LATE FALL WALK

The late afternoon sun plays on the mountains in interesting ways which are never quite the same.  The birds love the aqueduct this time of year.  Skittish buffleheads wait for my approach and then play follow the leader flying quickly over the water only to return and play out the drama as the walk progresses.

Ravens rest, convene and chatter among themselves perched on the edge of the water and on marking posts and trees.  Ducks are courting...no ducklings yet.  As I am shooting for color and shadow, I see a large raptor, not a red tail peering from the juniper bush and checking out potential meals.  As soon as I look away, it flies away exposing the massive wing span.

Mt. Wilson

Hiking around Mt. Wilson on a hot July day.  Too many bugs this day and spent time at the Observatory and Museum

SIERRA NEVADA/ NEW ARMY PASS

View of Owens Valley/Lone Pine area/ ~ 8500ft up

We started out at 9am on a perfect cloudless day with temperatures in the high 70's.  The walk starts out easy through the trees listening to the stream running from the heavy snow melt still coming out of the high country.

Waterfalls view from rest stop on New Army Pass Trail

Yellow Marmot

A fairly easy climb through the forest we almost lost the trail at the fork as the stream was running strong obscuring part of the trail.   A tricky cross with the help of tree branches we stopped for a break surprising us with a great view of a double waterfall.   A marmot sunny itself scurried away as we approached.

At 11:30 we reached the first lake getting above the tree line and into the dry rock geologic features.

Resting at stream approaching Long Lake

Long Lake

High Lake View

High Lake

High Lake

What is it?  Red stalk plant in shade.

At Long Lake we stopped by the stream for another break and again missed the trail as the sign was damaged just where we stopped and the trail was again obscured by the heavy running streams. We ended up taking the long way around hopping boulders and picked up the trail on the other side.  We reached High Lake at about 2:30 and time for lunch.  The New Army Pass was the next stop, but the trail was covered in snow and we decided to return, expecting that it may be late and cool on the return trip.  Tired we walked back taking our time and enjoying the views.  Back at 6pm the gain in elevation was about 2000 ft and we had been walking since 9am.  So disappointed at not getting to the pass, we were very satisfied with the experience and the gorgeous natural area and variety of views and geological features.

RATTLER ON JACKSON LAKE HIKE, SAN GABRIELS

IDENTITY CRISIS: BEAUTIFUL YELLOW BIRD AT HUMMING BIRD FEEDER

DEVIL'S CHAIR HIKE/ DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL

Beautiful breezy late spring day for the 9 mile round trip hike.  Starts out with about a .8 mile moderate climb...

then continues along the ridge line facing north with spectacular views of the Antelope Valley and the stunning rock formations of the Devil's Punchbowl area.

The trail dips at the last half mile to the Devil's Chair challenging anybody with vertigo.

The "chair" is positioned on granite with excellent view of the interesting geology with beautiful coloring throughout the rock formations.  The Antelope Valley's own little "Skywalk".

SIX GLACIERS AND TEA HOUSE RESPITE OUT OF LAKE LOUISE

VASQUEZ ROCKS

Petroglyph

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On an unseasonably cool May day,  flowers were blooming and light play on the rock formations made for  a interesting hike.   The Pacific Crest Trail goes through this park and we met a hiker that is doing the trail from start to finish; Mexican border through to Vancouver BC.  He has been living outdoors and off the grid since his self training starting in October in the San Bernardino Mountains up until now and will be completing the trek in late October with the destination in Canada. Vasquez Rocks is named for  a legendary outlaw that hid here and was never found.

Winding up the hike, there were 2 fire trucks and one sheriff's car parked on the road.  A fire ambulance and county ambulance followed with a sheriff's SUV.  Six vehicles altogether and then the helicopter showed up.   Not sure what the accident was, but the response was certainly attentive at the least.

SCENIC WALK INTO PEYTO LAKE

Walked into overlook on Peyto Lake.

SNAKE IN THE BACK YARD

On a warm May day a visitor arrived in the back yard.  Turned out to be a gopher snake about 5 feet long.  Funny how I could hear the birds and then seemed quiet and I noticed it...also how something harmless to humans and beneficial since it keeps rodents in control can create such an eeeeewwwww feeling.  Fireman came and removed it and is taking it to a more remote area so it can do its thing.

5-6-2011

LAKE LOUISE, BANFF

   Spent morning around the lake and hotel gardens.  Blue glacial lake.  Too crowded to stick around for long.