20111016 Dunderberg!
Me, on the summit
With Mono Lake in the background.
Aspens
The aspens were solid yellow by now. This is on the way down the east side of Sonora Pass, just above the turnoff to Leavitt Lake.
Bodie Hills
Viewed from my parking spot on the road to the "unnamed" lake on the northeast slope of Dunderberg Pk. I parked in the same exact spot as 3 weeks earlier.
Snow
Both old (leftover from last season), and new. It had snowed in the intervening 3 weeks and some patches were still left.
Start of the big day
7:00 am; not that early, but the sun rises later this late in the season.
Starting up the NE ridge
Looking back down at the lake. Notice how much it has shrunk within its banks. It's down considerably since I was here last.
Summit
From this angle it looks like 3 summits, but the leftmost is much smaller (at 11,700) and the rightmost is the highpoint.
Notice all the snow that remains. Most of the coverage is from the storm earlier in October.
View north
Looking towards Bridgeport.
Sun rising over Mono Lake
The 3 summits, again
The route along the less-steep ridge proved to be a good one. There was easy walking on sandy ground, requiring rock-hopping only occassionaly.
I kept having to resist the temptation to take a shortcut. My past attempts had found the gullies between the summits and the steep direct assaults on them to be quite rocky and unpleasant, in comparison.
Reaching rocky ground
Approaching the top of the easternmost lesser summit, it got much rockier and a bit steeper. But nothing compared to what I had struggled with attempting to climb up from Moat Lake a month earlier.
Summit 1
From here, even the second summit didn't look too daunting. In fact, I think maybe if I had gone up it further left than the route I took, it might have been easier. I went kind of along the right edge of this picture, where I would hit the worst terrain of the day.
Across towards Virginia Canyon
The north side of the peaks, facing me, were pretty snowy.
First saddle
There is a short descent at this point, down to the saddle between the lesser summits. Less than 100'; definitely not worth it to try to do a side-hill traverse around.
Summit 2 approaches
The worst stretch; but only 600' or so. It didn't even bother me on the way up; descending I was cursing some. The highpoint is sticking up above the right side of the slope.
Approaching the top of summit 2
My route
Looking back down the ridge that I had ascended. You can see "Dunderberg Lk" on the left.
Onward
From here, there was another slight descent, then a hundred feet or so climb up to the summit. Looked like a piece of cake, from here.
The summit in sight
Here's a better view of the summit and the route up to it.
Panorama
I recall that a snow shower started while I was taking pictures from the saddle between the summits. Snowed like crazy. It wasn't too cold though. Maybe 40 degrees.
North
Another panorama, in the opposite direction.
Virginia Canyon
There is an awesome view of Virginia Canyon from this point. That's Moat Lake in the foreground.
Summit plateau
Finally!
East and Green Lakes
From the summit, one can gaze down the other side to the lakes of the Green Creek Canyon.
View south
Black Mountain (I believe), devoid of snow across Virginia canyon, Excelsior Mtn beyond that.
Summit panorama
Looking NNE
Enjoying a cold one
I actually called Steve to brag about my accomplishment (I was in direct line of sight with Bridgeport).
While on the summit, another climber strolled up. He had climbed from Moat Lake. I commiserated with him!
Summit Register box
Quite a nice one. I think this peak is either to hard to get to, or too unpleasant to climb, for somebody to have vandalized it.
My summit register entry
The occupy wallstreet movement was in the news...
Another cold one
A quick descent and I was back at the car.
Fall colors
I stopped a couple of times on the way out to take pictures of the aspen.
More colors...
...with the peak in the background.
A beautiful autumn day
Especially when you've summitted!
Ring of aspens
This is Virginia Creek, from along Hwy 395, close to the Virginia Lakes Rd. turnoff.
20110925 Dunderberg Peak (3rd attempt)
"Dunderberg Lake"
This is from my campsite at the officially unnamed lake on the northeast side of Dunderberg Peak at approximately 10,200'.
I pitched my tent amidst some downed tree trunks to try to get out of the wind, which was gusting pretty hard.
The wind tends to come over the crest really hard and it makes a lot of noise, even when it isn't blowing where you are standing.
Dunderberg Peak
From Hwy 395 south of Bridgeport. The weather was cloudy again.
Parking spot
I parked along the forest service road that leads to the unnamed lake (and to some OHV trails around there). The road gets pretty rocky a bit further up so I chose to walk the last half mile or so.
Mono Lake is just barely visible at times as you go up this road.
Panorama
It was definitely looking like autumn up there.
Weather clearing
Better view of Mono Lake. The clouds broke, but the wind did not die down.
Dunderberg Peak
Rising above the lake.
Sunrise
The clouds were racing by over the crest; winds were likely 25-40 mph.
Clouds above the lake
Too many clouds
...and too much wind. I decided not to take a chance on climbing this day. I figured I go do some exploring down the road past the lake.
More clouds
This gives a better idea of the weather situation. There was definitely the risk of some rain out there.
Above the lake
The road wound around and above the lake.
An alternate route?
Eventually I came out to a ridge that headed up towards the peak. The ridge wasn't too steep (at least at the beginning) and the weather seemed to be making a turn for the better. So I decided to drop my backpack, switch to my daypack, and check it out.
