Breckenridge and Piute Mountains
This tour takes back roads up Breckenridge mountain exploring mines and hot springs of Havilah, the original county seat. The Bright Star mine, Claraville, and Weldon districts are investigated. Examples of interaction between ecosystems and geology are discussed.
Johnsondale- California Hot Springs
This program examines the history of the western face of the Sierra Nevada and the roof pendants in the Johnsondale Area and the North Branch of the Kern River and the Kern River Fault. We return to Bakersfield by way of California Hot Springs.
Kern Canyon‑Lake Isabella‑Walker Pass GUIDEBOOK AVAILABLE
The geology and ecology of the Kern Canyon, Kern River and Lake Isabella is investigated. Stops are made at the Keysville, Kernville and Weldon Mining Districts. Processes for recovery of tungsten and gold are discussed. Archaeology sites in the Walker Pass area (Solstice Rock and Birthing Stone) are also visited. We start at sunrise at the Solstice Rock
Kennedy Meadows-Black Rock-Sherman Pass
The high Sierra is the focus of this field trip. From Lake Isabella we investigate archaeology sites at South Lake, the Solstice Rock and Birthing stone on our way to a zoned pegmatite in the Chimney Peak Recreation Area. We then take County Road J41 to Kennedy Meadows and Blackrock Ranger Station examining plutons and enclaves and other igneous geology topics. We return to Bakersfield through the Sherman Pass
Lake Isabella
The geology around Lake Isabella will be explored as part of the History Days Program.
Mineral King and Case Mountain Sequoia Grove
The seldom-visited giant sequoia groves on BLM land at Case Mountain are inspected by a 1 mile hike cross-country (no trails). This unique experience is followed by a tour of historic Mineral King in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. The silver-lead-zinc (gold) mineralization there is associated with an ancient sub-sea volcano. High clearance vehicles are required for this trip.
Pack Saddle Cave
This is an all-day hiking trip to Pack Saddle Cave north of Kernville. It is a 3 hour hike into the cave on a fairly steep trail and a 2 hour return hike. Bring your flashlights! The geology and mining history of the Kern Canyon-Lake Isabella area is covered including a discussion of hydraulic gold mining on the Kern River from 1851-1871.
Solstice Rock
The paleoastronomic sight near Walker Pass will be explored on the morning of the winter and summer solstices. Along with viewing the solstice, we will see the Birthing Stone site nearby. This site is where Tubatilable Native Americans marked the winter and summer solstices.
Walker Basin‑Loraine Mining Districts; GUIDEBOOK AVAILABLE
The mining history of the Piute Mountain and Loraine Mining Districts is covered. Stops include the Tungsten King, Joe Walker, Golden Cowboy and Zenda Mines. We also visit an archaeology and hot-springs site at Twin Oaks.
This tour takes back roads up Breckenridge mountain exploring mines and hot springs of Havilah, the original county seat. The Bright Star mine, Claraville, and Weldon districts are investigated. Examples of interaction between ecosystems and geology are discussed.
Johnsondale- California Hot Springs
This program examines the history of the western face of the Sierra Nevada and the roof pendants in the Johnsondale Area and the North Branch of the Kern River and the Kern River Fault. We return to Bakersfield by way of California Hot Springs.
Kern Canyon‑Lake Isabella‑Walker Pass GUIDEBOOK AVAILABLE
The geology and ecology of the Kern Canyon, Kern River and Lake Isabella is investigated. Stops are made at the Keysville, Kernville and Weldon Mining Districts. Processes for recovery of tungsten and gold are discussed. Archaeology sites in the Walker Pass area (Solstice Rock and Birthing Stone) are also visited. We start at sunrise at the Solstice Rock
Kennedy Meadows-Black Rock-Sherman Pass
The high Sierra is the focus of this field trip. From Lake Isabella we investigate archaeology sites at South Lake, the Solstice Rock and Birthing stone on our way to a zoned pegmatite in the Chimney Peak Recreation Area. We then take County Road J41 to Kennedy Meadows and Blackrock Ranger Station examining plutons and enclaves and other igneous geology topics. We return to Bakersfield through the Sherman Pass
Lake Isabella
The geology around Lake Isabella will be explored as part of the History Days Program.
Mineral King and Case Mountain Sequoia Grove
The seldom-visited giant sequoia groves on BLM land at Case Mountain are inspected by a 1 mile hike cross-country (no trails). This unique experience is followed by a tour of historic Mineral King in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. The silver-lead-zinc (gold) mineralization there is associated with an ancient sub-sea volcano. High clearance vehicles are required for this trip.
Pack Saddle Cave
This is an all-day hiking trip to Pack Saddle Cave north of Kernville. It is a 3 hour hike into the cave on a fairly steep trail and a 2 hour return hike. Bring your flashlights! The geology and mining history of the Kern Canyon-Lake Isabella area is covered including a discussion of hydraulic gold mining on the Kern River from 1851-1871.
Solstice Rock
The paleoastronomic sight near Walker Pass will be explored on the morning of the winter and summer solstices. Along with viewing the solstice, we will see the Birthing Stone site nearby. This site is where Tubatilable Native Americans marked the winter and summer solstices.
Walker Basin‑Loraine Mining Districts; GUIDEBOOK AVAILABLE
The mining history of the Piute Mountain and Loraine Mining Districts is covered. Stops include the Tungsten King, Joe Walker, Golden Cowboy and Zenda Mines. We also visit an archaeology and hot-springs site at Twin Oaks.