Sonora Pass, June Lake, and Hot Creek

Now that spring has finally arrived in Lake Tahoe, the mountain passes are starting to open.  Last week we drove south to Sonora Pass.  The pass has been closed all winter because it is so high in elevation, but it was scheduled to open at noon one day last week and we were the FIRST vehicle through the gate.

Lots of snow remains above 9,000 ft. 

Snow capped peaks in the distance. 

What a nice spot for a picnic lunch... with a view of Leavitt Falls. 

The view of the bottom of the falls from the picnic area. 

Following Caltrans to the top of the pass!  

At the top of Sonora Pass we found a place that looked suitable for skiing so we got out the skis, strapped on the skins, and began climbing to the top.  

At this time, I would like to formally issue an apology to my dear husband. As we were getting our gear ready to go skinning, I realized that there was only 1 platypus (the water bladder that goes in our backpacks so we have easy access to take a sip of water whenever we need it while we are skinning).  Fortunately, we had water bottles so I was still able to carry water but it was MUCH more inconvenient because if I got thirsty I had to stop and take my backpack off.  Anyway, I was grumpy during the whole hike.  Mike would offer me water from his, but I refused out of spite.  I threw myself a little pity party.  It happens occasionally.  

Mike getting some needed hydration at the top (please note the convenience). 

Pity party is over... sitting on top of the world.  

My mode of transportation in the snow... and Mike's truck WAY in the distance in the small parking area.  

Last weekend, Mike and I took another trip South of Tahoe.  We camped Friday night at June Lake.  The scenery on the drive down was beautiful!

Mono Lake - a salt water lake. 

A rushing stream feeding Grant Lake (I think???)

June Lake is an awesome area.  There is an adorable little fishing town, surrounded by tons of lakes.  Our campsite had views of the crystal clear/teal waters of June Lake PLUS awesome views of the surrounding mountain peaks.  It was like all the quaint aspects of the fishing towns on the St. Lawrence River plus the awesomeness of the peaks in the Swiss Alps!  The high sierra is truly a beautiful area.

A little paddleboarding as the sun starts setting. 

Watching Mike paddleboard. 

Z gets his own chair and blanket by the campfire.  

The view of the peaks from our tent.  

After spending some time at June Lake and the surrounding smaller lakes, we drove down towards Mammoth Lakes for the afternoon.  We stopped just outside Mammoth at a place called Hot Creek which is literally a creek/river that is fed by several natural hot springs.  The water temp in the creek is perfect - a mix of the cold water from upriver plus the water coming in from the springs.

The view from the top of the trail. 

 It was an awesome weekend with beautiful weather (something I am getting VERY used to).  We were all pleasantly exhausted.  

Caught Z sleeping with his head up on the way home. 

 The drive home was beautiful!  Despite our exhaustion, we stopped for a few more pictures of the beautiful scenery along the Carson River.  

That's it for now, but we are always looking for more adventures in the Sierra!  

Our New Normal

I've worked one week of full time outpatient at the hospital here in South Lake Tahoe and so far, I am loving it.  I imagine it will get pretty busy at times.  It's a little overwhelming right now because I am having to relearn some of my orthopedic stuff from grad school, but it's also sort of exciting.  The people I work with make everyday FUN.  I love that everyone gets along.  It is really like a work family and I'm happy to be a part of it.

In addition to working more regular hours, my job and co-workers motivate me to stay active.  Many of the rehab team members like running and the hospital has offered to pay the registration fees for any employee wanting to run a trail race in June.  So, I signed up.... for the 12K.  [Not sure what I was thinking.]  That is 7.5 miles... on a "steep" trail... approximately 7,000 ft above sea level.  Awesome.  My only goal is to complete the race.  The longest race I've done so far is a 10K (6.2 miles at sea level) so I think this race in June will be a pretty good challenge for me.

As I am getting used to my new work schedule, Mike and I are still managing to find time for our hobbies.  Saturday after work, we decided to go skinning at Heavenly.  We parked at a different lodge this time, and climbed up different ski runs for a totally different workout than my last post.  It has been very warm here for the past few days so the snow was very slushy.  In fact, it was so warm that I took my jacket off and wore only a t-shirt during the climb.  It took us almost 3 hours to climb 2600 vertical feet.

Snow capped mountains in the distance during the climb to the top. 

