Bilbo's Adventures

20 Lakes Basin

2011-10-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

This past summer I took two trips to Twenty Lakes Basin, one with my son and the other with a few local hiking comrades. Twenty Lakes Basin is located near Tioga Pass which is the north entrance to Yosemite National Park. These pictures were taken in early August which gives you an idea of how much snow there was this year in a record snowfall year. I have never seen so much snow in the Sierras in all my years of hiking.

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A Great Day on the Central Coast

2011-04-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

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Today, Alan, his son Justin, and I hiked to the top of Valencia Peak which is located in Montana de Oro State Park. The views from the top were spectacular and wildflowers were in abundance. The hike to the top is steep in places but is accessible to just about anyone who works out two or three times a week or is willing to grind it out. While hiking down the mountain we spotted a point along the coast that was covered in yellow wildflowers and when we reached the bottom we decided to check it and was I sure glad. The yellow covered point along the coast was accessible via the Point Buchon Trail which is a relatively new trail just south of Montana de Oro. The coastline along this trail is absolutely spectacular, especially when the wildflowers are in bloom. Great day, good company, and stunning scenery. It doesn’t get any better than this.

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Point Buchon Trail

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Today was the first time I hiked the Point Buchon Trail. The views along this hike were stunning. Point Buchon is a trail along the coast just a bit south of Montana de Oro State Park. The coastline along this stretch reminds me of the rocky and rugged coastline north of Bodega Bay on the Northcoast. During the springtime the bluffs are covered with a carpet of yellow flowers and poppies which makes the short loop walk spectacular, some of the best on the Central Coast. Point Buchon Trail is currently owned and maintained by PG /E and is open to the public Wednesday through Monday. The trail can be reached by the same road that takes you to the bluff trail at Montana de Oro. If you like Montana de Oro, you will love the Poin Buchon trail.

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Large sinkhole along the trail

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Wildflower Bonanza: My Last Hike

2010-08-06T07:37:00.000-07:00

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I wasn't sure if my last blog entry would be my last because my final hike of the trip was on a trail that I have posted pictures in the past which is why I said my previous blog entry was probably my last. When I arrived at the trailhead I initially was going to leave my camera behind to save weight but I am really glad I brought my camera along. While I have hiked the San Joaquin Ridge trail many times before I have never seen it so alive with wildflowers. The hillsides were literally carpeted with yellow, pink, purple, and red. It was in another words, a wildflower bonanza.

The wildflower bonanza was unexpected because generally by this time of the yellow the wildflowers have already peaked but I had forgotten that this has been a very, very, late spring and summer. Also, this was a very wet winter which contributed to the abundance of wildflowers.

Although there are many other hikes I could have ended my trip with I am now really glad I ended my trip with this particular hike. I have hiked all over North America during my lifetime and seen some incredible beauty but The Minaret Mountain Range near Mammoth Lakes California is as good as it gets. I have been coming up here now for almost 40 years and I never get tired of this area...so...while I have done this hike more times than I can remember I am glad I ended my trip here, otherwise, I would have missed the beautiful wildflower bonanza.

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Mammoth Mountain in the distant. The hills were lit up with purple, red, pink, and yellow wildflowers.

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The tips of the Minarets

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Mount Banner and Ritter

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Mount Banner and Ritter dominate the landscape

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The Minaret range near Mammoth. One of the great mountain ranges in North America.

Bishop Pass: Classic High Sierras

2010-08-04T20:10:00.000-07:00

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The last time I hiked up and over Bishop Pass was in 1976. I remember the trip quite well because I had to carry my cousins pack the last mile to the lake because he couldn’t go any further. I never dreamed I wouldn’t go back to this wonderful place for 34 years…but…getting married, working, raising a family and ongoing back problems prevented me from making this hike…and…after the last couple of years with my back problems I never imagined I would ever be up here again. But, I made it.

The day started off quite cool. According to my car thermometer is was 44 degrees outside when I hit the trail at 8:30. The trail leading from the parking lot of South Lake is very steep for the first couple of miles but I flew up the trail at light speed. After three weeks out in the wilderness hiking mountain peaks and passes I guess my body has finally adjusted to any challenge the mountains have to offer.

