2 min
Overview
This unobtrusive, but surprisingly beautiful route marries mining history, alpine scenery, and a trio of small, but picturesque lakes with a minimal amount of effort. The hike’s obscurity comes courtesy of this area’s proximity to bigger and more famous destinations minutes away within Yosemite Park. Hundreds, even thousands of visitors drive by this spot per day, and almost nobody stops to enjoy this route’s exceptional beauty and historic beauty – all the better for you if you’ve got time on your Yosemite visit for an easy hike with high scenic rewards. History California’s Gold Rush inspired thousands of ambitious prospectors to head to the hills in the middle of the 19th century in search of easy riches and a wild, untamed life. While the most numerous, lucrative prospects plumbed the west side of the range, a smaller number of prospectors set up shop on and along the Sierra Crest. A number of historic communities and mines were established, including the Mono Pass colony, the May Lundy mine, the Great Sierra Mine near the Gaylor Lakes, and Bennettville, which was also called Tioga and Bennett Town at various points. Bennettville lies only a few direct miles from Tioga Pass, the southernmost road-accessible pass on the east side of the Sierra and the primary access point for the Yosemite’s high country. Bennettville never profited from the suspected riches lying deep within the metamorphic slopes and mountainsides in the area, but the settlers did establish the first iteration of Tioga Road, which was later improved upon by the Park Service. As the profits failed to materialized, investors pulled the plug on Bennettville, leaving the town to rot in obscurity. In 1993, the Forest Service restored an assay office and a bunk house while installing two interpretive plaques to memorialize the town. The only other traces that remain are the old road bed that once connected the town to Tioga Pass and a mine shaft a few hundred yards west of the town site. Red Tape A significant portion of this hike lies within the
Trail Stats
3.0 km
121 m
3024 m
2900 m
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Photos
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