High Sierra Topix

Friday, 17 October 2008 (day 1 of 3)
Dante's Peak and Mt Perry

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/63 ... e3G#P-1-15

I was solo on Friday, but sent an e-mail out to a few people with my plan for the day. Tom Gossett's plan for the weekend fell apart, so I had a voice mail from him saying he could hike. He waited for me at Dante's view, while I waited at the turnoff (I sent an e-mail using my iPhone, but he was already on his way). So we got a little bit of a late start, and with temps around 80 deg, it was a beautiful day with great views! We started at 5,475' Dante's Pk is 5,704', Mt Perry is 5,716', but with all the 'ups and downs' along the ridge, we had a total gain of 3,300' gain/loss in the 9 miles we hiked. :-)

Badwater


Mt Perry doesn't look far, but it was a long walk along the ridge


Great colors along the way


The last hogback section to the summit, far bump to the left


Looking back at the long ridge to Dante's Pk from Mt Perry


Stovepipe Wells Sand Dunes on my drive to the Sierra


Moon

That looks so cool! I have said it before and I'll say it again...I am so envious of you and your excursions!

Could you post the exact location of these peaks...proximity to Lone Pine/Little Lake...etc.?

Thanks.

Perry's a good one. Looks like you had a great day!
So, how was Spanish Needle??

Hi Jody, I guess I should add that in, eh?

Mt Perry and Dante's Peak is in Death Valley, in the Funeral Range just east of Death Valley Junction and south of Furnace Creek.

Spanish Needle is in the Southern Sierra, just South of the Kennedy Meadows Road. Take Hwy 14, turn west on KM Rd (S of Fossil Falls and N or Pearsonville, I think)

Owen's Peak is by InyoKern, also in the Southern Sierra, Hwy 14 and Hwy 178 just north of Indian Wells Brewery and Restaurant.

Yeah, a lot of driving, but Spanish Needle was the only one planned, and that was decided on around Wed. Decided on Death Valley on the drive out, and decided to do Owen's after doing Spanish Needle.

Sooz, Spanish Needle was fun as ever! Its up there in my favorite peaks. I'm still having shoulder issues (can't lift my arm up) so climbing some of the cracks was a challenge. A few times I thought I couldn't make it and would have to give up summitting, but the others helped spot me, took my pack, and we got up there! Its a peak I'll be doing yearly, just like Dragon. :-)

Saturday, 18 October 2008 (day 2 of 3)
Spanish Needle (2X)

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/63 ... 8541_VD6Vh

DaveG and I had planned to hike up north, but with snow last weekend we decided to do Spanish Needle. Tomcat and Rachel joined us for a great day of hiking!

Some fall colors


Met a famous peakbagger!


Rach stayed behind me for stuff like this. Try climbing with only one arm!


DaveG and Tomcat on the ramp. Try this with one arm!






60" gap at the top. Tomcat took my pack and gave me a leg as a handhold. I'm 59" tall.


Rachel is so graceful


Tomcat kept jumping back and forth


DaveG (photo ctsy ofTomcat)


It was a beautiful day! Only a few sprinkles and a little hail

Sunday, 19 October 2008 (day 3 of 3)
Owens Peak (6X)

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/63 ... 6662_P7UzT

Breakfast with Rachel, then a half day hike up Owens Peak. A hiker we met took a wrong turn on the way back, and we ended up waiting to see if he showed up. Tomcat made some calls hoping to give info to those who would look for him in the morning. He was found around 10am Monday morning one canyon to the north.

Morning colors


Colors and Clouds


Lone flower


Steep


Spanish Needle (yesterday's hike) from Owens Peak


Pictographs