White Mountains 11/6

We camped in the white Mountains, at Grandview Campground, 8540 feet elevation, and woke up to 13 degrees! Welp, seems like hell froze over because we picked up a few bars cell service to find out that we will have another DJT presidency- it's like a day of mourning. I'm happy that we have been out of touch so as not to be so bombarded and fatigued with all the news stream, nonetheless, it’s a shock and "I can't believe this!"

Susan mentioned that perhaps it was fitting to be in the presence of the ancient Bristlecones, as they have withstood 4,000 years of existence in a very harsh place. Let's gather some of that resiliency and know the long game is not about these 4 years. Yes we'll need to fight to retain our democracy.

The sun came up today the same as ever, and that feels good. Stick to what's important, and carry on.

Perhaps it's a time to reflect, and listen to what it is that the conservative voters are searching for? The voters are believing in a dream that I don't quite understand, but to listen, and understand, maybe we can come together on some cornerstones of what we deserve as a nation.

In the meantime, I have a newfound respect for Pinyon Pines (or Pinyon trees if you don't want to seem redundant). The Pinyon and Juniper woodland is so impressive. The Pinyon are shedding their cones, and pine nuts are all over the place! The trees seem to have a competition with the bristlecones for tenacity. They are growing in the rocks, enduring the high altitude severe weather, and have a similar twisted form, they are amazing.

Once the sun came up, and warmed us to at least 20 degrees, I went for a Mountain Bike ride from camp to an old mine site, with breathtaking views of the Sierras, the Pinyon pines, Utah Junipers and rock formations in this magical woodland. Dang those climbs are brutal! Maybe it wasn't the view that took my breath away! A great start to the day!

Bristlecone Pines and Limber Pines, White Mountains, 11/5

The ancient Bristlecone Pines, over 4,000 years old! Imagine the changes on planet Earth in the last 4,000 years. Rather than a Pine forest, it’s a sculpture garden with ancient living wooden sculptures depicting the sinuous curves of a flame. Sometimes a bonfire, or the locks of Medusa jutting out at every angle. I could spend a week with these, if it weren't so cold. But that's where and how they thrive- where others can't, how others can't. when most trees would die if the bark is stripped off, the Bristlecone endures. Large swaths of bark removed by rockfall, snow slide, ice and wind, as much as 90% of the bark can be removed, yet the tree will live on.

This is also one of the places when the photographs fall short of the awe inspired by the grove of trees. The lines, forms and colors of the trees and snags have the patina of weathered barn wood. Seeing them was like watching the flames jump from a bonfire, only frozen in time, paused for you to walk around inspect from different perspectives.

Bristlecone Pine Sculpture

Then on the way back to camp, the sky put on an amazing show for us- just to ensure that I stayed out and froze!

Sunset before our 13 degree night!

Chocolate Lakes, John Muir Wilderness 11/4

Yowza, what a hike!

7 miles, topping out at 11,323 feet elevation, starting at 9808. we hiked into the magical John Muir wilderness on the Chocolate lakes loop.

I was fascinated by the diverse group of people on this high elevation hike.

We met a "mountain man" from Montana at the trailhead, and he's hiked the Eastern Sierra a lot, it's his favorite place to hike. Then we leapfrogged the "Instagram couple", who were dressed to go to the mall, posing and smiling at the first lakeside viewpoint. Young serious hiker, woman with her dog, and a trail runner with very little compared to us, the retirees carrying enough for a few days in the back country.

The frozen lakes and streams were particularly beautiful, and a great reason to pause hiking for a minute.

For some reason, throwing rocks onto the frozen lake to see if it will go thru the ice or stay on top is enticing. And the sounds that the ice makes when struck by a rock is super interesting.

Route finding grew more challenging, particularly in the rock scrambles, the real trails become overgrown, and the social trails more prominent.

I think I need to edit this post for clarity…

Long Lake

Chocolate Lakes frozen (phone image)

Ice patterns, Chocolate Lakes

Chocolate Lakes Ice patterns

Lake Sabrina Hike 11/3

The Juniper trees, reflect the sun from the slopes they occupy. The textures and twisted shapes tell stories of hardship and endurance- if these old trees could talk!

The trail around Lake Sabrina seem to have different zones for things to grow. It starts as a sagebrush then come the mountain mahogany, some aspen along the drainage, then on the sunny slope as group of Juniper trees. They have a weathered twisted stout trunk, and stocky limbs. I love the textures and the light as it reflects off each tree to another.

Juniper, Lake Sabrina

red bark of the ancient Juniper

Crowley Lake columns, 11/2

The columns of Crowley lake are mysterious and interesting. The white soil is a lot like pumice rock, but the erosion patterns look like columns from a lost civilization. The road to get there was intensely rough. At first I thought that I could navigate it, but after the first stretch and a new dent in the running board, I decided that the effort wasn't worth it, I'd rather take the longer hike to the columns. Ginger had fun running off leash on the beach for a little bit. It's great to see her so excited and happy.

The wild camping area off Owens Gorge road is fantastic! There is a maze of dirt trails/ roads around rock formations and large pine trees. The snowcapped Sierras are visible to the west.  We found a nice "cubby hole" where we had space to camp, and returned for three nights of camping.

Crowley Lake

Ginger enjoying the water

Hide and Seek in the Crowley Lake columns

You found me!

Crowley Lake columns

Sunset in camp after exploring Crowley Lake