We spent the summers of '81 thru '92 in the mountains of northern Washington.  Unwittingly following in the footsteps of Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouac

In celebration of the time and place I have resurrected  some past images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty Peak

 

 

Dynamic weather this May/June in the Sierra is reminiscent of summers in the North Cascades.  To celebrate memories of the ol' stompin' grounds we headed for one of the few "real" trails here on the Eastside.  The little used trail climbs 4000 feet in 4 miles, through wonderfully steep forests of White Fir and Juniper.  

A steep walled canyon of metamorphics, dusted with fresh Junuary snow.  Black wall of storm engulfed the White Mountains, thundering cascades at our feet.

 Room with a view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Traversing low gullies snow filled last month, great skiing.  Twisted metal tracks protrude from tunnels, mimmic Limber pine high on cliffs, vestiges of  time gone by.  Rusted cable car fallen to earth, ancient trail obscured by rock, red dynamite boxes.  Descending scree, lupine and paintbrush. 

We just (kinda) returned from a trip over Piute Pass down to the South Fork San Joaquin.  Piute and the San Joaquin were running high and we got to be what looked like first tracks on the John Muir Trail.  

Also I shot the last image for our book on the JMT; Walk the Sky, due out this October.

We had to deal with about 3 miles of sloppy snow and some wet crossings.

 Below Piute Pass, John Muir Wilderness

 

 Mark crossing one of the five stems of the north fork of Piute Creek

 

 North fork Piute Creek near Huchinson Meadow, John Muir Wilderness

 

 Mulesaurus skeleton

 

 Piute Creek near the confluence with San Joaquin River, John Muir Wilderness

 

 South Fork San Joaquin River, Sequoia Kings Canyon

 

 

We took a break from spring corn on the eastside to join friends for a benefit in Joshua Tree.  Took a little time to climb as well as a good long hike.  The cactus is in full bloom.
Mojave Mound Cactus, Joshua Tree National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calico Hedgehog & Barrel Cactus Joshua Tree 

 Mojave Prickly-pear cactus, Joshua Tree

Blossom on Desert Barrel Cactus, Joshua Tree National Park

 

Backcountry petroglyphs,  Joshua Tree National Park

Excellent skiing continues this spring in the Sierra backcountry.

I'd like to thank all those that worked so hard in gaining protection for all the newly designated Wilderness Lands in the Sierra, California and the rest of the Nation.  Places like the White Mountains will remain wild in perpetuity!  Congratulations

Ben Grasseschi on White Mountain Peak

Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains

 

Prickly Pear Cactus, White Mountains

 

Montgomery Peak, White Mountains