Hanna's Birthday!

Exploring Hole in Tree - Marin County  2020

(November, 2020.)

Wow! 

Windchill / Trail Issues / Lost Phone

Mountain Trail - Sierra Nevada  2025

Tree Trunks, Branches - Sierra Nevada  2025

"White fingers when cold are typically caused by Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition where blood vessels in the extremities narrow in response to cold or stress. This reduces blood flow, causing the skin to turn white or blue, accompanied by numbness or tingling. When warming up, the fingers may turn red and throb as blood flow returns. To manage this, keep hands warm and avoid cold exposure."

--Google AI

Mike's fingers were turning white due to the windchill, even wearing gloves. Very difficult to adjust the daypack waist belt!

The trail was pretty straightforward in parts: easily walkable going forward or gaining elevation. Some parts had granite steps to climb: strenuous but not that difficult. Then there were the sections that consisted of large rocks being piled on top of one another. Mike's granddaughter would have no problem skipping over them! But not Mike. He studied one problematic flat granite slab and thought to himself "Hm, looks like that could lead to a buttslide." And so it proved. Luckily, he landed on his daypack, so no harm from the slide.

Mike got up and continued down the trail. It took a while for him to realize that his iPhone was missing from his jacket pocket. How annoying! Fortunately he was able to use his Apple watch to find the phone, retracing his steps and pushing the phone location button on the watch until he could hear the iPhone's signal in the distance. There it was, lying on the ground!

Mike finally had to admit that the hike was turning out to be not particularly enjoyable. Time to turn around and head back to the trailhead.

iPhone on Ground - Sierra Nevada  2025

Sierra Hike Sightems

Roots, Granite - Sierra Nevada  2025

Pine Trunk - Sierra Nevada  2025

The windchill was making it slightly difficult to concentrate. But at least I managed to remember to take some forest detail photos.

Aspens, Wind

Aspens, Granite - Sierra Nevada  2025

Aspens, South Lake, Wind - Sierra Nevada  2025

I noticed some aspens huddled against a granite wall at the trailhead . . . took a photo using my Sony RX100 (finding it very capable so far - haven't made any prints yet).

It was quite cold, which made me a little apprehensive, what with the wind chill and all. I started off anyway, looking down on the aspens lining South Lake, some leaves still hanging on and the wind rippling the surface of the water.

Sierra Hike (Windy)

Mountain - Sierra Nevada  2025

Wind, South Lake - Sierra Nevada  2025

I had tried the hike to Treasure Lakes last year (2024), but didn't make it all the way. This time I thought that I should try it again, with an earlier start and sufficient hydration in my daypack.

But . . . the wind! The temperature was in the 40s when I arrived at the trailhead, and the wind whipping across South Lake made it feel much colder.

Monday Horse Blogging

Horse, Tree - Bishop  2025

Horse, Trees, Mountains - Bishop  2025

Within walking distance from my motel. 

Fritos & Beer

Fritos & Beer - Owens Valley  2025

Toyota - Owens Valley  2025

I found this neat spot last year: the entrance to an unpaved desert road with plenty of space to park and stretch out. Also . . . I had thoughtfully brought a folding chair this time!

Bishop Meals

Soba Dinner, Beer - Bishop  2025

El Pollo Loco - Bishop  2025

Soba brought from home and microwaved. El Pollo Loco just across the street.

Wow!

Saline Valley Road - 2

RV, Desert Hills - Owens Valley  2025

Sierra Crest from Saline Valley Road - Owens Valley  2025

I walked to the first ridge on the road so I could see the view on the other side. I was able to get a photo of the hills there as well as an RV heading down the road.

To the west, an imposing view of the Sierra crest.

Saline Valley Road - 1

Saline Valley Road - Owens Valley  2025

Similar photos have appeared before on the blog. This time I decided to walk down the road, first pausing at the tree for a closeup. Alas, I'm not sure exactly what kind of tree it is.

Tree (Saline Valley Road) - Owens Valley  2025

Death Valley Road

Death Valley Road - Owens Valley  2025

No Snow Removed - Owens Valley  2025

Drove up, parked the car, got out and walked around.

Valley Floor

Valley Floor - Owens Valley  2025

Dead Trees - Owens Valley  2025

One nice thing about this area: on one side of the valley you have mountains, on the other side you have desert. After aspen-viewing I drove down to Bishop, then south to Big Pine. Then, the road out of Big Pine towards Death Valley.

No clouds!

Monday Duck Blogging

Ducks - Bishop  2025

Taken during an afternoon walk in Bishop City Park. The South Fork of Bishop Creek runs right through the park with a large mallard population enjoying the pristine water.

