The proposed Owens River Headwaters Wilderness lies like a gem tucked secretly among the mountains on the east side of the Sierra Nevada. Though Highway 395 lies just a few miles to the east, few visitors, who come from around the world to visit nearby Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes, ever venture into the peaks, forest and meadows that make up the Headwaters. However, most cars with standard clearance can easily drive a few minutes west from the highway through the pine forest, past the volcanic glass of Obsidian Dome, to reach the hiking trail into the heart of this proposed wilderness: Glass Creek Meadow.
Glass Creek Meadow is the largest sub-alpine meadow east of the Sierra crest, and contains over 100 seeps and springs which emerge from the volcanic soil to create extensive meadow and riparian habitat at 8800 feet. The threatened Yosemite Toad thrives in this moist area, and during the early summer, you might hear its mating trill. The meadow is awash in wildflowers all summer long, displaying phases of yellow, pink, purple and white.
Snowshoers in Glass Creek Meadow
A wide range of birds forage and nest in the meadow and adjacent forest. An avid birder may spot woodpeckers, jays, nuthatches, and chickadees, or even northern goshawks. The conifer forest surrounding Glass Creek Meadow is also home to the largest stand of old growth red firs in the Eastern Sierra, some trees exceeding eight feet in diameter.
Frequent wildlife visitors include mule deer, black bear and pine marten. The San Joaquin Ridge, dividing the San Joaquin River from the Owens River, and the proposed Headwaters Wilderness from the existing Ansel Adams Wilderness, provides a low elevation corridor for these animals to move between the east and west sides of the Sierra Nevada.
This same low elevation corridor was used by ancient cultures as a trade route. Remains of numerous camps have been identified by concentrations of obsidian flakes, midden piles (think “garbage”) and grinding rocks. This evidence of Native American occupation dates back about 10,000 years, to the end of the last glacial period.
Modern humans can find many reasons to visit the Headwaters. During summer and fall, a one hour hike from the trailhead along Glass Creek will put you in the middle of Glass Creek Meadow. From there, you can simply enjoy the wildflowers or make the steep hike south to the top of the nearly 10,000 feet high White Wing Mountain for views across the Sierra to the south and the Glass Mountains to the east. Or, heading west to the San Joaquin Ridge, you can gaze across the Sierra to the Minaret peaks and into the deep canyon of the upper San Joaquin River. Anglers who enjoy bait or fly fishing can find outstanding trout habitat in the Upper Owens River and its tributaries.
The deep snows of the Sierra Nevada turn the Headwaters into a winter paradise. From the Obsidian Dome parking area on Highway 395, Glass Creek Meadow can be reached on snowshoes or lightweight touring skis. You will find your way among huge Jeffrey pines, with only one steep slope to conquer along the way. The meadow itself provides a wonderful, rolling area to glide along on skis, while the steeper pitch of White Wing might tempt those who want to go a little faster.
This beautiful area has faced numerous threats in the past few decades. Snowmobiles commonly drive right past closure signs near Glass and Deadman Creeks. In summer, irresponsible off-road vehicle riders, deciding that the numerous authorized routes in the area are not sufficient, have created illegal routes into the Headwaters. This adds sediment to the creeks, harming water quality and the health of the resident fish. In the past, ski area developers have sought to extend a series of chairlifts across the entire area of San Joaquin Ridge in order to link the two ski areas at Mammoth and June Lake. Such development would destroy the wildlife habitat, the fishery and the sense of peace throughout the Owens River Headwaters.
For many years, local residents have quietly shared stories of the Owens River Headwaters, inviting their trusted friends to enjoy the unique beauty of Glass Creek Meadow while keeping the crowds at bay. This year, Congressman Buck McKeon and Senator Barbara Boxer introduced the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act in Congress. The Act would designate the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness, and would protect Glass and Deadman Creeks as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The opportunity to protect the Headwaters and creeks for future generations has friends of these places singing their praises. Come visit, and let the legislators in Congress know that your children and grandchildren deserve to see places like Glass Creek Meadow in all their wild, pristine glory. For more information on the Owens Headwaters and other wild places worth saving and exploring in the Eastern Sierra, visit www.friendsoftheinyo.org.
