Backpack to Pioneer Lakes Basin

Last week, Gail and I drove to Bishop, CA, on the eastern side of the Sierras where we met my cousin Sue and her partner Paul.  Paul had cooked up the trip, and lucky for us, invited us along. 

 

Bishop is an eclectic town of cowboys, sportsmen, and mountaineers. We liked the bluntness of the restaurant sign.

 

The crew:  me, Gail, River, Tim, Sue, and Paul.  Tim and River joined us for the first night, and then returned to Bishop the next morning.  Paul and Tim met as SAR (search and rescue) team members a number of years ago.  We heard great stories in the evening about SAR adventures, including the discovery of Steve Fossett's remains.  River was one of the nicest 9 year olds you could ever meet!

 

Ruby Lake was where we camped for the first night.

 

Our tent site, nestled among the trees and rocks.  The elevation here was about 11,000 feet, and, having come from sea level, we felt it on the climb up from Mosquito Flat.

 

In the morning, we explored the creek and meadow below our tent site.

 

 

The next morning, as we made our way up Mono Pass, groups of young runners were coming back down from their run up to the top and back.  The top of the pass is at 12,080 feet, a height where some people would feel sick doing nothing!

 

Among the rocks were different wildflowers - Spring comes late in the John Muir Wilderness!

 

 

We were soon well above the timberline.  So much granite!  See the trail going around the corner?

 

Every plant has its niche.

 

A bush cricket with its long ovipositor for laying eggs

 

Some people cheat and have mules carry their loads.  Mules also poop on the trails :(

 

Poor mules!

 

On the top of Mono Pass, and feeling good!  The pass is at 12,080 feet, but is surrounded by 13,000 foot plus peaks - a very harsh environment!

 

 



















On the pass is Summit Lake.  Normally, there would be much more snow up here this time of the year, but this was a very dry year.

 

Going over the other side, and about to drop a couple thousand feet before climbing up to the Pioneer Lakes Basin later in the day.

 

Sue and Paul set up their spot.  It was a full day of hiking to get here.

 

Preparing "dinner" before daylight runs out.  We have vowed to get more creative with food next time, and stay away from the expensive, boring, freeze dried packets.  We envied Paul's and Sue's tortillas and abundant cheese.

 

 

Paul and Sue share a moment.

 

Our lake in the Pioneer Lakes Basin - morning glass.

 

Looking away from the lake near our tent sites.

 

On the third day, clouds started to add interest to the sky.

 

 

 

 

On Friday, we had a decision to make.  Paul had been told that one could go cross country over this ridge, drop into another lakes basin, and loop back to our trail head the next day.  We realized at this point that trying to go over this ridge, and facing an equally steep downhill, would be foolish - at least for three of our party.  So, we decided to backtrack and go to a remote lake we saw on the map.

 

We dropped back down into the forest.

 

A drop in elevation means milder weather, running streams, and greenery. 

 

Time for lunch.  Note Paul practicing his Tai Chi (or is he fainting from hunger?).

 

Gail looking right at home.

 

Going to splash a little water on my face.

 

 

 

Friday night, we camped at Needle Lake, up on a bench and beneath "The Needle".

 

Sue comes up for a visit.

 

Dramatic skylines are the norm in the Sierras.

 

Sue's and Paul's site, nearer the lake.

 

 

Saturday morning, we say good bye to Needle Lake, and descend back down to the trail.

 

This is why we were the only people at Needle Lake - no trail and steep!

 

Sue decided to make the climb back up Mono Pass more challenging by carrying rocks to bring back home.

 

Gail about to savor our last cracker - kissing it first.

 

 

Sue and her nifty "Droid".

 

 

Summit Lake, again.

 

 

Sue gives a thumbs up for the dried pineapple.

 

 

I will never eat another Clif Bar again!

 

 

Starting back down Mono Pass - the "high country".

 

 

 



 

Looking down at Ruby Lake where we spent night one.

 

 

Sue and Paul coming down the trail.

 

 

Gail has a thing for gnarly old things.

 

 

It started to rain a little on us, and we learned the next day there was a large lightning caused fire and flash floods in the region.

 

Looking over our shoulders at the pretty little lakes in Rock Creek.

 

Just about back to the trailhead.  Some of the animal highlights were seeing a peregrine falcon, bald eagle, marmots, clark's nutcrackers, juncos, pikas, and chipmunks.  Sunday, Gail and I spent the day at Mono Lake, about 30 miles to the north.  Blog post to come soon!

 









San Bernardino Mountains

Yesterday, we drove about 2 hours north to the San Bernardino Mountains.  We wanted to get in at least one steep hike at higher elevation before our Sierra backpack.  We weren't disappointed!  Our trail head was adjacent to San Gorgonio Mountain, which stands at 11, 489 feet, making it the tallest mountain in Southern California.

