June 28-29, Saturday-Sunday, 9 a. m.

Leaders: Phil and Pat Gordon, pagpeg AT aol.com 510.538.3550

Join us as we return to the east and high Sierra for our annual birding campout! Who knows what kind of winter we will have had? We plan to camp near Lee Vining in canyons such as Lee Vining or Lundy. Some higher altitude camps may be available near lakes along eastern Tioga Pass Road or June Lake loop off US-395 south of Lee Vining. Some are first come, first served.

Book now! This popular area fills up early.

Mountain forest species, many of them neo-tropical migrants, will be in various stages of nesting. We plan to visit several lakes, streams, wet meadows, rocky and forest trails of varying elevations, and the area around Mono Lake. Hikinig in extreme elevations will be very short term, if at all; recall that Tioga Pas is at 9945 feet. We hope for abundant wild flowers; they will be sought out and appreciated as well as any other aspects of this very special and often surprising part of our world. We will search for higher-elevation birds like Williamsonn’s Sapsucker and Sooty Grouse, and lower elevation birds like Willson’s Snipe and Brewer’s Sparrow. At least 100 species are possible.

To reach Tioga Pass (Yosemite) from the Bay Area, takeI-580 east to I-205 and follow signs for I-205 Tracy-Stockton. Merge briefly onto I-5 N; exit at CA-120 E, toward Manteca /Sonora. Stay on CA-120 E to the Yosemite Park entrance at Crane Flat (2.5 hours from Manteca; gas available; national park fee $20 per vehicle). At Crane Flat head north on CA-120 E to Tioga Pass Road (NOT the right “Y” to Big Oak Flat Road to Yosemite Valley). Proceed through Tuolomne Meadows (store, restrooms) over Tioga Pass, noting the small Tioga Lodge and campgrounds and Ellery Lakes, on down to US-395. Go north (left) on US-395
to enter Lee Vining. We will meet each morning at 9 a. m at the Mono Lake Scenic Visitors Center overlooking the lake on the north end of town (http://www. monolake.org/visit/vc).

For more information, contact the leaders.