White Mountains run June 13-15

[spertierra]

I did my pre-run of the White Mountains. Originally, I planned driving up Wyman canyon, and back down the other side on Silver canyon rd. These are easy to moderate trails, and nice for sightseeing, but there was something else I wanted to try. I had read of a trailReconnoitering in the Great Basin & Eastern Sierra By 4x4 - Wyman Creek to Crooked Creek, that had never been included in a guidebook. From the "RECONNOITERING* IN THE EASTERN SIERRA NEVADA & GREAT BASIN BY 4-WHEEL-DRIVE", this is what they wrote"Roger Mitchell, in his SUV Trails series of books says this road is impassable. Local wags tell me the same. I think it's time to take a little reconnoiter and find out for myself. Maybe it is impassible, maybe it's the best kept secret in the White Mountains." Well, I just had to know the truth about this one, so I made a change in plans.

I started the morning driving thru the desolate Deep Springs valley, to the trail head. Wyman Canyon itself is worth the trip, with an abundance of scenery




After 7 miles, I turned onto the start of the crooked creek trail. I climbed up a ridgelin for about a mile, and crested it to find a very remote area of exceeding beauty.

[spertierra]

I drove down into dead horse meadows, through several gulches. At 3.5 miles, the road turns left. Here, I took a a side road that looked promising. It went a couple of miles, but petered out. Some challenging sections, made this side trip worth it, although nerve racking.




After returning to the main trail, I got back to bussiness. At 4.5 miles, all prior knowledge of the trail ended, the trail description will become less detailed. I knew that the only trail description ended at a mountain climb up switchbacks. I proceeded up the switch backs which were steep, narrow, obstacle littered, and fun.



Very hazy, but you can see all the way to Death Valley(or at least Eureka Valley, and the dunes)

Obviously, this trail is still in use, about halfway up the mountain, I came across minning operations, both old and new.

As can be seen, the road is narrow, and boulder strewn. I hit one boulder with my bumper, bounced up and landed on my slider, while trying to avoid the drop down the mountain.

[spertierra]

At the top, the road becomes very rocky, and slow going. It also became near impossible to see, as it blended in with the surrounding terrain.


Can you spot the trail?

Sitting on top of the world.


Dropping into the valley that crooked creek runs through.


The road starts improving


The road goes on


As far as I'm concerned, mission acomplished, I reached the Crooked Creek research center.


The drive took about 4 hours, 25 miles, and is by far, one of the best trails I have ever driven.

[spertierra]

Now here is the pay-off, the ancient bristcone pine forrest. The oldest living trees(or any other plant or animal for that matter) on the planet. These trees grow at extreme altitude, and can live 4,000 years or more. The oldest one was accidently cut down by a researcher, in the 60's. It was aged over 4,800 years old.






Taking the high road

[spertierra]

Driving to my campsite on White mtn rd



And finnally, the campsite.


I had started 9:30 at about 3000 ft, temp 84f.
At the end, 6 hours later, I had climbed to 11,400ft, where the temperature at 3:30, was 64f. I had gone from high desrt, to high mountain peaks, with views of Death Valley, Nevada, Mt Whitney, and the Owens Valley, sometimes all at once.

[ballkillerxxx]

well that is just plain cool! first green Fj I have seen also and good history lesson on the trees I had no idea!

[vhram]

Enjoy that trip while you can, From what I heard the whole area except the Brislecone area is being closed off as wilderness and the roads are going to be closed. I think it was Boxer that put the Bill thru. Ill find the info and post it. we have spent alot of time in that whole area and enjoyed it. I want to take my wife and son thru before its closed.The deer hunting zone for that area is x9c if you look it up you can find the article.Its a beautiful but remote area.Great write up and pics by the way.

[vhram]

I found the bill info .House resolution bill 6156. I hope this can be stopped .The white mtns are a fun place to explore.

[spertierra]

Does it mention the Wymany canyon area? I Haaaate, hate hate Boxer, I just do.

[uphill]

Excellent report. I have heard the same thing - that area is to be kept as a Wilderness Area, which means we can walk in or take horses, but vehicle traffic will be eliminated.