Baker School Science Class Hike

Baker School had a great Science class trip lined up. How many 3-6 graders get to hike through a Bristlecone Pine grove for a day? Also, the whole school has the stamina to do it! We grow them strong in the high country :)
Of course I signed up Willow and I to go along too. Willow is ready for any adventure. Look at this face saying, "Bring it on!" 

When the bus stopped at Mather Overlook, I had to document it. It was the first time I've ever seen a school bus on the Scenic Drive. Luckily our bus is under 24 ft long :)

It was a beautiful day for a hike! I love Fall wandering :)
We ran into a familiar face at the overlook. She was busy cleaning the bathroom....

Ranger Grandma! The day just got even better!

18 miles after leaving the school, 5 thousand feet higher (meandering through various life zones) and parked at 10,000 ft ~ we were ready to rumble!

Carol is a great Science teacher; grabbing the kid's attention.....

Starting to enter the ancients....

There was a threatening sky with a chance of rain. But, nasty weather didn't materialize thankfully....

Willow fell asleep in the pack for half of the hike up. Her weight wasn't too much of an issue hiking. I've carried kids in a pack for almost a decade. However, when she rotated to one side with her dead sleep weight, my shoulders were not happy. With her, my gear and the unbalanced weight I had to keep rubbing my shoulder. I was carrying at least 40 pounds. May as well be doing a pack test hahaha. I knew I'd get relief after her slumber :)

We stopped periodically to take in the amazing October view.....

This is probably one of the most photographed Bristlecone pines which clings with exposed roots next to the trail....
I played around with the editing :)

The last leg of the trail required treading switchbacks. You have to be careful not to roll your ankles on talus rocks....

Along the trail we met an older gentleman from California. He told us he was 92 years young!
Simply inspiring!

"Treehuggers"

"Bristlecone" and "Willow"
Haha

At the heart of the grove, we took a group photo. What a great group of kids.

On the official first day of Fall, it snowed in the mountains. Some snow still was still present on the trees....

Willow was refreshed with a nap and food in her belly. She had enough fuel to tackle the mountain. She hiked the whole (2.8 mile 600 ft elevation) down the trail by herself. What a trooper!

The detail of the wood of this forest is memorable. The shapes and colors pop out.

We paused for breaks in cool spaces, like hollowed-out tree trunks :)

We are fortunate to experience days like these. Building memories....

Public Lands Day 2016

Great Basin National Park hosted National Public Lands Day this year. There were education stations from the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Division of Wildlife,and Forest Service. It was a beautiful sunny day. We grabbed a free t-shirt before enjoying the hours....

One of the first stations was learning about Archaeology. Specifically making arrowheads and the types of rocks used.....

Bryan was one of the presenters. Willow ran to her dad as soon as she saw him behind the visitor center. She will always be a daddy's girl :)

Bryan presentation was about different types of snakes.....

The live snakes are always a huge hit!

At the next station, the kids learned about the fire truck. They even got to operate some of the equipment.....

Smokey the Bear attended National Public Lands Day too of course. Willow was afraid of him last year. This year she was interested in him. She gave him high-5's, fist-bumps, and hugs (and she will tell you that)..... hahahaha

Even at at a distance, Willow was still waving goodbye to Smokey...... haha

Another Station: "Leave No Trace." Complete with a great game and goodies to take home!

We returned to Bryan's station where things were really exciting, as he was displaying the rattlesnake.....

I had to take a selfie with the biggest celebrity there of course ;)

Remember, we are stewards of the land. Nevada is amazing because 96 % of it is public land.
 I value our vast, beautiful, ever-changing spaces.
We remember to tread lightly and "take only pictures and memories. Leave only footprints."