YOSEMITE AND U.S. 395 ROAD TRIP June 5-7, 2010

With a fee-free weekend offered by the National Park Service, a desire to use my car, and somewhat recovering from a slight medical downturn, I had to hike something. Reasonable lodging rates at two of my favorite destinations induced me to head out. If I am to continue to travel and climb, I had better start doing it, again.

I left home after getting up at a good hour, having packed up my things the night before. Motoring down U.S. 99, then cutting over to Oakdale, CA, I didn't need to stop there except for gas, topping off my tank. The weather was warm already. I was asked to contribute to the local conservation fund by attendants leafleting at the park entry. I had already given their organization something, and I don't have a lot of cash to spare.

Taking CA 120 eastbound, I soon saw plenty of snow along the roadway. This was the first day to open for the Tioga Pass Highway, and I had a reservation on the east side. They had better be right about that announcement. An electronic sign flashed that 27 bears had been killed by cars in 2009, and a new sign stated, "speeding kills bears."

Making my first stop at Olmsted Point, I hiked up the small hill to the north. I expected to rest and relax on top. It looked to be snow still closing the short side roads that I would have taken to climb any minor peak, today. That fit into my plans to relax. I shot a few panoramas, and other hikers were up there as well. I soon hiked back down, and didn't snap a photo vista back at the highway, the views being much better from the top of the hill.

A stop along Tenaya Lake provided an op to snap pictures where I see so many rock climbers. Only one party was climbing the granite dome, here. The lakes were still partially iced over, with vibrant blue waters on some open spots. Perhaps a hundred small cascades spilled off the rocks onto the highway. Water was flushing the normally dry streambeds, big time, today. I couldn't stop to record most of them, and I had to be careful to try to avoid the spray from oncoming vehicles.

At Tuolumne Meadows, everything was yet closed. Even the restroom was locked. I stopped at the Dog Lake/Lembert Dome trailhead to use the facility there. I opted to hike up to the climbers' route, with two women roped up on the rocks. They started to rappel, from midway up. I enjoyed the granite slope, and the slight elevation from which to snap a few photos. Unless it gets really hot, some of this snow will linger into July.

Motoring on, I shuttered a few more sights from the CA 120 highway. Mt. Dana and all would require an ice ax, which I left at home. Ellery Lake made a nice sight, and then Lee Vining Canyon was also scenic.

Hitting the Mono Lake Vistapoint for a photo or few, I headed south on U.S. 395. I stopped at Obsidian Dome for more light hiking and photos. The sun began to set. It was gorgeous.

Making it to Mammoth Lakes, I checked into my motel, glad that I didn't have to camp and sleep in my car. It would have been miserable lying there, trying to sleep. It seemed like the road to Minaret Summit was also still closed by snow. No views from there, this trip. I hiked up Panorama Dome, with firm snow, and some bare ground. I knew the way, having done this once or twice before. The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Crest made for some panoramas.

Restaurants had changed from last I remembered. They have put in a bike trail or sidewalk of sorts, and a trolley service runs down the streets. I found an old breakfast spot, a favorite of mine, was serving dinner. I had a turkey sandwich, mindful of losing some weight this weekend. In my old peak climbing days, I'd come back noticeably slimmer.

It seemed that I was unable to get connected anywhere that I tried. The Wi-Fi at the motel was down, so I walked the main street at night looking for some free access. Even on a Saturday night, the town was quiet. I went to the fast food eatery supposedly having access, but at the two that I tried this weekend, I couldn't download anything. At least I wasn't paying.

The night was unrestfully warm. I opened the windows, and then turned on the air. I couldn't get to sleep. Listening to my music, about all that my gadget could do, then, I lay there until I got the thought to view the sunrise.

Taking off in the dark at about 4 a.m., I headed south again on U.S. 395. I'd see the sights later today, in daylight, when I was headed back north. I turned east on CA 168 at Big Pine, CA, and made my usual viewpoint to photograph the dawn glow, then the sun hitting the peaks. No clouds, or any deep color, but I'd either be eating or still trying to sleep, otherwise.

I continued east to take the White Mountain road north, by the top of the pass. I'd see the bristlecones, once again. This was also the first day this had opened, by the USFS website, or so I thought. The panorama of the High Sierra and part of the town of Bishop lay before me at Sierra View vistapoint. I did the short hike, and captured the sight. The Inyo Mountains are seen from here as well.

