Lewis Creek

My friend Wes at the lower pool of Corlieu Falls along Lewis Creek, a few miles north of Oakhurst, California.  December 2, 2023.

Alta's Pull

The barren summit of 11,204-foot Alta Peak beckoning shortly after crossing the last straggling trees that cling to these upper slopes.  Smoke was in the air making for a hazy afternoon as the Redwood Fire burned in the nearby Redwood Meadow Grove.  Sequoia National Park, September 16, 2023 with my Dad.

The Door-Way to Log Meadow

 My friend Wes in the presence of giants at Log Meadow, Sequoia National Park.  August 2023.

Paradise Creek Poppies

 California poppies in bloom along the Paradise Creek Trail in Sequoia National Park, as seen earlier this spring (late April, 2023).  What a beautiful wildflower bloom we had this year with all the rain!

Winter in the Giant Forest

Giant sequoias along the Congress Trail in Sequoia National Park, March 2022.

Purisima Creek Redwoods

I hope you guys don't mind another redwood shot...

This was at Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve near Half Moon Bay, California. Just 30 minutes before taking this shot, I had been at the site of some of the largest waves in the world, the Mavericks.

A short drive up the road led to this park. I never cease to be amazed at the sheer diversity of environs in California.

Mill Trail in Redwood Regional Park

Mill Trail, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Here's the Mill Trail in the awe-inspiring Redwood Regional Park. Yesterday's rain cleaned all the dust off the leaves and turned the dull mosses a fluorescent green. There was even a stream flowing nearby, which had been dry a few weeks ago.

Redwood is an interesting park because its stream contains the habitat of the original rainbow trout. The rainbow trout was first identified here as a new species in 1855. The fish has since been introduced to many lakes, rivers, and streams around the world.

The View from Bishop Pass

The View from Bishop Pass, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Back in July, we decided to head down to the Eastern Sierras for some hiking. Our first time in the area was rewarding and spectacular. I highly recommend visiting.

On day 2 of our trip, we drove up to South Lake (elevation 9768') to start a hike. After trekking 6 miles one way, we finally reached our destination: Bishop Pass. At 11,972 feet above sea level, it was the highest I've ever been on land. The view from the pass was incredible - the expansive lakes we'd been hiking along earlier looked like puddles you could splash in.

Then it was only 6 miles back on tired-out legs...

Cascade on Big Pine Creek

Cascade on Big Pine Creek, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This cascade is on the North Fork of Big Pine Creek in the Eastern Sierras of California.

The creek, fed by glaciers high in the mountains, flows down through the camp of Glacier Lodge and continues into the town of Big Pine. It really is an amazing creek, rushing and cascading over waterfalls and boulders.

Castle Rock

Castle Rock in September Sun, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Castle Rock in Mt. Diablo State Park. This huge rock formation dominates the view along trails in the area.

Mt. Diablo is an incredible wilderness oasis in the heavily-populated San Francisco Bay Area. There are several endemic plant species found on the mountain, as well as rare animals. Mt. Diablo is a jewel of a park, and worth stopping by if you're in the area.

In the Woods

In the Woods, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Walking on the Stream Trail in Redwood Regional Park.

Although located a mile from Oakland, this park seems a world away. Huge, 150-foot+ redwoods stand majestically along the trails.

You will be craning your neck most of the time...

Mossy Cascade

A very green and mossy cascade in Las Trampas. I hiked to this green cascade in January, 2008.

Las Trampas Waterfall

A rushing waterfall in Las Trampas Regional Park the day of a heavy rainstorm.