Here we go, but this thread has NOTHING to do with fishing, other than me 'fish'n' for a cold one at the end of the trip!
We leave Bishop, head south on 395 to Big Pine, make a left turn, then begin the grind up hill.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_18_251871286.jpeg)
Just a great ride today,
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_23_251881790.jpeg)
Here is from where we traveled.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_23_251882269.jpeg)
The 14,000'+ peaks in the distance, but smoke almost blocked out them from view,
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_27_25190827.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_31_251911673.jpeg)
We stopped at a vista point, and I told Jen, the trail calls me.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_35_25193833.jpeg)
On the way, a great spot for lunch and a nice bottle of Chianti!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_41_25194420.jpeg)
A return trail, looks pretty much the same route.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_43_251951901.jpeg)
Along the trail, cactus, I have never seen cactus in the Sierra Nevada Mtns. And the reason why, the White Mountains are western most part of the Great Basin Mountain ranges. Here, the water has "no connection to the oceans". WOW, did not know that.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_49_25196780.jpeg)
Another species along the trail, keep in mind, we are at the 9,300' elevation, it is dry and cold up here, most of the year.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_56_251981970.jpeg)
This one is for me, juniper, sagebrush & gnarled tree.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_51_251971994.jpeg)
Climbing thru 10,000', still not there,
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_57_251981165.jpeg)
Almost there, most of the trees you see are Bristlecone pine trees.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_49_03_252001450.jpeg)
Need a tow, no AAA service, I'd bet Dominick would do it for $500 ;D
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_49_04_25201321.jpeg)
This road will take you to the highest car pass in all of California, 11,600', but do suggest a 4X4.
Bristlecone Pine tree groves are few and spread-out.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_49_07_252032092.jpeg)
Arrive at the interpretive center, head out for a 1/2 mile walk to see this cabin, built entirely from Bristlecone Pine trees in 1860!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_49_12_25204769.jpeg)
This caught my attention, a post, supporting a beam, sitting on a flat rock, up to code do you think???
(http://alantani.com/gallery/26/7588_01_01_19_6_20_25.jpeg)
I studied the axe work here, and you can see up close individual cut marks from the swing of the ax.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_49_15_25205655.jpeg)
Let you mind drift here: it's a friday, Aug. 1860, and the job foreman yells out, "Slick, we need ONE more Bristlecone Pine log, 24' long, a foot and a half wide. Get going, when you're done, it's Miller time!!!!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/26/7588_01_01_19_6_22_15.jpeg)
Here is a Bristlecone Pine tree up close,
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_09_252112413.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_49_21_252071417.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_48_16_251861260.jpeg)
Here are the identifying things to look for with a Bristlecone Pine.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_13_252121212.jpeg)
On the way back from the cabin, others are gathering around this dead and standing tree. Only to find out, they are ready to take a bore sample. this only happens 2 or 3 times per summer, the tree scientists are busy on research projects.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_13_252121818.jpeg)
And here is what they use, an increment borer - with an aggreseive cutting tip, 30 turns and you are 9" into the tree.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_20_252142262.jpeg)
I got my turn, technically two turns!!!!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_21_252141391.jpeg)
here is our sample, tree was estimated to be 500+ years old.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_25_252161788.jpeg)
And the PINE SMELL, 10X what you wood expect!!!!
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_26_252161591.jpeg)
Around the center, were 50 blue flags - these are BRAND NEW Bristlecone pine trees germinated after the 2015 wet winter we had here in CA.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_35_25220952.jpeg)
Now can I give you a bit of a headache?? Up till 2013 the oldest tree here was Methuselah, 4,853 years old, BUTT another tree has been found to be 5,067 years old,
Sounds old until you figure out when the tree first germinated, that wood be 3,049 BC!!!!
Got a headache now, well let me reload on you, cause the tree scientists are now studying the older, dead and down Bristlecone Pine trees, and some now take us back 11,000 years - 11,000 years ago. That is hard for my pea-brain to absorb!!!
