The oldest rocks in the Sierra Nevada are the metasedimentary rocks, which comprise schists, marbles, slates, and hornfels. California's Mediterranean climate also influences the Sierra Nevada's weather patterns. Winter temperature below degrees Celsius is common in the valleys and rare on the mountain slopes. The summer days are generally dry, with short periods of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
The summer temperatures average degrees Celsius. Winters are generally cool, with temperatures low enough to sustain the heavy snow. Precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow.
Precipitation is lowest on the leeward slope, especially the crest of the western slope. The heavy snowpack is the main water source for home use ad electric power generation in California. The Sierra Nevada has several biotic zones that support several plants and animal species. These biotic zones include the western foothill, pinyon pine-juniper, lower montane forest, upper montane forest, subalpine zone, and alpine region. The west slope is divided into five vegetation zones.
Live oaks, shrubs, and deciduous trees grow on the lower foothills, while the upper foothills contain ponderosa pine, black oaks, and incense cedar. The montane forest is the main commercial timber source and contains red fir, Douglas fir, Jeffrey pine, and the giant sequoia. Red fir and lodgepole pine generally thrive at higher elevations, while California black oak, sugar pine, white fir, ponderosa pine, and black oak dominate lower elevations.
The montane forest gives way to the subalpine forest, a zone dominated by subalpine meadows, western white pine, mountain hemlock, and lodgepole pine. During brief, warmer summer months, various flora, including cushion plants, willows, sedges, and grasses, are known to grow in the alpine zone. These giants only grow on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada between 4, and 8, feet 1, and 2, m in elevation.
There are a number of famous groves in the Sierra that are located within Yosemite , Sequoia , and Kings Canyon national parks, as well as in Giant Sequoia National Monument. However, it would take two more decades for hunters and fur trappers from the United States to pass through the range. Yosemite Valley was protected by the government in , though this came at the expense of the forced relocation of the Ahwahnechee who had lived in the valley since time immemorial.
Famed for its giant, ancient sequoias, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and impressive granite peaks, Yosemite encompasses 1, square miles 3, sq. However, Yosemite Valley only represents a small fraction of the park. Yosemite high country is where avid hikers and backpackers go to explore beautiful mountain peaks like Mount Gibbs , Mount Conness , and Mount Lyell , the highest point in the park.
The park encompasses a striking vertical relief of nearly 13, feet 4, m and contains the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. However, the park also contains the highest-elevation region of the High Sierra and acres of protected, roadless wilderness filled with high-alpine wonders. The park is home to a variety of impressive natural features, including the third tallest mountain in California , North Palisade , the Palisade Glacier, and Grant Grove of giant sequoias.
Most tourist facilities are located in the western part of the park near Grant Grove. Initially, the monument and adjacent land was protected within Yosemite National Park. However, the discovery of gold in the early s prompted a boundary change and made the region susceptible to development. Fortunately, the monument and surrounding acres 43, sq ft; 13, sq.
Surprisingly the mountain range is considered geologically young because it started to emerge from the earth only around million years ago. The lake is 1, feet deep. It is home to giant sequoia trees, which grow up to heights of 7, feet. Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the region, with an elevation of 4, metres 14, feet. The gold nuggets found in January on the American River near present-day Placerville, California ushered in an international gold rush known as The California Gold Rush , which occurred in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada until The John Muir Trail is one of the most popular hiking routes in the region.
It was funded in and finished in Alex Silgalis is an outdoors travel writer who enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, or having a cold one from a local mountain brewery. Join our mailing list for updates on hidden gems, events, and more from California's High Sierra. View Gallery Brochure. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy French Website. The High Sierra Region joins Visit California in its call for safe and responsible travel throughout the state.
Even though California is open for travel, visitors should continue to plan ahead by checking with the destinations they intend to visit. Itineraries Browse our itineraries. Trip Ideas 10 Sierra Nevada Mountain Facts Alex Silgalis Here's 10 Sierra Nevada mountain facts from the interesting to the quirky, and just downright bizarre you may not know about this iconic mountain range. Share This. Author: Alex Silgalis Alex Silgalis is an outdoors travel writer who enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, or having a cold one from a local mountain brewery.
Twitter Facebook. Definitely put it on your travelbucketlist! Exact matches only. Search in title. Search in content. Search in excerpt. Here's 6 towns that prove our point. Hiking, hot springs, historic towns, and lots more to recharge your relationship. No matter what, wine tasting in the High Sierra is unlike anywhere else. Here are a few ideas for a wine getaway you won't forget. And these seven Instagrammable places in California High Sierra definitely showcasing just that!
So, instead of sitting at home wasting away on your couch, try one of these amazing High Sierra hiking trails. Get away from the mid-summer heat, the terrible traffic, and check out one of the many scenic byways in the High Sierra. Look no further, here's the plan! Join local Hannahbrie as she takes you on adventures through some of her favorite parts of NorthLake, Truckee and South Lake.
There is something great from everyone in a place as magical as the Eastern Sierra! Their itinerary packs a lot of awesome into each day and you'll have a blast following along. Waterfall Season Is Here From historic to iconic, the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range can arguably be considered the best place for viewing waterfalls in the world.
This is just a drop in the bucket of the vast assortment of High Sierra waterfall beauty you can check out. What is your favorite on the list?
0コメント