycles. 12
Daily Outline Recommendations Expedition Preparation and Planning Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Clover Meadow Campground IN THE FIELD Tioga High Schl. HOME Meet at BCM Office Issue Individual Gear Pre-trip teen surveys Duffle Shuffle Issue BCM Group Gear Camp a Clover Meadow Campground. From Norris Trailhead, head east, then north. Camp at Twin Lakes after about 6 miles. Follow the trail NW to travel to Rutherford Lake (3.23 miles from Twin Lakes - one-way) and spend the night there. Travel to Fernandez Pass (2.29 miles - one-way), then return to Rutherford Lake where group will spend the night. Travel SE retracing your steps--from another direction--from day two. The group is expected to spend the night along Madera Creek. Hike out this morning; exit at Norris Trailhead (3.73 miles downhill) Clean gear Laundry Showers Pick Up Breakfast for Day 7 Evaluations & Surveys (D/A Profile) Celebration Dinner Call office with ETA Coordinate with Youth Leader for how to get teens home. Team Leader debrief with RPM (volunteers welcome, but not required to join.) 13
Curriculum Checklist Day 1 Welcome Introductions & Ice Breaker Expectations Policies 7-Day Overview Day 2 Trust Activity Policies Review Daily Activities Quote of the Day Reflection Roundtable Journaling Lessons Lost & Alone Camp Craft 101 LNT Group Travel Food Waste Disposal Campsite Selection Health & Hygiene 201 Cat-Holes Pack Packing Food Protection Water Treatment Lightning Safety Outcomes Set expectations, roles & responsibilities. Establish structure & daily routine. Build Trust. Establish common understanding of trip purpose. Reflect on physical and emotional stresses. Understand one is capable of overcoming & learning from challenges. Work as a team to overcome challenges. Support and encourage each other to overcome challenges. Peak hike: overcome challenges, reflect, and learn from experiences. Celebrate achievement. Create Meaning: How did we overcome challenges? Create Meaning: What are our strengths and weaknesses? Create Meaning: How do we transfer what we have learned home? Setting individual goals for the future. Record learning and achievement in something tactile that teens can take home with them as a reminder of their experience. 14
Team Leader Comments This area will be used for free form comments from Team Leaders to future Team Leaders. Please use the Field Journal for feedback and comments. 15
Emergency Information Location Base Camp Backcountry (On-Trail) Hospital 911 Services? Yes Oakhurst Community Medical Center 48677 Victoria Lane Oakhurst, CA 93644 559.683.2992 9am-9pm daily Local Contact Cell Phone Coverage? BCM Phone Numbers Bass Lake Ranger District 57003 Road 225 North Fork, CA 93643 559.877.2218 No Emergency Phone Number 800.208.2483 If an emergency arises on trip that needs immediate assistance, call the emergency number first to reach a BCM staff member. If you do not receive a return call within 20 minutes, refer to the emergency contact sheet you received at the beginning of your trip or directly reach out to BCM staff. Regional BCM office numbers are listed below. Denver Office 303.271.9200 Chicago Office Pacific NW Office San Francisco Office 847.636.0422 (cell) 310.871.7557 (cell) 510.457.5743 (cell) Additional Emergency Information: Oakhurst Community Medical Center provides urgent care, 9am-9pm daily (24 hour Emergency): 48677 Victoria Lane, Oakhurst, CA 93644, 559.683.2992 Cell Phone Coverage: No information is available. Feedback would be great! 16