Well, it's time for lunch, and Jen and I are enjoying a lunch of Dry Salami (happens to be Molinari Brand Salami), Swiss Cheese, Socialbles crackers, and fruit.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_32_25219764.jpeg)
Check this out, at 10,000'+, my compass has a bubble in it, at sea level, there is none?
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_35_252201837.jpeg)
On our way back, and here is my last artsy shot.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_8_52_47_2522331.jpeg)
I pulled this photo off the internet, and give full notice to the person who published the photo.
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_3_59_04_252252098.jpeg)
What a day, if you ever get near the eastern Sierra Nevada Mtns, please stop by and enjoy this unique area, we sure did!
Wayne
That's all pretty impressive Wayne. I had no idea. Thank you for the education.
-steve
Nice area and very interesting, thanks for showing it to us Wayne.
Did you steal a chunk of that valuable wood so I could make you a knob? ;D
Very nice!
Sal
Wayne , It does not surprise me that we both have the same Silva compass and SAK......
Lotta miles on both.
And you could have picked up a piece of down wood for a knob , just nothing alive.
Sal & Jonathan,
I think the sound of a chain saw might bring the wrath of the US Forest Rangers!!!! but Sal, what a great idea!!!!
as for the bubble in the compass, I called the compass manufacture, Silva, and they told me it was odd, but did not in any way effect the compass to point to Magnetic North,
BUTT if I wanted a replacement, they would send out a new compass.
Like you, with MILES of off-trail hiking with this compass, I told them thank you, and I'll keep the compass.
and as for the SAK and the MEALS I have prepared it it, wow, almost makes me cry.
It was a great day trip for sure,
Wayne
BTW ,nice trip report.
Ya , cutting standing wood will get you in lot of trouble , But you can pick up a loose piece .
Some places in the National Forest you can not gather wood but I didn't see any regs when I visited about 5 years ago.
Quote from: theswimmer on August 19, 2018, 10:38:17 PM
BTW ,nice trip report.
Thanks Buddy Boy!!!
Aren't we going fishing soon????
Wayne
Quote from: Alto Mare on August 19, 2018, 09:56:27 PM
Did you steal a chunk of that valuable wood so I could make you a knob? ;D
Very nice!
Sal
Sal,
here is the wood you want to use for a fishing knob.
It is Mountain Mahogany - much harder, and takes a good stain for a rich color!!!
Place in Bishop, called Mahogany Smoked Meats. And they ONLY use Mountain Mahogany, not hickory, no pecan, no oak, Nothing but MM.
Chili & Gary-the-BUTT man, check out this wood for your meat smoking process.
https://smokedmeats.com/
Next time there, or Fred or Jonathan, someone will get you some of this wood, they sell it in the meat shop.
that's why I'm called the Idea Guy ;D
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_3_59_21_25228483.jpeg)
(http://alantani.com/gallery/25/7588_19_08_18_3_59_20_25227731.jpeg)
Great pics & report, Wayne!
Thanks!
Sue and I did a little 11 mile day hike day before yesterday. At the 5.5 mile, on the way in, we found a grove of maybe 200 ancient Bristlecone pines at just under or over 9000'.
Ate lunch under a giant old Bristlecone. Here is a photo of it with Sue off to the right.
Our lunch was a pastrami sandwich, apple, nectarine, and baby carrots, washed down with a quart of water.
Left our house at 8:50 — back home at 6:30 — dinner was BBQ'd hot dogs with Nathan's Franks, Potato Salad, and Chili Beans. 11 more miles under the belt for this year.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: theswimmer on August 19, 2018, 10:42:38 PM
Ya , cutting standing wood will get you in lot of trouble , But you can pick up a loose piece .
Some places in the National Forest you can not gather wood but I didn't see any regs when I visited about 5 years ago.
the Regs have caught up with you, EVERYTHING in the Inyo Nat. Park - Acient Bristlecone Pine Forest is VERBOTEN.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=70821&actid=50
Bristlecone Pine and Limber Pine are protected, no collecting.
