Dan's Outside

2005May

***May 1, 2005
– It finally felt like a real spring day today – actual warmth on my short loop hike at Almaden Quicksilver. Mockingbird Hill out past my favorite canyon with flowers (many Fairy Lantern flowers) and then up the further lateral to the trail down via Buena Vista mine.

***May 7, 2005
– Up Mine Hill and then Castillero to take pictures of the white lupine on the ridge, then back down via Deep Gulch.

***May 8, 2005
– In light rain I did a short loop from the MacAbee Road entrance to Almaden Quicksilver out to Guadalupe Reservoir, taking some trails that I had not taken in the past.

***May 14, 2005
– A beautiful spring day! Hiked up Mission Peak the usual way and then descended via “Horse Heaven” trail.

***May 15, 2005
– Despite fog and drizzle in the Valley, it was a beautiful sunny day on the ridge at Castle Rock. Hiked out past Goat Rock, then down the lateral to return via the falls.

***May 21, 2005
– The Waterfall Trip. Did my annual one-day blitz of Yosemite waterfalls. Began at Bridalveil, which was flowing so strongly that the path the base of the falls was under nearly a foot of water at one spot. Drove up the valley, stopping to view El Cap, flooded meadows, and Yosemite Falls from across the Valley. Parked at Curry and hiked up to the top of Nevada Falls, ascending past Vernal via the Mist Trail and then returning by the Muir Trail route. Ended the day at Yosemite Falls at the last light.

***May 27-30, 2005
– The Annual Eastern Sierra Memorial Day Weekend Ski and Desert Camping Trip.

• May 27: Left home at 12:30 and met Owen and George at a restaurant in Bridgeport at around 6:30 p.m. (They were just finishing dinner when I arrived.) Headed on south, stopping for photos near Conway Summit and then at Mono Lake. Arrived in the desert and camped.
• May 28: Up early to have breakfast at Mammoth before starting to ski around 8:30. Finished up at 1:00 and hung out at the lodge until heading back to camp to clean up. Maureen arrived just in time to head up to Lakefront Lodge for dinner.
• May 29: Up not quite so early and then to Mammoth for a slightly later start. A cold morning with clouds and wind. Skied until nearly 2:00. Headed back to the desert and finally gave up on the barbecue (too windy) and went back to town for dinner.
• May 30: Up at 5:30 and on the road by 6:00. Stopped near Mono Lake for some photos and then headed over Sonora Pass and back home.

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December 31, 2004 - Posted by gdanmitchell | Commentary