Found: Lost. Lost Peak That Is.

We had a day in Inyokern because I was called for jury duty and that was a flailing disaster.  How big a disaster you may ask, from the court's website:

The Kern Superior Court continues to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus situation.  The court is following guidance provided by the Judicial Council of California, Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit the spread of the virus.

Yes, it is always good to take, as your first source of information on a pandemic, the guidance of a Judicial Council -- yes, lawyers for advice on a medical problem.  I guess that is why lawyers can do their appearance via videoconferencing, but jurors have to show up in person.  I wrote some pointed answers to their questionnaire, and received a phone call that said in effect, since you are such a sissy and don't want this virus and think letting a hundred mask wearing people traipse through the courthouse without even doing the basic step of taking temperatures is a lame idea you will be called again in December as punishment, but hey, you don't have to show up again now.  I followed it up with a really pointed email on their fails, and received no response at all to that.  So, Californians, your state wants you to die for the judiciary, or at least that is my interpretation of events.

Moving along here, we used our free day to do some exploration.  I pulled up my handy dandy map, and said where can we go that is within an hour of home, that is likely to be cooler than here, and someplace we have never been.  It jumped off the page at me -- Lost Peak, five or so miles round trip, 1500' or so elevation gain, no trail, no people.  Let's do it.

It was an interesting hike.  Some of the biggest, most stunning, junipers I have ever seen with a few huge Jeffery pines and firs.  There was also lots of brush, which made for slow going as we pushed our way through while attempting to follow the smart deer and bear.

What were our rewards, first would be a Peregrine Falcon that is probably nesting as it repeatedly stooped on us as were on a cliff face.  Second, would be the views from the top, giving us views from Domelands to Mount Whitney.  Third, we discovered an actual trail that we have never walked.  Something to explore this winter.

Bob pushing through some brush as we follow a deer trail.

One of many huge junipers.

You go Vanna!

Paintbrush

Bob and some big Jeffery Pines.

I think this is Death Camas.

Phlox

Violet

Honestly, someone had to chain saw some of the trees down.  Sigh.

They didn't get them all.

We are getting close to Lost.

Still getting close.

We found Lost.

From left to right -- Pine Mountain, Black Knob in front of the Domelands, Bald Mountain.

A semi-alive fir.  Most of the fir are dying.

Can't get enough of these huge junipers.

Old growth mountain mahogany.

The only problem with deer trails, is they can fit under some low bushes.

Lupine.

An actual view of Lost Peak.  It is the high point on the right, and hidden from most angles.

Rockhouse Basin

Rockhouse Basin

Spring comes earlier to the southern Sierra, typically long before the higher elevation of the High Sierra further north. This gives us an opportunity to do some dirt backpacking in late May and relatively close to home. Our trip last year to the Domeland Wilderness was a lot of fun so we decided to try it again. A little farther south along the South Fork Kern River from our route last year lies Rockhouse Basin. It's a pretty easy approach from the trailhead along the Long Valley road, only 5+ miles downhill from the car to the river. We invited our son Bobby and his fiance Chandler along for the long weekend. This would be Chandler's first backpacking experience. From what she's said, it won't be her last. We set up camp near the river (which is running good but much lower than last year) for easy access to some safe swimming.

Chandler stands by a very large boulder

Plain Mariposa Lily

California Broomrape

Larkspur

Red-rayed Hulsea

White Dome (left of center)

On our layover day we hiked out and back to a pass near Rockhouse peak overlooking Manter Meadow for a nice lunch spot. The map shows a trail up the gully we hiked, but it is severely overgrown these days.

We start our day with a camp visitor.

Our destination for the day is the distant low point in the Domelands ridge, 2000 feet above camp

This old cabin remains in Rockhouse Basin from the pre-wilderness days when you could drive in.

Climbing the gully on the non-existent trail

Rockhouse Peak is on the right

A look down to Manter Meadow from our lunch spot

A giant among nolinas.

Heading back to camp at the river below

Mountain Kingsnake to end the day

All that was left to do on the last day was walk (uphill!) back to the car. Just before we turned away from the river we heard a strange bird song. We couldn't come up with a name from the song, so took a few recordings. Try as we might we couldn't get the little skulker to come out of the willows for a view. At home later Susan put a name on it and we compared the sonogram of the song to published media. Sure enough, a Kentucky Warbler, and the first record for this species ever in Tulare County. 

eBird list day 1

eBird list day 2

eBird list day 3

Blainville's Horned Lizard

Yosemite Snow Hiking

eBird checklist

We did a couple hikes in the snow up near Yosemite.  It was lovely, beautiful red and gray mountains, with contrasting white snow.  On our first trip we went in the Bennettville area.  This is an old mining area that has a couple of still standing buildings, near the old mine.

If you look hard, you can see one of the old buildings.

Geology in action.

On our second trip we headed out of Saddlebag Lake in what is simply an achingly beautiful area.  One of my favorites, and for some insane reason we didn't manage to go last year.  Maybe to make up for it, we will have to go a few more times this year.

eBird list

These are mountain lion tracks, and as big as my hand.  We also had coyote tracks.