Trailside Adventures: Adventure Bucket List Part 1: White Peak, Bristlecone Pine Forest, Grandview Campground, and Alabama Hills.

Location, location, location. As an outdoor and nature addict, there are far to many locations across the world that seem to call out and stalk my brain, leaving the areas unique perspective engraved in my minds eye. Yet, I can't seem to get away to them all. However, I have found that with planning I am able to get to many of the locations that should be on any adventurer's bucket list.

In this, the first edition TrailSide Advenutre's Adventure Bucket List, we take a look at a very unique area in South East California. High mountains, amazing views, unique rock formations, and much else make a trip down US-395 (don't forget to check out some breweries on the way) extremely worth the time and effort. Starting with Grandview Campground, we head up the road to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. Further, well, all the way up the road, we climb a 14er in California, White Peak. Last, we head down the mountain, head south on US-395 and visit the Alabama Hills Recreation Lands.

GRANDVIEW CAMPGROUND

Sunset from Grandview Campground

17 miles, and many feet above Bishop, California, sits a solitary and primitive campground known as Grandview. No water, no electricity, not many people, and a view to enjoy for hours. Grandview is also a wonderful place to camp for its easy access to both the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest and a climb of White Peak. If you have time, exploration of the canyon below can also be a very wonderful and valuable experience. And, the price of camping? A suggested $5.00 donation.

Sunset from Grandview Campground

Camp at Granview Campground

Don't forget to bring
a camera, plenty of
water, and a 5 dollar bill!

For more info, go to:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=20268&actid=29

ANCIENT BRISTLECONE PINE FOREST

Bristlecone Grove

Travis Korbe with Bristlecone

Five miles up the road, stands the impressive stand of trees known as Ancient Bristlecone Pines. The oldest, nicknamed both "The Patriarch" and "Methuselah," is aged at over 4,700 yeas old. Two groves are available to hike through; Schulman and Patriarch. As well, picnic tables, restrooms, and self-guided nature trails are available for visitors. The area is usually open from mid May through November, but snow can cause the roads to close earlier. And once again, remember the camera, as the views of the Great Nevada Basin are magnificent from around the area.

The author with Bristlecone

For more info, go to:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/inyo/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5129900

WHITE PEAK

Travis Korbe and the Author on White Peak Summit

Marmot on rock outcropping along the route.

Further up the road and mountain is a parking area for the trail (road) head to climb White Peak. White peak is the 3rd highest peak in California, and the highest outside of the Sierra Nevada Range. At 14,296 feet, it is also one of the easier 14ers to climb. The route follows a closed off road much of the way, leading past the science research station, Barcroft Station. The route then heads up through large opening filled with rocky outcropping and many marmots waiting to steal your lunch. At the summit one is welcomed with amazing views of Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierra Nevada. As well, a rock building that is used as a weather station sits on the 14,246 foot summit.

White Peak, 14,246 Feet.

For more info, go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20230

ALABAMA HILLS RECREATION LANDS

At 30,000 acres, Alabama Hills is a unique high desert landscape of huge rock outcroppings. About one hour south of Bishop, just west of the town of Lone Pine, Alabama Hills are known for its use in the filming of many movies and television shows, most being westerns. Yet other movies and shows, or parts of, have been filmed here, including newer films like Django Unchained, Iron Man, and the TV series Firefly. Us TrailSide Adventurer's even walked right through a film set in our exuberance to explore the and climb the rocky landscape.

Beyond the Hollywood history of the area, Alabama Hills is a nature lovers dream. Exploration of all the nooks and crannies takes one back to childhood, and the thrill of crawling through any crevice or hole one can find. The area is easily explored, as dirt roads are throughout the area, and the terrain is easy to navigate. Just bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and sunglasses on warmer days, as the sun reflecting off the rocks and dirt can be extremely intense.

Rock outcropping in Alabama Hills.

The Mobius Arch Trail, a loop trail, will also give one a great view of the Sierra Nevada's, and of several arches in the area. The most popular, and the namesake of the trail, is the Mobius Arch, which is plenty wide and tall enough to stand in. As well, the area has very interesting flora, including Beaver Tail Cactus and Pineapple Cactus. Many other plants are within the flats around the rocks, and Alabama Hills could easily take of several days of ones time.