No camping or campfires in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.
Hikers must stay on trails.
No bicycles on trails.
Dogs are allowed on leash.
Schulman Grove and Patriarch Grove are day use only, closed from 10pm to 6am.
Violators may be fined up to $5,000 and /or 6 months imprisonment.
Seems like you can't have any fun any more.
Wayne
Thanks Wayne, great write up and pics!
Where is the fish.
Mike
This is very cool and great photos :) i use a compass like that for wind direction when I'm fishing ;D
Man, I love me some Eastern Side of the Sierras...Thank you for sharing.
BT
Fred,
You are looking a little thin in the skin with that pony tail. ;)
Very Cool Non-Fishing report, Wayne! Thanks for sharing.
We went to the NV Bristlecone pine groves in Baker, NV a few years ago. Up on Wheeler Peak in the Great Basin park.
and correcto-mundo on collecting wood samples.
Please remember that everything in a national park is protected. Some bristlecone pine wood on the ground may be thousands of years old and important scientifically. Please leave all down bristlecone pine wood in place.
The mtn mahogany is fair game and a better choice, though IMO.
The Prometheus tree was in this park...until a "scientist" got permission to cut it down to count the rings. What a moron. You can see the stump in the visitor's center and count the rings.
No more cutting after that faux pas.
Wayno... thanks for the pics and the report. I don't know how to rotate the photos once they are posted. I would appreciate it if someone that can, will post the way to do it. Dominick
Open the photo with your operating system's photo viewer. It should happen automatically when you click on it. Then rotate the photo with an edit tool. It will be saved in that orientation when you exit. Then remove the old photo and replace with the newly saved version..... I think.
-steve
thanks for sharing Wayne, great pics of those latitudes
Thank you both Wayne and Fred, who had separately recommended the Ancient Bristlecone Forest as a stop on our recent family road trip up the 395. Plenty of beautiful scenery all around making this a great stop. I believe I found Wayne's picnic table, but there wasn't a morsel left. If anyone is travelling up the 395 from Southern California, Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine has delicious and very tender tri tip and ribs and it's conveniently located next to the road up.
Supposedly, the oldest known Bristlecone Pine Tree is at Great Basin NP. Least that's what they told us at the visitors center when I took my Boy Scouts years ago (twice). Bit of a hike to get to it but well worth it.
There was an amazing find at Great Basin NP some years back, a Winchester lever action rifle dating back to the 1800's. Seems the guy took a break under a Bristlecone Pine leaning his gun leaned up against it, then forgot about it and walked away. It was found "grown" into the tree at the barrel tip. here's the link:
https://www.npshistory.com/publications/grba/newspaper/2016.pdf
Cool story.
If you've never been to Great Basin NP you really need to go. One of the most unvisited NP in the country. One of the darkest places in the lower USA, star gazing is amazing, and the alpine hikes are worth the drive.
Those gnarly ones are really something.
Matt!!!
Great post, and you're right, the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is a place for self-discovery. Too much to see and do even in an entire summer!!!
And so few of us have walked at 11,000' elevation - the air is noticeably thinner, and you have to slow down. A difficult thing to do for THIS old focused German!!!!
Steve, I've seen your posted article before, NVR thought about posting it here. Good call for you!!!!
Some follow-up on the old rifle found in the Great Basin NP area.
https://www.winchesterguns.com/news/articles/132-year-old-model-1873.html
Matt, keep getting out there, you will become a fount of fishing & local facts for the younger kids wanting to fish in wild & remote places!!!!! :fish
And for fun facts, totally off the topic of this post, BUTT Matt, Dominick and I are on the hunt for the best Calzones in our area. And while we hunt for them, enjoying a fresh brew together is our REEL #1 Goal!!!!!
Wayne
Cool! Missed this when first posted.
How does one count that many tree rings?
The bubble in your compass fluid? Maybe the effect of high elevation, low air pressure?
Never seen a sign warning motorists to check their spare tires, great idea.
The water must all go down into the underground aquifer and/or into sink lakes.