travel with pam and wade: Eastern Sierras 2011

View from Tuttle Creek Camp - Mount Whitney Vicinity

Our next stop was the Visitor Center at the Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains at about 9000 ft. elevation! There was still snow on the ground. We camped at Grandview Campground about 3 miles down the mountain, elevation 8600 ft. It was a primitive campground with breathtaking views. Very few people. Again, we were dry camping and this time we were also "off the grid" - no cell phone coverage. A very unique experience, but kinda liberating!

The habitat was oak/conifer/juniper/sage. We saw Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Chickadee, Scrub Jay, Clarks Nutcracker, Titmouse, White Breasted Nuthatch, Red-Tail Hawk, and an unidentified Falcon type bird. The first night we were sitting outside enjoying a glass of Zinfandel and a Nuthatch flew right down on the table to investigate Wade's wine; not timid at all. It was amazing!

We spent the next few days just relaxing, walking, birdwatching and enjoying ourselves. The weather was very clear and cool in the daytime - in the 60's, but REALLY cold at night, in the 20's. Our heater worked great and kept us comfy. Love those solar panels! We stayed there through October 20th and are now camping near Mono Lake in a private campground with hookups! Living large! Will write again in a few days. See pictures below.