More Snow

Sunday November 16 and the forecast was for snow in the late morning and then beginning again in early evening.  We were not to be disappointed.  Snowed about an inch or two late morning to our delight with temps just about at freezing.

The sun came out and the snow quickly disappeared. But just at the dinner hour, it began again and gently snowed for several hours to a depth of about 2 inches. We ventured out to enjoy the crisp air and big flakes in the light of the headlamps.

Decision time: 1) head down the hill and go to bed or 2) take the ATV out for a spin up and down the private road for a while. It was not a difficult decision:

Yours truly and son Brian

Nothing like a spur of the moment ride.

WAKE UP!

The next morning I was once again greeted with the wonderment of four inches of fresh snow.  I have learned that one has to get out and enjoy it immediately.  For as the sun nears noon, the trees have lost most of their snow coats and by late afternoon most all is gone.  But oh those first few hours!

Sunrise

Rabbit tracks from atop the hill

Even Sage Brush looks Great

In this continuing drought it is as if each needle is holding tight at a water source

Another Blessed Day. How wonderful the colors of nature are.  What a palette!!

A Move, An Old Friend, Season's First Snow

In 1901 John Muir wrote: "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home."

Are John Muir's 100 plus year old words true for today?  It is with these words in mind our mountain experience expands from weekend enjoyment to full time.  It is now three and a half weeks since "the move" and now is the time to begin anew with some postings.

The Move
As we were about to leave our quiet San Gabriel neighborhood, with Mary at the wheel of the pick-up and me about to get in the U Haul, our neighbor came out to say goodbye and to wish us well. Her final and parting words were: "Look at you two! Just like two teenagers off on some grand adventure." These words have come back to me occasionally with cause for contemplation. ....Was she saying we are crazy and irresponsible??

October 15 is the time of year many mountaineers are saying, "Goodbye 'til spring"  I have always enjoyed Minnesota winters of my youth, so it is now with great anticipation what this winter shall bring...."Bring it on El Nino!"  I hope I shall not regret these words.

This is Mary and my 14th married move and the fourth in our four California years.  Of all the moves, this mountain move has presented us with the most and varied unique challenges. The individual details are not so interesting, but being so remote, up the mountain, "off the grid", 45 miles from a hardware store and 55 to a grocery store, does require some new planning and discipline techniques. One becomes intimately familiar with solar systems, wells and pumps, water storage, generators, satellite internet and phone (NO CELL PHONES SERVICE) and then cram everything into a small space.  Oh ya, make room for and keep Mary's internet business going.  Yes challenges are many, but none yet a cause for discouragement, rather a sense of accomplishment when successfully dealt with.

This after ten trips with the pick-up and it's not going to all fit.

The Greeting 

An Old Friend at the Door
The forecast for Tuesday November 3 was one of rain, then with falling temps, snow.  It was this turn in the weather which excited  me.  We got everything ready as a slight rain began at nightfall.  It was a quiet evening and one enjoying the relaxation only a cozy cabin can bring when suddenly, not five feet away staring in our glassed French doors from our deck was the unmistakable pointed face of a fox. He just stood and stared at us, almost as if asking to come in to enjoy our warmth. As he slowly turned and left I saw the distinguishing black striped tail of a Gray Fox.  I wrote of our first sighting in an April post [The Gray Fox].  We retired shortly thereafter with an occasional dusting of snow in the pitch black air.

The First Snow of the Season
We awoke at sunrise to see a white mountain wonderland! Our electricity was out as the solar system had gone "off" on low battery.  With a fresh 3 inches of the snow, the trip to the generator in pj's, robe and boots was an enjoyable one indeed.

View from Deck as I was about to go start generator.

A little later, scrambled eggs eaten and coffee finished, the conclusion was the planned activities would have to wait...It was time for a hike.  Bright sun, wispy white clouds against the blue sky and mountains of Pinyon Pine, their boughs dressed in coats of brilliant white snow. The soft low crunch sounds my boots made in the wet snow brought me back to Boy Scout winter camping trips decades ago.

Hiked Up a Bit to get a Grand View...The Domeland Wilderness Area in the far distance

There is something extraordinary about the ordinary.

Our Cabin Awaits Our Return

We followed rabbit tracks for a time and then, later as we sat outside on the deck, without a jacket, enjoying the sun's warmth, I couldn't help but think.....John Muir just might be right!