The first couple of miles of the hike are nothing to write home about as you hike through the forest but once you reach the first lake, Long Lake, everything opens up and high mountain peaks come into view. The last couple of miles to the pass are spectacular as you pass one lake after another. I can’t remember all the names of the lakes but there was about three or four of them I passed on my way to the pass.

Reaching the pass ended up being a bit of a disappointment “initially” because I assumed there would be numerous people waiting on top to congratulate me on my great accomplishment. But, there was not a single sole in sight when I arrived at the top. Since I was full of energy when I reached the top I decided to hike further down the trail to get a better view of the surrounding mountain ranges that encompass the Bishop Pass area. I don’t think I have ever been to a place where there are so many high peaks. I didn’t count them but I estimate there must have been at least a dozen peaks over 12,000 feet which you could see from the pass. None of the pictures I took really do justice to how grandeur this area is. You are surrounded by peaks on all sides. It truly is an amazing place where all you can do is stand in awe of God’s incredible creation.

Once I reached my final destination I just sat down and reflected on what I had just accomplished and the beauty of it all while I ate my power granola bar. Even now, this all seems like a dream…because….as I have chronicled elsewhere one year ago I was reduced to walking with a cane and could go no further than halfway around the block. I never, ever, ever, imagined I could do what I have done not only today but what I have done hiking over one mountain pass after another from California to Colorado.

As I conclude what may be my last blog entry for awhile since I am going home tomorrow and starting work on Monday I can only express gratitude for being able to go and see all the incredible places I have this summer. I have been to 11 national parks and who knows how many other wilderness areas. I don’t know if I will ever be able to do what I have done this summer again but even if I don’t I am forever grateful for this once in a lifetime adventure this summer. At the beginning of the trip I was a bit anxious regarding my back situation but my back has held up fine and all the hard work I have done over the past six months has paid off. Well, I don’t really have anything more to add but to end this with nothing but praise to God for providing me with this opportunity to see some of the most beautiful sights in the world and for my health which I never take for granted.

2010-08-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

One of the numerous beautiful lakes one passes on the way up to Bishop Pass.

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One of the numerous surrounding peaks which one can see on the way to the Bishop Pass.

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Another beautiful lake on the way to the pass.

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A small tarn I passed on my way to the pass.

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One of the high lakes near the pass.

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Up close pic of a nearby peak.

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Proof that I made it to the top. I did have a picture of me at the pass but it came out poorly.

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Mountain range from Bishop Pass.

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Dusy Basin below.

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Surrounding peaks from Bishop Pass.

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Looking down at the lakes from Bishop Pass.

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Pack train headed to the pass. There are many pack trains which cross this pass everyday.

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Yes that is a guy standing in the snow carrying his kayak. Him and two of his buddies carried these 75 pound kayaks over Bishop Pass to the Kings River which is probably about 20 miles away. Personally, I think they have a few screws lose.

A Day on Mammoth Crest

2010-08-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

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I woke up this morning feeling better than I expected so I strapped on my pack and headed for the Mammoth Crest. The Mammoth Crest is a ridge which overlooks the Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding sierra range including the Minarets and Mammoth Mountain. As far as ridges and passes go it’s a pretty easy hike and the views are spectacular which makes it a popular hike with the locals.

About fifteen minutes up the trail I came upon a hiker who was moving very slow. As I started to go around him we started a conversation which lasted for the next two and a half hours! The slow moving hiker was a man named Gerry and the reason he was moving so slow was because he is 75 years old!…As we hiked together for the next two and a half hours we talked about everything from hiking to the keys to a well balanced life. I felt a kindred spirit with Gerry and found him an inspiration…. Because… despite his age and the fact that has body has slowed down quite a bit he is still out there hiking mountains that even people who are younger and stronger would have a hard time hiking. Later I found out that Gerry was doing an eleven mile hike that day which was four miles longer than what I was hiking this particular day.

As Gerry and I moved along chatting out this and that we were joined by a “hiking family” from Italy. I found the mother particularly interesting because one could tell by the tone of her voice and her eyes that she obviously loved the mountains as much as Gerry and I who have been doing this sort of thing, in my case, for 40 years and Gerry for 50. Liliana, the woman from Italy told us about her various travels to Colorado and the Alps. I have long been interested in the Alps and had an opportunity to go the Alps when I was in my twenties. After listening to her talk about it today I’m now thinking about maybe giving it a go in the next three or fours years, if my health holds up.