Dunderberg slopes
Still not too steep; the scree wasn't so bad (compared to above Moat Lake on my last trip).
Route
This is looking down the ridge I ascended. "Dunderberg Lake" is there just right of center. It started getting much steeper at this point.
Because I had abandoned hope of summitting, I had got a late start so I wouldn't be pushing on much further.
Still doesn't look too bad
I recall it seeming worse than it looks here. I did have to choose a line and I was heading up towards the lesser summit. I ought to have stuck to the gully between that and the main peak which is in the center, here.
Dunderberg bowl
The large bowl beneath Dunderberg Peak. There was still a remarkable amount of snow, left over from the previous winter.
Steeper and rockier
The story of my life...
Sierra crest
To the north.
View towards the northeast
Towards Bridgeport, down in the valley.
Barren slopes
Looking down Kavanaugh Ridge. I could see/hear 4WD trucks driving along a road at the far end of the ridge.
Back at the lake
The summit would have to wait for another day.
Fire
I spotted a large plume of smoke from a fire to the north. It would turn out to be a moderate fire in Buckeye Canyon, west of Bridgeport.
Beer before I go
Smoke continues
Mono Lake
From near where I parked. Weather still isn't great.
Nearing the fire
This is from off Hwy 395.
From Hwy 395 west of Bridgeport
The fire was just where the highway turns north.
Leavitt canyon
Technically, W. Walker River canyon, I suppose. The fire was beyond the ridge.
Leavitt Falls
Still flowing pretty stong at almost the end of September.
Game plan
Green route at lower left is my attempt from Moat Lake. The red one was my route this day. The yellow route is from my attempt the year before.
The blue/cyan route is the way I resolved to go next time. A bit further, distance wise, but minimizes the steepness of the climb. The only steep bit would appear to be the climb of the lesser summit to the east of the main summit.
We would see...
20110911 Moat Lake
Virginia Canyon
Sunrise.
Moat Lake
Observe the gray clouds. It spit rain pretty much the whole weekend.
Dunderberg Peak
In all its glory. It is actually worse than it looks.
At Moat Lake
This is a large gendarme guarding the outlet of Moat Lake.
Dunderberg's SE ridge
Reported to be the easier way up, but too lengthy and rocky for my taste.
Tomorrow's torture
This is the slope I would foolishly tackle the next day.
No relief there
It is ugly any way you slice it. Reports are that the ridgeline further right is more solid. My guess is that it is just bigger chunks of shitty rock, some of which you might actually be able to stand on.
Stormy weather
I had to retreat to my tent; rare for the Sierra.
Still cloudy in the morning...
Moat Lake
Moat Lake
Moat Lake
Scree/talus hell
I headed straight up, as I recall. It didn't seem to matter one way or the other.
Moat Lake, below
Field of nightmares...
I recall the one time I got to "solid" rock, a chunk the size of a refrigerator kind of broke off when I leaned against it (didn't fall, though).
Break in the weather
Higher
Almost a nice morning...
...if it was raining at this point, I likely would have bailed much earlier than I did.
Rest
at a bit of solid rock (this might have been the one that threatened to shear off when I leaned on it).
Moat Lake
from about the place where I gave up?
More of the same
I decided to head over to the saddle above the lake. I had no delusions about heading up towards the summit from there. I thought it might be easier descending the sand that way.
In retrospect, it wasn't worth the side-hill traverse.
Approaching the saddle.
This is at about 11,500' or so. 1000' short of the summit.
Conness?
The range beyond the Dunderberg ridge comes into view through this saddle. That's the Sierra crest; not sure exactly which peaks.
Looking down at Moat Lake.
This gives a good idea of how steep and rocky the slope is.
Not going that way!
Looking up; I think that's the summit peeking above the top of the slope.
More mountains to the west
Excelsior?
Eyeing the saddle above Moat Lake
That's where I was headed, first, before descending in earnest.
"Summit" portrait
As close as I got, at least.
Approaching the saddle
Green Creek Canyon
At the saddle I could look further to the west, down into the chaing of lakes along Green Creek. We had been there a year earlier, more or less.
East Lake
I don't recall the name of the closer lake.
Ridge towards summit
It was at least as far as I had climbed, and certainly more of the same. I had been climbing 3 hours or so at this point (it was 10:30).
View to the west
...from the saddle above Moat Lake.
The descent begins
There were a few trees in the gully heading down to the lake. It was much sandier and less rocky. Mostly I slid.
Back at Moat Lake
45 minutes later.
Descent route
I came down from the saddle to the right of the large bump in the ridgeline at center of the picture.
Blue Lake
On the return to the trailhead.
Vigrinia Lake
The parking is at the left.
A celebratory beer, as usual
Not much to celebrate, but I got out of there before the weather turned bad. Thunder was booming not too far off (Dunderberg is German for "thunder," appropriately).
I decided to return via Tioga Pass after stopping at the Whoa Nellie Deli. The weather was wild; hail covered the road so it looked like snow. I'll have to get a picture from my other camera (or off my phone; don't remember which).
20110904 Tioga Peak
Mono Lake
From Conway Summit; the weather was looking good.