We stopped about half way up for a rest break (and to apply moleskin to our blisters). 

We followed the ski runs to the top of one of the highest chair lifts at the resort.  The valley and lake views were amazing.  The sun was just starting to set but there was still plenty of daylight.  We sat and munched on trail mix while listening to the sound of live music coming from South Lake Tahoe.  I could really get used to having the ski resort to ourselves.    

Mike enjoying a well-deserved adult beverage and trail mix at the top. 

After skinning, we are always EXHAUSTED!  

Today, after I worked this morning at the hospital, we indulged in our other favorite hobby: paddleboarding.  We put in at the upper Truckee river... and paddled to where it feeds the lake.  

Mike carrying one of the boards down to the water.  

The water is not as clear back here, but it was neat to paddle around the marshes.  It reminded us a lot of paddling at the coast in North Carolina.  

A group of stand up paddleboarders in the distance.  

Where the river meets the lake, there is this awesome (and long) sand peninsula. 

From there, we paddled over to the Tahoe Keys; a neighborhood of waterways where every house is waterfront property.  

There are some BIG boats on this lake. 

Some homes in the Keys. 

After paddling for a while in the Keys, picking out our favorite homes and boats, we paddled back out to the peninsula to take a little break.  

People partying at the end of the peninsula... they brought a whitewater raft full of party supplies.  

Looking down the sand bar... that's Heavenly in the distance... we were at the top yesterday. 

After some time in the sun, we paddled back along the river to the car.  

We are having a wonderful time getting settling into our new "routines."  

Please note: I post these pictures and stories so that everyone back home knows we are happy and safe.  They are not intended to make anyone jealous.  Tahoe is a pretty awesome place so don't be jealous... just come visit!   

Old and New

One very busy day last week... Mike and I took the Subaru to a shop in town to have my studded snow tires switched out for my summer tires.  While we were waiting, we took a little drive in his truck down to Emerald Bay (a MUST see location for anyone who visits).  We've been there several times, but on this particular day we decided to hike through the campgrounds, and took a short but steep hike down a trail that led to the beautiful waters of Emerald Bay.

This place gets very crowded with people and boats in the summer so it was amazing to have the entire place to ourselves on such a beautiful day!

It was a beautiful spot for a picnic lunch.  

After our lunch break, we headed back up the steep trails.  

Here is the view of Emerald Bay from the campground.  

As SOON as we took the studded snow tires off the Subaru, the weather changed from mid to upper 60's and SUNSHINE to 20-30 degrees temperatures and SNOW.  Go figure.  

So a few days ago we got a decent little snow storm... maybe 2-5 inches at our house and probably a few more inches in higher elevations.  Heavenly Ski Resort has already closed for the season (they closed last weekend), but that didn't stop us from enjoying the snow.  So yesterday when I got off work, we slapped the skins on our skis and headed out the door.  

It was so convenient to drive just .5 mile down the street and park at Boulder Lodge (one of Heavenly's ski lodges).  We grabbed our skis out of the bed of the truck, put the jacket on the dog, and began our climb.  

It was a steep FUN climb.  We skinned up 3 ski runs... passed 3 chair lifts... and finally made it to the top of Olympic Express chair lift in just under 3 hours.  It was a total climb of approximately 2300 vertical feet.  It was also 28 degrees out and snowing off and on.  

Lake Tahoe is down there somewhere... behind the cloud of snow coming toward us. 

The wonderful thing about skinning is: even when it's below freezing outside, the slow and steady nature of the climb keeps your heart rate up.  Believe me, you will stay warm when you are skinning.  The bad part is: when the sun comes out you get HOT and have to strip some layers of clothing.  And on this day, since the snow was "off and on," we had to stop frequently to strip off layers and then put them back on.  

After 3 hours and 2,000 calories burned, we made it to the top... took our skins off... and got ready for the 5 minute ski down.  It's really depressing that it takes SO long to get to the top, and the ride down is so quick... so let's not talk about that any longer.  

Zater and his snow beard.  

Z had icicles hanging off his whiskers... but he was still panting from his workout. 

Post skinning routine includes: 

1) soaking our "soon-to-be-sore" muscles in the hot tub

2)splitting a LARGE cheese pizza (and finishing every. single. slice)

3)relaxing on the couch until bedtime.  

We are VERY good at the post-skinning routine.  

Until next time...

