Memorial Weekend - We never get tired of the East Side

Lighthawk

Lighthawk

Weekend warrior
Joined
Jun 22, 2010
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Nevada City, CA
The Memorial Day Weekend beckoned us to get away. We had been reading too many TR's without doing much of our own. There were excuses why we weren't getting out, but enough was enough!

We always enjoy the drive to the East Side. Donner Summit, then wrapping around the shore of Tahoe, admiring the views of the lake, then dropping down to Carson and Antelope Valleys. We love the big cottonwoods and ranch lands, with historical barns and the occasional stone building. Ascending the canyon of the West Walker, we usually stop for break to run the dog and stretch the legs. Finally, we break out onto higher ground, with broad views of Sonora Pass and snow-capped mountains. It's like greeting old friends, to travel past familiar terrain.

The light at 530pm in the Bridgeport Valley was sublime. My photographers eye was wandering off the road, taking in the golden light streaming across the cattle and lush green grasslands. We saw an osprey hunting and a flock of ibis feeding on the ground. The Sawtooth Range was well lit and brought back memories of various ski / climb adventures enjoyed.

But, I was on a mission. The full moon would rise at 807pm and I wanted to be in position to photograph Mono Lake at that special moment. No time to waste! I had done some research and wanted to check out a new area that I had not visited, so uncertainty was adding a bit of stress. All week long I had been telling those that would listen, "I'm going to shoot the moonrise at Mono Lake!" It's nice to have a project. : )

We got there just as the shadow of the Sierra cast a pall over the shoreline. I quickly packed a camera, a few lenses and tripod and began to head to the shore. I grabbed a headlamp, but SR forgot hers and went back to the truck. Callie was just happy to run around below the chest high brush.

My phone rang and it was the 'Pinners! We had exchanged emails just that morning, when I asked for some info about a nearby spring. We both had loose plans to be in the vicinity, so why not meet up? Ski and the Lady are great folk and we looked forward to sharing some adventures. I quickly gave directions to our park spot and let SR know they were coming. I blazed on to catch the moon.

The light turned sweet.






SR, Ski and Lady came down just as the magic show was starting. I was working up and down the shore, looking for the best composition. I had a new app on my phone that let me know when and were to anticipate the moonrise. Pretty cool for $4.99 http://photoephemeris.com/ I think the desktop version is free.










An osprey was nesting on top of the highest tower to the left in the last photo. I nearly got a shot of her stretching her wings against the moonlight, but that vision will be something I remember.

Look close and you can see her sitting up top of the tower.




What a night! As I laid in bed, I was excited to shoot the morning too. Sunrise was a 530, so getting out would be a 5am venture.
I was sleep deprived, but couldn't pass the opportunity up.





It was only 6am Saturday morning and my weekend had already been spectacular. What more adventures could be pursued?
 
Well, of course the adventures were just beginning! We were with the 'Pinners weren't we?
Besides Callie the dog wouldn't hear otherwise.

We talked over morning coffee. Ski had a mine near Chalfant that he had researched. It sounded very interesting. No roads went to this place, but there was a preserved miners camp with intact buildings. We were in. I suggested Chidago Canyon, aka Red Rock Canyon, which was new to them. I knew the route from Benton, but wasn't sure how close it would come to the access for the mine. Amazingly, the route intersected Hwy 6 right on track. It must have been meant to be.

Someday I'm going to ride my bike down Chidago Canyon, chasing the narrow walls of red volcanic rock, descending thousands of feet. I predict that I can bike down faster than we might drive the route. But why hurry when it's so interesting, and bizarre?









After consulting our various phone/tablet mapping devices, we concluded the road past White Mountain Ranch had been rerouted. We were confident it would work out, since we knew the Spark Plug Mine was regularly visited. We crossed the alluvial fan on a rocky road and entered the canyon to reach a juncture. Ski, Lady, SR and Callie scouted the route to the high trailhead and came back reporting off-camber, hairpin turns. "Fine!" I thought to myself, "if Ski can do it in his lil' Ranger, then surely the mighty Tundra will be ok". I didn't consider how much narrower their rig was, or that my Tundra turning radius sucks. Following the 'Pinners up the narrow, HPF (high pucker factor) road, I learned a new appreciation for the agile competence of their rig and Ski's driving. I had to back slightly to reset my turn on two sharp corners, which never feels that good with the void behind your rig. :unsure:






He stopped after the first gripper and asked how I was doing. I tried to be nonchalant, while my eyes racked the next exposed pitch. Obviously others had done this route, so I figured we would survive.



We carefully parked at the top, chocking the wheels. I wandered over to look at the view and found a friendly lizard, a Collared Lizard. He was the master of his domain and didn't run when I brought the rest of the gang over to admire him. Later I saw one run on the trail, they lift the front legs and sprint on their hind legs only.