Entering Hoover Wilderness
On the trail up to Gardisky Lake. It was right about here I had camped 3 weekends earlier.
Later afternoon clouds
Over the Cathedral Range, which was briefly in view through this gap in the mountains.
Gardisky Lake
From my campsite, approximately. Mount Warren on the horizon left of center.
Campsite
No fly; but there were a few mosquitos so I put up the tent.
Morning reflection
Interesting story: I went to fill my water bottles from the lake before starting my climb. Just as I stooped to dip my bottle, I spotted something. A big dead vole (?) at the bottom of the lake just inches from where I was going to scoop up the water. I decided to go fill my bottles from the outlet stream downstream a hundred yards or so. But before heading downstream, I walked to this end of the little tarn to get a picture of the Sierra crest reflected in it.
Starting the climb
This is just beyond a narrow band of whitebark pines. It was pretty much treeless beyond here, as I recall.
Expansive views
You can see the shadow of Tioga Pk near the center of the picture. North Peak at far right, then Mt. Conness, then White Mountain.
Gardisky Lake
Watching the lake drop down was the best measure of my progress. The terrain looks a bit rocky from this perspetive.
The lake gets lower
I climbed around 10ft/min (1000ft in 90 minutes or so). Every 10 minutes or so I stopped to "take pictures" (i.e., rest). The views changed a bit every time. In addition to the lake dropping away, further ridges came into view. Here, I think that's Excelsior Mountain across Saddlebag Lake (which is out of view).
Sierra crest
A crystal clear day, great for taking pictures like this.
Looking across the slope
More of Warren Canyon came into view as I climbed. Again, the slope looked much rockier from this perspective than I remember it (but I've since climbed far worse, so perhaps my memory is distorted).
Uphill
Around this point, I picked up a modest use trail that I followed all the way to the summit. That led between the looser/rockier bits. Note a few tufts of grass. That's a false summit at the top; the actual summit is beyond that.
Definitely climbing
Now looking down at the top of the opposite ridge on the other side of Gardisky Lk.
Warren Canyon
Panorama
The view after approximately one hour of climbing.
Gardisky "plateau"
Here you an pretty much see the whole saddle in which Gardisky Lake sits. In the distance on the right is Lake Canyon and beyond that somewhere, Lundy Canyon.
Panorama
Looking north from near the summit.
Panorama
Looking southwest; That's Mt. Dana on the left; Tioga Lake with the Tioga Rd running alongside it, Gaylor Peak at center; the Cathedral Range beyon on the horizon. Pick out your favorite peak.
Mt. Dana
Only 500 feet higher, or so. This climb is way easier!
Tioga Pass area
Awesome view; none better of Tioga Pass, I suspect.
North from the summit
I'll now bore you with lots of pictures off in random directions.
Tioga Pass area (again)
Looking SE
Down Lee Vining canyon. You can see a corner of Mono Lake. To its right, the Mono Craters. Then Glass Mountain (which I climbed the year before last), then the White Mountains. "Way back there" was the way one guy described them. I wonder how far they are? At least 50 miles, I'd guess.
Mt. Dana and eastward
Similar shot, with the summit of Mt. Dana at right.
Me, on the summit
Hard to see, but I'm enjoying a can of beer (at 9:00 am).
Tioga Pass
Without me blocking the view this time.
Mt. Conness
North Peak at right.
Another view towards the (south) east
Gardisky Lake
It didn't get any lower than this!
Looking back at Tioga Peak
Fantastic climb. About 45 minutes down to here, where I picked up my backpack. I slipped in the gravel on the steep descent back to the car and tore up the knee of my new hiking pants. But aside from that, it was a great outing. Record time back home (via Sonora Pass), after a stop at the Mobil gas station for a steak salad. I just missed the cutoff for steak and eggs; rats. The salad was a bit disappointing: no croutons, too much dressing, and the lettuce was a bit wilted. The only time I can remember being disappointed with the food I got there. Oh, well; still couldn't put a damper on this day.
20110814 Gardisky Lake
Mt. Dana
Just visible to the south.
Campsite
Kind of perched on a narrow flat spot. Beggars can't be choosers.
Sierra Crest
Before the sun even hit it!
Skeeters
Not *that* bad; but definitely needed a bit of DEET, the headnet, and tent.
Moon setting over Sierra crest
5 second exposure; made the moon *too* bright.
Nice morning
Just some fluffy clouds.
Mt. Dana on the ascent
Dana is just visible, then goes out of site behind Tioga Pk.
View northest
Mt. Conness and North Peak
Panorama
This climb offers fine views across Lee Vining creek to the ridge connecting Gaylor Peak to North Peak.
Approaching the top
Only took 45 minutes or so (going slow, as usual). I did stop to take lots of pictures :-).
Looking back the Sierra crest
Sierra crest panorama
*Way* better than the views on the climb to Mitchell Peak. I need to get out to this part of the Sierra some more, I decided.
Raleigh on the trail just before levelling off
Beautiful meadow up top, surrounding the lake. Lots of green and wildflowers.
Looking back from nar the lake
Didn't see *that* on MItchell Peak. I like this picture because it shows Raleigh's shadow next to mine. He's been a great hiking partner over the years. Too bad he's about to retire, now...
