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.

Wooden Walls of the Giant Forest

Standing in the silent strength of the Giant Forest.  These trees have done well this year, being watered deeply by a record-breaking winter with the most snow the Southern Sierra has seen in decades.  I feel wonderfully blessed to be able to walk in the company of these great trees which have stood many tests of time.  Photo captured by me in June 2023.

 

Winter in the Giant Forest

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

A Relic of Fiddletown

A Relic of Fiddletown, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

This old building (established in 1870) used to be C. Schallhorn's Blacksmith and Wagon-Shop. Located in Fiddletown, a remote village off of Highway 49 in the Gold Country of California, it was a very cool relic of a time long-past.

Fiddletown is a really interesting place. With little traffic, no touristy shops, and few residents, it was a quiet respite from the busy towns of Placerville and Sutter Creek. The town is only about one or two blocks long, and can be walked in a few minutes. There are some neat abandoned buildings, as well as a few structures from the former Chinatown. Definitely a great place to stop by!

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.