When I got back to camp around two thirty I had intended to go into town and do a bit of shopping but tomorrow I have a very long hike in store so I decided to take an hour power nap. I’m sure glad I did because I was really tired but when I awoke I was refreshed again. Tomorrow is one of my biggest hikes of the summer. I am heading up to Bishop Pass. Bishop Pass is one of the great hikes in the Sierras. It is an eleven mile round trip hike which passes numerous lakes and streams. I haven’t been up to Bishop Pass since I was 18 years old so I am “really” looking forward to this hike.

Views from Mammoth Crest

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Virginia Lakes and Beyond

2010-08-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

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Got a late start this morning because I had to go back and get my wallet which I left in my tent. I didn’t hit the trail until almost ten but was energized once I hit the trail after downing a diet Dr.Pepper. I generally don’t drink sodas until after noon but I decided to make an exception because I was running late and had a potentially long hard hike in front of me. Today’s destination was an unnamed pass in the Virginia Lakes area which is about an hour north of Mammoth. I chose this particular hike because it involved high altitude which I prefer and I had never been there before. I may have mentioned this before but this years adventures involve going to places I have never been to before or areas I haven’t been to in a long time.

The hike up to the pass and beyond was not particularly long, only about six miles round trip, but I anticipated I would be doing some cross country hiking once I reached the pass. After two weeks hiking some very high passes in Colorado the hike up this pass actually seemed quite easy…so…once I got to the top of the pass I decided to hike a nearby unnamed peak. The peak “looked” like a potentially easy stroll but looks can be very deceptive when one is in the high country….because…everything is distorted due to the huge peaks which surround you. And sure enough, the hike up the peak was much more difficult than it looked, but I made it to the top with the help of my hiking poles. I don’t know what I would do without my poles. They provide balance and extra help when climbing up steep trails. I never would have made it to the top without my poles.

The highlights of this particular hike where the views of the red mountain peaks which were plentiful on this particular hike. Another highlight was the two tarns I ran across while hiking to the top of a nearby mountain near the pass. A tarn is a small pond which is very shallow. They are not big enough to qualify as lakes and they generally don’t support any plant or fish life. Tarns are fed by snow melt and their size fluctuates from one year to another according to the yearly snowfall. Eventually they dry up and become meadows or alpine tundra areas. I love tarns because they are generally very beautiful and offer a great place to take a nap. On this particular hike I took a 45 minute break at one of the tarns after I hiked to the top of a nearby peak.

Overall, it was a good day. I took my time going to the top of the pass and a nearby mountain. I took some pictures of some great mountain peaks and some very tiny alpine flowers on my way to the top of a mountain. I hope you appreciate the alpine flowers pics because I had to get down on my hands and knees to take these pics…and…the ground was solid rocks!…which….were pointy and sharp! Not sure where I am going to go hiking tomorrow. I’ll just wait to see how my body feels when I get up. I’ll probably stay close to the Mammoth area and not hike too far because my big hike to Bishop Pass is Wednesday and I need to be ready for what surely will be one of the best hikes of the summer.

2010-08-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

Virginia Lake

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The pass.

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Frog Lake. You pass Frog Lake on the way to the pass.

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Large Snowbank near the pass.

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Top of the pass.

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View from the pass.

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Me at the top of the pass.

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A beautiful tarn.

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A close-up of a tarn and a floating iceberg. The snowbank in this picture is about ten feet deep which is amazing for August.

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A beautiful tarn near the pass.

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Once I reached the pass I decided to hike to the top of this mountain. The hike up to the top was much more difficult than it looked.

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Unnamed Peak

Tiny Alpine Flowers

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My First Love: Mammoth Lakes

2010-08-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

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I started a new road trip today. Today I arrived in Mammoth for four or five days of hiking. Why Mammoth, especially after being in the Rockies for the almost three weeks? I came to Mammoth because I intend to take advantage of the new me by hiking some trails I haven't been able to for almost twenty years or never. Also, Mammoth is my first love. I have been coming up here 35 years and I have so, so, many fond memories of this place...however...my last two trips here were aborted due to my back problems. In fact, last year I left in tears only after being here for 36 hours because my back was killing me and I broke down in tears because I couldn't help wondering if I would ever be able to hike the surrounding mountains in this incredibly beautiful place again...But...here I am, better than ever.

