Trip Reports
Eureka Dunes Blowout
By Wesley Peck
As we left the campground at the corner of Rt. 395 &
168 in Big Pine and headed up the desert canyon toward Eureka Dunes,
little did we realize the problems that would plague us.
The road to the dunes winds up a picturesque canyon to a
high grassy ridge with Pinyon pines. From the ridge we sidetracked to
the Saline valley road, a steep and twisty dirt path, to Marble
canyon. There we explored several abandoned mines in the canyon dry
wash. On the way out, stopping for an overview of the high desert
canyon terrain, I detected a hissing sound coming from the rear tire
Our first flat tire. We tried a can of fix-a-flat but the hole was
too big. Stopping at the junction of the Saline and Eureka roads we
decided to have lunch while Steve changed the tire. The view across
the ridge and down the canyon to the Sierra's, across the Owens
valley, somewhat compensated for our problems.
The road continues across grass and pine covered ridges,
then descends to Eureka valley. The dirt road to the dunes has one
short sandy section that caused the cars to through up a shower of
fine sand thereby making sure everyone got their cars appropriately
dirty. The dunes sit in a U shaped valley that has a large playa in
its center with the dunes at the south end, and striped, multicolored
cliffs enclosing it. Approaching, the dunes stand out sharply against
the darker rock of the surrounding mountains. Arriving at the dunes
we found the two picnic tables full so several people went looking
for a camping spot while others started up the dunes.
Upon reaching the apparent top, the dune hikers realized
that it was only a false top, the true peak lay further on. From our
final camping area on the east side of the dunes, we had a straight
shot to the peak and views westward across the entire dune ridge. An
after dinner sunset and a cozy fire rounded out the first day.
The
second day dawned with a clear sunrise that illuminated the dunes. An
investigation of our campsite seemed to indicate we were on the
remains of an old tufa formation. An analysis of the rocks we found
(by Steve after the trip) proved this was correct indicating that the
whole valley was under water in ancient times. Heading out we wound
our way up and down multicolored canyons to Crankshaft Crossing.
There, artfully arraigned, old car engine guts punctuate the name. We
decided to head down into Death Valley along the rough but fairly
straight dirt road. Upon reaching the main paved Death valley road we
stopped to regroup and once again I noticed a hissing sound. Another
flat tire!! With no spare we tried another can of fix-a-flat that one
of the other participants had and luckily it held. But as our group
gathered we realized that another member had not only had a flat, but
had completely shredded his tire. A relaxing lunch on the lawn of
Scotty's Castle left everyone in a good, if cautious, mood for the
trip back to civilization.
Cautionary note: As far as we could tell, none of the
flats was caused by the ordinary culprits (nails, glass, etc). They
were caused by plain old rocks! When driving on dirt roads be sure to
have a good spare and either a can or two of fix-a-flat and/or
a tire patch kit and air pump.
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Bristlecone Pines
By Wesley Peck
As we gathered at Grandview campground (El 8500 ft) we
realized it was unfortunately going to be another of those clear
blue, cloudless days that occur frequently in the summer. After
driving to Schulman grove we hiked the short (1mi) discovery trail
through the Bristlecone pines. In addition to discovering the
weathered, twisted and gnarled pines we also found that hiking up
hill at over 10,000 ft is hard work. Afterwards we drove up to the
Patriarch grove where we had lunch and spent the rest of the day.
The
pines on this high ridge (11,000 ft) are exposed to all the storms
that come through the White mountains and have developed much
character. The Bristlecone pines survive in this harsh environment by
conserving energy and growing slowly. This produces trees that are
partially hard, dense, dead wood that weathers into sharp ridges and
golden red colors and living bark and branches that produce dark
green, bottle brush needles with purplish, spiked cones and
glistening drops of sap. These trees grow either in notches in white
dolomite outcroppings (a form of marble) or on ground that is
composed of disintegrating dolomite. Adding the deep blue sky makes
for some dramatic photos. The views from the ridge are sweeping
taking in the local mountains and into Nevada. Here and there on the
ground small patches of growth provide small but colorful flowers.
For the B&W photographer the fantastic forms of the trees
contrasted with the sky and ground make for outstanding pictures.
On Sunday we drove back to Schulman grove and took the
longer (4mi) Methuselah trail. The trail climbs through mixed pines
till it crosses a ridge and drops into two canyons that contain
Bristlecone pines. Climbing another ridge, you have sweeping views of
both the Sierra's and Deep springs lake (dry and glistening white at
this time of year) on the east side of Westgard pass. As you wind
through the canyons the groves of Bristlecone become more dense.
