Friday, October 18, 2013

Last Two Eastern Sierra Hikes

 

DSCN1137

Wednesday was Jim’s birthday, and he wanted to go back to the Alabama Hills Café for whole wheat pancakes. They were even better the second time around, although our service was not so good this time.

We had invited Charlie and Marti to go on a hike that afternoon, so we drove about 5 miles to Tuttle Creek Canyon and the trail that leads to The Ashram. We got a brochure and map at the Chamber of Commerce in Lone Pine, which recommended a high clearance vehicle to get to the trail. We did fine for awhile, but the rutted, rocky dirt road began climbing steeply. Jim hesitated because I questioned whether we should continue in the Subaru, then he kept losing traction as he tried to go up. Finally he backed up into a turn around and we just parked there. Hiking up the road added a little more distance to our hike, but it was a short trail anyway, so I was happy to be out of the car and walking.

It was a steep climb, starting at 6,500’ and ending at 7,700’ in about 1.6 miles.

DSCN1138

Our goal was to get to this stone house, which began construction in 1930 by Franklin and Sharifa Wolff. Due to their beliefs in Eastern Indian mysticism and philosophy, the Wolffs wanted to build a spiritual center near the highest point in the country. Unable to lease land from the Forest Service near Mt. Whitney, they settled for the next best thing, a lovely spot on a cliff overlooking Tuttle Creek Canyon and the Owen’s Valley. You have to look hard to see the house on the other side of the creek. Our hiking group was a bit concerned that we had that much farther to go at this point.

P1060189

P1060190

After some more climbing we finally reached an easy creek crossing, and shortly arrived at the ashram. Sadly it was not finished after 20 years of summer work, never getting windows or doors put in. It’s a very interesting story, which you can read more about here if interested.  

The house was constructed in the form of a balanced cross to symbolize the principle of equilibrium. It must have been quite a feat just to get supplies up to the building site. The trail we hiked on was a road at one time, but is now just a steep, narrow trail on a ridge over the canyon.

We didn’t get good pictures because of the light, so you’ll just have to make the hike up if you want to get a closer look. It truly is in a beautiful setting and worth the hike.

P1060196

P1060198

DSCN1147

Charlie and Marti left for Bishop yesterday, but we are so glad they hunted us down in the Alabama Hills. They’re also planning to go to Quartzsite in January so we hope to see them there.

Jim and I wanted to take one last hike in the high country at 10,000’, so we decided to make the 20 mile drive up Horseshoe Meadows Road and hike part of the Cottonwood Pass trail. The road up to the meadows is steep, full of switchbacks, and is one lane for a short while, but like Whitney Portal Rd it is also paved. We had to stop and take a few photos from the overlooks.

P1060206

P1060230

P1060209

We were the only car at the trailhead parking lot, and it was 51 degrees when we started our hike. We walked 2.5 fairly easy miles before the trail really started to climb, so we decided to head back as it was getting colder, down to 46 by the time we got back to the car at 4 o’clock.

The first mile or so was like walking on a wide, flat boulevard. We saw no one else the entire time. Shouldn’t we have seen a bear or something?

DSCN1164

There was a little bit of snow left in places, but we were surprised when we had to cross this icy creek.

DSCN1175

Dead trees made for some interesting natural artwork.

Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, CA1

It was a nice ending to our almost three month stay in the Eastern Sierra. We will definitely come back.

13 comments:

  1. That is some rugged looking country. It looks like a short enough hike that I might attempt it. Thanks for the pix.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fascinating story about that ashram! I'd love to visit it someday. I'm so jealous you spent almost three months in the Eastern Sierras - we only had about a week and a half, but next year I'm hoping to spend much more time there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've really enjoyed following your trip through the Eastern Sierra. Great pics. I look forward to going back there myself now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful photos. I consider the Sierra's my backyard and love to hike there. I will miss that area as we head out fulltime next summer. But will look forward to all the new hikes out there!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's a really good long time to get to know an area...especially one as beautiful as the Eastern Sierras. You've given us lots of great hikes to look forward to!

    Metamorphosis Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In our five years of travels we've always felt like southern Utah was our favorite area. After this summer and fall I think we've changed our minds! In almost three months we only covered 130 miles along 395 from Lee Vining to Lone Pine and never got bored. There is a lot more to do and see along 395 north of Lee Vining, so we have to return!

      Delete
  6. You have taken us on so many great hikes in the Eastern Sierras. Looking forward to seeing you in Quartzsite this winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Looking forward to meeting up with you and Chica.

      Jim

      Delete
  7. I love the stone house! What a beauty! Too bad it stands empty but it does the hiker a destination.
    Those roads are the kind we look for with the Jeep!

    Boy, I can't thank you enough for planning such a wonderful trip for us:) I have been pinning all the hikes and locations so we'll be ready when we get there. Can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  8. You sure found some interesting hikes. I love that house. If we go back, I think we'll go earlier. It just got too cold for our old bones. We just cut the whole trip too short.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great pictures. I had never heard of that little house; very interesting. How wonderful that you got to spend so much time in this beautiful area.

    ReplyDelete