Friday, August 31, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Morro Bay - Western Gull - 8/18/12
There were no otters at Morro Rock on Saturday. According to the ranger and some workers at the otter trailer that was set up there, the otters took off a few hours before my mom and I arrived, probably in search of some lunch. But this handsome guy was more than happy to pose for the camera.
Morro Bay - Brown Pelican - 8/18/12
This Brown Pelican was hanging around some fishermen, hoping that they would throw him some scraps.
San Simeon - Elephant Seal - 8/18/12
This big bull was one of 2 bulls on the beach. You can see all the scars on his back from his previous battles for territory and mating rights.
San Simeon - Elephant Seal - 8/18/12
My mom and I stopped at the Elephant Seal Viewpoint in San Simeon,CA on our road trip to the beach on Saturday, Not may seals were on the beach, but a few were there, including this cute pup who was constantly flipping sand onto his back.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Camping Trip - July 23-28th, 2012
I have posted pictures below from my camping trip in the Eastern Sierras. They are kind of out of order, but oh well - lol.
Also, posted below are a couple of links you might want to check out if you are planning on visiting any of these places.
Until next time, happy trails!
Natural Arches in the Alabama Hills
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Little Lakes Valley
Recreation.gov - Campground reservations
Devil's Postpile National Monument - NPS website
Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station
About Mono Lake
Mono Lake - South Tufa area
Mono Lake Visitor Guide
Yosemite National Park - NPS website
Days Hikes in Tuolumne Meadows
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Lake Alpine information
Also, posted below are a couple of links you might want to check out if you are planning on visiting any of these places.
Until next time, happy trails!
Natural Arches in the Alabama Hills
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Little Lakes Valley
Recreation.gov - Campground reservations
Devil's Postpile National Monument - NPS website
Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station
About Mono Lake
Mono Lake - South Tufa area
Mono Lake Visitor Guide
Yosemite National Park - NPS website
Days Hikes in Tuolumne Meadows
Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway
Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Lake Alpine information
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Lake Alpine - 7/27/12
After 5 nights of camping, I was ready to go home. But first, I had to stop by this lake, which I saw on route to the Big Meadow campground, where I camped out the last nite. It was a beautful, sunny morning at the lake. I was there early, but people were already at the lake, paddling around in their kayaks.
Lake Alpine - Bald Eagle - 7/27/12
This Bald Eagle sat up in this tree for a long, long while. He seemed pretty content with this perch, not bothered at all by the people swimming in the water below, and completely unfazed by the Osprey flying by, who seemed rather unhappy by the eagle's presence.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park - Stellers jay
The Stellers Jay is also known as the Pine Jay and Mountain Jay. They belong to the corvid family, which includes ravens, magpies, crows and nutcrackers.
Merced National Wildlife Refuge - Song Sparrow
This little Song Sparrow was singing his little heart out.
Mono Lake - 7/25/12
Mono Lake is not just for the birds....the lake is a popular kayaking and boating area, and people also swim in the lake's salty, dense waters.
Mono Lake - 7/26/12
Mono Lake's South Tufa Area is located near the town of Lee Vining, CA. From Hwy 395, take Hwy 120 East and drive a few miles to the gravel road which takes you to both Navy Beach and to the South Tufa area.
Mono Lake - 7/26/12
Mono Lake's South Tufa Area has a hiking trail which takes you to the shore and back to the parking lot. A longer trail goes to Navy Beach, which is a popular swimming area and boat launch area
Mono Lake - 7/25/12
Mono Lake's famous tufa towers form by underground springs, rich in calcium, mixing with the lake water, which is rich in carbonates. A chemical reaction occurs when the two waters mix, resulting in the formation of these calcium-carbonate limestone tufa towers. They can take decades to hundreds of years to grow. Some underwater towers can reach 30 feet in height.
Mono Lake - 7/25/12
Mono Lake is a shallow lake, with an average depth of 57 feet and a maximum depth of 159 feet. Its waters are 3 times saltier than the ocean. Due to the high salinity levels of the water, no fish live here. But brine shrimp thrive in the water, and alkali flies swarm on the shores, providing a feast for birds.
Mono Lake - Sage Thrasher
The Sage Thrasher is a member of the Mimidae family, which includes mockingbirds.
Mono Lake - Brewer's Blackbird
This Brewer's Blackbird feasts on alkali flies along the shore of Mono Lake.
Mono Lake - Wilson's Phalarope
Mono Lake is a popular birding area. Wilson's Phalarope, among other birds, flock here by the thousands on their migratory routes, to feast on brine shrimp and alkali flies.
