Road Trip
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
From: Labrador
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Great pics and looks like you had an amazing time. I love road trips. In the last year Ive driven across Canada from coast to coast twice and only spent 2 nights in a hotel room.
Never know what adventure is around the next corner.
Never know what adventure is around the next corner.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Continued...
After spending much of my afternoon exploring the windy, frigid plateau atop Lee Vining Hill and Log Cabin Mine Road, I decided to head back down the mountain to replenish my snack and water supply. On the way, I encountered a few light showers. They weren't heavy enough to require using the wipers, just enough to turn the uniform coat of dirt and dust on Jeep into a chaotic sort of Cheetah print camo.
When I finally reached my camp, I pulled my trash bag out of the bear box to access my food locker. As soon as I did, a little Belding Ground Squirrel went after the bag and, ultimately, what remained of my stir-fry from Part I of this story...
NOM NOM NOM
Yum, yellow bell pepper
Ramen noodle
Chicken?
It was at this point that I locked the bag back in the bear box. I'm pretty sure squirrels aren't supposed to eat chicken! Undeterred, Mr. or Ms. Squirrel went after my hanging bag that I was 100% sure had nothing but non-food items in it... I was mistaken.
Apple
After shooing away all the critters and locking all of my trash in the bear box, I decided to drive up the pass. The “pass” (Tioga Pass/Highway 120) begins (6,845 ft.) among the sage and creosote of the desert that comprises most of the Mono Lake Basin. The only green you’ll find are the willows and small trees that cling to the banks of the streams that flow like snakes through the bleached white desert pavement from the mountains that rise to the west on their journey to diversion ponds and, ultimately, through a series of aqueducts and canals to the thirsty metropolis of Los Angeles 300 miles to the south.
As you ascend the pass, desert flora and fauna quickly yield to Jeffrey Pine and Aspen groves and later, to granite boulders the size of houses. The pass is just 10 miles from start to finish but the first 6 miles are quite steep. Jeep found them taxing on her cooling system and we frequently found ourselves relaxing with a book at one of many turnouts being serenaded by the romantic melody of six cooling, ticking cylinders and the hiss of a coolant reservoir while we waited for that silly needle to make it’s counterclockwise journey back to normal.
The road is two lanes (one in each direction) carved from the side of a sheer drop nearly a century ago by men much braver than I. The steepest parts are constantly in motion and frequently closed while road crews repair damage or remove rocks that gravity has deposited in lanes.
Look closely and you'll see a black car traversing one of the most treacherous sections of the pass, an area called Blue Slide.
As you near the top, the summit marked by the easternmost entrance to Yosemite National Park (9,961 ft.), you will be greeted by lush alpine meadows full of wild flowers and tall green grass, ancient Lodgepole Pine forests and pristine lakes, like gems nestled among the cirques and depressions. The lakes contain either brook, rainbow, brown, and golden trout (or some combination). I spent much of my childhood exploring these higher elevations and know them intimately.
When I arrived at the 10,000 foot level the weather became more ominous. It was still not raining but you could tell the sky would not be able to hold out much longer. Several flashes and loud cracks of thunder rumbled through the canyon.
Alas, the rain never came and I slept late the next morning, anticipating a long night of stargazing. I spent the day napping and preparing for the evening, including filling my gas tank for the first time since leaving home… Ouch!
That evening, I drove out to the desolate, deserted north shore of the lake. I arrived just before the sun set and began setting up for an overnight time-lapse of the clouds and Milky Way Galaxy passing overhead.
This video represents a total of 765 individually shot frames over six hours at intervals from 15 to 30 seconds. The video is in 720p HD but it won’t display that way here on the forum, you’ll need to watch it on YouTube and select the higher resolution.
I slept much of the next day but did manage to get out to the lake and adjacent volcanoes for a little exploring and photography.
My alarm clock for the next morning was an enormous crack of thunder that reverberated through the canyon and literally shook my insides. This was followed by hail and rain that popped on my tent like firecrackers. It was still early, maybe 5 A.M. but I jumped up, pulled my pants on over my flannel PJ bottoms and headed for Jeep. We raced out to the meadow that marks the entrance to the campground and spent the next hour photographing the storm.