 
Looking down the upper section. I felt the lower section, which was a different gray rock, was more exposed. We said, "Is that a road or a bike trail?"
Both had off-camber sections, narrow tracks with airy exposure and the afore-mentioned can-opener jutting inside rocks. I'm sure for some it's no big deal. We felt descending was easier than climbing. I could see over the nose of the hood, which helped, so long as my brakes held up!
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At last we hit the flats and could relax.



The ranch that had supplied the miners was a magnificent spread.

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We were off for the Tablelands next . . .





Sunset brought a special treat as the Sierra Wave lit up from Mono Lake to Bishop.


 
I hit the send button too early last night, and skipped some of the mine shots. Those photos are being uploaded, and I'll edit and include some of them later tonight.
Have a fun Saturday everyone!
 
Great looking trip and photos. Those first few shots look like they were taken on a different planet.

Is it a bike trail or a road? haha. Gonna be fun when you have to ask that question :)
 
This is a bit out of sequence, but what the hey? :p

Going back to our visit to the Champion Sparkplug Mine.

The gang was in fine spirits, after surviving the ascent of the RHP trail.


The view up canyon was colorful. The geology was off the charts. Dr. Jeffrey (discoverer of the ore body and mine owner) was a sharp guy.
He developed the mine, owned the ranch to supply beef and veggies, and ran his own hydro-electric to the mine. Did I say he had his own rail siding in Chalfant?
This guy was smart.

Somehow, our group of avid hikers only visited the lower camp? :oops:



SR says we were anxious about the return trip. Even though it would be light for a long time, we couldn't bring ourselves to go the extra hour or so the actual mine site above. You could spend several days exploring this area.




The cabins are well preserved, wrapped in corrugated sheet metal. I have mixed feelings about this. The metal siding wrap will preserve the cabins for decades, if not a century, but they also lose their historical flavor, at least externally.











All the doors were latched, but unlocked. We poked around, exploring the half a dozen or so, structures.




Every group has a comedian




Water was scarce.


But no lack of scenery.









The museum was cool.










This is a special place, preserved by volunteers. I hope it will continue to be respected and preserved. We want to return and hike the lower trail (to see the route that the muleteers brought out the ore). It would be fun to spend the night up there and visit the upper mines.
Add this trip to the bucket of places I've visited and want to return for a deeper exploration.
 
Wonderful report! Gorgeous photography & scenery. Glad you got your Mono Moon shot :)

Interesting mine stuff, too. Glad you had a second vehicle on the HPF road!
 
Ah, I had a totally different idea of where the mine was from ski's post. Tempting to drag the Jeep that way. Don't think I want my big truck on that road. Great photos as usual :)
Was the metal siding added later? Found this wealth of information. http://www.gbr.4wdtrips.net/4x4/sparkplug4x4.htm
Seems full size rigs do make it up there.
 
Thanks for all the kind comments.
We fit several great locations into a three day weekend. Once again, the popup platform makes it possible.

You certainly can take a full size rig up the the mine. I think my anxiety was from doing the trail the first time, and the overhang of the Hawk past the side rails of the truck bed. But I probably had a whole foot to spare! ;)
 
All week long I had been telling those that would listen, "I'm going to shoot the moonrise at Mono Lake!" It's nice to have a project. : )
Click to expand...
Your project paid off, Andy. Wonderful shots. Hard to pick a favorite.
 
Great report and pics. I'm jealous.
Can you camp that close to Mono? I've only been by there once.
We just got back from the first trip in our FWC. It was great. Went to the White Mountains.
 
There is camping allowed at Mono Lake.

Camping around Mono Lake and its shore is allowed but you must select a site that is above the 1941 shoreline (roughly where the brushy vegetation begins). In addition, you must obtain a free Mono Lake Camping Permit from the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center. For those individuals wanting to camp at the eastern shore of the lake, be advised that the 4- wheel drive route that circumvents the lake is primitive at best and incredibly sandy; only experienced 4-wheel drivers with high clearance vehicles should attempt it. At the South Tufa Reserve, Navy Beach, Mono Mills, Mono County Park, Old Marina, and Panum Crater parking lot, camping is prohibited. In addition, private property is also off-limits to dispersed camping. Check with the staff at the Mono Basin Visitor Center for more information about where you can and cannot camp.
CAMPFIRES
Should you decide to have a campfire, barbecue, or to use a stove, you must possess a valid California State Campfire Permit. You can obtain these free of charge at any Forest Service, BLM, or California Department of Forestry office. Since fire regulations and restrictions can change at any time, it is best to contact the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center for current conditions at (760) 873-2408.
 
It was so much fun meeting up again with you and SR and Little Callie. A great way to spend a holiday weekend. The Mono shots were certainly worth the effort, outstanding! Number 8 and 10 are my favorites. I can hear the Osprey chirp every time I look at them. :)
 
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