Somewhere in these groves is the oldest tree yet found, though it is
not marked.
After the hike we had lunch in the visitor center area
along with numerous small blue butterflies and begging golden-mantle
ground squirrels. We all went home tired but refreshed.
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Late Spring on the Central Coast
By Joan Schipper
Judy Molle's Morro Bay Car Camp in May was a classic
Camera Committee outing. The essential elements of good location,
interesting subject matter, slow photo-pacing, delicious happy hour
munchies and good campfire conversation were all accounted for.
Our group gathered in time on Friday to visit the Morro
Bay Estuary in the late afternoon light. We saw cormorants, herons,
egrets and turkey vultures nesting or roosting in the eucalyptus
trees. It was such a wonderful site that many of us returned for
first light, breaking out our tripods and longest lenses to capture
nestlings. Judy also introduced us to Montana de Oro, where we
wandered from cove to cove, peering into tidepools and examining the
distinctive rock formations. We missed the massive poppy display that
gives the area its name, but along the cliff-top trail, we still
found several patches of poppies and other wildflowers and beautiful
grasses. We watched the late light in a delightful wetlands preserve,
nestled in a quiet neighborhood and still had time to explore a sand
dunes environment.
Breaking
camp on Sunday, we headed for Los Osos Oak Preserve where our morning
was consumed amid pigmy oaks, Spanish moss and dappled light. It was
beautiful and inspirational.
Turning towards home, Judy led our caravan through the
pastoral hills above Santa Barbara with occasional stops to
photograph or visit a winery. We are very lucky to have Judy on the
Central Coast. Hopefully, she will continue to arrange satisfying
adventures like this one.
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An early California Experience
by Larry Tapper
It was billed as, "Petroglyphs and Pinnacles."
It was that and more. Along the way we had good company, good food
and a trip through time.
Saturday
morning, December 12, sixteen souls ventured out of the Quality Inn
at Ridgecrest, and congregated at the Maturango Museum where we were
met by the four guides, who would lead us into to a pre-historic
California. After an introductory lecture and film, we caravaned
through the China Lake Naval Weapons Center to Little Petroglyph
Canyon. Although entry to the base is tightly controlled, we were
assured that we were guests, not targets.
The weather cooperated: sunny, clear, and calm. Perfect
for viewing the petroglyphs that adorn both sides of the canyon for
about two miles. These rock drawings were created centuries ago and
picture sheep and other animals, people and symbols taken to be the
sun, moon, stars and other elements. It was a treat not only for
photographers but also archeologists and hikers, as the museum had
provided us with a newly-written booklet keyed to markers explaining
the petroglyphs. That evening we compared notes while enjoying a
Chinese meal at the Golden Dragon.
Sunday, we drove a short
distance northeast to the Trona Pinnacles for a glimpse of an even
earlier California.
These pinnacles are among the largest tufa formations in
the world. As with those at Mono Lake, they consist of calcium
carbonate exuded from underwater. No more water, but lots of
wonderful forms that made us feel like we were on the moon.
After paying our respects to nature's wonders, we headed
down the road and forward in time to Randsburg, a marvelous old
mining town with photo opportunities galore. Lunch at the general
store was both a surprise and a treat. Great healthy, creative food
at old-fashioned prices. One of their many specials is a malt the way
I remember it from the forties and fifties! Great finale for a great
trip with great people.
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Chickenfoot Lake Backpack
by Larry Tapper
It was written up in the schedule as, "Easy backpack
to E Sierra wilderness area replete with lakes, streams, and
wildflowers." How true! Meeting Friday morning at Mosquito Flat,
end of the road from Tom's Place, eight intrepid backpackers
(including five leaders) trekked past five lakes to Chickenfoot Lake
where we set up camp. It was a cloudless sky when we began, and the
valley was covered with an explosion of wildflowers.
By early afternoon, the clouds had rolled in, and for the
rest of the day and evening we were cooled by intermittent rain and
pelted by a short spell of hail. Still, we strung a dining tarp and
feasted on appetizers, soup, cold barbecued steak and turkey breast
and finished with puddings for desert.
By morning, the storm had passed, and we ventured off to
the Gem Lakes where I caught a couple of trout. Our second night's
dinner was chef salad plus all the other goodies.
Sunday, after a leisurely morning, we packed up and
walked out -- in one hour forty-five minutes. In all, we "bagged"
ten lakes and thirty-seven varieties of wildflowers. Sunday night, I
had trout for dinner
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