Looking down the canyon at the sunrise...
Looking up the canyon from where the thunder had come.
Then it was up the pass again for what I hoped would be neat cloud pictures.
As long as I was there, I decided to head into Yosemite for a few photos
If you look closely, people (like ants) can be seen climbing up the cables on the side of the rock.
That afternoon, I drove back down the pass and while relaxing on a dirt trail somewhere in the middle of nowhere I watched a bolt of lightning ignite a brush fire on the far side of the lake. Engines, trucks, and planes began converging on the remote plume of smoke but it was all unnecessary for an hour later a torrential downpour put the fire out for them.
The next day marked my last before giving in to the responsibilities of adulthood and returning to the big city. I spent it exploring and photographing a burnt out area of the desert and packing in preparation for the next day’s departure.
I always miss this place long before I actually leave and this time was no different. I can’t wait to return and have already begun planning our next adventure.
I'll add a few random photos later, after I get my computer fixed so it stops crashing.
After spending much of my afternoon exploring the windy, frigid plateau atop Lee Vining Hill and Log Cabin Mine Road, I decided to head back down the mountain to replenish my snack and water supply. On the way, I encountered a few light showers. They weren't heavy enough to require using the wipers, just enough to turn the uniform coat of dirt and dust on Jeep into a chaotic sort of Cheetah print camo.
When I finally reached my camp, I pulled my trash bag out of the bear box to access my food locker. As soon as I did, a little Belding Ground Squirrel went after the bag and, ultimately, what remained of my stir-fry from Part I of this story...
NOM NOM NOM
Yum, yellow bell pepper
Ramen noodle
Chicken?
It was at this point that I locked the bag back in the bear box. I'm pretty sure squirrels aren't supposed to eat chicken! Undeterred, Mr. or Ms. Squirrel went after my hanging bag that I was 100% sure had nothing but non-food items in it... I was mistaken.
Apple
After shooing away all the critters and locking all of my trash in the bear box, I decided to drive up the pass. The “pass” (Tioga Pass/Highway 120) begins (6,845 ft.) among the sage and creosote of the desert that comprises most of the Mono Lake Basin. The only green you’ll find are the willows and small trees that cling to the banks of the streams that flow like snakes through the bleached white desert pavement from the mountains that rise to the west on their journey to diversion ponds and, ultimately, through a series of aqueducts and canals to the thirsty metropolis of Los Angeles 300 miles to the south.
As you ascend the pass, desert flora and fauna quickly yield to Jeffrey Pine and Aspen groves and later, to granite boulders the size of houses. The pass is just 10 miles from start to finish but the first 6 miles are quite steep. Jeep found them taxing on her cooling system and we frequently found ourselves relaxing with a book at one of many turnouts being serenaded by the romantic melody of six cooling, ticking cylinders and the hiss of a coolant reservoir while we waited for that silly needle to make it’s counterclockwise journey back to normal.
The road is two lanes (one in each direction) carved from the side of a sheer drop nearly a century ago by men much braver than I. The steepest parts are constantly in motion and frequently closed while road crews repair damage or remove rocks that gravity has deposited in lanes.
Look closely and you'll see a black car traversing one of the most treacherous sections of the pass, an area called Blue Slide.
As you near the top, the summit marked by the easternmost entrance to Yosemite National Park (9,961 ft.), you will be greeted by lush alpine meadows full of wild flowers and tall green grass, ancient Lodgepole Pine forests and pristine lakes, like gems nestled among the cirques and depressions. The lakes contain either brook, rainbow, brown, and golden trout (or some combination). I spent much of my childhood exploring these higher elevations and know them intimately.
When I arrived at the 10,000 foot level the weather became more ominous. It was still not raining but you could tell the sky would not be able to hold out much longer. Several flashes and loud cracks of thunder rumbled through the canyon.
Alas, the rain never came and I slept late the next morning, anticipating a long night of stargazing. I spent the day napping and preparing for the evening, including filling my gas tank for the first time since leaving home… Ouch!