While picking up our trail permit at the ranger station, we saw this very large rattlesnake skin on the wall.  The snake measured 8 feet, 6 inches!

 



We started our hike up Momyer- Alger Creek trail at the 4,600 foot level.   This striking flower was growing out of rocks in the Mill Creek bed.

The trail, for the most part, was relentlessly steep.  We climbed three to four thousand feet and hiked about 9 to 10 miles round trip.

As we climbed out of the oak forests, we started seeing some huge incense cedar trees.

This is lovely Alger Creek.  There is a campsite here, and a ranger told us that a bear was seen here a few days ago.

Next to the creek were western columbines.

Climbing higher above Alger Creek, we entered a burn area from a fire in May, 2011.  It was amazing to see such a beautiful rebirth of wildflowers.  California fuchsia, here.

 

Cirrus clouds trailing long wisps of ice crystal hair.

 

These are seriously rugged mountains.  We saw only one couple all day until we neared the bottom near the end of our hike - amazing for being so close to such a huge population.

 

A contrast in color; a contrast in death and birth.

 

Prickly poppies.

 

Flowers.

 

 

How are you still standing?

 





Hey, Sarah, someone placed this rock at the base of the trail sign!

 

Crossing Mill Creek near the trail head.  You get the feeling that this creek can really roar during a flash flood. 

Doesn't this boulder look like a giant fish?

 

We stopped at the first town, Mentone, for grub.  This was part of the mural overlooking us while we ate in the patio.  The artist seemed to misunderstand female anatomy, but did a good job on a pelican and a toucan.

 

Local flavor!  The beer, rice, and beans were just what we needed to soothe our tired bodies.  Adios!















In Our Yard

This week we had a new visitor - a green June beetle.

And, we built a raised bed for an herb garden.  So far, we have planted basil, parsley, and cat nip. Wahoo!!!

On Safari !

Today, we took fellow explorers Nora and Soren to the San Diego Safari Park.  Below are pictures of just a few of the things we did. 

First stop was a playground where Soren did a hang and drop of about 6 feet that had Gail and me in brief panic mode.  The ground, however, was thoughtfully covered with a spongy surface.

Nora and Soren had fun playing with a couple of friends they made.  We lost a quarter on this jeep ride, however.  This was the first of Nora's 3 "disappointments".

 We really had good, close views of the lions today.

These are real lions!

Soren showed courage again by standing patiently under a bucket while it filled up above his head and then dumping its contents on him.  Most of the water missed him, though.  A little crowd had waited for several minutes in anticipation of the big moment.

After practically a private show with Robert the Zebra, we were off to the big bird show.  Here a Secretary Bird stomps to death a rubber snake - a natural behavior.

A huge Andean Condor performed for the crowd.  The birds were free to fly around with no restraint or overhead netting.  Rooty, the Red River Hog, made a couple appearances also.

We were buzzed several times by hawks, owls, and other various birds.

We were warned that the Lorikeets were not too hungry today, but Soren managed to get a taker with Nora's help.

We did a lot of walking, and with an occasional lift from Baba, we all survived the day with no loss of blood or melt-downs.

A fun day had by all!

Mission Trails Regional Park

Yesterday, Gail and I thought we'd take a little hike, so we drove down to Mission Hills Regional Park - very close to San Diego proper. It is a huge tract of land set aside as protected habitat, but also accomodating miles of trails.  We were awed by the lack of people and the quietness.  We ended up hiking for almost 4 hours.  The visitor center there is top notch, too!

We decided to climb "The Staircase" up this peak.

A little rejoicing at the top.

 

Going over the peak and around to the service road, we followed the San Diego River through the gorge back to the car.  We are making an effort to be Sierra ready in a couple weeks.

Pool Party Two!

We had a Monarch themed pool party last weekend.  Our pool party BBQ coincided with the emerging of a Monarch Butterfly from one of the chrysalis's we had in a container.  We have had large numbers of Monarch caterpillars totally devouring our pretty milkweed plants.  Our theme also celebrated our hummingbirds that guzzle up our sugar water before we know it.

Tasty delights by chef Gail!

 



What appears to be the world's largest Monarch Butterfly drying its wings and antennae.

 

The star of the party really made a splash with her Esther Williams impersonation.

 



This little girl is in perpetual motion every waking minute!

Hangin' with Susanna

Lately, I've been able to take care of Susanna once a week in the afternoon while Andria takes the big kids swimming.  We read, play with toys, march around the backyard, stroller through the neighborhood, and play in the park.  She is such a delight and knows the words for so many things.  I think we are bonding!

Gandolf?

 

"Shades" of Elton John or Jackie O?