Glass Mountain Area Summary

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Crossing of Crooked MeadowsCampsite on Sawmill CreekHorse Camp near Pizona SpringRoute and McNamara Lake

Overview of Area

Glass Mountain is the patriarch of the Inyo National Forest's many obsidian domes as it rises midway between the Sierra and White Mountains. With fantastic views and several deep-cut canyons, this area claims some of the least traveled sections of the forest. The high meadows and creeks of Glass Mountain's north flank provide unique riparian habitat in this volcanic region. 

Northeast of Glass Mountain, Pizona Springs provides a small, delicate ribbon of riparian habitat in an area otherwise dominated by open sagebrush steppe. In addition to this unique habitat, there is an old homestead at Upper Pizona Springs that provides evidence of inhabitants from previous centuries.  

bulletAreas Surveyed
bulletGlass Mountain Areas of Concern
bulletManagement Recommendations for the Glass Mountain Area

 

Areas Descriptions Links
Wild Horse Meadow Meadow on northern flank of Glass Mountain just south of Sagehen Peak popular for wood harvesters.
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Crooked Meadows Meadow complex at the headwaters of Dexter Canyon with campsites and several route crossings.
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Sentinel Meadow Meadow with complex of routes north of the Sentinel Meadows Research Natural Area.
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Dexter Canyon The Eastern Sierra's red rock canyon flowing on the north slope of Glass Mountain.
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McGee and Sawmill Meadows Two meadows on the flank of Glass Mountain. McGee receives relatively low use with some meadow crossings and Sawmill sits just at the base of Glass Mountain with a campground.
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Pizona Springs & Site Jewel in the desert northeast of Glass Mountain fed by two springs and impacted by a horse camp and frequent meadow and creek crossings.
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Areas of Concern: Route Hotspots

Pizona & Upper Pizona Springs

This route travels through a riparian corridor for       miles. The route makes multiple unstable crossings  through meadows and creeks and there is significant damage to vegetation and  deep rutting. There is also a large stock camp directly on the creek. 

We recommend restoring the route by prohibiting motorized access and offering alternate access to the area that bypasses this riparian corridor.

 



The main access route to Pizona intermittently passes through meadows with thick riparian vegetation.  
This unstable, low-angle creek crossing on the route to Pizona has resulted in a stream capture and gullying.
Upper Dexter Canyon & Crooked  Meadow

This route travels in a riparian corridor and very close to creek for     miles. Along the route there are unstable creek crossings resulting in  deep rutting, pooling of water, erosion and sediment loading. There are also unstable, muddy meadow crossings where pools of water have formed. 

We recommend restoring the main route (Z707) into Dexter Canyon by managing it as a one lane trail for non- motorized use. We also suggest closing Route Z706 or stabilizing the crossing on this route.  




Rutting and pooling associated with a route in this area crossing Dexter Creek. 
Route crossing Crooked Meadow. The width of this pool of standing water is 40'. 
McGee Meadows

This low-use route has frequent meadow crossings.

We recommend managing the main route through the area (Z779) as a narrow trail for non-motorized use.  
There is thick riparian vegetation in the center of the route as it passes 
through McGee Meadows.

Overall Management Recommendations

Glass Mountain and the Pizona area receive less discussion than other regions of the forest, but these regions are in no less need of scrutiny and attention. Many of the Glass Mountain routes are well established, easily distinguished, and effective means of access to points of interest. On the other hand, many of the routes in this area have no clear destinations, are redundant routes, are difficult to follow in pumice soil, or damage critical habitat. A clear example of this contrast is found in Crooked Meadows where route 01S17 is graded and elevated out of the meadow providing primary access to the area. Nearby, route Z707 cuts through the north end of the same meadow with no clear purpose and significant damage. In this region, the clear, high-use routes should be maintained, signed, and kept open. These confusing, low-use, and damaging routes need to be restored to their natural condition. This could all easily happen with little to no negative impact on visitor experience. 

This unique area is also in dire need of some trails for non-motorized and non-mechanized use. Areas such as McGee Meadows and upper Dexter Creek could be excellent locations for trails that give non-motorized access to this unique region. 

The route that gives access to Pizona runs directly through the only riparian area for miles in this desert region. The route constantly crosses through the creeks and meadows associated with Upper and Lower Pizona Springs. This fragile region needs to be restored and developing alternate access is the only sensible option for motorized users.