Olmsted Point - 7/26/12
From high up on the Tioga Pass area in Yosemite National Park, you get a different kind of view of Half Dome.
Olmsted Point - 7/26/12
The Olmsted Point parking lot is always busy. But with beautiful scenery like this, it is almost impossible to NOT stop here.
Tuloumne Meadows - Meadow Penstemon
Not many wildflowers were blooming in the meadow area, but I did come across a few of these.
Soda Springs Trail - 7/26/12
The trail to Soda Springs takes you thru beautiful Tuloumne Meadows and over this wooden bridge which crosses the Tuolumne River. Watch for wildlife as you walk, as you may see Belding's Ground Squirrels and Mule Deer foraging in the meadow.
Soda Springs - 7/26/12
It was busy in Yosemite the day I went, so parking at trailheads was limited. But I wanted to go on at least one hike while I was up there, so I took the trail to Soda Springs, a 1.5 mile round trip walk thru Tuloumne Meadows to a small spring of naturally carbonated water.
Lembert Dome - 7/26/12
There is a trail that takes you to the top of this 800 ft tall granite dome. Perhaps next year I may make an attempt at it. Although my fear of heights may make it difficult - lol.
Tuolumne Meadows - 7/26/12
The meadow was a lot drier than it was at this time last year. But it still made for a nice photo.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Yosemite National Park - 7/26/12
An unmarked lake in Yosemite National Park's Tioga Pass area. It probably has a name, but I don't know it - lol.
Devils Postpile Ntl Monument - Starkweather Lake (8)
A quiet and chilly morning at Starweather Lake. Caught some nice reflections of the trees in the still water of the lake on my way out of the monument and onto the road to Yosemite.
Devils Postpile Ntl Monument - Sotcher Lake
A nature trail winds around Sotcher Lake, climbing up some bluffs to a good vantage point of the lake. Top it off with blue skies with wispy clouds, and you get an incredible view.
Reds Meadow - chipmunk
Little chipmunks kept scurrying around the campground. I don't know what kind of chipmunks they are, but they are cute!
Devils Postpile Ntl Monument - 7/25/12
Devil's Postpile is an interesting looking landmark. It was created by the eruption of basalt lava, and the subsequent, even cooling of this lava created a wall of hexagonal columns, or "posts.". A glacier later removed much of the wall, and polished smooth the tops of the posts. Many of these posts have since fallen and crumbled, as seen at the base of the postpile. Some of the remaining posts are up to 60 feet tall.
A loop trail takes you to the top of the postpile.
A loop trail takes you to the top of the postpile.
Devils Postpile Ntl Monument - 7/25/12
Last November, a strong, 12-hour windstorm ripped thru the Reds Meadow area. With winds ranging from 100-180 mph, the storm knocked down hundreds of trees, destroying campgrounds and picnic areas, littering trails and roads with downed trees and debris. Some of the damage is still evident as you hike along the trails and drive thru the monument., but you have to hand it to the park service and forest service workers who worked hard to clean up the mess before the summer camping season. Some campgrounds remain closed, so if you plan on camping here, check the NPS webpage to make sure your preferred campground is open. A link to the webpage is posted below.
National Park Service - Devil's Postpile National Monument
National Park Service - Devil's Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile Ntl Monument - 7/25/12
The trail to the top of the postpile is fairly steep, but it is wide enough so you can take a breather or 2 (or 3) off to the side, and there is plenty of shade. There are 2 ways to reach the top... one trail starts off to the left side of the postpile, and the other is off to the right. I took the right side trail and came back down on the other side.
The trail forks and you can take this fork of the trail to Rainbow Falls. You can also reach Rainbow Falls by driving down (or taking the shuttle) to the Rainbow Falls trailhead parking lot.
Devils Postpile Ntl Monument - 7/25/12
The top of Devil's Postpile reveals the tops of the posts, in what almost looks like a rock honeycomb.
Reds Meadow Campground - 7/25/12
Sometimes it is nice to just sit back and watch the clouds float by...
Convict Lake - 7/25/12
A beautful morning at Convict Lake. Just stopped here to snap a pic or 2 and then I was off to Devil's Postpile National Monument.
Little Lakes Valley Trail - 7/24/12
This is the start of my favorite hiking trail, the Little Lakes Valley trail. It is located in the beautiful high country of the Eastern Sierras, near Bishop, CA. The trail starts at around 10,000 feet in elevation at the Mosquito Flat parking lot.
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