That evening, I drove out to the desolate, deserted north shore of the lake. I arrived just before the sun set and began setting up for an overnight time-lapse of the clouds and Milky Way Galaxy passing overhead.
This video represents a total of 765 individually shot frames over six hours at intervals from 15 to 30 seconds. The video is in 720p HD but it won’t display that way here on the forum, you’ll need to watch it on YouTube and select the higher resolution.
I slept much of the next day but did manage to get out to the lake and adjacent volcanoes for a little exploring and photography.
My alarm clock for the next morning was an enormous crack of thunder that reverberated through the canyon and literally shook my insides. This was followed by hail and rain that popped on my tent like firecrackers. It was still early, maybe 5 A.M. but I jumped up, pulled my pants on over my flannel PJ bottoms and headed for Jeep. We raced out to the meadow that marks the entrance to the campground and spent the next hour photographing the storm.
Looking down the canyon at the sunrise...
Looking up the canyon from where the thunder had come.
Then it was up the pass again for what I hoped would be neat cloud pictures.
As long as I was there, I decided to head into Yosemite for a few photos
If you look closely, people (like ants) can be seen climbing up the cables on the side of the rock.
That afternoon, I drove back down the pass and while relaxing on a dirt trail somewhere in the middle of nowhere I watched a bolt of lightning ignite a brush fire on the far side of the lake. Engines, trucks, and planes began converging on the remote plume of smoke but it was all unnecessary for an hour later a torrential downpour put the fire out for them.
The next day marked my last before giving in to the responsibilities of adulthood and returning to the big city. I spent it exploring and photographing a burnt out area of the desert and packing in preparation for the next day’s departure.
I always miss this place long before I actually leave and this time was no different. I can’t wait to return and have already begun planning our next adventure.
I'll add a few random photos later, after I get my computer fixed so it stops crashing.
Last edited by F1Addict; Aug 1, 2012 at 05:06 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 1
From: Southeast, tx
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L upgraded charging system & blue top, flowmaster 44, hi flow cat and two core rad.
Sure is nice to read about a trip while I'm in between trips. Awesome write up and pics. A real joy to read.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Holy crap that gas is expensive!!
Haha seriously awesome though man. You are very skilled in photography (I checked out your FB page a little while back too - amazing). Looks like you had a great time.
Haha seriously awesome though man. You are very skilled in photography (I checked out your FB page a little while back too - amazing). Looks like you had a great time.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It's an amazing place, I feel extremely fortunate to have spent most of my pre-adult years there and even more fortunate that it's still just a 6 or 7 hour drive from where I live, now.
Seriously, maybe I'll plan a long weekend trip for we O.C. XJers. 1996sportXJ is from here, too.
There are three gas stations in town, from north to south there's a Chevron, a Shell in the middle, and finally a Mobil at the south end. They were all ridiculously expensive but if you were willing to drive 60 miles to the Arco in Bishop, it was only $3.47. I never thought it would be worth a 120 mile round-trip for gas but it actually was. I get ~22 mpg on the highway so it would have cost me $19 in gas to save over $30. I didn't want to waste the two hours, though.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That's awesome. IMO, there's nothing better than getting out on the open road... or off of it.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Aptos, Ca.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Freakin' awesome. You tell and show a great story with way above average talent with your camera! If you ever head down the coast and find yourself near Santa Cruz, look me up.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,381
Likes: 6
From: SoCal
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Since I posted this I've had a lot of interest in a meet up. It's obviously too late for this season but I'm thinking about something for next spring, possibly combined with a free beginner photography workshop since a lot of people seem interested in that part, too. When Highway 120 is open it's 260 miles from the Bay Area to the Eastern Sierras so not a bad trip. We'll see if interest remains and I may plan something.
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 140
Likes: 3
From: Aptos, Ca.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Since I posted this I've had a lot of interest in a meet up. It's obviously too late for this season but I'm thinking about something for next spring, possibly combined with a free beginner photography workshop since a lot of people seem interested in that part, too. When Highway 120 is open it's 260 miles from the Bay Area to the Eastern Sierras so not a bad trip. We'll see if interest remains and I may plan something.