Buttermilk Road

Rabbitbrush - Owens Valley  2025

Dust Hazard (Buttermilk Road) - Owens Valley  2025

I parked at the intersection, got out the Sony RX100, and walked down Buttermilk Road for some photos.

So now I'm thinking that I should actually drive down there some day. I have an AWD vehicle after all.

Moon / Aspens

Moon, Mountains - Sierra Nevada  2025

Aspens - Sierra Nevada  2025

Noticed the moon on my way up to the aspens, so used the Sony RX100 for a quick shot before it disappeared.

Vertical photo taken with a Nikon Z7II. Alas, it probably looks OK on the blog, but it's not sharp enough for printing.

Aspens - 2

Aspen Trunks - Sierra Nevada  2025

Aspens - Sierra Nevada  2025

The other photographers were all using tripods, of course. Not me. I was relying on my Nikon's "vibration reduction" tech. Alas, it wasn't nearly as effective as the image stabilization tech in my Olympus cameras. The Nikon's sensor is much larger though, so probably can't keep up with my shaky hands, especially in the cold.

Photos taken with a Nikon Z7II.

Turkeys in the Fog

Turkeys, Fog - Lake Lagunitas  2025

Taken last January, probably out the car window.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aspens - 1

Aspens, Granite - Sierra Nevada  2025

East of Bishop, on the road to South Lake. I had been up here in 2023, so this was another chance for some aspen photos. Of course, others were there as well . . . very cold!

iPhone photos.

Photographers - Sierra Nevada  2025

Bishop Morning

Alpenglow - Bishop  2025

Taken during an early morning walk around Bishop. I passed by a large vacant lot featuring some large cottonwood trees, then I noticed the Los Angeles sign.

I've seen those L.A. signs before.

City of Los Angeles Property - Bishop  2025

 

Monday Horse Blogging

Horses - Bishop  2025

Relaxing in the shade. An iPhone 13 photo taken from the car.

Bishop Evening

Bowl - Bishop  2025

White Mountains - Bishop  2025

It's a long drive from Fairfax to Bishop! Takes me at least 8 hours, what with photography and driving pretty slow, to be honest. Checked in at the motel, then went for a short walk.

Highway 395 / Mt. Tom / Pine Trees

Junction, Hwy 395 - Mono County  2025

Mt. Tom, Cows - Owens Valley  2025

Through Yosemite to the junction with highway 395, then south past Mt. Tom to Bishop.

Some nice pine trees at the rest stop:

Pine Trees - Sierra Nevada  2025

Yosemite - 2

Unicorn Peak - Yosemite  2025

Tuolumne River - Yosemite  2025

I took a short break by parking at the Lembert Dome parking area and walking over to the bridge over the Tuolumne River. Very nice! 

Photos taken with a Nikon Z7II.

Yosemite - 1

Mt. Dana - Yosemite  2025

Clouds Rest - Yosemite  2025

Views seen while driving through Yosemite in early October. This was during the government shutdown, so there weren't any lines at the entrance station. Not that much traffic, either.

Mike was once visited by a marmot at the top of Mt. Dana.

I always call this sight "Clouds Rest" but I'm not sure if that's accurate.

Chinese Camp

Fire Debris Removal (Chinese Camp) - Tuolumne County  2025

Fire Damage (Chinese Camp) - Tuolumne County  2025

"Chinese Camp is the remnant of a notable California Gold Rush mining town. Between 1849 and 1882, thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived in the area to look for good fortune on the legendary 'Gold Mountain.'"

"The TCU September Lightning Complex included more than 20 lightning-sparked wildfires in four counties that spanned the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada, east of Modesto. All told, the complex has burned nearly 14,000 acres. Some fires were less than an acre, while others grew to thousands. 

"In the swirl of so many fires that consumed the Sierra Nevada foothills all at once, Chinese Camp burned to the ground in what felt like a blip. Another California town gone, claimed by wildfire, forever lost. This one had history dating back to the Gold Rush, when thousands of Chinese immigrants lived here, mining for gold or working as servants for American miners. The town’s first post office was established in 1854, and the town grew into a hub for stage coach lines with travelers passing through."

I just paid a quick visit while driving over to Bishop. I found it a bit unusual that the area consists of rolling hills studded with oak trees. Not thickly forested! The wind must have been a main factor causing the fire damage.

There is still some structures remaining in the town; I'd hope that some residents will be able to return. 

Driving to Bishop

McDonalds - Pleasanton  2025

I spent a few days in October visiting Bishop in the Owens Valley for some Fall photos and a possible day hike. I had wanted to car camp there in late September but the Camp Fire produced so much smoke I had to cancel that plan. 

First stop: breakfast at the McDonalds in Pleasanton, then onwards through the small town of Escalon towards Oakdale.

Valley Inn - Escalon 2025