I was reading the nice California trip report that Mentioned White Mt Peak in the California White Mtns and brought back so many nice memories. Thought I'd share some of my favorite hikes in CA in case others have some thoughts about going there.
Tuoluomne Meadows- The Yosemite high country. You can backpack or stay in the campground. Long switchbacking ride up from the valley with great views at every turn. Small and large rock domes to scramble and peaks to climb everywhere. Campground and Meadows around 8,600', so good for acclimitizing.
Tioga Peak - At 11,513', a nice 5 mile round trip with a little under 1,800' gain. Good for acclimitizing. About midway up, there's a small lake to take a breather before the final 1,000' up the bare rock to 360 degree views from its open summit.
Yosemite's Sequoia Grove - a forest of ancient giants, quiet and peaceful. Early in the day or in the late evening, you'll see mule deer strolling thru this woodland cathedral.
Mt Dana - 2nd highest in Yosemite at 13,053'. You start out in the woods at just under 10,000', and break out above the trees after about 1.5 to 2 miles. Beautiful, open summit, with about the same ascent as climbing Giant.
Mono Lake - A high altitude, mountain, salt lake. Complete with seagulls and shrimp, right outside the gates of Yosemite on its eastern side. Tall salt pillars, interesting birds, this lake is endangered due to the competition for water in CA.
Bristlecone Pines - CA White Mtns. A huge grove of trees dating back as much as 4,500 years. Knarled and bent over time, this is holy land for outdoors people. The naturalists guard the location of the Alpha Tree, thought to be the oldest living tree on the planet. See some of Galen Rowell's photo essay books for pictures of the Bristlecones. While scattered aroung CA's high country, here they are concentrated. You can get a camp spot around 10,000' in the National Forest a short distance from the Schulman Grove of Bristlecones.
White Mt Peak - Also in the CA White Mtns. At 14,246, WMP is the 5th highest mountain in the lower 48 and the highest desert peak in the world. After a 28 mile, above-treeline drive to the 11,000' trailhead, you walk above the tree line all day. The ascent climbs right from the trailhead, then walk a long plateau watching the summit cone get closer and closer. If we'd had the time, you can bushwack from WMP's summit to Boundary Pk, NV's highpoint.
Sequoia National Park - A forest of 300' mammoth trees. As indescribable as the Bristlecones.
Mt Whitney - Then of course, the wonderful trek up Whitney, more eloquently described by others on the board, including Poison Ivy and Pete Hickey. This was a great way to cap our visit. With 2 weeks of acclimitizing, walking up Whitney with full packs was work, but we felt NO effects of altitude.
Tuoluomne Meadows- The Yosemite high country. You can backpack or stay in the campground. Long switchbacking ride up from the valley with great views at every turn. Small and large rock domes to scramble and peaks to climb everywhere. Campground and Meadows around 8,600', so good for acclimitizing.
Tioga Peak - At 11,513', a nice 5 mile round trip with a little under 1,800' gain. Good for acclimitizing. About midway up, there's a small lake to take a breather before the final 1,000' up the bare rock to 360 degree views from its open summit.
Yosemite's Sequoia Grove - a forest of ancient giants, quiet and peaceful. Early in the day or in the late evening, you'll see mule deer strolling thru this woodland cathedral.
Mt Dana - 2nd highest in Yosemite at 13,053'. You start out in the woods at just under 10,000', and break out above the trees after about 1.5 to 2 miles. Beautiful, open summit, with about the same ascent as climbing Giant.
Mono Lake - A high altitude, mountain, salt lake. Complete with seagulls and shrimp, right outside the gates of Yosemite on its eastern side. Tall salt pillars, interesting birds, this lake is endangered due to the competition for water in CA.
Bristlecone Pines - CA White Mtns. A huge grove of trees dating back as much as 4,500 years. Knarled and bent over time, this is holy land for outdoors people. The naturalists guard the location of the Alpha Tree, thought to be the oldest living tree on the planet. See some of Galen Rowell's photo essay books for pictures of the Bristlecones. While scattered aroung CA's high country, here they are concentrated. You can get a camp spot around 10,000' in the National Forest a short distance from the Schulman Grove of Bristlecones.
White Mt Peak - Also in the CA White Mtns. At 14,246, WMP is the 5th highest mountain in the lower 48 and the highest desert peak in the world. After a 28 mile, above-treeline drive to the 11,000' trailhead, you walk above the tree line all day. The ascent climbs right from the trailhead, then walk a long plateau watching the summit cone get closer and closer. If we'd had the time, you can bushwack from WMP's summit to Boundary Pk, NV's highpoint.
Sequoia National Park - A forest of 300' mammoth trees. As indescribable as the Bristlecones.
Mt Whitney - Then of course, the wonderful trek up Whitney, more eloquently described by others on the board, including Poison Ivy and Pete Hickey. This was a great way to cap our visit. With 2 weeks of acclimitizing, walking up Whitney with full packs was work, but we felt NO effects of altitude.
