Lol ... now THAT is hilarious!

Here is a better pic of the nostril owner. Super friendly and loved being hand fed fresh grass.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7d0338251.jpeg

Thanks for the thought. But, much as I enjoy the region's beauty, my cycling days over challenging terrain ended back in the 1980s (injuries), and I live a few days' travel away from the place. Get back there whenever I'm able, but it's not all that frequently these days.

If you do get up there, again, feel free to take and post whatever pictures you're willing to do. I'm sure many would enjoy how stunning everything is in that area, when the circumstances are right. Heck, even in the midst of a nasty drought, the place has such grandeur and scale that it's hard to not stop and take a breath to take it all in. But when it's blooming and all the colors "pop" on a crisp morning, for example ... wow.

Sure thing. But if you find yourself going up there some time, give me a holler. I'm up pretty often.

I actually came this || close to being up there now. Mostly retired, I have been wanting to head up to Mammoth for some weekday storm skiing, and there was a good storm predicted for this week. I was all set. Packed my bags and set the alarm for 3AM for an early morning drive up. I did one last check on the weather and saw not only more snow than originally predicted, but 50 MPH winds. I know the area well enough to know with that going on, there was zero chance that the mountain would be open, and a very good chance that a lot of the roads would be closed.

Spot on. The highways were a mess with car accidents, slide outs, and zero visibility conditions. Essentially a blizzard.

For once, I used some "common sense." lol

Anyway, here is a pix of the area from some time ago. Sometimes, you get lucky and catch the moon just at the right time to allow you to expose for it and the surrounding landscape at the same time.

Cheers!


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1bcd8bff02.jpg

Yeah, the Sierra Nevada can certainly be treacherous during winter, when the occasional big storm blows through. A lot of those bad boys are well above 10K feet (including Mt. Whitney above 14K). Can be a serious weather factory, when the conditions are right. The high desert compared to the central valley, the temperature differentials, the great amount of moisture that can be packed into some of those West Coast storms. The Sierras are basically the first serious barrier that such weather systems find.

Know the area well. Have for decades camped and hiked, along with numerous back-country excursions, in the region. Been awhile, But, like you, whenever I hear weather reports like what you mention then it's time to find something else to do.

Once got caught around the northern edge of Lake Tahoe during a ski trip. Knew a big blow was coming through. Some headed out and tried to beat it. I just hunkered down. Three days' worth of seriously bad blizzard, which left a good 8-10ft at lake level but 12ft+ on the surrounding mountains. Had to wait for a couple days' worth of plowing, in order to get back up to Truckee ... and had to wait until I-80 was plowed sufficiently to allow one lane of through-traffic (behind a couple of plows of course). Far smarter to stay put and await the mess, rather than risk my very life "out there" with such weather. Shades of the Donner Party isn't my idea of a good time.

This season looks to be rather bountiful, from the standpoint of snowpack. I'm sure it will make for a fairly beautiful summer and autumn in the region. Probably going to make for some great cycling, too.

Biker395 --

Looks like Death Valley is getting a "superbloom" this March. Might be another lovely spot to bike, for the next few weeks at least, before the temps get regularly into the high-90s and beyond.

https://www.accuweather.com/en/leisu...s-here/1869444

https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/nature/wildflowers.htm

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/fu...eather/2619165

https://cms.accuweather.com/wp-conte...aphy.jpg?w=400

https://cms.accuweather.com/wp-conte...aphy.jpg?w=400

Whoa. Gotta plan a trip out there before it gets to hot. Thanks!

Hah! High 90s is childs' play there.

Right. But above mid-90s it can get fairly challenging for cycling in such weather. Hence the high-90s remark.

Hopefully there are some cyclists and other visitors who can partake of the natural beauty that fleetingly pass through the Valley and the nearby hills. Isn't all that often, as infrequent as such rains are.