Tioga Pk
The peak rose above the lake on the right. Looked like pretty easy walking; no cliffs, not too much scree.
Gardisky Lake
Still pretty good snowfields above it.
More Gardisky Lake
Another meadow panorama
Looked like a nice campsite, for next time.
Tioga Peak
A good view of the mountain from lakeside.
Gardisky Lake reflections
The sun hadn't even risen too far by the time we got there.
Tioga Pk
and meadow at Gardisky Lake.
Me at the lake
Looking at the north shore.
Lake and Sierra crest
What a beautiful spot, and so easy to get to. Stienstra rates this something like a 9 (for scenery) and Mitchell Pk a 10 (or something like that). No comparison in my book.
Until next time...
One final look at the peak.
Across Warren Canyon
On the other side of the lake (its outlet), the ground descends steeply to Warren Canyon. That's a nice place to visit, also (I think I may have pictures from my hike there 2 years ago further down the page somewhere).
Slope above Gardisky Lake
Probably if all one wants is the spectacular views, this is an easier ascent than Tioga Pk. But what would the fun be in that?
Raleigh headed home
He didn't like the climb or descent, but the smooth level trail at the top was perfect.
Last look at Gardisky Lake
Mt. Warren in the distance, I believe.
About to drop back down to the car
Lee Vining canyon floor
Mt. Gaylor at the far left
Mono Lake
From the "vista point" just beyond the Mobil station.
Mts Gibb and Dana
Tioga Peak again
...from Hwy 120 heading back up to the pass.
Mt. Dana
From the car, waiting to enter Yosemite. 10 minutes there, 5 minutes at the other end, plus 2 excrutiating hours of following some rented RV going 25mph. How I love Yosemite.
Tenaya Lake
Kind of hazy; there were controlled burns going on near the valley, I believe.
Dome above Tenaya Lake
Closer up, Mt. Conness on the horizon, I believe.
One more
Not sure why.
Closeup
Now I'm just testing out the telephota lens.
Falls in Hetch Hetchy
We got such an early start back home I decided to go have a look. Something you have to do at least once, I suppose.
Wapama Falls
Damn dam
Yes, that damn dam!
Hetch Hetchy Valley
Probably some people think it looks better this way. I don't think it's quite another Yosemite Valley, though. Too low of an elevation so it is hot and dry. I'll bet the river elevation is 2000 ft lower than Yosemite valley?
Still better than...
...you guessed it, Mitchell Pk.
El Capitan of Hetch Hetchy?
Not sure what this monolith is called.
Refreshments
9:00 was too early for a beer, even for me. So I drank one here.
Meadow
Along the road back to Hwy 120 (on private property, of course; no trespassing!).
Summer fading fast
Flowers are fading a bit at this elevation, and the grass is getting brown. Not too many trips left this year, I suspect.
Mitchell Peak
Kings Canyon
From the "overlook" along General's Highway.
Marvin Pass trail
Modest uphill almost the entire way.
Through the forst
Steve along the climb up to Marvin Pass. Big firs here.
Marvin Pass
The boundary to Jenny Lakes Wilderness.
Upper Rowell Meadow
We didn't linger here as the mosquitos were way worse down near the creek.
Morning
As clear as it would be the whole day (the whole weekend, actually).
Approaching the summit
The summit consists of large granite boulders, to the right. This was the first snow we saw.
Summit
We had it to ourselves, passing one person who was coming down as we climbed up. A group of 5 or 6 arrived just as we were departing an hour later.
Steve on the summit
This is looking south towards Rowell Meadow to the right and Mt. Silliman behind the summit.
More summit pictures
Clouds
No thunder; or we likely wouldn't have lingered as long as we did.
Mt. Silliman
I think.
Summit benchmark
There were at least 2.
Summit panorama
This is to the north and northeast.
Eastern panorama
Lots of high Sierra peaks were visible; I may try to identify some and post a labelled picture.
southeast to southwest
Pretty much the rest of what we could see.
Me on the summit
Sierra crest
I think the pointy mountin is Mt. Clarence King.
View to the east
Nice clouds
The weather looked better off in the distance there.
Marmot
This guy was sitting out on a ledge, enjoying the view, I guess.
One more view from the summit.
Maybe Steve will post his pictures, also.
20110716 Little Shuteye Peak
Return to Chilkoot Lk
Looking much like it did a week earlier. The water was down just a little.
Return to Chilkott Lk, v2.0
This picture was taken with my other camera; offered for comparison.
Drirftwood
Lots of firewood at this lake. Some yahoos were camping here. I could hear them hootin' and hollerin' late into the night (from two miles away!).
Chilkoot Lake
North shore.
Chilkoot Lake
Chilkoot Lake
It seemed photogenic, at the time...
SE corner of the lake
The route follows the lake pretty closely; once you round the corner, then one walks on the levee just a couple feet from the water.
Snowbank
A couple feet of snow on the edge, but melting fast. It was right up to the water's edge one week earlier.
Granite
After a short walk slightly uphill from the lake's south shore, I headed towards a ridge covered with large granite blocks.
