1. Summer Field Geology Course Sonora Pass to Mono Basin Esc 35/Biol 39
Led by
Jeff Tolhurst PhD. - Geology
&
Ross Carkeet MS. - Biology

3. Quick Overview
Daily doughnut & coffee gatherings at the Baker Station Field Study site 9-ish Day 1
Columns of the Giants & Eureka Valley area
Day 2
Sonora Pass to Mono Lake
Day 3
Sword Lake & Dardanelle
Day 4
Eagle Meadow & Long Valley

4. Day 1 stops 1) Columns of the Giants
2) The Crack (Middle Fork Stanislaus)
3) Bridge near Douglas Picnic area
4) Top of Columns of the Giants

6. Columns of the Giants
We will discuss geologic formations, volcanic material, discuss the ice age, palynology, plant formation and the natural history.
Basalt
Magma vs. lava
Glaciation
Talus-angle of
repose
Terraforming

7. The Crack
A rift in granitic formation along the Middle Fork, Stanislaus River.
Joint vs. fault
vs. potholes
Exfoliation
Core stones vs. glacial
erratics
Thigmotropism

8. Douglas Picnic Area Eureka Valley
Lunch
Hike 1 ½ miles to Largest Jeffrey Pine in the World.
Discuss Goldie-
locks principle
Ecology of record
trees
Plant Communities
Local granitic geology

9. World’s Largest Jeffrey Pine

10. Column of the Giants A view from above
Hike 1 mile to the top of Column of the Giants.
Were we will examine signs of major geologic perturbations.
glaciation
avalanches
bonsai conifers

11. Day 2 stops 1) East Flange Rock Vista Point
2) Sonora Pass Summit (Pacific Crest Trail)
3) Leavitt Falls
4) Fales Hot Springs
5) Conway Summit
6) Mono Lake Recreation Center
7) South Tufa Tower Reserve
8) *Optional dinner at The Sportsman in Bridgeport and a dip in Hot Creek

13. East Flange Rock Lookout
Extraordinary view of the Emigrant Wilderness from 7,000 feet. We will discuss California’s geologic history.
alpine glaciation
plant communities
limnology
cirques & tarns
arête

14. Sonora Pass Summit – 9624’ Pacific Crest Trailhead
We will discuss some of the reasons that make this area so special.
Sierra Nevada
formation & ice ages
andesite
climatology
core stones
vs. hoodoos

15. Leavitt Falls Lunch Examine east-side Geology and Ecology.
Little Walker caldera
Marine warfare camp

16. Fales Hot Springs Discuss volcanism geothermal features desert geology
and ecology
natural history
water tables

17. Conway Summit We will discuss the Mono Basin’s historical aspects.
Fissures
Sediment
Hypocenter
Epicenter
LADW&P vs.
David Gaines

18. Mono Lake Visitor’s Center
We will examine displays, view a very informative Mono Lake video and browse through an excellent little bookstore.

19. South Tufa Tower Reserves Mono Lake
We will take a short hike to the Tufa Towers.
Brine shrimp & flies
Alkalinity
Calcium Carbonate
Tufa Tower Reserves

20. Hot Creek
A nice evening dip in Fales Hot Springs.

21. Day 3 stops 1) County Line Trailhead located off Clark Fork Road.
2) Sword Lake / Dardanelle debris slide
3) Sword Lake

23. Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Clark Fork Trailhead

24. County Line Donnelle Reservoir Overlook

25. Spicer Reservoir & Batholith

26. Debris Slide

27. Sword Lake & Lost Lake
Great swimming
Sorry no pictures available

28. Day 4 stops 1) Eagle Meadow Turnoff 2) Dardanelle Vista
3) Eagle Creek Area
4) Bennett Juniper
5) Uranium Mine
6) Telescope Peak
7) *Optional dinner at Ross Carkeet’s cabin in Long Valley

30. Dardanelle Vista

31. Eagle Creek Area

33. Bennett Juniper

34. Uranium Mine