High Sierra Topix

Saturday, 30 August 2008 (day 1 of 3)
Walt's Landing (9,100') to Timosea Peak (8,659')

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/58 ... X4f#P-1-15

TomG mentioned this hike in an e-mail. With jetlag and change in sleep pattern, this was about as far as I could drive. This is my first hike in altitude since July, so 2 miles each way sounded good. Timosea Peak isn't climbed much, and I can see why! This was a workout, and took a lot longer than we expected. But being with friends made it a fun day!

Only 500' lower than the start, but 2300' el gain and loss

Welcome home, Cori! Looks like a great time, except that last part with the GIANT SNAKE!!!

-L

Nice trip!

Sunday, 31 August 2008 (Day 2 of 3)
Warren Canyon Walk, Yosemite

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/58 ... 0899_vjniy

Short hike . . . still jet lagging (fell asleep looking at the map), so really late start, too windy (blowing me all over), just didn't have it in me to hike.

Mt Dana


Still a few flowers left

Monday, 1 September 2008 (day 3 of 3)
Great Sierra Mine and Gaylor Peak, Yosemite NP

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/58 ... 6050_2dCtg

Decided to do something easy, and I had a waypoint for Gaylor Peak. I checked the internet for beta, and saw there was also the Great Sierra Mine. Easy day, nice weather, and great views!

Middle Gaylor Lake, with Cathedral Peak in the middle of horizon

Gaylor Peak, and Gaylor Lakes from Great Sierra Mine

One of the Great Sierra Mine cabins

Don't know what this is, but Lewis will probably tell me its a flux capacitor

Great views from the cabins

Gaylor Peak summit shot

View from Gaylor Peak . . . Tioga Peak, Tioga Lake, Ellery Lake and the road to Tioga Pass to the east

View from Gaylor Peak . . . Beautiful Gaylor Lake to the south

Nice images! I hiked Gaylor/Granite Lakes the day before you. Shot some video. It was one of the windiest days I've experienced; often couldn't get a stable shot even with my tripod. Once while I was putting my lens cap back on the wind whipped it out of my hand and took it about 20'.

It was a great hike, but after awhile the wind begins to drive you batty.

Jon

With the late start Sunday, I thought about doing Gaylor instead, but didn't have beta. I had an idea of what I wanted to do that day, but altitude + jetlag + wind + late start changed things. After the wind almost knocked me down a few times, I decided to do it another time, and with a partner. Way too much wind for me!

Here are a couple of quick clips I shot above GSM. http://www.YosemiteTrailsDVD.com/web-forum.wmv

The thing that I love about video is the ability to capture movement in a scene. But when you're surrounded by a bunch of rocks and lichen, that can be hard to do. The wind is noticeable on the distant lake (Upper Gaylor) in the first clip; and the small bush (Sierra Gooseberry?) in the second (Middle Granite Lake is below). What a day! I had to physically hold my tripod down to the ground.

You know the Jim Croce song that goes "you don't spit into the wind"? Well there's something else you shouldn't do in the wind, either, but sometimes you don't have a choice.

Jon

That was windy! I took a video too, will try to upload later. Thanks!

LOL!!! That was a tough day in the wind, even for me!