Eastern Sierra Get Away

   Dawn at Mono Lake South Tufa State Reserve, Lee Vining, CA

We just came back from our 5 day unplanned get-away to the Eastern Sierra, which is one of my favorite nature escapes in California. What makes the Eastern Sierra so unique is that this desert environment has so much small streams from the snow covered mountains that creates a vast desert landscape with surprising regions of riparian green habitat that provides a refuge to a diverse wildlife. 

 Desert and Snow, The Geographical Diversity in Eastern Sierra, CA

From the lowest point in Northern America to the highest point in the contiguous US, there is so much diversity in the Eastern Sierra that is a geological wonderland to a keen observer.          

 Lowest Point in Northern America at  Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, CA                

 Highest Point in Contiguous US, Mt Whitney, Sequoia National Park, CA
(but photographed from Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, CA)

There are so many geological features in Eastern Sierra and so many trails that vary from desert to alpine environment. What I will share in this post is a glimpse to our 4-day unplanned getaway just recently. 

Day 1: From San Diego to Lone Pine via Death Valley National Park.                                         

Darwin Falls, Panamint Springs, Death Valley National Park

Day 2: Lone Pine to Bishop                                      

  Sunrise at Lone Pine, Eastern Sierra, CA                                       

 Manzanar National Historical Site, Eastern Sierra, CA                                        

Day 3: Bishop to Lee Vining                                      

Pleasant Valley Dam, Owens River, Bishop, CA

   Bishop Creek Canyon                                      

 Contrasting landscape, Bishop                                         

 Dusk at Mono Lake, Lee Vining, CA

Day 4: Lee Vining to Lone Pine                                      

Mono Lake, dawn                                      

  Hot Creek Hot Springs, Mammoth Lakes, CA                                      

 Eureka Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park, CA

Day 5: Trip back to San Diego from Lone Pine.
Whenever I explore places, I try also to imagine some places that may share some similarity. Doing this makes me feel like I have been to many places at one time. Having not enough time, resources and energy to explore all places in the world, when I take a hike, I close my eyes and transport myself to another place sometimes. Perhaps, very similar to the contrasting geography and weather in California is Alicante, Spain. Most of the province of Alicante has semi-arid environment such as the deserts of Eastern Sierra. Whereas the Northeastern part of Alicante bordered by the sea has true Mediterranean weather like the coastal region of Southern California. Their mountain regions are also not spared from snow just as California mountains. The Mediterranean weather closer to the ocean, the sand dunes in arid valleys and four seasons mountains provide so much geographical diversity in Alicante.  Since getting to Alicante has been made easier by the region's excellent transport networks, its natural features and culture make it one of the most surprising and visited provinces in Spain..
The similarity of the geographical contrasts in California, Alicante, and in most other places remind us that Earth is beautiful wherever we may be if we open ourselves to the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us. Come, let us open ourselves to nature, learn from her and be healed by her relaxing power.

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