Return Creek is a stream in the northeast part of Yosemite National Park, in Tuolumne County, California, and is a tributary of the Tuolumne River. About 13 miles (21 km) in length, it is the first major tributary to join downstream of Tuolumne Meadows. The creek begins at Return Lake on the Sierra Crest, near Virginia Pass, and flows initially east before turning southwest and joining with McCabe Creek and Spiller Creek. On its path to the Tuolumne River the creek has carved out the 2,000-foot (610 m) deep Virginia Canyon, which was enlarged to its present shape by glaciation. After its confluence with Matterhorn Creek it flows south-southwest to its confluence with the Tuolumne River, about a quarter mile (400 m) below Waterwheel Falls.[2]
| Return Creek | |
|---|---|
  Location of Return Creek in California | |
| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Sierra Nevada |
| • coordinates | 38°04′51″N 119°21′18″W / 38.08083°N 119.35500°W[1] |
| • elevation | 11,938 ft (3,639 m) |
| Mouth | Tuolumne River |
• coordinates | 37°55′55″N 119°27′58″W / 37.93194°N 119.46611°W[1] |
• elevation | 6,204 ft (1,891 m) |
| Length | 12.96 mi (20.86 km) |
The Pacific Crest Trail follows part of Virginia Canyon and crosses Return Creek just above the confluence of McCabe Creek.[3]
Return Creek has also been labeled, on early maps, as the North Fork of the Tuolumne River.[1] This is not to be confused with the actual North Fork Tuolumne River, located much further to the west.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Return Creek". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. 1981-01-19. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
- ^ USGS Topo Maps for United States (Map). Cartography by United States Geological Survey. ACME Mapper. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
- ^ Yosemite National Park (PDF) (Map). Cartography by National Park Service. U.S. National Park Service. 2003. Retrieved 2017-01-15.