Route Inventory Data Summaries: 7/13/05
Area: Sentinel Meadows/McGee Canyon/Sawmill Meadows
Observers: Chris Kassar and Mike Klapp

Route Z720

Quad:  Dexter Canyon
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
yes     yes no  

Route description: This is a spur route off of 01S17 heading west and stopping at Sentinel Meadows (Picture 713001).

Narrative summary: Moderate use. Motorcycle and full-size vehicle tracks. Evidence of wood harvesting. Follows creek to the meadow through open country allowing for potential proliferation. The route ends at the meadow where there is a camp site (Picture 713003) and dilapidated fencing signaling the end (Picture 713004).  Little to no vegetation in the center of the route (Picture 713002). Lodgepole pine trees and grass undercover are dominant vegetation. Downy woodpecker and mountain chickadee spotted.

Recommendation: This provides main access to Sentinel Meadows and current management for motorized use should continue. We recommend improving the fencing around the meadow and including a sign stating that motor vehicles are prohibited in the meadow.

Route Z2683-Sentinel Meadows area

Quad:  Dexter Canyon
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
 yes     no no  

Route description: This routes begins at 01S17 and go through lodgepole pine forest to Sentinel Meadows (Picture 713010).

Narrative summary: Low use (Picture 713008, 713006). Not well-defined and difficult to follow. No tracks. Evidence of fire and wood harvesting. Gullying for about 75 feet (Picture 713008). Lodgepole pine forest is dominant; grasses, lupine, whorled penstemon present. Runs adjacent to the creek and gets within feet of it (Picture 713007). Ends at barrier on edge of meadow (Picture 713005).

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear and there are no signs of recent use. However, there is the potential for damage to riparian habitat if use were to increase. Because the routes in this area are so difficult to find, we recommend raking out the tracks at their junctions with 01S17 and not including them on the inventory. (N692 & N693 as well).

Route N702, N707, N710

Quad:  Dexter Canyon
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   no no  

Route description: These routes begin 1/3 mile east of Sentinel Meadows off of 01S17 (Picture 713011).

Narrative summary: Not well-defined and difficult to follow. Remnants of motorcycle tracks. Lodegepole pine forest is dominant; aspen, sagebrush, bitterbrush, lupine present along the trail. Little to no vegetation in the center. Burn piles along the route. Route deteriorates and ends (Picture 713012).

Recommendation: The purpose of this route is unclear and there are no signs of recent use. Because this route is difficult to follow, we recommend raking out the tracks at its junctions with 01S17 and not including it on the inventory. 

Route N711

Quad:  Dexter Canyon
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   yes no  

Route description: Route heading south of  01S17 ~1 mile east of Sentinel Meadows junction (Picture 713013). 

Narrative summary: Not well-defined and difficult to follow. Remnants of motorcycle tracks. Lodegepole pine forest is dominant; grasses and currant present along the trail. Little to no vegetation in the center. Ephemeral gullying on early section of route (Picture 713015). Ends due to tree fall (Picture 713014). Least chipmunk spotted on the route.

Recommendation: Because the purpose of this route is unclear and there are no signs of recent use, we recommend raking out the tracks at its junction with 01S17 and not including it on the inventory. 

Route N712

Quad:  Dexter Canyon
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   no similar route in area shown as trail  

Route description: Spur route south of Z727 heading south and connecting to Z731 (Picture 713016, 713018).

Narrative summary: Not well-defined and difficult to follow. Motorcycle and full-size vehicle tracks. Lodegepole pine forest is dominant; paintbrush, lupine and currant present along the trail. Significant vegetation in the center growing from 1 to 2 feet (Picture 713017). Potential for proliferation because it crosses through open country.

Recommendation: Although this is a connector, there are alternative access routes (i.e. Z731) to the Sentinel Research Area. Because the purpose is unclear and the potential for damage is significant, we recommend not including this route on the inventory.

Route T5

Quad:  Dexter Canyon
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory 
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   yes as 4WD no  
Other Listings
Eastern Sierra's Best 100 Mountain Biking Trails by Reanne Hemingway Douglas, Mark Davis & Don Douglass Mountain bike route called the Sagehen Summit Loop appears to take riders along T5 for a section of the loop.  

Route description: Route heads south off of Z144 ~3 miles east of Baxter Spring and south of  Highway 120 (Picture 713020). 

Narrative summary: Sandy. Low to moderate use. Motorcycle and full-size vehicle tracks. Potential for proliferation as it passes through open country.  Little to no central vegetation (Picture 713021). Rabbitbrush is dominant; sagebrush, bitterbrush, hopsage, and sulfur buckwheat are present along the trail. Northern flicker, American kestrel, least chipmunk spotted. Ends at junction with Z700 (Picture 713022).

Route crosses creek it leaves 01S15A (Picture 713019). Crossing is unstable, 90 degree. Width of the creek above and below the crossing is 15 inches and at crossing is 19 feet.

Recommendation: This route is a reasonable connector and current management should continue for motorized users. Some mitigation at the north crossing of the creek would decrease damage to this riparian corridor.  

