Remember the Mono Lake post?

Well, I'll refresh your memory or you can read the sad post with the OK ending.

The Los Angeles Water and Power Department diverted and impounded many creeks flowing east from the majestic Sierra Nevada ranges in the early 1900's. It was the era of who cares about the environment when we have people and golf courses to water in Southern California. 

By 1941, the liquid stuff from Rush Creek was being gravity force fed into the Los Angeles aqueduct. Mono Lake was left to desiccate in the Great Basin when it's life blood was severed. In the 1980's, the Mono Lake Committee and other environmentally aware groups saved the day with litigation and other soft-core arm twisting. Some water from Rush Creek would flow toward Mono Lake preventing it from becoming a dry lake bed. The lion's share would end up in LA-LA Land. It was a hard fought battle that ended in a draw.

So...guess what I saw on my hike in the Ansel Adams Wilderness?

The damn dam on Rush Creek which creates Waugh Lake! The dam was in place prior to the Wilderness Act of 1964, so it gets to stay there. 

The little drip at the bottom of the dam is what Rush Creek and Mono Lake are allowed to drink. 

Take a good look at the photos. Yes, California is in a drought. Check out those tree stumps and the bathtub ring from the higher water years. 

Today's water lecture is now over,

Good night!

Ansel Adams Wilderness, California...

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." Ansel Adams

For 28 miles, I got the chance to experience and explore another Sierra Nevada Wonderland. The hike took me through scenes Ansel would have been Jones-zing to shoot. 

I did the best I could with the "point and blast away" Canon camera I backpack with. I know compared to the master, my shots are amateurish at best. However, I believe he would be impressed with my devotion and love for getting out there to see the potential photos.

It was a windy, cool hike. Fall is in the air. The Cold Weenie in me is kicking in. 

BTW. The wilderness was originally named the Minarets. In 1984, when all that was left of AA was his photos, the name was changed to honor this craftsman of the darkroom. A fitting tribute to an American Icon and wilderness geek like me.

Cheers from Windy Mammoth. (Does the wind ever abate around here?)

Jeff

Californians and their bear...

obsession. 

In Colorado, we have bears but we don't make a fuss over them. 

I've never heard a conversation start off with, "How's it goin'? Are you Bear Aware?"

Nope! In the Centennial State one can say we maintain a laissez-bear attitude. The bruins go about their bear business and the Coloradoans go about their own. (A lot of citizens are smoking legal pot, so they ponder what to eat when they get the munchies.) If a bear problem arises, the authorities deal with it. More than likely a  "Final Solution" to the bear gone bad. 

In California, one would think numerous

bears cavort freely around towns, meadows, forests and the lands in between. Hell! I half expected a bear to belly up to the bar next to me and order a pint with all this hairy omnivore talk. It's all a bit much. 

I feel Californians are over-the-top on this shaggy subject. There's a freaking bear on the state flag for crying out loud! 

Sigh...

OK! I vented.