Yosemite National Park

Spontaneous trips are the BEST!  Especially when they work out like you hoped!  Friday after I finished work at the hospital, we decided to drive down to Yosemite (we basically planned all this on Thursday afternoon).  It's about a 4 hr drive because many of the mountain passes are still closed for the winter... so we had to go a little out of our way to get there but it was a really scenic and beautiful drive.  The trees and meadows were all that "new spring" color.  

Everything was green and the flowers were beginning to bloom. 

This was the last weekend of "first come, first served" camping... beginning on Wednesday most of the campsites will be by reservation only (please note: you must make reservations 6 MONTHS in advance and all campsites are usually reserved within minutes of opening the reservations).  So, I felt like this was our last chance to go for a while.  The weather was supposed to be BEAUTIFUL so we took the risk.  Because of the long drive we didn't get there until late afternoon/early evening on Friday and I was nervous we would be too late and the sites would be full.    

BUT... we made it and we got a perfect little campsite with no one else around! We got everything set up just before it got dark!  

We spent some time by the fire... had a few s'mores... and headed to bed.  

I got up and the dog took my seat!!! 

Overnight lows were in the 40's... it was chilly.  

The next day we spent our time walking and driving around the park.  As we were driving in I kept thinking, "This is really nice, but it's not anything amazing."  Then we rounded the corner and caught our first glimpse of El Capitan and Half Dome.  From then on... it. got. amazing.  

Mike and I in front of El Capitan and Half Dome (way in the distance). 

Bridal Veil Falls (in the distance) and the Merced River. 

 Seeing El Capitan in person is awesome.  I completely understand why this National Park is so popular!  It is a 3,593 ft vertical wall of sheer granite!  It is truly breathtaking.  

El Capitan on the right and Ribbon Falls off to the left. 

Bridal Veil Falls

Not a cloud in the sky!!!  And waterfalls EVERYWHERE! 

 We did a short hike to Lower Yosemite falls which is a super easy walk that takes you right to the base of the falls.  The hike to Upper Yosemite falls was quite a bit longer and much more strenuous so we opted not to do that one.  Besides, you get a lot of views of the upper falls from all around the park.

Upper Yosemite falls

Lower Yosemite falls

YES... That IS a tight rope walker walking across the UPPER Yosemite falls!  CRAZY. 

Upper and Lower falls in one picture. 

Upper and Lower falls again... yeah that guy was walking a tight rope UP THERE at the top!  Ridiculous! 

After our little hike we climbed out on some rocks and sat beside the rushing river while we ate lunch.

Another landmark of Yosemite National Park is Half Dome.  Such a prominent part of the landscape.  I can't believe people climb this dome in the summer.

A different view of Half Dome... from the backside. 

Mike and Zater enjoying the view of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Perfection. 

 After seeing those major landmarks... we hit up one more trail that promised views of Giant Sequoias.  We walked a mile down a pretty steep road without seeing anything (we saw some big 'ol trees, but nothing "GIANT").  Again... we came around a corner and there they were!  Sadly, the pictures don't convey their magnitude.

 When a tree falls in the woods, and no one is around to hear it... does it make a noise???  In this case I'm pretty sure the answer is YES.  It made a noise.  I feel pretty certain.

That's a big 'ol tree... 

It was actually pretty cool reading all the plaques that shared info on the history of the area.  The road we were walking on was once a toll road (in the 1800's) and they cut this opening in the tree to encourage drivers to use the toll road.  

Welcome to my new tree house!  

TONS of carvings done by visitors on the inside of the "Dead Giant"

From the inside looking up through the hollow part.  

Mike... giving a little perspective on how LARGE the base of this tree was. 

After hiking and driving around in the park all day, we went back to our campsite to rest our weary legs.  We couldn't have asked for a better trip to Yosemite.  Because it was still early in their season, there weren't too many other visitors/tourists (Mike and I kept saying how we can't imagine this place in the summer... I feel positive it gets PACKED with tourists).  The weather was simply perfect: highs in the 70's and lows into the 40's at night.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky the whole time we were there.  And at night, we would sit by the campfire and watch millions of stars come out.  

Anyway, now we are home and thoroughly exhausted from cleaning the car and all of our camping gear.  Time to rest and relax before getting back to reality tomorrow: first day as a full time outpatient PT is TOMORROW!!!