Campsite on ridgetop
Panorama from the point on the ridge where I camped. This was up 100' or so above where I stopped the week before.
Granite floor
The walking was easy once the top of the ridge was gained.
View of the Sierra
Minarets at center
Further south
I need to go look at an map to figure out what mountains are further south.
Little Shuteye Peak
If you look closely you can make out the summit blocks. I descended to a creek between my campsite and the peak for water. But I decided to stay on the crest and walk around to get the peak the next morning.
Shadows getting longer
Minares
This is with my Lumix at high zoom. I left the telephoto lens for the Sony NEX at home this trip. I'm still debating getting rid of it. The Lumix works pretty well when I want to get close, which isn't all that often.
More Sierra peaks
Close-up
I need to compare this shot to one from the week before with the higher-quality lens and decide whether the increased IQ is worth it.
Madera Peak
Looks like a relative easy walkup on this side. I know the east side of this peak is much steeper and rockier.
Lengthening shadows
Campsite
You can't beat the view. Had the place to myself. If only it were out of earshot from the lake.
Domes
Basket(?) and Balloon domes in the San Joaquin canyon.
Sunset
With the Lumix. The Sony doesn't want to take good sunset pictures. Tries to correct the white balance or something. I need to figure out how to fix that.
Sunset II
Sunrise
I awoke shortly after 5. The sun peeked over the Sierra Crest shortly thereafter.
Moonset
Over granite at the to of the ridge. I climbed to where it joined the main Little Shuteye Peak ridgeline. There was just a very short drop before reaching that.
View to the west
From the main ridge there were great views across to the central valley. I topped out right where this funny mushroom-shaped rock sat. There are two minor peaks along the ridge on the way to the highpoint. I didn't really want to climb them, but dropping down made the going harder as there were more rocks and downed trees to dodge.
Mushroom Rock
I thought maybe it looked a little like a dog's head from here.
Ridgetop
Looking back at one of the bumps along the ridge; this one I had skipped.
View to the east
Fine views in both directions from here.
The ridge to was broad and smooth here
That wasn't the case for much of it, unfortunately.
Rocky point
This is at the base of the last summit bump, looking back to the northeast.
need to delete this one..
Fresno
...is thataway, I guess.
Summit blocks come into view
This is after climbing a couple hundred feet to the base of the summit blocks. It was pretty easy travel, but I was getting a bit worn out from the rock and tree jumping.
Summit blocks
The highpoint is on the left. It was easy to scramble up except for the last 10 feet. The summit blocks were large and required scaling a 4 foot ledge that was just too high for me to step up onto. Finally I swung my leg up and kind of rolled atop it. From there there was one more high step up to the summit. As I was walking across the rocks I thought about downclimbing this (note to self, think about it before ascending!). Too late to worry at that point so I pressed on. As it turned out it was easy going down as I just slid until my feet hit solid ground.
Summit view to the north
Fresno Dome and the lake in view that way, across the ridgetop where I had camped.
View to the west
High peaks of the headwaters of the San Joaquin River.
View to the southsouthwest
View to the southwest and (big?) Shuteye Peak
Which is actually about the same elevation. You can drive to that one, if you're driving the right vehicle.
View to the east
Panorama
North and east
Panorama
SE to SW
Sumiit benchmark
8358ft.
Me on the summit
9:00am; time to get back for lunch!
Dome and lake
With the zoom.
Me, nearing campsite on the return
The camera wanted to focus on the rock I had set it on. Oh, well. Makes for a more artistic shot.
Sierra crest
This is with 16mm lens, cropped mightily so you're looking at close to 100%.
Same shot
With the Lumix.
Traditional refreshments...
...awaited at the car, as usual. Headed home at high noon. Stopped for a coffee at Mariposa Coffee Company on the way home. I recommend it when you're travelling Hwy 49 between Mariposa and the mountains. Another successful trip. Next up some mountain ~9500 feet tall. I'm still deciding; might start hitting snow at that elevation.
20110709 Chilkoot Lk
Granite above the lake
I missed the turn to the lake (no great loss, as that road was very rocky and I wouldn't have gone too far up it anyways). Parked and headed crosscountry, traversing over a little ridge where I was hoping to get a view of the lake. No such luck.
Chilkoot Lake
Filled to the brim; apparently it dries up in late summer; maybe not this year.
Next morning...
We went around the north and east sides of the lake. I had tried crossing the outlet the evening before but gave up. Too rocky and too much brush.
More lake pictures...
Still more lake pictures
Lake panorama
Lots of firewood!
Rocks in the lake
This was in the very NE corner of the lake, more or less.
More rock pictures
Still some snow
Only in the very thickest of the woods (it was pretty open mostly). This is at 7400' elevation, approximately.
Starting to climb
At the inlet at the south end of the lake, we headed crosscountry (it was pretty much *all* cross country, the only trails were use-trails used by people fishing right next to the lake).
Water flowing down rocks
There was a nice little stream coming down the granite on the ridge.
"Summit" panorama
Only the "summit" of where I climbed to this day. The Sierra crest did come into view, which was nice.
Sierra crest
Minarets; Madera Pk (I believe) more in the foreground towards the left.
