Near Bear Valley in Alpine County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Bedrock Mortars

Point of Historical Interest

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 30, 2008

1. Bedrock Mortars Marker

Inscription. Bedrock mortars were made by Native California Women. The cup shapes were worn smooth by repeated pounding and grinding for use in processing food. Both the Washoe and Miwuk Tribes traversed and summered in this high Central Sierra Region. Although there is a man-made lake here today, we can still get a sense of what life was like by the clues these early travelers left behind.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 38° 28.788′ N, 119° 59.96′ W. Marker is near Bear Valley, California, in Alpine County. It can be reached from Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway (State Highway 4). Marker is located at Lake Alpine across the highway from the entrance to the Bee Gulch Residence Road. Take a short walk from the parking area to the lake. Marker is on the path. Marker may only be seen during late Spring, Summer and early Fall as the highway is closed during the Winter. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Arnold CA 95223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s

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Sierra Nevada.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Reynold’s House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Emigrant Road (approx. 2.9 miles away); Harry Schimke (approx. 3 miles away); Camp Tamarack (approx. 5 miles away); Hermit Valley (approx. 7.1 miles away); The Last Battle (approx. 10.4 miles away); Route of the Bartleson-Bidwell Party - 1841 (approx. 10.4 miles away); Ebbetts Pass (approx. 11.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bear Valley.

Regarding Bedrock Mortars. Mortars are located just past the marker.

Bedrock Mortars Marker with Lake Alpine in Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 31, 2008

2. Bedrock Mortars Marker with Lake Alpine in Background

Bedrock Mortars image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 31, 2008

3. Bedrock Mortars

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 31, 2008

4. Bedrock Mortars

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 30, 2008

5. Bedrock Mortars

These mortars were found approximately .5 of a mile NE of the marker on the banks of a small creek that flows into Lake Alpine.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,789 times since then and 55 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on September 2, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.