Alabama Hills Hike

I awoke early to enjoy a pleasant hike in the Alabama Hills. Easy scrambling brought me to the top of one of the many huge outcrops where I soaked in some fine views.

Lone Pine Peak.
Alabama Hills with the Coso Range in the distance.
The flowers are beginning to bloom nicely in the Alabamas, but alas I did not get any good shots of them. I did manage to get this dried Thistle though.
And this interesting rock texture.
My body liked the "non-linear" movement of scrambling, and my head enjoyed the peaceful scenery in the soft morning light.

White Fang

On Saturday Steve, Anne and I met at Convict Lake with no particular goal in mind except to head up the hanging valley east of Mt. Morrison above Tobacco Flat. For a good while we merely skied up the valley on a sight seeing cruise.

As we neared the head of the canyon White Fang came into view.
A bit further up, a fine chute on the shoulder of White Fang appeared and we had discovered our objective!
Looking up the chute.
Looking down the chute. Steve kicked steps all the way allowing Anne and I a leisurely stroll to the top.
Steve celebrated while Anne tackled the last few steps to the top of the ridge.
When I reached the spine I could see what the celebrating was all about. Fine views like this one of Bloody Mountain (left) and Laurel Mountain (right) abounded.
This is the view north along the ridge toward the south summit of Mt. Morrison.
The skiing in the chute started out pretty good with soft snow over a supportable crust. About halfway down the soft snow disappeared and we skied the firm crust.

The setting was spectacular.
The apron held enjoyable corn snow.
A beautiful day, incredible scenery, a fine chute skied, and good friends all added up to make for a very special day.

Owens Valley Flowers

Driving from my site near Boulder Creek down towards Cartago today, I noticed the southeast facing slopes held a distinctly yellow hue, so I headed up and checked it out.

To my joy, the flowers were in full bloom.





There were lots of varieties, many of which were just starting to open. It should be a beautiful month ahead here in the Owens Valley!!

Owens Point

The huge chute falling from Owens Point calls out to any skier looking southeast from the Lone Pine area. Yep, it's the big one left of center (as always click on the pic to enlarge).
It seemed to be a good time to give it a go since the road to the canyon mouth was dry and there appeared to be continuous snow just beyond.

I left the truck just after first light and about fifteen minutes later I arrived at the snow.

Looking down canyon shortly after beginning to skin up.
The view up the chute early morning.
The snow was a typical March transition period hodge podge of sun crust, wind crust, wind board, and soft wind blown, trending more wintery higher up.

This is the view down from my turnaround point.
The view up from my turnaround. Still a ways to go, but I wasn't too excited about getting a bunch more breakable crust.
The skiing was poor up high, worsened in the bottom half of the chute, and became a horror on the traverse out of the canyon. I do not recommend the low elevation, sometimes supportable sun crust over a foot of rotten snow, tree skiing.

Death Valley Cycling

Mary and I spent last weekend down in Death Valley and enjoyed warm temperatures, spectacular hiking and riding, and some quality pool time.

Mary riding near Badwater.

Me riding Artist Drive (thanks to Mary for the pics, click to enlarge).


We loved the open roads.
Wetlands with Telescope Peak behind.
Artist Palette.
Texas Springs Campground at dusk. The Scamp is in the middle row about 4 or 5 spots back (click to enlarge).
We enjoyed pleasant hiking right behind the campground.

Short sleeves, feet up, beer in hand, and loving life!

Picking the Plum

On Saturday Stewart, Anne and I headed out for a tour. Stewart took us to a special spot whose location will remain anonymous at his request.

Stewart breaking trail in the deep fluff.
Fine skiing in them glades.
We worked hard to put in the skin track, so on Sunday Anne and I returned with a hope we could go higher, maybe even reach the summit.

And summit we did!
This slope doesn't always hold snow as the north winds often strip it bare. We "picked the plum" while it was ripe!
Anne liking the cold goodness.
A family of Bald Eagles entertained us on the way down with the adult (shown) circling above a pair of juveniles who dove and rolled in the mountain winds.
This shot probably gives the location away, but I couldn't resist.
A great one!

Cycling Around the Neighborhood

Since the avalanche hazard remains high and with plenty of chores to do around the house, I got in a couple of nice rides from the house here in Wilkerson.

On Friday I hopped on the mountain bike and headed south along the base of the mountains to the Shannon Canyon road.

This is the view across the Owens Valley to Black Mountain.
A fine, unnamed peak which rises above Keough's.
Looking up the Shannon Canyon road to Round Peak.
Friday night brought us a steady rain, so the conditions were perfect for a 'cross ride out on the valley floor. The roads were tacky, but not sloppy.
I rode out to the Buckley Ponds where I enjoyed a light rain and even a little hail.
I turned north and benefited from a strong tailwind. The ease of the speed goaded me to ride hard along this twisty section.
Solid fun!