High Sierra Topix

This weekend we got a little desert and a little of the sierra.



Friday, 12 December 2008 (day 1 of 3)

Almond Mountain and Black Water Well

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/68 ... 8622_gAdPs

I met TomG in the middle of nowhere, then we drove to the east side of Almond mountain, hoping we wouldn’t run into any “Road closed” signs. We lucked out! We were able to drive close, and the gloomy skies cleared up. We could see the San Gabriels, San Gorgonio, Charleston, Panamints, Town Peak/Pinto Peak, Matarango and Argus, Southern Sierra clear view of Owens, Spanish Needle and Olancha, Langley, and Trona Pinnacles. Almond Mountain summit is not what is labeled on the map. Its to the north, of what you see on the map and obviously way higher, and the benchmark is on a lower bump to the east. So we stopped at the bump, then continued to the summit. On the drive out, we checked out Black Water Well Beautiful Day!

Some cool stuff on the way to Almond Mountain


Great view of Pilot Knob, I've seen it from a lot of different peaks


Dome Pk (Sat hike), Owens Peak and Spanish Needle in the Southern Sierra


Almond Mountain


Black Water Well


TomG checking out the scale, cattle loader is to the left


The moon had colored rings

Saturday, 13 December 2008 (day 2 of 3)

Klinker Mountain and Dome Mountain

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/68 ... 8224_TyQkJ


Rachel and Jim met us near Skillings Well. The wind was blowing us all over and it was cold and skies were pretty ugly. After a 30 min break on Klinker Mtn, Rachel and Jim turned back. TomG and I continued to Dome Mountain. We stayed 45 min just below the summit and out of the wind, then headed back. The wind was blowing hard on the last ridge, enough to throw TomG around. I couldn’t go forward, so we dropped down into the canyon and followed it out to the road. Rach met us in Ridgecrest for dinner, then we went to her place for showers and visited. Beautiful day!

Summit shot on Klinker


Dome Mountain from Klinker Mountain


Looking back at Klinker Mountain from the cave


Summit shot on Dome Mtn


Straps are flying . . . shortly after this was taken we dropped down to the canyon to get out of the wind. TomG is twice my weight and he was getting blown around

Great pics as always.......and "Brrrr".

Love that name "Klinker"

Thanks, Shawn! It was cold! 4 layers and still cold (tank & sleeves, fleece, precip wind jacket and down jacket). My mistake was I forgot to bring a dry top to change into at the summit. Duh! But it was a fun trip!

Sunday, 14 December 2008 (day 3 of 3)
Harley Peak in the Southern Sierra

PHOTOS: http://snownymph.smugmug.com/gallery/68 ... 6666_Qckbx

Forecast showed snow at 5K by daybreak, so TomG and I camped on the east side of Walker Pass. But during the night, we had clear skies and temps were in the high 20s. We drove to Kernville in the morning and met Tomcat and Lisa. The peak we planned on had snow and we weren’t sure of road closures, so we hiked Harley Mountain instead.

Start of a beautiful day


Summiting with good friends


End of a great 3 day weekend

Wow, I've really missed seeing your photos and following your outings. I really ought to check in here more often because you're still so active. Plus, from browsing around, there sure are alot of folks here to learn from.

Over the last couple of years since relocating to Central California I've really come to understand more about the Western Sierra. It's just so spread out compared to the Eastern side. It's massive, diverse in character and I'm not even scratching the surface.

Great to see you're doing well and living to the fullest.

Hi James,
Good to see you at HST! Its been a long time!