Mountain High!

On 20 April we mounted our respective four wheel drive vehicles and set a course up Mazourka Canyon, heading north into the upper reaches of the Inyo Mountains. Our destination was Mazourka Peak, which overlooks the upper Owens Valley from the east side about halfway between Independence and Big Pine. Twice before we had attempted this run, to be turned back once by snow and another time by a leaking transmission oil cooler. This year would prove no different. We got higher, though, actually coming within sight of our objective before the snow shut us down again. Buckle up and hitch a ride with us...

Everyone has their own method of dealing with a rough trail, I suppose. Here Mike D. demonstrates his own take on safety systems... Image by Adam using his Canon Rebel XT.

Our first stop for a stretch of limbs, and the functioning of various biological subsystems. I cannot find any reference to a site name or mine name on the maps for this location, so refer to it simply as "John's Trees", as upon arrival John immediately opened his journal and began sketching these trees. I had no idea he was an artist on top of being a fabulous musician and vocalist! We are in the lower reaches of Mazourka Canyon around 6000 feet MSL, above Squares Tunnel, at the foot of Bonanza Gulch near Barrel Springs. Image by Adam using his Canon Rebel XT.

The trail up towards Mazourka Peak climbs several miles (I didn't measure them) up Mazourka Canyon, heading generally north. At times the canyon is quite narrow and the trail winds around quite a bit in it's climb. Eventually we climb out of the sage and scrub into piñon and pine, and the trail hooks around to the east and we pop out into a broad, flat basin.

After a time we passed the spot where we were turned back by snow last year. A bit farther up the trail we climbed out of the canyon into a broad basin between mountain peaks. Here, at 8700 feet, we paused at Badger Flat to let transmissions cool and enjoy the view. Image by my Fox.

The crew for '06, taken at Badger Flat looking southeast towards the Sierra Nevada. Down front, from left to right, are Matt, our son Mike, and Mike D. In the back from left to right we start with the ol' dog, The Fox, Katie, Kelli, John, Will (with the knit cap), Fred (in the light colored hat), Gloria (in front of Fred), and Adam. The trail up climbed out of the canyon immediately behind us. Taken with Gloria's Canon A95 on a tripod with a time-released shutter.

A candid image of The Fox and The Coyote by Gloria with her Canon A95.

Mazourka Peak, viewed from the northeast. We are a bit above 8800 feet here, at the far northwest end of Badger Flat. The peak is 9412 feet MSL, and is home to several radio systems for public service and law enforcement. As you can see, snow was still present at this elevation. The leader of the pack couldn't resist exploring a little further, and my Fox and I quickly found ourselves alone here as he and my mom went further up the trail to the first snowbank, while Mike and his crew headed north into the trees to explore another trail.

The end of the trail... this time. The snow in the basin ahead covers the trail completely, and none of us felt like messing up the scene by slogging through it to achieve the peak. We left it pristine for the next visitors. Image by Gloria with her Canon A95.

So we turned back, passing through Badger Flat, back into the upper reaches of Mazourka Canyon. My Fox and I were now in trail with Mike in the lead, the Grands between us. Less than mile into the canyon Mike suddenly pulled to the right into the piñon, and began to follow a barely discernable trail west. The trees pressed in on us, the snow filled the ruts of the trail, and sizeable rock became a concern as skid plates cried shrilly, scuffing granite. Our beast scrambled to keep up, our long wheelbase and considerable additional weight held us back while Mike and his lightweight Jeep Cherokee forged ahead. We quickly lost sight of him until we rounded a corner and found ourselves on a high, wide promontory.

This was one of those rare times when the youngsters were quiet, the time when I felt most strongly like I had finally managed to introduce them to the Coyote's Church of the high, shining mountains. For a fraction of their lives they just sat and stared at the mighty eastern Sierra, awed to silence. Even from our vantage point well above eight thousand five hundred feet, the jagged granite of the John Muir Wilderness towered above us across the valley. God called us, each and every one, and for a moment we all listened.

The inspiration. In this view there's at least a dozen peaks that reach past thirteen thousand feet, making them official "teeners". The peaks have names like Langley, Le Conte, Mallory, Muir, Whitney, Russell, Carillon, Tunnabora, Barnard, Versteeg, Tyndall, Keith, Bradley, University, and Diamond. Ignoring Alaska, among these are found the highest mountain peaks in the United States. Below us in the immediate foreground, fifteen hundred feet down a slope nearing the vertical, is the Santa Rita Basin, a target of opportunity for next year's trip. The Alabama Hills are almost lost in the haze at the far left (south), Independence is just left of center, and Big Pine is hidden beyond the ridge line out of the picture on the far right.

John soaking up the full impact of the view, and the implications of what it means to be a small bundle of flesh and bone in those rugged mountains. View looks south towards Mount Inyo, 11,107 feet above sea level.

And then the spell was broken, and we all became children once again. Here Katie and Kelli strike poses for Adam and his Canon Rebel XT.

Meanwhile the young males are engaged in a far more industrious activity that I can relate to whole-heartedly: the casting of stones from high places. Here Matt and both Mikes attempt to best each other at distance. I don't think targeting accuracy was a consideration, the goal was to be "farther" than the others. I don't know who won, they may not know either. We were all too busy laughing and yelling and being males...

Matt and Mike waiting for everyone else to stop fooling around so we can get back to four-wheeling.

The sun was still high in the sky, so while we were heading down-canyon we knew we weren't done yet.

Next stop: Reward!