Joaquin Murieta and Mono Meadow

As we get busy in our lifestyles or just handling our every day responsibilities, we can sometimes forget those enjoyable memories from the past.

The hobby I started when I was a Boy Scout somehow keeps reminding me to make the time and start enjoying the adventures of the Sierra Nevada again.

Finally, I gave in to dreaming and during the first week of May I decided to revisit an area in the Ansel Adams Wilderness called Mono Meadow. This should be an easy trek mostly on established tails with beautiful views of those hidden canyons with wilderness landscaping.

I departed from my cabin at Mono Hot Springs around 6 a.m. following the old packing trail to Mono Meadow. Since the major forest fire five years ago, this trail’s personality has changed.

With downed timber and erosion from the lack of ground cover, my hiking time will be extended. On a positive note, the fire has opened up the views of the surrounding mountains. A few of the higher peaks still have snow which adds to the beauty of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

After an hour of trail following and climbing over downed timber, I finally arrived at the south end of Mono Meadow. This is a long 300 yard meadow and during the spring it is covered with wildflowers.

Today, most of those white and yellow carpets of flowers have completed their spring cycle. At the north end is Mono Creek and if you are a trout fisherman, plan on attempting your luck on this stream which is a direct water source from Edison Lake.

This area of the forest was spared from the forest fire but the old 100-year-old cabin that was built in 1915 suffered a catastrophic event. In 2014, someone who must have something against history, burnt it down. Sad to say this historic cabin only lasted 99 years.

One cannot remove all the area’s history; this trail was part of the American Indians trade route centuries ago. This location was a major resting area before continuing over the mountain passes to trade their wicker baskets and acorns for obsidian or whatever on the east side.

Also the packing station used this same route from Mono Hot Springs taking its passengers into wilderness destinations. The High Sierra Pack Station has been in the John and Jemise Cunningham family since the 1940s.

During the 1960s the packing station was moved to the west of Edison Lake and it remains there today waiting for those willing to ride horses into the past.

The old swinging bridge is still attached to both banks on Mono Creek, but is closed to those who want to continue following the trail to Edison Lake. The trail crossing is solved if one just walks downstream.

You can see that the forest service placed large boulders into the stream so those hikers could boulder hop to the opposite side without getting wet.

It has been almost four years since I ventured into this area, so I’m once again testing my ability and hopefully I haven’t forgotten those skills that have been dormant these past years.

I must admit the trails were much easier getting there, but on my return it was much slower. These trails have changed since the fire five years ago.

Today, almost 50 percent resemble the surface of cross-country trekking. I was roughly an hour slower than previous years.

The Ansel Adams Wilderness is one of my favorite places to trek here in Central California. Whether you’re a fisherman, photographer or just a lover of the wilderness; you will not be disappointed.

Before you set up your itinerary, do a little fact finding or history research because there was a famous personality that graced this area. Have you ever thought of walking in the footsteps of one famous California individual, Joaquin Murrieta, the Robin Hood of our Mexican Ancestors?

I’m talking about during the 1850s or during the start of the California Gold Rush. The area north of the San Joaquin River called Mono Hot Springs was the summer camp of Joaquin Murrieta and his men.

We know from history that he had a few skirmishes with the law, but were they fact or fiction? Over time, history can change and we ask ourselves: Who and what do we believe?

From two separate books depicting the travels of his life within our area, Murrieta and his band of followers spent time hiding in the area called Mono Hot Springs. This was not an overnight visit; it was extended days until they decided to attempt gold mining once again.

Back in 1850, Mono Hot Springs did not look as it does today, but those hot springs were there to offer an enjoyable lengthy stay.

One such book is “California’s Gold Rush Bandito,” by Kelley Cadwallader. The project took from January 1975 until July 2014 to be completed. This book will offer to you the surprising history of this famous individual.

After extending your personal research on Joaquin Murrieta and why he chose this area for a get-a-way, visit Mono Hot Springs and the Ansel Adams Wilderness and see for yourself how history can become a reality for all to enjoy.

Tony Krizan describes himself as an “adventurer” and he explores the Sierra Nevada range on a regular basis. He can be reached at tonykrizan@hotmail.com.