Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Topics related to peak bagging, rock climbing and bouldering in the foothills and high country of the Sierra Nevada. Be sure to also check out the Information Booth forum category to learn from / see if you can contribute to a profile for High Sierra 13'ers, 14'ers and cross country passes.
Post Reply
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:
Contact Snow Nymph

Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by Snow Nymph »

Friday, 26 December 2008
Mono Lake South Tufa and Navy Beach

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/69 ... 9221_6LfQw


We planned to drive to Mammoth Xmas eve, but had to delay a day due to a tooth extraction. I had my teeth cleaned last week, and they discovered a deep pocket by one of my molars (old root canal that cracked). I'm having rotator cuff surgery in January, and they can't do it if I have any kind of infection. The latest it could be done was 3 weeks prior to surgery, so Xmas eve was 3 weeks.

Lots of snow around Mammoth trails, so I was not sure where to hike since I can't snowboard (shoulder can't take another fall). For the first day, I drove to Mono Lake and walked around.


South Tufa
Image

Navy Beach Tufa
Image

Navy Beach Hot Spring and the Sierra
Image
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
User avatar
hikerduane
Founding Member
Posts: 1270
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:58 am
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Meadow Valley, CA

Re: Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by hikerduane »

I've never seen so many photos of Mono Lake before, thank you.

Hoping for a fast recovery from rotator cuff surgery, that is a tough row to hoe. Get well fast Slow Nymph.:)
Piece of cake.
Top
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:
Contact Snow Nymph

Re: Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by Snow Nymph »

Thanks, Duane! It will be a s-l-o-w recovery. I won't be able to drive for 6 weeks! I will have to change the "n" to "l". :lol:

Saturday, 27 December 2008
Lookout Mountain from Hwy 395/Mammoth Scenic Loop

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/69 ... 2583_zWy9K

I parked on Hwy 395 and snowshoed to Lookout Mountain. The first 0.6 mi was on a groomed snowmobile track, then I took the turnoff for Lookout Mountain. Two snowmobiles went partway up (I appreciated them packing the snow down for me), but when they turned around, I was on my own to the summit. Great views!

Only wildlife tracks to follow
Image

White Mountain in the clouds
Image

Mt Morrison and Mt Baldwin
Image
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:
Contact Snow Nymph

Re: Ophir Mtn, Eagle Pt and Mazourka Canyon road

Post by Snow Nymph »

Sunday, 28 December 2008
Ophir Mtn, Eagle Point, and a hike from Mazourka Cyn Rd

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/69 ... 9309_jarQp

I met TomG at Hwy 190/Darwin Road, and we hiked Ophir Mountain. This was the last peak in the area I had not done from "Desert Summits". Then we hiked up Eagle Point, before TomG headed for home. On the way back to Mammoth, I wanted a little more, so I drove to Mazourka Canyon Road and hiked 1.5 miles up a steep 4X4 road, gaining 1500'. My turnaround time was 1 hr, so I sent my SPOT check (20 min) then headed back. Great day!

Sierra view (Mt Langley, Whitney Ridge, Williamson) from Ophir Mtn
Image

Being silly by Eagle Point
Image

I wanted more hiking, and spotted a road below Winnedumah.
Image

It was an old 4X4 road, with cables in a lot of spots. Steep!
Image
Image
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:
Contact Snow Nymph

Re: Winnedumah Piute Monument

Post by Snow Nymph »

Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Winnedumah Piute Monument, Inyo Mountains

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/69 ... 9040_cYLzm

I've been wanting to do Winnedumah, but didn't get much of a response from others. I had a free day to hike, but I got up late, then drove almost 2 hrs to get to the start. I missed the dirt road that added 2.7 mi to my already late start. Once on track, it was an enjoyable hike. I had a turnaround time, but when I got to the top of the ridge, I saw the 80' spire. It looked so close, so I went for it. It turned out to be another 45 minutes of hiking, so once there, I changed into dry clothes, took photos, and headed back. The register was on the SW side, but I didn't want to climb over snow covered boulders, so I will hike it again when I have more time. Hiking back on a moonless night would have been slow without boot tracks in the snow to follow. I couldn't tell which way to go, and paid close attention to my tracks and the GPS. This was a fun hike, and next time I will get an early start.

