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Our Summer of 2002..... |
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We live in the southern California desert. Summer temperatures climb up over the 100 degree mark so if we can get away for the summer we do so. This year we visited the Owens Valley and Long Valley area (again), about 300 miles north, and 3,000 to 5,000 feet higher in elevation. Much cooler. We find ourselves returning to this area time and time again as on each visit we discover aspects of the history and geology of this locale that we were unaware of before. In particular, Long Valley is a �caldera� - the remains of a volcano that exploded many years ago. The region is still active, with hot springs in many places. There is one power plant being operated by geothermal steam. Did I get photos of everything this year? No, but we will be going back again next year, with a �shopping list� of points of interest to photograph.
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Site #70 in the BLM campground on Tuttle Creek, west of Lone Pine. Our first stop of the trip. Pit toilets, no drinking water, no camping fee. The stream is stocked with trout during the fishing season.
There is a total of 9 inches of blocking under the wheels on the downhill side to level the trailer! The creek is about 40 feet behind the rear of the trailer, with a 10 foot bank to walk down to reach the water.
We stayed 10 days, and were �evacuated� when a fire started in the trees along the creek bed about 150 yards downstream. It came to within 60 feet of the trailer. This is a windy campground - notice the extra tie-down lines on the awning
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This map shows the area generally referred to as the �Eastern Sierras�. (Copied from a booklet listing real estate for sale.) The roads are accurate, but the impression that the mountains are to the west of the several National Parks that are shown is incorrect. An example? Looking at Hwy 120 west out of Lee Vining. That road goes up over 10,000 feet elevation before reaching the Parks eastern boundary. (About the cost of houses. The higher the elevation, the higher the price.)
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We arrived at the Glass Creek NFS campground five and a half weeks before �Labor Day� - the first Monday in September. The time limit for staying there is 42 days. We were to leave on Sept. 7. Once again - a free CG. The previous Camp Host departed on Sept. 5, and we assumed his duties - keep the �facilities� clean - and stocked with toilet paper. A volunteer position - no pay involved - but no time limit on the length of stay for the Host.
We had not planned on being at 7,500 feet elevation for the last part of September and early October. Had to visit several �Thrift Stores� in Mammoth Lakes and June Lake for heavy jackets etc..
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Before we left, we needed those jackets! On October 1st we woke up to about two inches of snow. The next night was overcast - the following night was clear and cold. Our thermometer showed 16 F at 0630 in the morning. We started making plans to head for lower terrain where it would be warmer. The photo-voltaic (solar) panels worked well, but the two �deep cycle� batteries in the trailer were five years old, and had been subjected to some abuse and neglect over the years, and were not holding their charge very well at all. That cut back the use of the furnace to keep warm. Buuurrrr�..
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The new �facility�. Federal law mandates that facilities must be wheelchair accessible. (The signs even have Braille lettering.) This one was installed in August 2002. These buildings are all pre-cast concrete, as is the �vault� beneath them. There is no chance of material leaching into the surrounding soil as there is/was with the old units.
I suggested to a Forest Service chap that the first two users be presented with �Certificates of Achievement� - but it was too late to do anything about it. (Personal note to Steve L. - Next time?)
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The Glass Creek campground has existed for over 75 years and it has always been free, but with minimal facilities. This is one of the �facilities�. There is a second door on the other end - a �two-holer� - but separated.
I must admit that there is one �facility� at Glass Creek - a two-holer - with just one door! Now that concept goes way back!
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We were away for 102 days, of which one night was spent in an RV park with �hook-ups�. Laundry entailed a trip to the nearest town to find a Laundromat. For sox, handkerchiefs and other small items, a bucket, our clothes line, and the modified �plumbers helper� seen here saved time and money. One mistake - the three holes up near the handle squirt water straight back up towards the operator! The holes should be in the lower portion only.
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A "Click" on this image gets you to the next page..... |
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