Route 01S90

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
yes     yes* yes**  

*listed as 1590 and shown as improved road
**shown as improved road

Route description: Route off of 01S16 heading west and south west providing an alternate route to McGee Creek Canyon (Picture 713023).

Narrative summary: Very well-defined and signed (Picture 713024). High use and graded. Pedestrian, motorcycle, ATV and full-size vehicle tracks. Sagebrush is dominant vegetation; bitterbrush and prickly poppy along trail. Little to no center vegetation (Picture 713025). 

Recommendation: Maintain current management for motorized use.  

Route Z778

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
yes     yes* yes**  

*shown as 4WD
**shown as a trail, but not connecting with McGee Meadows

Route description: Route heads south toward McGee Meadows from west McGee Canyon (Picture 713026).  

Narrative summary: Moderate use. Sandy. Motorcycle and full-size vehicle tracks. Jeffrey pine trees are dominant vegetation; sagebrush, bitterbrush, lupine in the center (6 inches maximum height) (Picture 713027).  

Recommendation: Maintain current management for motorized use.  

Route N722

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   no yes*  

*shown as trail

Route description: Spur route off of Z779 at McGee meadow heading south and south east (Picture 713030).  

Narrative summary: Low use. Difficult to follow (Picture 713029). ATV and full-size vehicle tracks. Skirts edge of McGee Meadow . Lodgepole pine trees and sagebrush are dominant vegetation; aspen, lupine, grasses along the trail. Moderate vegetation in center (1.5 feet maximum height),(Picture 713028).   

Recommendation: Route does not disturb the meadow, however, it seems unnecessary. We recommend omitting it from the inventory because of the potential for damage to the meadow.  

Route Z779

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
yes     yes* yes**  

*shown as 4WD ending adjacent to the meadow
**section in McGee meadows is shown as a trail

Route description: Route heads southwest to McGee Meadow road from upper McGee Creek (Picture 713030).  

Narrative summary: Low use. Follows dilapidated fence line. Sandy, steep and very narrow at spots. Travels through the area and intermittently crosses the meadow 3 times; westernmost crossing is 100 feet (Picture 713031), second one is 2/10 mile (Picture 713032, 713033) and third one is 60 feet (Picture 713034). Lodgepole pine, Jeffrey pine, sagebrush  dominant in non-meadow areas. Riparian vegetation, including willow and tamarisk, and wildflowers, including wild onion, iris, scarlet gilia, and cinquefoil dominate meadow crossings. Sagebrush, sulfur buckwheat and grasses also found along route. Yellow warbler was heard. 

Recommendation: We suggest restoring this and limiting motorized use at the junction of Z778 and Z779. From this point, we recommend managing it as a trail allowing pedestrian access to McGee Meadows. This may preserve the critical riparian habitat in this meadow by minimizing further damage due to vehicles.   

Route N731

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   no no  

Route description: Spur route off of 01S01 heads south west toward Glass Mountain near Sawmill Meadows (Picture 713036). 

Narrative summary: Low use. Steep and sandy in spots. Passable for 4WD only. Full-size vehicle tracks. Lodgepole pine is dominant; sagebrush and aspen present. Center vegetation reaches ~ 1 foot (Picture 713037). Proliferation of tracks at end of route (Picture 713038).

Recommendation: The purpose and destination of the route are unclear. We recommend omitting it from the inventory.

Route T6

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
  yes   yes* no  

*shown as 4WD

Route description: Route heads off 01S16 east to Sawmill Meadow (Picture 713039).  

Narrative summary: Moderate use (Picture 713043). Well-signed (Picture 713040). Full-size vehicle tracks. Unstable crossing through creek is unstable and at 90 degrees. The width of the creek above the crossing is 1.5 feet, below the crossing is 3 feet and at the crossing is 30 feet (Picture 713042). Located 90 feet from the water at the crossing, there is a moderate use campsite with a fire ring (Picture 713041). Sagebrush is dominant; aspen, willow, sulfur buckwheat and bitterbrush present. 

Recommendation: Route provides access to Kelty Meadows. For the section of this route that we surveyed, there appears to be little riparian damage, however, there is potential for further damage if this route passes through Kelty meadows. We recommend stabilizing the creek crossing and dismantling the campsite because it is so close to water.  

Route 01S16

Quad:  Glass Mountain
Documentation on Maps/Guides: 

1988 Inventory (black) 2003 Inventory
(yellow)		 2003 Inventory
(green)		 USGS 7.5 Quad Inyo Recreation Map None
yes     yes* yes*  

*both shown as improved roads

Route description: Route heads south through McGee Canyon after junction with 01S09 (Picture 713023).

Narrative summary: High use (Picture 713044). Very well-defined and well-signed. Motorcycle, ATV and full-size vehicle tracks. Pinon-juniper and sagebrush are dominant vegetation; sulfur buckwheat, prickly poppy and paintbrush are present. 

Recommendation: Route provides access to McGee Canyon with very little resource damage. We recommend including it on the inventory and continuing current management.  

Main    Dexter Canyon map    Glass Mountain Map    River Springs Map    Dexter Canyon Narrative    River Spring Narrative