Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Within a relatively short distance, you can climb Mt Whitney, the tallest mountain in the US (not counting Mt McKinley in Alaska), walk through Death Valley, the lowest place in the US with the highest recorded temperatures in the world and you can walk through a forest with the oldest known living trees.

 We haven't made it to the top of Mt Whitney or Death Valley but we did spend a day hiking 4 1/2 miles through the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

Owens Valey is bordered on the west by the Sierra Nevada Mts and on the east by the Inyo and White Mountains.The scenery from either side is beautiful. Those who study Geology would love coming here. While the Eastern Sierra mountains are composed mostly of granite; the White Mountains are much older and are mainly sedimentary rock.

 The Ancient Bristlecone Pines grow in harsh conditions. At 9,000 to 11,000 feet, they survive in dry summers and snowy winters. These pines thrive in the white mineral, Dolomite, a low nutrient soil. The oldest one in the Schulman Grove is Methuselah. It has been dated to 4,848 years old. A few years ago, another one was dated to 5,064 years ago.

As it ages, the outer bark falls off revealing varying colors and patterns of yellow and brown.

Height is not an indicator of age. This seemingly young sapling is actually 50 years old.

It all begins with here. The pollen filled red cones fertilize the purple seed cones. After a year, the mature cone will release seeds.

The years of wind, snow, and ice contribute to their unique sculptured appearance.

When you consider their survival through thousands of years, it is quite humbling to walk beside them.

Backpacking in the Sierra Mountains

Growing up, our parents always took my brother, sister and myself on a 2 week summer camping trip. Although I was pretty young, I still have super memories of those times together. When we were deciding how to spend our summer vacation this year, we decided to return to the rugged Sierra Mts for another backpacking/camping adventure to familiar and new places.

I admire all the backpackers who can make the wilderness their home for weeks/months. Those trips take LOTS of training and planning. Ours was much shorter and simpler.

This year, the idea of carrying a bear cannister in our backpacks to prevent an unwelcome night visit from a Black Bear wasn't a foreign idea.

 One of the biggest challenges backpacking is carrying water since it is quite heavy. Fortunately, there is still water to filter in some of the mountain creeks.

 Our first furry welcome when we arrived at our campsite after hiking 4 1/2 miles was the Yellow-bellied Marmot. They perch high on their boulders overlooking the meadows and lakes greeting one another early in the morning and as the sun goes down.

Another familiar furry animal was the adorable Golden-mantled Squirrel. He didn't try to get into our food but his cousin the Lodgepole Chipmunk was relentless in his efforts to get into our backpacks for some yummy morsels.

During one of our hikes, we met two Australians who came to these mountains in pursuit of the colorful Golden Trout. With faces filled with huge smiles, these guys returned the beautiful fish back to the creek alive after some photos to prove they found this amazing creature.

 While volunteering in the Fire Lookout tower on Tahquitz Peak, we encounter lots of people in training for big hikes elsewhere in the county. Some are "peak baggers". Standards are high for what counts in the "bagging of a peak". After seeing one magnificent lake after another, we're thinking of starting to "bag mountain lakes"...a much easier pursuit and quite beautiful!

The birds were more elusive. The Cassin's Finch appeared outside our tent one morning. Although it lives in the mountains near Idyllwild as well, it was a welcome sight since we don't see it very often.

The White-crowned Sparrow knows how to migrate! It spends the winter near our home and in the desert and the summers up in the mountains filled with lakes.

Although the temperatures were perfect for hiking during the day, the early morning hours and evening hours were quite chilly. I slept with 3 layers and a wool hat in my down sleeping bag. It's summer....With that in mind, I didn't relish getting up early from my warm cocoon.

One morning, I woke up earlier than I wanted but what a glorious sight when I emerged from my tent! The alpenglow of the mountains was reflecting on the crystal clear lake; mist rose from the water and the sound of American Coot chicks quietly peeping for food could be heard only to those awake at this hour.

Immersing oneself into Nature for a time is nurturing to the soul.

Winnedumah Hotel

In between camping destinations, we decided to check into the Winnedumah Hotel in Independence for a shower, comfy bed, and restocking of food. What a neat place!

  

 

This historic hotel welcomed the cowboy actors who filmed in nearby Alabama Hills through the years. After returning home from our trip, we watched Roy Rogers' first movie. The plot was about drought and water rights. Amazing that it isn't much different now then it was in 1938. We saw the hotel in one of the scenes from the movie.

Tributes to the Paiute Indians are also seen in the hotel. In fact, Winnedumah is named after the Paiute medicine man that saved his tribe. This unique hotel is owned and run by Celia and Frank Montoya. They worked 4 long years to restore this hotel after major damage to the roof from a winter storm. The warmth and hospitality of this place starts with a delicious beakfast prepared by Celia every morning. In the short time we were there, I heard Celia say, "I love this hotel." at least 4 times. It shows!

A handmade gift from supporters during their long journey sits at their front desk. The quote on this gift is appropriate for them as well as the rest of us who struggle to make a dream come to fruition.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." 

 Lao-Tzu

Best wishes!!