"Girzzley Bear", or "Mojave" or "Oldman" Prickly Pear Cactus; Opuntia polyacantha var erinacea, with Bright Yellow Flowers

Prickly Pear Cactus Observations

Late June finally had an excuse/opportunity to learn something of the cactus which grows around here.  On early visits here, I noticed that there were quite a few relatively small cactus around. Often they would be in the shade of a Sage Brush or Pinyon Pine.  While it is very dry and very hot much of the year here, it quite often goes below freezing and quite often much colder. Plus, in "normal" non-drought years there can be significant snow fall. Not the place I would expect to find cactus. Up to this point I just gave this a glancing and occasional thought.

Mid to Late afternoon Saturday June 20, I was enjoying the shade of  our covered deck area when I noticed a bright yellow flower some 50 or so feet away.  All flowers I've seen nearby have been small and delicate and this was gigantic in comparison.

I had never seen such a huge flower here, so this was something to get excited about. 

Cactus #1---One Blooming Flower but Perhaps Many More to Come

Flowers Were filled with insects---ants, bees, wasps and not sure what all.

As I neared this first cactus a second cactus of six blooming flowers came into view!

Cactus # 2

This was getting even more exciting!  Looks like more buds on this one too!  

Later, in the early evening, I was very surprised to see the flower totally closed up......

but felt that tomorrow would be a grand day.

Cactus #2  Six Flowers Closed for the night---so I thought.

Next morning I awoke and walked out to see the progress on cactus #1 & #2.  Seemed like all was normal, but there would be another flower on cactus #1.  Check mid to late morning and I was surprised to only see one flower beginning to open....

Following is Cactus #2 in a sequence of three pictures......

 Begins with my first sighting Saturday afternoon.

Catctus # 2-----Mid day Saturday---6 Blooms

Cactus #2----Early Sunday Morning--But only one Bud going to Open

Cactus #2----Mid Day Sunday with but one Bloom

I thought this must be quite a unique plant which made this quite exciting!  But I was soon to discover this characteristic not so unique, for:  All cactus flowers are for but a single day.

Over the course of the next days and two weeks

I was to search and discover quite a few more plants with the same stunning flowers.

Some of the local Prickly Pear names of this are: "Grizzly Bear" or "Mojave" or "Old Man"

Its scientific name: Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea  

AND Each flower gave us ONE DAY ONLY enjoyment with  their Yellow Brilliance!!!

Black Rock Trail to Casa Vieja Meadow

June 14, 2015: temperature pushing through 90 degrees in Kennedy Meadows. Time for Mary and me to head up the mountain for a hike in the cooler air of the higher elevations.  Thirty minutes later we stopped at Black Rock Ranger Station, always the place for great advice. "Where to go for a medium hike for a few hours?"  A few options offered, and the two plus mile hike to Casa Vieja Meadow would be the choice for this afternoon. It begins at Black Rock Trailhead, a short eight mile drive further up the road,

Black Rock Trailhead--direction Casa Vieja Meadow; Starting Altitude about 8880 ft., about 2.5 miles down to about 8280 ft. 

After a short distance we entered the "Golden Trout Wilderness"

Much to our surprise we saw a "family" of  Snow Plants (or Snow Flowers).  These plants were one of the main subjects of my June 3, 2015 Blog Post.  We were to see quite a few more in the first half mile or so of this hike.  On the road back towards the Ranger Station we saw several more along the side of the road.

.

A "Family" of Four; First of many sightings during the day,

Wonderful, easy hike down amongst several varieties of large pine.

Cool temps in the shadows of great pines made for perfect hiking conditions.

Creek Crossing just before coming to Casa Viejo Meadow

First View of Casa Vieja Meadow

Doc Peak (in Center); Doc Peak trivia:
Is 8766 ft high; Is 821st highest mountain in CA and the 7091st highest mountain in the US

As I crossed the Meadow towards the buildings, I came across a creek, which had not been visible until I was right upon it.  Saw two fish about 6-7" long, trout, I assume, in crystal clear water.

While the 2.5 mile journey back up was enjoyable, it was a lot more work, being all up hill, but:

 Another SDS afternoon!

Always a Welcome Sight!  The "Chariot", For the Ride Back Down

Mt Whitney Trail to Trail Camp---A Photo Journey

 As I stated in last post: No summit of Mt Whitney would happen for me.

My Route of the Main Trail was blocked with snow above Trail Camp.   But I chose to go to Trail Camp in spite of this. The journey would be 6.1 Miles from Whitney Portal (at about 8,000 ft.) to the 12,000 ft high Trail Camp, where night would be spent, with the return hike on June 1. 2015.

