Palisade Glacier

When I tell folks there is an actual glacier in the Sierra Nevada Mountians, even people who have live in California for a long time, they think I am kidding.  I am not, of course: this glacier is about 700 years old.  Although I have never hiked to the glacier (it is on my list of things to do) I am told that it is currently in retreat due to the drought California has been enduring.

Even if one does not want to hike at to the glacier at 14, 142 feet, it is an impressive view from the trail head and campgrounds located in place commonly referred to as Glacier Lodge (also Big Pine Creek) have a fantastic view while kicking back in really nice camping area at an altitude of 8,000 feet.

According to the Glacier Lodge website the directions are as follows:  Big Pine is located on Hwy 395 in eastern California, 15 miles south of Bishop. The town sits at the junction of Hwy 395 and Westgard Pass Road, which leads to Death Valley, the Bristlecone Pine Forest, and the State of Nevada.

This is not a good picture, but it gives one an idea of the terrain that has to be negotiated while working up the trail to the glacier. The glacier is that white "v" shaped space in the center of the photo. I found a really good photo on Wikipedia. For those who are interested in hiking this area check out the SummitPost.org site.

My plan is to head back to this place before the summer is over.  I'll report more later.

Bristlecone Pines

The Bristlecone Pines (more correctly called the Great Basin Bristlecone Pines, I am told) are located in the White Mountains, a range closely the same elevation as a lot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, but the White Mountains are in the shadow of the Sierra and thus receive a very small percentage of the moisture that falls on the Sierra. As a result, trees are smaller and sparse. That does not mean there is no beauty to these mountains, because there is. One just has to look for it a bit more.


The Bristlecones are the oldest living plants in the United States. I used to tell friends they were the oldest in the world, but now there is some debate as a result of the discovery of a self-cloning spruce by a Swedish researcher. The point here is these trees are old, dating back more than 4,800 years and in their own way they are absolutely beautiful. The wood is gnarly, extremely hard, and dense. Textured by the elements and hued with reddish, tan and grey colors these trees exist in a harsh landscape, but the beauty of these ancients in the place where they live is spiritual. It is difficult to not be moved.

I love visiting this place. It is inspiring and it evokes wonder and amazement. These trees had no plan to live as long as they have, but within them exists something that makes a long life possible. Sure, maybe they had the benefit of the proper environment (hard to believe when one sees where they are located) as did the red woods, but still to live 4,800 plus years takes some good genes.

For folks travelling US 395 take Highway 168 and follow the signs. Make sure to take water because the White Mountains do not have facilities.

Over the years I have taken lots of photos, but they are all 35MM, not digital, so I have nothing to post at this time.  However, Bing has a good collection of images and a really nice map.  Click here.