Fresno Dome
Looking north across the lake, I could see Fresno Dome (my destination two weeks ago) sticking up out of the forest.
Crest closeup
I toted my zoom lens; only used it to snap some closeups when I stopped. Not worth the trouble, I don't think. It's pretty big and heavy to not get much use out of.
Madera Pk.
I was contemplating climbing this. *After* I make it to the top of Little Shuteye Peak, which I will have to come back and try without Raleigh.
Minarets
Madera Pk and Sierra crest beyond
There is lots of nice granite on the slope below that peak. Not sure it's for me to climb; this area is popular with rock climbers. Granite like Yosemite but no crowds and less bureaucracy.
San Joaquin River canyon
Lake just visible through trees...
Me
Love that granite! It's so much fun to walk on after thrashing (a bit) through the woods.
Lake, on return
This is a little pool outside the main lake; probably will be dried up in a week or two.
Refreshments back at the car
Headed for home at noon. Nice drive back and home by 5:00 or so.
*20110626-FresnoDome
Stump
This stump was the first one I spotted along the road from the parking lot to the "visitor center" and the Big Ed tree. There was evidence of the logging of some of these big old trees. I didn't actually visit the "interpretative" center to find out what the full story was.
Big Ed
Creeklet
Along the road.
Chimney tree
I think; this one wasn't marked explicitly; but the trail was the Chimney (tree) trail, and this was the biggest Sequoia I saw on it.
Another Sequoia
Unnamed, on the Chimney Tree trail.
Bull Buck sign
This one had stats on the tree. There was a very old picture of this tree in the visitor center dated from early 1900's.
Bull Buck
Soquel Meadow
With Fresno Dome in the distance. I reported in my previous trip report that I wasn't sure if this meadow had a name, but it does. There's a Soquel Meadow Ranch here and the meadow was full of cows this morning :-(.
Junction 6S10 and 5S06
The snow was about to the bottom of the stop sign two weeks earlier. This day I parked just below this junction (which is at 6847') but that was due to a singularly large snowbank; the road was mostly clear beyond there up to the Fresno Dome TH.
Fresno Dome Trailhead
This stone sign and the road sign a bit down the turnoff were completely covered two weeks previously. I missed the trail then. This is at about 7400'.
Campsite
On the shoulder of Fresno Dome, the summit of which you can see beyond Raleigh. It was a nice site; I forgot to grab some extra water when I crossed the creeklet on the way up. I gathered some snow on the north side of this ridge.
Panorama
From our campsite.
Tree
This tree sits atop the ridge just above our campsite. The summit was via the trail which dropped down slightly then climbed to the summit.
Little Shuteye Peak
The next major ridge to the south.
Sunset
Looking northwest towards Yosemite.
Sunset
I watched the sun disappear; perfectly clear evening, little or no wind, very few mosquitos (here)!
Morning
Last large pine on the way up to the summit.
Outcropping
Climber's trail (?) went thataway; we turned left and climbed a few switchbacks up the granite slabs.
Summit panorama
A beautiful morning, as usual.
Summit rocks
I didn't even look to see if there was a summit register. Too easy a peak to warrant one? Or to easy for some register vandals to abscond with it?
Looking west
Looking south
Me on the summit
I wore my Redwings hat this weekend. Wait till next year...
Summit rock
A nice slab of granite, framing the view to the west.
More northwest
You could see the shadow of Fresno Dome pretty clearly on the forest slopes below.
Raleigh on the way back
Nice trail up to the summit. The snow was too deep to follow it down below so I had to just wing it to get back to the road. But I ended up pretty much exactly where I started; one just needs to keep on the top of the ridge coming up from the broad saddle where the TH sits.
Fresno Dome
From our campsite; the light was much better in the morning.
Early refreshments
Woke at 5:15, on the summit by 6:00, started back to the car at 6:30, drinking obligatory beer and eating potato chips at 8:00. Cheeseburger for Raleigh.
White Church, Hornitos, CA
I had read a story 18 months ago in the SJMN about this church, which was the site of a famous Ansel Adams photograph. It's 11 miles off CA 140 so I decided to swing by there on my way home.
St. Catherines Catholic Church
I think that's what the church has always been called.
Hign noon
Adams' picture was late afternoon, I think (lots of shadows). I was there at the wrong time of day, as usual.
Back of church
In the background are the rolling, grass-covered hills, studded with oaks. That bit is likely the same as when Ansel Adams was here.
Irony?
Supposedly, Adams' photo was a commentary on land-use or something (I didn't really get it, though). Oddly enough, as I wandered downhill to get a better shot of the church, I saw the Merced county waste management signs with lots of mention of all the crap that we now toss out. I want to go back and recrop this to better match Adams' perspective (portrait versus landscape).
White church, Hornitos, CA
No fence anymore (I don't think); there seems to be some controversy about whether one should try to recreate famous photos. Sorry if you're offended; I wasn't really trying to do that; just document how things haven't (or have) changed in 75 years.
20110612 Sierra NF & Yosemite
I think I'll go for the "things"
Spotted this sign across the street from the McDonalds in Oakhurst. The "things" struck me as kind of funny.
Parking spot along Beasore Rd.
At around 6500' elevation. The snow covered the road another 1/4 mile up.