Thus, with a 43 pound pack the journey began at about 10:30 a.m. May, 31, 2015

Whitney Portal---0.0 Miles
In retrospect, I think this the most difficult and dreadful part of trip. Altitude, heaviest pack ever, hot sun (reflecting heat up from ground) was a lot for the mind to handle.
It was not until at least three-quarters of a mile had gone by that I found a rhythm in stride and breathing, did I find just the right pace, did I find the pack weight settle in, did I find the confidence, and did I mentally and FINALLY conclude: "I am totally prepared for this.!"  I never again had doubts and, as near as I recall, enjoyed every minute thereafter.


North Fork of Lone Pine Creek---.9 miles

First of Several Extremely "Fun" Water Crossings

Lone Pine Lake 2.8 Miles 

Lone Pine Lake in distance

Lone Pine Lake

 From the writings of  John Muir, I  am learning many new insights on how to more fully appreciate and enjoy wilderness

“Who wouldn’t be a mountaineer! Up here all the world’s prizes seem nothing.”---John Muir

Special Permit & ID In outside pocket of Backback.

 “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”---John Muir

"I never saw a discontented tree. They grip the ground as though they liked it, and though fast rooted they travel about as far as we do."---John Muir

Turned a corner and a new picture was framed

“Everybody needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.” ---John Muir

Filling the water filter bag, fresh, clear, cold water!

Outpost Camp 3.8 Miles

"In every walk with nature one receives more than he seeks."---John Muir

Couldn't help myself: Hummed a few bars of  Led Zeppelin----"Stairway to Heaven"

“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” ---John Muir

Recently learned how to use trekking poles----"pulled" myself up many, many steps, many Huge

I am absolutely sold on trekking poles--for me a "must", here for balance

Hundreds, maybe thousands of "Stairs", this was a surprise.

Trail Side Meadow  5.1 miles

"Another glorious day, the air as delicious to the lungs as nectar to the tongue."---John Muir

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ---John Muir

Tail Camp 6.1 Miles 12,000 ft

Upon arrival at Trail Camp, one saw a few tents set up.  These folks would be leaving before dawn to summit Mt Whitney via "The Chute".  I had faintly hoped I could do the same, but as I talked to folks I met on the trail, I realized I did not have the experience nor the skills to safely make this attempt.  

Others getting & filtering water at Trail Camp's Tarn (small alpine lake)

All faces looking at "The Chute" (snow fields upper center left) where climbers are coming down

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” ---John Muir

A key lesson I am only now beginning to understand and appreciate from the stories of John Muir is to engage all of my senses in order to more fully appreciate the wilderness.

I did not have restful sleep this night. Be it, effects of altitude, the blasting of the wind, maybe age, or my mind racing with thoughts, I do not know.  Perhaps a little of all.  The night sky was clear and lighted by a full moon. I think the temp somewhere just below or just above freezing with a blustery wind because of which, I was once startled by a magnificent blast which, for several seconds, shook every tent thread.

As I lay in the darkness of the tent, I began to listen intently at the wind.  I was soon to discover, that if I listened closely, I could hear the next wind gust coming long before it hit and began to predict the number of seconds before it hit. Also, I was soon able to discern the strength of the upcoming gust. While the air seemed scentless, I seemed to also smell the wind. Thus, while it be a restless night it was to be enjoyed, not regretted.

A little before 4:00 a.m. the camp was abuzz with the hikers leaving to make their summit attempt, beginning at the chute.

By 5:00 a.m. camp was devoid of human activity, except for mine.  Having an urge, I went out side in my long johns and was greeted by cool and fresh mountain air. But the surprise was the unbelievable pre-dawn colors.  Down the valley, the eastern horizon had the deepest colors of various reds I have ever witnessed.  I enjoyed this for a little while.  Regretfully, I did not get my camera. When I returned to bed, I had an extremely sound and very hard sleep for the next hour and a half.

The Journey Back Down Begins (100 yards from Trail Camp)

A [SDS] Adventure for sure!!

Eventually, as I constructed this blog, I realized: I held no disappointment in not being able to go to the "TOP".  For if I had, all of this "Best Hike I Have Ever Had" would have soon been forgotten and overshadowed by "Making to the Summit". My sleepless night would have been one of despair which yielded no joy. Somewhere in this this I sense a lesson to be learned, for which to find, I must now dwell further.


Post Script To The Best Hike Ever

Special thanks to Brian and Lindsay for their involvement  of the trip. A very special thanks to Lindsay who took all the photos of me.  And, thanks to Mary who was very supportive in this endeavor and for being part of many of my pre-trip hikes, plus spending "the long weekend" at the cabin dog-sitting two special little "pups".

Two Are Ready & Raring To Go!!---Whitney Portal, May 31,2015