In August 2006 I did a 5-day backpack over the eastern Sierra's Taboose Pass, chronicling the trip through the lens of a Panasonic FZ30 ultrazoom digicam (gallery at http://trailhiker.smugmug.com/gallery/1797901_MkFTy ). 2 years later, I'm now in the "digital single-lens reflex" (DSLR) world and for this 3-day ramble up Pine Creek Canyon I take a Pentax K10D with 2 lenses --- a Pentax 16-45 wide-angle with circular polarizer for landscapes, and a Tamron 70-300 macro for closer shots. I'd done the hike up to my tent site, Honeymoon Lake, about 5 years ago but didn't have a good camera with me. Despite the weight, the Pentax DSLR and 2 lenses should be perfect for the lakes and mountains I'd see...
Here's the indispensable Tom Harrison trail map showing the hike route, from the Pine Creek trailhead to Honeymoon Lake, then veering south over Pine Creek Pass. I'd find the trail quite easy to follow --- though I never did find the spur route to Moon Lake, located a little less than a mile over Pine Creek Pass. Apparently the turnoff is unmarked.
After the traditional 4AM Breakfast at Denny's in Bishop I drive to the trailhead and am heading up the long, grinding trail by 5:15. The past few days have been smoky in the Owens Valley due to raging wildfires on the west side of the Sierra, so I'm a bit leery of pounding up the steep, exposed mine road that begins the climb, but the views take my mind off any possible breathing difficulties. Here's the defunct Union Carbide tungsten mill in the early-morning light, dwarfed by the massive mountains. The route here climbs 2000 feet in 2&1/2 miles...
A little further up the trail, formerly a 4-wheel-drive road leading to the closed Brownstone Mine. The route is a rocky, jumbly mess, but the views with twisted and gnarled limber and lodgepole pine detract from the slog-and-pant pace.
The roar and cascades of Pine Creek are refreshing sounds and views accompanying the climber to the top...
Drought in California? Hard to believe with all the water I'll be seeing and hearing in the next 3 days.
3 mountain streams cut across the trail, rushing to join Pine Creek. A beautiful and refreshingly-cool sight. I take my boots and socks off to soak and re-energize my feet for what's to come.
A view of my backpacking gear set against the landscape during my streamside rest stop. My backpack is a Gregory Baltoro that I will find is very comfortable considering all the gear I put on, and in, it.
Another of the streams that cut across the trail...
...the alpine splendor of Pine Lake, with Royce and Feather Peaks looming in the background.
Here's a 4-photo panoramic of Pine Creek Lake. Panoramics are really the only way for the viewer to get that "you are there" feeling.
in this box:
New comment: Requires approval