Sierra Nevada, June 2000 Trip Report

HOME DAYS { 1^st 2^nd 3^rd 4^th 5^th 6^th 7^th }
I grew up in a big city; never imagine myself walking in a wilderness. I hope you also enjoy my 7 days of venture into the magnificant glaciour mountains.		Author: Asao Kamei Location: Sierra-Nevada Date: June 2000 Etc: Camera This document contains some dramatization

1^st Day
SF to Bear Valley

2^nd Day
Bear Valley to Big Ping, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

3^rd Day
Big Pine Creek

4^th Day
Bishop Creek

5^th Day
Big Pine to Bear Valley

6^th Day
Lake Alpine

7^th Day
Bear Valley to SF

There were two person chatting at the Lake Alpine shoreline. Wonderful way to end a day.

SF to Bear Valley, 1^st day

It was around one o'clock of Thursday afternoon; the temperature was reaching up to 100F. I was thinking to myself, well, why not take some vacation before I quit my job. So, I told my boss that I was leaving right now for 7 days. "Don't worry, here's my cellular phone number; so call me when there is an emergency". He just gave me the look but never said a word. I went home, packed a bag, and headed east before 3:00.

I had a little knowledge about what to do in the Sierra-Nevada; quite a few of my friends mentioned about the Owens valley, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forrest and Long Lake. But the solid part of the plan was to take California state highway 4. It is a longer drive but I never drove the highway and it is a scenic route. By the way, 2 hours later I was still stuck in the traffic jam near Tracey. I guess I should have left even earlier to avoid traffic jams.

From the Lake Alpine, looking at a mountain ridge receiving the sunset.

Driving the highway 4 was such a pleasant experience (since after the traffic jam). In particular, the Lake Alpine just right next to the highway is worth a destination itself. It is a small but pictorials lake in the middle of pine forrest. There are a few fisherman and people on the boat; all are enjoying the quiet peacefulness in this hidden place. I found it was already 7 o'clock. So, I decided to stay in a lodge in the nearby Bear Valley.

The highway 4 narrows down after Lake Alpine, and does not have centerline. Is it a squirrel crossing the highway?

Bear Valley to Big Pine, 2^nd day

I had one of the best omlette in the Bear Valley. The egg was cooked just right; not too soft nor too hard. And the coffee was good as well. You know, the nature is wonderful. But I also think civilization is nice. Anyway, I told myself that I should drop here one more time on the way back...

A cool cowboy with a red scarf. Along highway 395 in a small souvenirs shop.

Well, it was past 10 in the morning, and it was time to drive. To my surprise, the rest of the highway 4 did not have a centerline. The even narrower and winding highway meandered through the national forrest, meadows, and then a river. I took so many photos that I knew I was progressing slowly, but why should I care? The next highway is 89 which is also winding road in a rocky and deserted mountain area. Then, it merges with US395, the main transportation into the Owens Valley. But why there are so many police cars on this highway? Well, it is not a problem at all for me since I drive slowly to enjoy this majestic scenery.

The highway passed through numbers of small towns; Walkers, Bridgeport, Lee Vining to name a few. The Bishop was the largest and most alive town of all. It has a movie theater and even a video rentals! But (somehow) I decided to stay at a motel in Big Pine.

A view from Sierra Lookout vista point on the way to Bristlecone national forest.

After I settled in the motel, I headed for the Ancient Bristlecone National Forest. Took the highway 168 just outside if the town of Big Pine (that is one of the reason why I stayed in the Big Pine. In fact the name of the motel was...) Eleven miles into the steep hills, I turned onto the White Mountain Road. About 7 miles (?), there was the Sierra Nevada lookout point. It is located at the x,000 feet up from the river bed of Owens Valley. The northern side of Sierra Nevada reveals its near-gray and rugged mountain side. On the other side, the Inyo (?) mountain lies almost as high as the counter part. And it was amazing quiet. No sound of people, animals, and even from wind. Then, I saw 2 of F16 falcons flying almost at the same altitude as I stood! In less than a minutes, the 2 airplanes disappeared into the Nevada desert.

The sunset and a crowd. Also from the Sierra Lookout vista point.

After taking a mile long trek in the Ancient Bristlecone forest, it was about sunset time. I just hopped into the car, and drove back to the Sierra Nevada lookout. Well the sunset was not so great; it was a little clowdy day. Yet, it still offered plenty of breath-taking views. Meanwhile, I recalled a friend of mine was talking about the beauty of the Bristlecone under the moonlight. And it was a full moon that night. What a coincidence. But I decided not to. And it was just because there were so many bugs flying around unlike only 2 hours ago. I started to regret that I did not prepare well for this trip; yeap, I forgot to bring bug repellent and anti-itch cream...