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Members in Sierra National Forest |
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Outfitters in National Parks, Forests or State Parks in California, United States |
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Outfitters on Rivers, Lakes or Oceans in California, United States |
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 Sierra National Forest
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America Outdoors outfitters offer whitewater rafting in the beautiful Sierra National Forest on the Merced Wild and Scenic River and the Kings River. The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The Sierra National Forest encompasses more than 1.3 million acres between 900 and 13,986 feet in elevation. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra. Abundant fish and wildlife, varied mountain flora and fauna and numerous recreational opportunities make the Sierra National Forest an outdoor lover's paradise. Rivers: Wilderness Areas: Ansel Adams Wilderness This alpine wilderness, named after the renowned landscape photographer Ansel Adams, is dotted with sparkling lakes, glacially sculptured gorges and imposing peaks and spires. This 228,500 acres wilderness includes a number of lake and stream systems that are the headwaters of the San Joaquin River. Vegetation is mixed coniferous and deciduous forest of pine and oak in low elevation and subalpine forests of lodgepole pine, mountain hemlock and red fir. Alpine meadows grace the higher elevations with wildflowers and crystal streams. Elevations range from hot dry canyons at 3,500 feet in the San Joaquin River gorge to 13,157 foot Mount Ritter. Precipitation is from 18 to 50 inches, with snow depth averages about 171 inches. The John Muir Trail, which starts in Yosemite National Park, crosses Donahue Pass (11,056 feet), into the Ansel Adams Wilderness and south through Inyo National Forest on the east side of the sierra crest. This portion of trail is part of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. There are hundreds of miles of trail offering access to the John Muir Wilderness and Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks. The Ansel Adams Wilderness has good stream and lake fishing that include rainbow, golden and eastern brook trout. The Ritter Range affords challenges for experienced mountain climbers with several small glaciers under its rugged peaks. Southern portions of the wilderness provide forests of huge pine and fir where few people visit.
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness The California Wilderness Act of 1984 created the 30,000 acre Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. Dinkey Lakes lies immediately west of the John Muir Wilderness (the portion added in 1984) and is separated from the John Muir by the Dusy/Ershim off-highway vehicle route. Most of the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness consists of timbered rolling terrain. Sixteen lakes are clustered in the west central region. Most of the wilderness is above 8,000 feet at the highest point. Three Sisters Peak, is 10,619 feet in elevation. Large meadows can be found in the north central region of the wilderness and along Helms Creek. Dinkey Lakes Wilderness is well suited for stock travel, but natural feed is available only in the meadows north of First Dinkey Lake and in the vicinity of Nelson Lake. Stock parties must camp at least 500 feet from any lakeshore to protect water quality. Cattle grazing is a historical and continuing use of the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness.
John Muir Wilderness The John Muir Wilderness encompasses approximately 584,000 acres in the Sierra and Inyo National Forests. It extends along the crest of the Sierra Nevada from Mammoth Lakes southeasterly for 30 miles, and then forks around the boundary of Kings Canyon National Park to Crown Valley and Mt. Whitney. Elevations range from 4,000 feet to 14,496 feet at Mt. Whitney with many peaks above 12,000 feet. Deep canyons as well as beautiful meadows among the many lakes and streams characterize the Wilderness. The South and Middle Forks of the San Joaquin River, the North Fork of the Kings River and many creeks, which drain into the Owens Valley, originate in the John Muir Wilderness. Stands of jeffery and lodgepole pine, incense cedar, and red and white fir can be found on the lower western slopes of the Sierra Nevada.. Higher up are lodgepole, whitebark, and western pine, red fir and mountain hemlock. The highest elevations are barren granite. Summer temperatures range from 25 to 85 degrees and there is usually a frost-free period from mid-July through August.
Kaiser Wilderness The Kaiser Wilderness was established in 1976 and covers a total of 22,700 acres. It is located immediately north of Huntington Lake, approximately 70 miles north east of Fresno. The wilderness was named after Kaiser Ridge, which divides the area into two distinctly different regions. A hike to Kaiser Ridge and Kaiser Peak provides a commanding view of much of the central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.
Moanarch Wilderness The Monarch Wilderness was created by the California Wilderness Act of 1984. It extends across 45,000 acres in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests. The Sierra National Forest portion of the Wilderness (approximately 21,000 acres) is extremely rugged and difficult to traverse. Steep slopes extend up from the Middle and South Forks of the Kings River. Elevations range from 2,400 feet to over 10,000 feet. The lower elevations are predominantly chaparral-covered with with pine stands near the tops of the higher peaks. Rock outcroppings are found throughout the Wilderness.
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