After an extraordinary summer (and our first ski day of the season yah!!) in the Eastern Sierra Clay and I said our "see you laters" to a great group of people, and a lot of dogs ;) With two weeks before our winter in the Tetons begins we decided to explore some new places. Lassen Volcanic National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, Bend, Oregon, Weed, CA, and Mt. Shasta were all on our to see list, just in no particular order. With a pretty grim weather forecast predicted, including all known forms of precipitation, we decided to go for it anyways. As we pulled into Lassen our first night out the snowflakes started falling. They continued to fall as we set up our tent and throughout the night. The next day there were brief, yet thoroughly appreciated, moments of sunshine as we hiked up to some frozen lakes. After a later than anticipated departure we headed to Lava Beds National Monument. We scoffed at Mapquest's suggested route involving roads with only numbers, i.e. US 395. We opted to utilize those roads that also included letters, i.e. Forest Service Road A15. Through the maze of logging roads we went. We had no idea that Northern California was one of those areas of the world where carrying gas cans with you is worth considering. After about 3 hours into our supposed 3.5 hour drive we began to question our route choice. It had been at least an hour since we had seen the headlights of another vehicle and those belonged to a logging truck. The fact that the road we were travelling on didn't have any lines painted on it except for the spray painted squiggly lines pointing out frost heaves, wasn't super comforting either. We eventually did come to a sign that was barely legible but we could make out some wording indicating Lava Beds was 19 miles away. As we turned onto a dirt road covered with fresh snow we began to question our decision making process. After a couple miles of washboard bliss Clay brought up a valid point. No one has any idea where we are. I turned around. This required a 12 point turn. As we headed back we changed our mind again, we were (supposedly) only 19 miles away. Another 12 point turn. We made it further this time but then the road forked. At this point we really had no idea where we were. Another 12 point turn ensued. We then found our home that night along some other logging road. We were awakened promptly the next morning at 5:00am. Apparently loggers like to get an early start to their workday. We finally made it to Lava Beds that afternoon. We explored some lava tubes and hiked to the top of a cinder cone volcano. As we were hiking down the precipitation began again. We barely got our tent set up before the sideways snow started falling. As the snow increased in intensity and accumulation we retreated to the only warm haven we knew of. The men's restroom at the visitor center. Thoughtfully chosen since men seem to be less offended with the opposite sex in their designated restrooms. Not that their was actually anyone else visiting their national monument that fine evening. As we fired up our backpacking stove on the bathroom floor and enjoyed some delicious couscous and tuna I laughed out loud several times at the randomness of my life.
When we unzipped our tent the next morning we were rewarded with a winter wonderland scene, and some sunshine. Sunshine didn't last too long though. As we drove to Bend we drove through several full on blizzards. Yea!! After a delightful stay in Bend we are heading to the California Coast. We will keep you updated with our adventures in where to cook dinner ;)
Oh yea and Lassen Peak erupted. Who knew? I don't think anyone saw it coming!
Lassen Peak
Eureka! We finally found it!
View from look out tower at top of Schonchin Butte.
Winter wonderland scene leaving Lava Beds.
Eastern most extent of Basin & Range Mountains in Lava Beds. Ironic as we head to the western most extent of these mountains for the winter. Does that make us basin and range groupies?*This blog entry is dedicated to Mr. Bob Henry and his lack of sunlight in the great far north.
2 comments:
Thanks for the update... Also, the oven works here in Mammoth and its in a Kitchen. But really, what fun is that?
You crazy kids! :)
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