The story of Winnedumah:
http://books.google.com/books?id=gsQUAA ... t#PPA41,M1

View from my turnaround time
Image

I still had to descend and climb up to it, but everytime I thought about turning back, I talked myself into continuing
Image

Finally got there, but didn't stay long
Image

Sooo happy I had footracks to follow back (I also had GPS, but hard to see with small screen and no glasses)
Image

Beautiful day!
Image
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
User avatar
kgw
Topix Acquainted
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 3:26 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Long Beach, CA

Re: Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by kgw »

Absolutely lovely! :thumbsup:
Top
User avatar
Exavius
Topix Newbie
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:54 pm
Experience: N/A
Location: Reedley

Re: Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by Exavius »

What a inspiring example of focus and thinking things through. Talking yourself into moving ahead was a highlight of your trip report, in my view. Can really relate to that. Difference is, it's only about a few miles in when I start hearing voices about the cold-ones back in the Jeep. LOLOLOL.

I also really enjoyed the Winnedumah reference. The legend and lore of the Paiute medicine man.

Way to go.
Top
User avatar
ridgeline
Founding Member
Posts: 285
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2005 7:51 am
Experience: N/A
Location: Granada Hills Ca

Re: Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by ridgeline »

Love that red sky photo! can almost hear the yells of the Piute and the Diggers in their last battle.
Top
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:
Contact Snow Nymph

Re: Christmas Break in Mammoth (and Death Valley)

Post by Snow Nymph »

Thanks, kgw, Exavius and Ridgeline!

Exavius, I kept thinking "I should turn back", but it was so close I could touch it. I figured I would be hiking back in the dark anyway, but everytime I saw another descent or hill/gully to climb, the "I should turn back" was in my head. I'm glad I continued. It was a nice peaceful walk back. I think I was more worried about driving down some of the steep road in the snow.

Ridgeline, I've been wanting to climb Winnedumah since I heard the story years ago. Now I have to go back and climb the 80' spire. :nod:


Wednesday, 1 January 2009
Cedar Hill, CA/NV (day 1 of 3)

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/70 ... 0829_vyoCh

SnowDude started the new year snowboarding. Since I can't snowboard now, I wanted a peak. Caltrans said the road to the CA/NV border was open, so I went for it. Excellent views of the Sierra and Mono Lake! A great way to start the new year!

Cedar Hill as I'm hiking towards the base
Image

Mono Lake from Cedar Hill
Image


Cedar Hill from Mono Lake as the sun is going down
Image
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
User avatar
Snow Nymph
Founding Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Fri Oct 28, 2005 6:43 pm
Experience: Level 4 Explorer
Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Contact:
Contact Snow Nymph

Re: Panamint Butte from Big Four Mine

Post by Snow Nymph »

Friday, 2 January 2009 (day 2 of 3)
Panamint Butte from Big Four Mine, Death Valley

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/70 ... 9825_MGAqS

I want to do bigger hikes now that my hiking days are numbered. I suggested Panamint Butte and TomG said yes! It was a beautiful day, but got cold up higher. TomG only had a fleece jacket and poncho, and got chilled at the top. On the way down we butt glissaded to avoid slipping and falling. TomG was bonking, but hung in there and we got down in the dark. We missed dinner at PSR, but Rose gave us apple pie. We took showers, then found a place to camp. TomG had a bad night (really sick) and drove home in the morning.

It starts off steep
Image

Gain the ridge
Image
Image
Image

Cold on top
Image

Great views coming down
Image

Beautiful day!
Image
Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes. You are free . . . . Jim Morrison


http://snownymph.smugmug.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Peak Bagging / Rock Climbing / Bouldering”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests