I am definitely planning on going back to Little Lakes Valley tomorrow, bright (or dark!) and early. This time, I am coming armed with sunblock and bug repellent!!!! (2 bottles of it! LOL!). Let's just hope that I wake up in the morning with no aches and pains and no headache :)
I MIGHT be going to the Grand Canyon next weekend. My bro wants to go. We'll see if it actually happens. It will be awesome if it does! I haven't been to the Grand Canyon in years!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Little Lakes Valley Trail - Eastern Sierras - 7/15/10
This is undoubtedly one of my absolute favorite places to hike...EVER! I simply love it here. And I think anyone could see why.
Little Lakes Valley
The view from the top of the hill is breathtaking. I sat here for about 10 minutes, just enjoying the view and breathing in the pine-scented air. The sounds of thunder were in the distance, and the storm clouds kept getting closer. The hike to the top of the hill was a little bit of a huff-n-puff (the trailhead starts out at over 10,000 feet), and was mosquito-filled (and I had left the repellant at camp). But, luckily, there were few to no mosquitos where I was sitting on the rocks. The picture is pretty, but you have to see it in person to really see for yourself.
Little Lakes Valley Trail
The trail goes on and on, but I had to turn back. It was getting late and the storm clouds were getting darker and darker...and the thunder, closer and closer.
Little Lakes Valley - Alpine Shooting Star
I got my pants all wet trying to take pics of these - lol (as well as dozens of mosquito bites - if you come here, be sure to bring insect repellant!)
Little Lakes Valley - Penstemon
A type of Penstemon, I believe. Not sure which type (there are so many!)
Little Lakes Valley - unknown flower (2)
Looks a lot like Evening Snow, but according to a website, Evening Snow grows beltween 0 and 5000 feet. These were found at over 10,000 feet.
Little Lakes Valley - Mountain Pride Penstemon
A lot of these flowers were blooming on the Little Lakes Valley trail, as well as on the Rainbow Falls trail in Devil's Postpile National Monument.
Rock Creek - Kelley's Lily
I LOVE these flowers. There were many of them blooming along the roadside up at Rock Creek in the Eastern SIerras.
Mammoth Lakes - Minarets
A nice view of the Minarets from the road down to Devil's Postpile National Monument.
Devil's Postpile National Monument - Alpine Shooting Stars
Almost as soon as I set out on the trail to Devil's Postpile, I was greeted by a meadow full of Alpine Shooting Stars.
Devil's Postpile National Monument
Devil's Postpile National Monument is a formation of columnar basalt, which is a type of volcanic rock. Formations like this occur all over the world, including Ireland, Scotland, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, as well as other places in the US, such as Yellowstone National Park and Devil's Tower National Monument in Wyoming.
Devil's Postpile National Monument - Mule Deer
This mule deer was munching on the grass in the meadow in the evening. She didn't seem to be too bothered by me snapping pics of her.
Devil's Postpile National Monument - Ranger Station
The Ranger Station at Devil's Postpile National Monument. You can buy souvenirs here (I got some magnets and a keychain...and, of course, postcards).
Rainbow Falls Trail - Coyote Mint
Several wildflowers were in bloom on the trail, including this Coyote Mint. I also spotted some Scarlet Gilia, Monkeyflower and Pretty Faces on the trail.
Rainbow Falls Trail
The trail to Rainbow Falls goes through pine forest and through a burn area. It is about 1.3 miles one way to the falls from the Rainbow Falls trailhead (you can take a longer hike from Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls as well). At the 2nd viewpoint of the falls, there is a side trail that takes you to Lower Falls. I had just about made it to Lower Falls, when I got caught in a downpour and got drenched, so I didn't quite make it there. I should have brought an umbrella!
Rainbow Falls Trail - Burn Area
Remnants of the 1992 Rainbow Fire. The Rainbow Fire was caused by a lightning strike about 3 miles south from here. The fire was fueled by strong winds and drought conditions, and destroyed 8000 acres of the forest. The undergrowth is coming back, and, as you can see, new trees are sprouting up.
Rainbow Falls Trail - Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
This little guy was busy, busy scurrying about near the waterfall.
Rainbow Falls Trail - Rainbow Falls
With the sound of thunder in the distance, I made it to Rainbow Falls...about 15 minutes later, down the trail to Lower Falls, I got drenched by a passing thunderstorm...BRR!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 05, 2010
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Alabama Hills and The Eastern Sierras - 7/2/10
I always love going to the Alabama Hills. I love the contrast of the reddish rocks of the Alabama Hills with the greyish color of the Eastern Sierras in the background. Makes for some really beautiful scenery (and photos!)
Alabama Hills - Lathe Arch
If you don't look closely, you could totally miss this arch. It blends in with the rocks.
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