#teamhami
In 1999 we ventured out on our first hike together. An off-trail challenge to Eagle Peak. To mark our 20 year anniversary (then and now picture posted first) we wanted to tackle the mountain again. This idea has brewed and marinated for a year or so. The target area is also known for another one of Great Basin National Park's "isolated" Bristlecone Pine groves.
Last time we did this route we started from Pole Canyon and I believe it was much longer. I remember making it to the summit being absolutely thrilled but we didn't spend much time up there.
This time, we would start from Snake Creek and stay a night! My first real pack-packing trip :) Yippee!
No matter which way you intend to get to Eagle Peak, it's suuuuper steep and has ankle-rolling topography. We were a little worried about water. There's no source up high. Bryan and I carried two gallons each because it was 90 degrees in the valley that day. It was the last "warm" weekend. Cold front would move in the next couple days. Bryan even carried bat detector equipment to do surveys. What a beast, so motivated.
I took a lot of photos because I don't know if or when we will ever make it back. This was much more work than hiking Wheeler Peak. I already dream of going again but the thought of it makes me sweat. It took my calves a week to recover from this adventure. But, it was so worth it. I am so glad we talked ourselves into this. It was everything I imagined it would be: physically painful and breathtaking!
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| 1999/2019 |
I threw this second picture of Bryan in for nostalgia when he did field work at Bristlecone Cave over a decade ago. Another then and now collage :)
So, I'll warn you this is a long post. Ascending the mountain was so steep we stopped a lot to catch our breath. It was also hot enough we tried to take our short breaks in the shade of trees if possible.
It's a wonderful pine nut season although everything seems to be behind. The cones are still green.
I welcomed the little distractions as we climbed. It took the attention off my burning hamstrings and pounding muscles in my chest.
There's a quote that says "In all of life's paths, make sure a few are dirt."
I would turn it into "In all of life's paths, make sure a few are painful." Haha
Half way there we took an extended break. We climbed a 1,000 ft every mile. Whew!
So close to the top, yet so far away.... haha
Snake Creek Canyon looked really neat to the south with the winding road below. Man, you realize how extensive that road is with a bird's eye view! The Bristlecone Pines were getting greater in numbers as we made our way up the ridge. Some clinging to the sides of the cliffs (life finds a way!) Most of the trees were not very tall, but were huge in diameter. That's where they put their energy while growing so slow for thousands of years......
We made it to the Bristlecone Cave!
Here is the view of Eagle Peak summit from the cave. It was real now that we would make it tonight! Yesssssss!
Dr. Bryan Hamilton setting up the bat detector :)
#batman
After a pause, we took some water but left our huge packs for departure to the peak.....
The end was in sight. Hoping it wasn't a false summit hahaha
*Cue "Rocky" theme song music..... Eagle Peak summit!
Elevation: 10,819
Miles: 3.18
Elevation gain: 3,330
Time of day on peak: 5:51 pm
To the left, Wheeler Peak and in the distance Mt. Moriah. Then the fields of the town of Baker located on the valley floor to the right. It was a mighty feeling, a slight breeze of the last warm air as the sun lowered in the sky.
Ahhhhhhhmazing!
Soooooo stoked! Feeling I can't put into words!
The quick descent, boy did it feel great to give the ol' hamstrings a break! Refreshing switch in gears.
Besides the diameter of the trees, I noticed the incredible root systems...... exposed; but still full of life.
We returned to get our packs then watched the sun set from behind Pyramid Peak. The final rays of the sun acted like a spotlight on the ancient grove that was tucked under Eagle Peak.
Have these trees witnessed 1, 825,000 sunsets?
We found the most densely forested area with the most cushion to lay our pads, which was somewhere in between the peak and the cave. There was a fantastic view of the mountain ranges to the West from this location.
We decided to walk down a little and get out of the taller trees to see the moon rise.....
Orange "Harvest" moon rising over the twisted branches of the Bristlecone Pines. You can see the lights from the town of Garrison. We are about about to officially transition into Fall season soon.
I gingerly walked around the ancients to try to take night sky photos under the full moon......
The Milky Way faded behind the moonlight.....
It was a chilly night up at 11,000 ft. We crawled down into our sleeping bags to retain heat and block out the light.
In the morning we awoke to the call of a nut hatch bird that was curious to see us. It would fly low and keep us company while we ate breakfast and packed up. It took us 4 hours to climb the mountain and 1 hour and 45 minutes to hike down. I may add that the descent was much faster but had its challenges.
Now that it's the end of September, this most likely concludes high elevation hiking. I'm OK with that. It's been a remarkable summer of exploring. We ended on a high note. This was outstanding.
"The best view often comes from the hardest climb." When you work extra hard for something, the result is extra special. May cherished memories harbor deep inside. May the energy you put into what you love and are passionate about have the endurance and longevity of that of a Bristlecone Pine.
"Happy Anniversary Hunny B."
