Pictures of the Sierra Nevada (ie reasons to visit California)

Stole this off Yosemite National Park's Facebook page. Its a view of snow covered Half Dome from neighboring Sentinel Dome. As you might notice, we've finally received some snow! The storm last week dropped sever inches of rain in the Central Valley and over 4 feet of snow in the mountains (amount obviously controlled by elevation and local geographic controls).

AWESOME!!!!

Not the only reason to go to Cali. As long as you stay away from L.A., there is lots of places that take your breath away.

Marconius wrote:AWESOME!!!!

Not the only reason to go to Cali. As long as you stay away from L.A., there is lots of places that take your breath away.

Yeah, generally not a very big fan of the LA basin (although Universal Studios and Disney Land are both worth a visit).

Woo hoo!!! Nice pic! Do you guys ski?

Dennis324 wrote:Woo hoo!!! Nice pic! Do you guys ski?

I've not since I was in grade school, however skiing and snowboarding are both very popular winter activities in California (many do cross-country skiing and snow shooing too, but those are far less popular).

"I wish I could ski or snowboard. I haved Joe Namath knees though. Too many injuris. Lol!

Dennis324 wrote:"I wish I could ski or snowboard. I haved Joe Namath knees though. Too many injuris. Lol!

You need one of these so:



Was on a ski trip a few years ago and one fo the guys had one - could never figure out how you actually stop/slow down though on one of these as he was always at the foot of the slope before we got half-way down....

This is off Cressman's Market's facebook page. This picture was taken during last week during a large, well needed snow storm. My grandparents live off a long, one lane, private road across the highway.

Stole this from a friends facebook. This is a shot from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park.

A peak in Kings Canyon towering over the Kings River near the 'town' of Ceder Grove. The wife and I were up there last weekend, but haven't uploaded any pictures yet.

Stolen from the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park's Facebook.

Hey is there any danger of wildfires hitting that area?

Dennis324 wrote:Hey is there any danger of wildfires hitting that area?

Every year there are several wildfires in the Sierra Nevada. Low fires that burn the underbrush, but not the tree canopy, are an important component of the natural ecologic system (ie Giant Sequoias' pine cones require the heat from fire to open up and disperse seeds). Larger fires that burn the entire stand are a problem that is usually mitigated through fuel thinning projects and are suppressed by fire crews near populated areas, however in the wilderness they're usually allowed to burn themselves out.

Man, the Grays and Blues were moving this last time out. We had mild weather and I was lucky enough to be offshore 5/12 & 5/13. Usually the wind is howling this time of year and the fog is setting in, but we had a 5mph breeze and clear skies so you could see each and every spout. On the 13th the Grays were breaching. I let my guys (who are all from the Gulf area) watch for about an hour in awe. There must have been 50 breaches in that one hour. Nothing like seeing a 50+ foot animal clearing the water. Of course the Blues don't jump, but there is a special feeling you get when you see an animal swim by and he is longer than the structure you are on. I wish we could get good pics. One day I will bring a good quality camera with me. Even then I'm afraid I lack the skill needed for great photography.

So Bryant, you been out on the water yet???

Marconius wrote:
So Bryant, you been out on the water yet???

I once took a ferry from Long Beach to Santa Catalina Island (about 22 miles each way), but that was the only time I've been out on the ocean. Saw a bunch of dolphins cruising around, but no whales or sharks.

On another note, last Tuesday my wife and I drove up 101 from LA to Pismo and got to see several of the offshore platforms in the area (I think I counted ~8-9).

Another image stolen from Yosemite's Facebook page. The settlement of Dana City was founded near the top lake in the above picture in the late 1800's in support of a large silver mining operation. At an elevation of ~10500 ft, Dana City is perched well above the Great Sierra Wagon Road that serviced neighboring boom town Bennetsville. Today little is left of either settlement.



Abandoned stone cabins in Dana City.


Whats left of Bennetsville.