Eastern Sierra Nevada 2006 >>
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Syy & David Photos
Trip Description - We visited the high country
of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, USA in late
September. We camped at Saddlebag Lake at 10,200 feet (3100 meters)
the first night and then took an electric boat to the other side of
the lake in the morning and walked around the higher country among
the beautiful alpine lakes just above Lundy Canyon. Then we drove
down the 395 south taking our time and stopping at Mammoth, and
other small towns. A few days later we were camped at Grandview
Campground at 8600 feet in the White Mountains, site of this
planet's oldest trees, the
Bristlecone Pines (some over 4,500 years old). At night it was
so cold our water bottles froze solid, but we were warm in our down
sleeping bags.
We visited the Patriarch grove at 11,400 feet - some of the largest
Bristlecone Pines are at this elevation - then we drove up to the
end of the road and started hiking to the top
White Mountain. North America's highest research lab is located
at the top, 14,246 feet (~4340 Meters). This is California's highest
road - as it ends at the summit. The Barcroft Research Station is
located at 12,500 feet and the road passes by this unique
laboratory. More info here:
http://www.wmrs.edu
I reached the summit and Syy climbed up to about 13,200 feet. In the
late day, this is a lonely barren cold and windy walk back to the
car. Total round trip distance was 14 miles.
The Snow blown
Penitenties as shown below are at about 14,000 feet. I've seen
Penitenties higher than a person -
these ones were only about 2 feet high. They are caused by melting ice,
high winds and then re-freezing.
Lake Sabrina is a gem at 9100 feet located at the end of highway 168
out of Bishop. If you have never been here I highly recommend you
visit. Excellent fishing - and you can
hike up to additional lakes up to 12,000 feet. |
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