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Archive for October, 2011

Volcanic Tableland

Oct 20th, 11 / 26 Comments

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The Volcanic Tableland is a landscape of Bishop Tuff rock, formed by super-heated ash spewing from the Long Valley Caldera 750,000 years ago. It is located north of Bishop, CA. It stretches north to the Sherwin Plateau. The floor of the Owens Valley rises abruptly and forms a 300 foot high volcanic plateau that runs for miles from east to west.

I did not do a lot of research during this trip because we were just following the places we visited in 2009. So I checked the Bishop Visitor Center, and was given a map of the area.

These bare naked trees were found past the Aggregate Plant. I found them so interesting, like hands waving to hitch a ride. What do you think?

This is a close up shot of the Sierras from the tableland

We drove around the dirt road and turned back instead of driving around the loop. It was a pretty balmy day and the skies were blue. I was not disappointed. But next time, I would come back and explore more. I know where to find the petroglyphs.

Bishop, Eastern Sierra, Meme, SkyWatch Friday

Protect the Ancients

Oct 19th, 11 / 20 Comments

On our way home to Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon after our pre-sunrise shots at Mono Lake South Tufa Reserve, we decided to stop in Big Pine to visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, about 25 miles from Bishop.

Bristlecone Pines are found only in the western US, and the ones in this forest are the oldest living things on Earth, some 3,000 years old or more. Since this forest is a special place, delicate and irreplaceable, every possible way is done to protect it.

I did not know what to expect of the drive up there, but, it is over 10,000 to 11,000 feet in altitude in the White Mountain range. The road has many twists and turns and narrows to one lane at one point, but the view of the Sierra Mountains and the Owens Valley is spectacular.

I am standing from the Sierra Vista scenic view. I wanted to finish the sight seeing here and then drive back, but Zee kept saying that the Schulman visitor center (closed for renovation after a fire in 2008) is just two miles away, let’s go!

Zee is dwarfed by this gigantic tree!’

How can you tell the age of a tree?

Dendrochonology is the study of the rings of trees . Scientists can tell a tree’s age by counting its annual growth rings which is the layers of new wood added to its trunk each year.

These are called annual circles. The circles start off very small in circumference and get larger with each ring. To tell the age, count the rings of each annual circle.

One ring is equal to one year of life for the tree. Begin with the innermost part of the core called the pith and count outward towards the bark.

In some bristlecone pine trees, over 100 years of tree rings are contained in just one inch of growth

Was that easy? I know I cannot count them. Can you?

This post is linked to Lesley’s Signs, Signs

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Eastern Sierra, Meme, Signs, Signs

Almost Snow Covered Lake

Oct 17th, 11 / 29 Comments

branches drooping
snow almost melted
a few weeks at the start of Autumn

Weir Lake
Bishop, CA
October 8, 2011

rocks covered with snow
hands cold and shaky
no gloves or tripod

This post is linked to:

Nature Footstep’s Waters

Bishop, Meme, Nature Footstep Waters, Outdoor Wednesday, Watery Wednesday

Nature Hike at King Gillette Ranch

Oct 17th, 11 / 12 Comments

Last Saturday, our hike was led by a naturalist to one of California’s newest preserved and protected open space. King Gillette Ranch was purchased in 1926 by the razor baron, King Camp Gillette, who commissioned an architect to build him “his paradise on earth, California style”. This property had changed hands over the years and since his death in 1930.

On June 30, 2007, the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch opened to the public as a park. Now owned and managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area unit of the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and California State Parks.

A short, somewhat steep hike from the parking area leads to a knoll with 360-degree views—including the famous rock formations of Malibu Creek State Park. Other activities include strolling, bicycling, photography, and picnicking.

Be wary of poison oak, pretty, but looks are deceiving.

Along the way, we found this rattler, a big one.

This scenic parkland at the lower end of the Las Virgenes Valley, offers a rare unspoiled view of California’s rich archeological, cultural, and historic resources, including a Chumash settlement.