Raleigh
You can see a patch of snow; shady spots were still covered with patchy snow, depending on aspect.
FS road
Impassable, still.
Little Shuteye Pk
Across the canyon was a rocky peak. Maybe a worthy goal, someday.
Shuteye Pk. ridge
Zoomed out further; the canyon between this ridge and Beasore road carries Chilkoot Creek.
End of the road
Unless you've got chains, a jeep, a snowmobile, or snowshoes. The road climbs another 600' or so then descends to Beasore Meadow. Two weeks later (as I write this), the FS reports that the snow level was at 7000' feet as of 6/15. So it should be open to the meadow by now (6/24).
Sunset
I boosted saturation just a teeny bit; otherwise it was kinda dull.
Sunset II
A bit more saturation boost, here. But it *could* have looked this way.
Chilkoot Creek
This is from the Beasore Rd. bridge where it crosses this creek, just before it meets Willow Creek. The water was flowing pretty good, but not totally out of control. It was early in the morning (on Sunday) and it hadn't been that hot. There may be more melt once the heatwave hit.
Meadow
Came to this nice meadow along Sky Ranch Rd, heading to Fresno Dome. I'm not sure it has a name.
More meadow pics coming up...
Different zooms, angles, etc.
Old barn
More old barn
One of these is prbably from the raw image rather than the in-camera jpg.
Barn plus meadow
Barn plus meadow II
Barn plus meadow III
I was comparing the sharpness; not really thrilled with any of them. I thought maybe this one was the best.
End of FS10
Snow blocked the way, as on Beasore Rd.
Tree with snow
Raleigh
This wsa at the junction with another road; this is from that road; we came up on the road that goes off to the right in this picture.
Turnaround point
If you look at the previous picture, you'll see that the sign said the Fresno Dome TH was 1 mile. We walked about 2 miles and naver saw it. This was at the point where I gave up and turned around. We climbed up to the top of the ridge. The peak in the distance is the same Little Shuteye Peak that was in yesterday's pictures (I think).
Panorama
The only one that really turned out Ok on the whole trip. The exposure seems wonky when I do sweep panorama. I need to figure out why that is.
Rocks
This is from the RAW image; the JPGs had the snow way over-exposed.
Fresno Dome
Just visible to the right, slightly behind us as we came up the road here. Not far away, but I didn't know where the turnoff was. If I had more time we could have walked there from here. The snow was starting to get soft so it may not have been a pleasant walk.
Another tree
Fresno Dome
This is from the Fresno Dome Campground area on the way back. If you ascend to the rocky ridge slightly above the road, you get a pretty nice view.
Fresno Dome II
Fresno Dome III
Fresno Dome IV
Fresno Dome V
Fresno Dome VI
Junction at Fresno Dome Campground
Everything very snow-covered here, although we were only a half-mile or so from the car, below which the road was clear.
Bridalveil Falls
Took Hwy 41 back through Yosemite, stopping to take pictures as the Wawona Tunnel viewpoint.
Bridalveil Falls II
Bridalveil Falls III
At 200mm
El Capitan
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley II
El Capitan II
Yosemite Valley III
Yosemite Valley IV
Yosemite Valley V
El Capitan face
This might have been from the roadside directly below (rather than from the viewpoint). Pretty sharp image, compared to my P&S camera. I took one with that camera too, for comparison. I'll look at these side-by-side after I pull the pictures from that camera.
El Capitan monolith
From the roadside below. Uneventful drive home, until I hit a grass fire in Morgan Hill, which cost me an extra 30-45 minutes. Hwy 140 was a good change of pace from my usual Hwy 120 route.
Yosemite Valley pic with Panasonic camera
I'm not sure I posted the similar shot with the Sony NEX; if not, I'll go find that and post it for comparison.
Yosemite Valley pic using Sony NEX
Here's the same shot with the Sony (straight-out-of-camera jpg).
Post hike ritual
Beer and chips for me, cheeseburger for Raleigh.
*20110221 Barlow Rd.
Mt. Umunhum - NW Ridge
Your mission, should choose to accept it, is simply to ascend that ridge. Nice, gradual ramp all the way to the top!
Snow-capped Loma Prieta
From Mt. Umunhum Rd.
Barlow Rd. turnoff
The Woods Rd junction is 1.8mi; the NW ridge turnoff is shortly before that (say 1.5mi).
Diablo Range
Snow-covered Mt. Hamilton and vicinity; you can see Mt. Umunhum Rd. (which I drove up) cutting across the ridge in the middle distance).
Mt. Hamilton, closer up
Still a goodly amount of snow. This was on Monday Feb 21, the day after we were at Sanborn. It snowed on Saturday, as I recall.
Mt. Hamilton, closer still
That's about all the zoom I got.
Mt. Umunhum looming ahead
Actually, it doesn't look that high...
NW Ridge
View of the ridge, from a bend in Barlow Rd.
Winter clouds
(I thought this was a nice picture, BTW). You can make out a gate either on Barlow Rd. (or some turnoff; I didn't go that far). The abandoned road that heads up the ridge is immediately behind me here.
The abandoned road
It looks nice and wide here, but there's a stretch thinly covered with scattered bushes next to Barlow Rd. so one might not even notice this turnoff.
