Photographer

Photographer
Looking at Morro Bay from Cerro Alto

Joe in the Ventana Wilderness

Joe in the Ventana Wilderness
click image for my fine art and photos

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Cerro Alto horses at the top







Cerro alto in the Los Padres national Forrest located on hwy 41 west of Atascadero Ca .





Once again I am pleasantly surprised by a beautiful image at the top !

Monday, September 5, 2011

Rae Lake Loop

August 29 , Monday evening at Cedar Grove Camp area , yep , that's me by the camp fire enjoying a cold Sierra Nevada Beer . I followed this up with a choice rib eye steak cooked over an apple wood fire . I washed my meal down with a bottle of Opolo Zin !! The only sad part of this evening was that I did not finish the wine and had to leave a third of a bottle behind in order to have a clear head in the morning .


On August 30 , 8 am I pick up my permit at Road's End ranger station and meet up with my grand son Matt Miranda a 30 year old fire captain of Atascadero Ca. I have been very excited about this trip with him for a very long time . It is his first backpacking trip !













This Rae Lake Loop is 44 miles long starting at Road's End on Wood Creek






at the 5000 ft. level climbing up to Mist Falls , Paradise Valley , Woods crossing where it connects with the JMT and then climbs up to the Rae Lakes ( above 10,000 ft ) . The trail then goes over the Glenn Pass , a 12,000 ft. pass enjoying much snow this year !










Aug. 30 Matt and I travel to Mist Falls , then to Middle Paradise Valley , a 7.5 mile trek which included Mist falls on the east side of the trail and Buck Peak on the west side ( a 8800 ft. peak ) .This leg of the journey is flat for the first 2.5 miles and then climbs gently to a 6680 ft. elevation













Matt enjoying a mule pack train , a method of transporting supplies into the ranger stations ,high sierra camps , and trail maintenance crews .













































Shots of Matt and myself approaching Mist Falls.



























Mist Falls-------------------------























Mist Falls -------------------------


























On day 2 , Matt and I met Wayne Howard of Atascadero Ca. at Woods Creek crossing where we stayed one night. Here we hooked up with wayne .this was a prearranged plan that worked ! Wayne was in the process of finishing a through hike on the JMT , a 220 mike trek . The next day we hiked to Rae Lake ( home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the King,s Canyon .

After arriving at Rae Lakes , we all parted company with each leaving on their individual adventure ! Imloved this idea .




























The Painted Lady ,my favorite mountain in the sierras . I love the warm colors .



























Fin Mountain
This mountain , a must climb for climbers from all over the word !3 years ago Wayne and myself stayed here and fished for two days . We also ,met a girl named James who climbed this mountain free style !

























The Painted Lady in early morning light !!!!!















































































































Me again ,on my slo adventure !




































Starting my climb up to Glenn Pass .




































Glenn Pass ahead.











































rest stop before reaching Glenn Pass .















































Me resting and looking at Glenn Pass.


































































































Glenn Pass , 1200 ft . tall 1600 ft of elevation gain in less than a mile distance .

















































Some snow made climbing a challenge !
























































Typical going on the pass .













































































































First view from the top of the pass .



























































Me at the top of the pass . This is where I ate lunch .






























































.a hiker resting at the top of the pass .


























































A look down at the switch backs on the other side of the pass . ( east side ) Note the two hikers at the lower side.



































































Myself on the east side of the pass .

































































Ranger checking my permit .

They really do check for permits .




































































Deer at Vidette Meadows where I stayed after crossing the Glenn Pass . I was eating breakfast and enjoying the view ! I enjoyed this view so much that I started my hiking late an d had to hike late into the evenning .




















































































































































































































Young men crossing swift Bubs Creek at East Lake trail .













































































same














































































They are happy to have made it without falling !


































































































































































Two girls I met at Sphinx crossing camp area just 4 miles from exiting at Roads End. Note the tassles on their caps to keep the bugs away . great idea !!













Thanks for enjoying my trip .