Sequoia Wild Heritage Project - Golden Trout Wilderness Additions
Moses Roadless Area - Proposed Golden Trout Wilderness Addition

 

Size: Approximately 31,000 total

Land Management Agency: Sequoia National Forest

Golden Trout Potential Wilderness Additions Region Map

Description

These five units are all contiguous to the Golden Trout Wilderness, and given their wild qualities, would make excellent additions to Golden Trout. Dennison and Moses are also adjacent to the Sequoia National Park.

Elevations within the Dennison roadless area range from 3,600 feet to 8,348 feet near Dennison Peak. Slopes are steep and exposed rock outcrops are common. On the lower slopes, chaparral is the primary vegetative cover, and half the vegetation consists of canyon live oak and black oak woodlands. This type of landscape is scarcely represented in the National Wilderness Preservation system.

The Freeman Creek Roadless area contains the easternmost grove of Giant Sequoias in California. Outstanding specimens of Giant Sequoia thrive in this area, including the President George Bush Tree, all readily accessible from the Freeman Creek Trail from either a western or eastern trail head.

Lush green meadows are scattered along the network of streams draining into the Kern River. Monache Meadow, the largest meadow in the Sierra Nevada at several square miles in size, is located in the potential wilderness.

The range of elevations provides habitat for a great variety of plant and animal species. Plant communities range from dry oak grasslands to cool conifer forests. These forests represent the southernmost extension of the continuous conifer belt stretching through California and the Pacific Northwest.

These areas also shelter California Spotted owls, wolverine, and Pacific fisher, three species threatened in much of their original range. Moses is considered one of the richest wildlife areas in the Tule River Ranger District, and is also important summer range for deer. Many other species dependent on pristine ancient forests find favorable habitat here as well.

Diverse recreation is found throughout these areas and are only a half day's drive for the millions of people in southern California looking for an opportunity to enjoy wilderness. Hikers and backpackers can easily access the areas from roads that terminate at the boundaries of the potential wilderness areas. Hunting and fishing are also popular.

Golden Trout Potential Wilderness Additions Close-Up Map

Additional Photos

Ancient Sequoias
Ancient Sequoias
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
Hikers on trail.
Hikers on the trail
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
Crags from the trail
Crags from the trail
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
George Bush tree with plaque in front.
George Bush Tree
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
George Bush tree plaque.
George Bush Tree Plaque
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
Sequoia Dome tops
Sequoia Dome tops
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
Giant Sequoias
Giant Sequoias
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood
Trail by Giant Sequoia
Trail by Giant Sequoia
photo copyright 2001 © by Harold Wood

Young Sequoia Trees

Freeman Creek Trail Trip

September 7 - 9, 2001 - Photos and text © Lori Kessler

 

Young Sequoias on trail in Freeman Grove.
Young Sequoias on trail
Harold Wood crawling out of Chimney Tree.
Harold Wood crawling out of chimney tree.  Thankfully, there were no bears sleeping inside!
Cynthia dwarfed by giant Sequoias on the trail.
Cynthia dwarfed by giant Sequoias on the trail.  Well, we all were!
Rock formation north of the trail.
Interesting rock formation north of the trail.  I thought it looked like an elephant's trunk.  I guess you had to be there.
The Needles rock formation.
Wonderful view of the Needles
Sequoia Snags
Sequoia snags in privately owned forest near Eva and Gordon's cabin.
Group posing on a Sequoia Stump
Most of the gang from the trip
Sequoias in a timbered area of privately owned land
Sequoias in a timbered area of privately owned land.  Notice how the Sequoias stand out alone.  Most of the pine has been taken.  In a pristine environment, Sequoias are mixed in with a variety of pines and cedar.
Sunset
A beautiful sunset to end a beautiful day.  Thank you, Carla, for showing us around this beautiful trail!  I can't wait to go back.
Lori next to Giant Sequoia
 'Smee