End of the trail
This is where things get interesting. I could see a few footprints striking off into the woods. No poison oak. Next t ime I'll forge through here and see where it leads. Rumor has it that you stay towards the right and climb the ridge un
Clearing at end of abandoned road
Loma Prieta in the distance.
Another abandoned road
This one headed downhill (most did). There were 3 or 4 passable routes. One really nice one heading down along Guadalu pe Creek. I've heard that ascending the creek from way down near Guadalupe Reservoir next to Hicks Rd. is a nice scramb
2011 02 05 MontaraMtn
In the parking lot
We set out about 10:45
Gray whale cove beach
Looking up the coast soon after starting out.
From slightly higher up
Michael
Looking south towards Moss Beach
Surf
Decent waves; it was pretty windy later on; not so bad early.
Raleigh at signpost
He was worn out at the end; I think it's the hot stretches that get him.
Parking lot from midpoint
Most of the uphill started here.
Montara Mtn
Coast, looking south
SF comes into view
The trail (fire road, really) goes up the south side of the ridge; once it reaches the top of the ridge, the views to the north are impressive (especially on a clear day).
SF closeup
GG bridge sticking up out of the faint fog
Coast to the south
The far side of Halfmoon Bay and I think you can maybe see Pigeon Pt (?) beyond
Marin headlands
Ocean beach, Mt. Tam, and Mt. St. Helena
I'm not sure exactly which point on the horizon is Mt. St. Helena. It is ~77 mi distant, though.
Farallones...
...Clearly visible through the haze, beyond the slightly lower summit to the NW
Pt. Reyes
The cliffs above Limantour beach were clearly visible.
Marker at summit
Mt. Umunhum
The fourth ridge, just barely visible; you can make out the tower on top.
Pt. Reyes Cliffs
Parking lot from above
We took the short route (straight down!) on the return. Too steep (for me) on the way up, in retrospect.
Labor Day 2006 - Leavitt Peak and Big Sam
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Three Passes Album
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1---sonora-pass.jpg 2008-09-08
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11x14-dual-panorama.jpg 2008-06-26
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2---alberto-gets-wet.jpg 2008-06-23
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2---bill-and-mt-humphreys.jpg 2008-09-12
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2---campsite.jpg 2008-06-23
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2---glacier-divide.jpg 2008-09-12
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8-refreshments.jpg 2008-06-27
Miscellaneous
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halfdome.jpg 2002-07-07
Landscape Design
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P1020763.JPG 2009-02-02
Coyote Hills
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Trail map; we started at the red P and went clockwise; 2 miles, 400' elevation gain
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View of the "Main Marsh" area from the slopes above the Quarry Staging area where we parked and started
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Looking across the quarry area towards the hill above the Dumbarton Bridge
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View from the top of the first hill we climbed
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Another view along the Coyote Hills ridge looking south
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View from top of the highest hill across the bay, directly into the setting sun
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Salt ponds and the bay
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"Caution; Steep Rough Trail Ahead"
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View back along the ridgeline
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Along the ridgeline towards the north, we climbed the next hill and then went right on a use trail
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Back side of the ridge above the marsh
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Some geese on the hillside; pairs kept flying by; ducks, too
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Looking across the marsh; the hill on the left is where we started
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Boardwalk as you exit the trail from the marsh; a sign at this end said no dogs but I saw none at the other end (I swear)
Kaiser Peak *
View towards Sierra crest from Potter Pass.
2006-06-24
Upper Twin Lk
2006-06-24
This side of the ridge had glaciers, which left this big erratic, split in two
2006-06-24
Sunset at George Lk
2006-06-24
Looking down the chute up from George Lk; it was a bit steeper beyond the edge
Looking down the chute up from George Lk; it was a bit steeper beyond the edge of the snow, out of view
Looking across the chute; I think it was steeper than this picture might lead
Looking across the chute; I think it was steeper than this picture might lead you to believe
Upper portion of chute
2006-06-25
The top; I went just left of the rocks in the middle
2006-06-25
Atop the ridge, looking west
2006-06-25
Kaiser Peak 10,310'
2006-06-25
Raleigh on top of the summit
2006-06-25
The next sequence of pictures comprise a 360 degree panorama from the summit
The next sequence of pictures comprise a 360 degree panorama from the summit of Kaiser Pk
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2006-06-25
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2006-06-25
Raleigh relaxing on the summit; Ritter range on the horizon
2006-06-25
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2006-06-25
Me atop Kaiser Pk
2006-06-25
Looking across the top of the chute we climbed; if you look closely enough,
Looking across the top of the chute we climbed; if you look closely enough, you can see my tracks above rocks lower center).
Huntington Lk, from below College Rock
2006-06-25
Snow plants; these were everywhere between 8K and 9K elevation
2011-03-07
Lower Twin Lk
2011-03-07
Clouds above Kaiser Ridge
2011-03-07
Looking down at Jewel and Campfire Lakes; they were still pretty much frozen
Looking down at Jewel and Campfire Lakes; they were still pretty much frozen over
Cloud above Kaiser Pk (actually the summit is out of view to the right)
2011-03-07