Ostrander Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ostrander Lake |
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August 2005
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 Ostrander Lake
Location in California
Ostrander Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Yosemite National Park, Mariposa County, California, US |
| Coordinates | 37°37′28″N 119°33′02″W / 37.62444°N 119.55056°W |
| Primary outflows | Bridalveil Creek |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 8,500 ft (2,600 m) |
Ostrander Lake is a beautiful lake located in Yosemite National Park in California. It sits high up at about 8,500 feet (2,600 m) (2,590 meters) above sea level. You can find it about 10 miles (16 km) (16 km) south of Yosemite Valley.
This lake is a popular spot, especially for people who love cross-country skiing in the winter. Ostrander Lake is also important because it's the main source of Bridalveil Creek, which flows into the famous Bridalveil Falls.
Exploring Ostrander Lake: The Hiking Trail
If you love to hike, the trail to Ostrander Lake is an exciting adventure! It's a long hike, about 12.7 miles (20.4 km) (20.4 km) round trip. The trail starts near Bridalveil Creek Campground on the Glacier Point road.
If you plan to stay overnight at the lake, you will need a special permit called a Backcountry Permit. You can get this permit at the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Village.
The first part of the hike is fairly flat. You'll walk through areas where fires once burned, but now new trees and plants are growing back. Some parts are shady, and others are sunny. The second half of the hike gets steeper, climbing over 1,500 feet (460 m) (457 meters) in about 3 miles. It can get quite warm in the summer, so bring water!
As you get closer to the lake, you'll see amazing views of the Clark Range. Then, you'll walk down to the north shore of Ostrander Lake. Many great spots for camping can be found on the west side of the lake, with nice views. If you enjoy fishing, you might catch some rainbow trout here, usually about 10-12 inches long.
The Ostrander Ski Hut: A Winter Getaway
The Ostrander Ski Hut is a special building made of stone. It was built in 1941 by a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps. This hut was made especially for cross-country skiers to use in the winter. It was meant to be part of a bigger network of huts and trails, but that plan never fully happened.
The hut is located in a small bowl-shaped area carved by glaciers, right next to Ostrander Lake. It offers simple places to sleep and cook. Up to 25 people can stay there. Inside, you'll find bunk beds, mattresses, a wood stove to keep warm, and a kitchen with a gas stove for cooking. There are also pots and pans you can use.
Visitors get drinking and washing water from the lake using buckets. It's important to treat the water to make it safe to drink. The hut has lights powered by solar energy.
In winter, the road to Glacier Point closes at the Badger Pass Ski Area. This means the trail to Ostrander Ski Hut is a 10 miles (16 km) (16 km) one-way trip on skis. This trip is quite challenging and is best for experienced skiers. The Yosemite Conservancy, a non-profit group, runs the hut. During the winter, a hutmaster stays there to help visitors.
