| Pages:
1
2
3 |
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
The Bristlecone Pine Forest in the Snow
We have experienced the wonder of the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the White Mountains before, but never in the snow. It snowed earlier this
week in the high country, but they did not re-close the road. Thus, since it is only about 25 miles from our home on a couple of roads that go from
4000 feet to 10,000 feet, off we went, even though another storm was threatening.
The snow and threatening weather just make these ancient wonders more awe inspiring and emotional --- they are such survivors. Okay, probably too
many pictures here --- we just had such a great time and experience.
First, just a quick look at our town as we begin the climb.
And the road to the forest
And a rare sight, a picture of me! I am at the beginning of the trail.
The new Visitor Center won't open for the season until the end of May, but the rangers had been walking the trail, so it was easy to follow. It was
also great to have the trail all to ourselves so our dogs got to enjoy it off leash.
And now for some of the most photographed pines in the snow and rapidly changing weather. These should be familiar trees to most visitors. For us,
in this weather they took on new life.
And the dogs for a little perspective
Now for some shapes, textures, and a little imagination.
Slowly melting snow carving the wood
The obstacle course
Bird screaming at the weather
A muddled mind and a wild trail
A prehistoric bird
A bit of Sleepy Hollow
The serpents
The old lady and and the shoe
An old dog still loving the snow
And the other old dog who has fought cancer for two years still demonstrating the pure joy of living.
The shortcut to Bishop is a bit slushy right now --- later
But the view is one that just can't be captured well on film.
And a couple of storm pictures. The views from the White Mountains give such a different perspective of the Sierra Nevada.
And yes, this is finally the last picture.
The Bristlecone Pine Forest is a very special place --- as are all of the White Mountains.
Thank You for looking.
[Edited on 5-11-2013 by DianaT]
|
|
|
Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks for posting these photos Diane. Getting the urge to get the backpack and boots and head out.
|
|
|
wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
|
|
Way cool ....... thanks for getting outside, must have been great 
|
|
|
Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks, Diane. It looks like a place with great shooting potential and you were there at the right time. I can see why photographers are attracted to
this place.
I liked your landscapes the best. Image #2 has a great feeling about it. A sense of brooding.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks guys ---- I appreciate the comments. Most of these were taken far quicker than I like as I had a dying battery. Yes, we were far up the road
when I noticed --- opps, one needs to be prepared! 
We hope to head back up there next week and see if the other main trail is open yet ---- charge battery, yes, charge battery.
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
I haven't been up there since I moved away from Ridgecrest in 1978 but it still looks just as awesome. I forgot, how many of the Bristle Cones are
still alive?
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I haven't been up there since I moved away from Ridgecrest in 1978 but it still looks just as awesome. I forgot, how many of the Bristle Cones are
still alive? |
I don't know, but now I am curious. A few years back, someone burned down the visitor's center, but a beautiful new one has been built.
This year they plan on opening at the end of May. There were a few rangers there who said we could go in now if we wanted, but with the quickly
changing weather, we decided to wait until another time. I am sure that information is there.
Even if the pines were not there, the Whites are a great place to be.
|
|
|
Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5901
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
Nice bumper sticker. Loved the photos!
|
|
|
Bubba
Senior Nomad
Posts: 957
Registered: 2-17-2009
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca.
Member Is Offline
|
|
I spent a lot of time in Gold Country but never made it to this area. These are absolutely stunning pictures, thank you for sharing.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Nice bumper sticker. Loved the photos! |
Bubba, this side of the Sierra Nevada are well worth visiting as are the White Mountains. Thank you for enjoying the photos.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
Are you guys living in Rovana now? Or is that shot of your town west of Big Pine or Independence?
|
|
|
Bubba
Senior Nomad
Posts: 957
Registered: 2-17-2009
Location: Pismo Beach, Ca.
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Nice bumper sticker. Loved the photos! |
Bubba, this side of the Sierra Nevada are well worth visiting as are the White Mountains. Thank you for enjoying the photos.
|
I will make a point of stopping here the next time I head North. Thank you once again for the awesome photos, they made my morning!
|
|
|
TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Beautiful pictures, beautiful country thanks for sharing.
|
|
|
rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6699
Registered: 9-5-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks for sharing Diane. Absolutely gorgeous.
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Again, thanks for looking and for the nice comments --- I do appreciate them.
Hook, Big Pine.
|
|
|
Frank
Senior Nomad
Posts: 861
Registered: 6-5-2005
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Is it time to leave yet?
|
|
I liked them all very much, but #6 was my favorite if I had to choose. So many places to see, adding this to the list....
|
|
|
JohnMcfrog
Nomad
Posts: 156
Registered: 8-1-2012
Location: San Diego, Punta Abreojos
Member Is Offline
|
|
I love the view of the Sierra from the White mountains. I have cross country skied there many times. Went to a slide show/talk by Galen Rowell on a
traverse of that mountain range in winter. He said that there was more of a feeling of wildness than the Himalayas. Thanks for sharing such great
pictures.
|
|
|
durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7393
Registered: 11-22-2007
Location: Punta Banda BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: thriving in Baja
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
Nice bumper sticker. Loved the photos! |
Just curious, what do those 2 horizontal stripes signify?
Bob Durrell
|
|
|
DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
|
|
Frank --- thanks and yes, if you have not been there, it should be on the list! I always appreciate knowing someone's favorite.
John ---- it is so difficult to explain the feeling one has when they have always looked up at the Sierra Nevada, and suddenly they are looking down
and across at them. I am in awe every time we are there and this time just watching the storms was great. As you know, they are a wild place to be.
Thanks for sharing the thought by Galen Rowell; he is so missed around these parts. Seems like the Whites are a bit of the step-sister to the
Sierras.
Went hiking yesterday above South Lake, or what is left of South Lake right now, and maybe will post a couple of pictures later. A while back, Igor
said we are having way too much fun living up here, and he is correct!
|
|
|
wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
|
|
We used to go over Bishop Pass, when young with my Dad, a view, as is Mr Whitney
There used to be an old couple every year, that was trying to make up to the pass, and back down in ONE day, they were in their 70's ... this was in
the mid 1950's
They finally made it, in 1958 ..... used to be the talk, at Parchers Camp in the day
http://parchersresort.net/ ..... see they are still there ..... Parchers that is
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
