Snowed in, in the Sierras

K: From below sea level to 10,000 feet in a morning. We started the morning with a hike across the sand dunes in Death Valley. The dunes are just gorgeous with desert cactus and windswept trees surviving in the rolling dunes. We continued our drive westward through Death Valley with the intention of making our way to Mono Lake, the ghost town of Bodie and, ultimately, Yosemite National Park. As the full Sierra Nevadas came into view, we were stunned with the amount of snow cover. Against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, the mountains were just stunning. Then we learned of the severity of the storm over the last 24 hours. All the passes which give access to Yosemite from the East are closed due to excessive snow!

So it was Plan B. We traveled as far North as the Inyo National Forest to see the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (thanks Alex). At 10,000 feet atop the White Mountains, the Bristlecone Pines are the oldest trees in the world. Some of the trees exceed 4,ooo years in age and are still growing. They thrive in the cool, dry climate of the mountains. We had a wonderful hike through the snow covered forest to see the trees. Now we head south to warmer temperatures and, eventually, Joshua Tree National Park.

V: Shaking off the dust, literally, it was good to get in the car and head through Death Valley toward Yosemite. Bummer that the passes were snowed in, but it was so incredible to see the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Hmmm....if these are the most ancient trees on Earth....then was the Garden of Eden in California? One would imagine these trees to be massive, towering shade canopies; however, they are short, scrubby and gnarled.

I am looking forward to Joshua Tree National Park tomorrow. And Karen will get to play U2 on the iPod all day long!!! I am also looking forward to a sip of that tasty brew when I am done driving for the day.

Highlights:

Sips: Mammoth Brewing Company Paranoid Pale Ale

Bites: Fresh beef jerky, sage honey and jalapeno stuffed olives at Gus's Really Good Fresh Jerky roadside stand

Sights: Inyo National Forest and Bristlecone Pine Trees