To Schulman Grove, I found that a small fee is required to park here. It was early in the morning, and in my slight haste, forgot to find the iron ranger. I hiked the Discovery Trail in search of some good pictures. It was still too early in the day, so the sun had not hit many of the trees, yet. I stayed on the trail, rather than revisit Pine Alpha, by what the USFS had signed, back in the 1970's on my first visit. They no longer make it known, I assume due to the fear of malicious people, or just seeming smarter to keep it a secret.

I paid my $3 fee, and had to get back north to Reno, NV, tonight, so rushed on. Sierra View made for more photos as the sun became higher, and then it was back to CA 168. I couldn't stop easily for wildflower close-ups, so I passed all of them by. There are blind curves and dips, with few, if any, good pullouts to stop and park.

It was about 9 a.m. I noted what was new in Bishop, CA, as I passed through. I stopped again at the Sherwin Grade viewpoint for more photos.

I had more sights northward on this great mountain highway, with some new blacktop and freshly painted, new stripes. Taking some quick photos at another vistapoint, I then made a stop at the USFS Mono Lake visitor center. I donated $2 for the use of the facility, and snapped some more quick photos. The Conway Summit viewpoints allowed for my usual record, maybe useful to any planning to climb soon in the White Mountains, or about this part of the Sierra. Then, it was north to the view of the Sawtooth and more.

Gratefully, I was not falling asleep, or getting too drowsy. It was a way to get to Reno, but I didn't need any coffee or soda drink. At Carson City, NV, a new way, to me, to follow northbound U.S. 395 came upon me. I had to turn around, having missed the on-ramp.

About 3:00 p.m., I reached Reno. I went to my reserved room, and tried to doze off. I'd do my fun things the next morning. I got up at 5 p.m. to get some breakfast for dinner, then slept well, until about 5 a.m., Monday.

Declining any wake-up drink or food, I motored, in the dawn light, to the Huffaker Hills Trailhead. It wasn't cold, and I knew it would get hot later in the day. I did my sunrise climb of Twin Peaks HP, and shuttered the views. I had the vision to capture panoramas. Only a loose dog and a rabbit were the other animals on the trail, this time of day. This is a great 40 minute workout for those needing the exercise, surprising me that more local hikers were not here. I witnessed many jets taking off, and wished all of them well. Visitors bring the money to the local economy, and as I don't live here, I am not bothered by the noise of the many take-offs from McCarran Field.

I took South Virginia Street north to get back to my hotel, and strolled about the casinos. I used a coupon and won $10 at cards, losing two dollars later on the slots. Great! I checked out of the hotel, and then beelined it for Mayberry Park. I did the usual hike up the hill, with some wildflowers. This would be it for my hiking today. I was to see the Northern Sierra had plenty of snow, yet, and that would defeat my attempting even an easy peak.

Shopping at my favorite enviro clothing store, I picked up some T-shirts and a new cap, all on sale. Motoring home, westbound on Interstate 80, I listened to my music player through my car radio, enjoying my latest downloads. They are doing some major construction to widen the freeway, looking like we will soon have four lanes westbound on the grade up to Donner Summit.

Making my usual photo stop at Yuba Gap, it won't be too soon to be hiking again in the Northern Sierra, with the residual snow to be melting rapidly by the coming heat.

Home by lunch hour, I carried my things into my home, not a great load on this short, non-climbing trip. I had a long afternoon and evening working on my computer and website.

Driving some 740 miles, I hiked maybe 6 miles with roughly 2,000 feet of gain, total, capturing over a thousand images. I spent about a hundred on two nights lodging, and only $115 in cash. I did the whole drive using about 18 gallons of fuel, paying out only $33 for gas (2.959 at most), with six gallons already in my tank when I left home. I saw absolutely no mosquitoes or ticks. No wildlife of note, aside from the many birds. Using some sunscreen, the sun at altitude was bright.

This being my only road trip yet for 2010, it went well enough to have me thinking to do some more, this summer. I have a grudge peak in Wyoming, and a new peak hike to do in Montana. I am told to slow down, so then have to take it easier. Perhaps I will never repeat so many peaks that I've done, as I withdrew my new partners offers on my website.

I had stayed weakly active in the past few months, making a photo trip to Fair Oaks Bluffs, then Kalithea Park, for the stormy views, and then seeing a new portion along the River opened for tourism and locals, both. I had used only 30 gallons of gas since my last auto service in December, 2009, till now. My car is getting older, too. I walked about town, perhaps more miles than I had driven, in the last six months, till this trip. It looks to be exciting in the future, with long range electric cars developed, and hydrogen cars to be on the market. But it looks like global warming has started, already. All enviro efforts, indeed, may be too late.

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