Peeler Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peeler Lake |
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Peeler Lake in July 2009
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 Peeler Lake
Location in California
Peeler Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mono County, California |
| Coordinates | 38°07′14″N 119°28′04″W / 38.12056°N 119.46778°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 9,488 feet (2,892 m) |
Peeler Lake is a beautiful lake located in the state of California. It sits within the Toiyabe National Forest and is on the western edge of the Hoover Wilderness. This area is known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
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About Peeler Lake
Peeler Lake is special because it's one of the few lakes located on the Great Basin Divide. This divide is like a natural boundary. Water on one side flows to the Pacific Ocean, and water on the other side flows into the Great Basin.
Water Flow and Drainage
The lake gets enough water to create two outlet streams. These streams flow over two different "sills" or low points.
- One stream flows west towards the Pacific Ocean. Its water travels through Rancheria Creek, then the Tuolumne and San Joaquin Rivers, and finally reaches Suisun and San Francisco Bays.
- The other stream flows east into the Great Basin. This water goes into Robinson Creek, then the East Walker and Walker Rivers, eventually reaching Walker Lake. Walker Lake is a "sink," meaning water flows into it but doesn't flow out to the ocean.
Location and Surroundings
The area around Peeler Lake is like a mountain pass. It's a lower point between the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Sierra Escarpment to the east. The lake sits at an elevation of about 9,488 feet (2,892 meters) above sea level. This is more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) lower than the nearby mountain peaks. These peaks include Cirque Mountain to the north and Crowne Point to the south.
Visiting Peeler Lake
You can reach Peeler Lake by hiking the Peeler Lake Trail. This trail is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) long. It starts from the Robinson Creek Trailhead parking area, which is on the west side of Twin Lakes. If you plan to stay overnight in the backcountry area around the lake, you will need a permit. You can get these permits from the Bridgeport Ranger Station.
How Peeler Lake Got Its Name
Peeler Lake was officially named in 1925. It was named after Barney Peeler (1833-1920), who lived in nearby Bridgeport. Another lake downstream to the east, called Barney Lake, was also named after him. Peeler Lake was added to the Geographic Names Information System in the year 2000.
