Genny Smith was the Naturalist Queen of the Eastern Sierra. She wandered many Eastern Sierra trails in search of flowers, birds, mammals, and quiet serenity, and in turn learned about the important interactions between all of the life in these habitats and the ancient geology that sets the stage. These experiences inspired her ardent activism—fighting a highway proposed to cut through Minaret Summit and Devils Postpile—and her guidebooks to the Mammoth Lakes region.
Genny passed away last year at the age of 96 (see Summer 2018 Mono Lake Newsletter) but her legacy lives on. We are excited to offer two natural history hikes this summer to celebrate her legacy and cultivate the careful attention to our surroundings she taught. We will read excerpts from Genny’s books to bring her voice to the mountain air once again, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the trails she loved so dearly.
Join us on Saturday, July 13, and Saturday, August 24, for free, moderately strenuous 2–5 mile hikes with many stops to view flowers, rocks, and wildlife. Meet at the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center at 2510 Main Street in Mammoth Lakes at 9:00am. Space is limited, so sign up for these free hikes here.
This post was also published as an article in the Summer 2019 Mono Lake Newsletter (page 18).