While here I hope to go on at least three long hikes. Tomorrow I am heading up to Virginia Lakes where I will be hiking over Burro Pass. This is supposed to be one of the more beautiful passes on the east side and should provide spectacular views of the Matterhorn and surrounding peaks. I'm taking my camera and hope to bring back some good photos. Later in the week, if my body holds up I will be hiking up Bishop Pass and Mammoth Crest. I am excited because I haven't hiked some of these trail for 30 years!

2010-08-01T20:53:00.001-07:00

View from Burro Pass. Tomorrow I hope to make it to the top of this pass.

The Last Day of My Road Trip

2010-07-22T22:08:00.000-07:00

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When I woke up this morning I had to make a decision whether to come straight home or go on one last crazy exploration by visting three National Parks in one day. As you can see, by the photos below, I chose to take to take the "one last crazy" route...and...I'm glad I did. Although, I must admit I had my doubts, especially when I arrived at Capitol National Park.

I've been to many, many, many, National Parks but today I visited the worst National Park I have yet to visit. I have never said this about any National Park before but I don't believe Capitol Reef National Park deserves it's National Park status...for, alot of reasons which I won't go into. Let's just say that this is a very poorly run National Park and it didn't have what I call the "wow factor". What I mean by the wow factor is the feeling one gets when one is in a National Park. It's the feeling that you are somewhere really special. I never felt this in Capitol National Park, not even in the slightest.

My next stop was Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a spectacular National Park which you can easily access by trail which I highly recommend. Today I went on a 45 minute loop trip along the Navajo Loop Trail at Sunset Vista. I recommend hiking to the bottom of the Canyon because you will get an incredible perspective that cannot be experienced by simply staying at the top of the rim. I hiked to the bottom and got some great shots of the towering red clay spirals which are featured below. Although I didn't have alot of time to spend at Bryce the time I spent there was well worth and in hindsight I now wish I had skipped Capitol Reef and spend more time at Bryce and Zion.

Zion was the last stop on my three parks in one day tour. Zion is an incredible place...and...unfortunately the pictures don't do justice to just how spectacular this National Park is. The drive into the park started off with a bang. I wasn't in the park for no more than five minutes when I had to stop and wait for the road crew to finish what they were doing. Normally, this can be a bit of an agitation particularly if it is really hot which it was on this day. But, on this occasion the wait was well worth it. Once I realized I wasn't going anywhere for awhile I decided to get out of my car and when I glanced over the side of the road there was a Bighorn sheep, not one, not two, but at least a dozen!

The drive through Zion National Park is spectacular. On every side are steep cliffs that rise sometimes thousands of feet from the canyon floor. Zion kind of reminds me of Yosemite in this way. The steep canyon walls create a sense of awe as you look up towards the spirals that seem to be everywhere for mile after mile. After driving through much of the park I arrived at the visitor center where I boarded a shuttle bus which makes eight stops along some of the most popular locations in the park. You now have to ride the shuttle bus to go to certain spots. Apparently the park has become so crowded over the years it is the only way they can protect the vegetation and eliminate serious parking and congestion problems. The only drawback it is difficult to get pictures of some of the most beautiful views in the park. In my case, I had to stick my camera out the window of the bus and shoot as many shots as I could. I rode around on the bus for about an hour and a half. I wish I could have stay much longer and done some hiking in the park but I was getting really tired after already visiting two other parks. I do plan to go back again, maybe next spring and go hiking in the park. There are alot of great hiking trails and I would love to spend two or three days in the park.

Well, this brings an end to one of the biggest road trips in my life. Over the past month I have now visited eleven different National Parks and have hiked and biked well over 100 miles. Tomorrow I will head home and hopefully get some rest over the next week to ten days before I head out again for a short trip to probably the Eastern Sierras before school starts. Originally, I was supposed to spend my summer vacation in the Sierras but there was too much snow at the higher elevations. But, now that the trails are open I do hope to get out and explore some of the great trails in the my home state.

Bryce Canyon National Park

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