today's hike.. pinnacles national monument CA..

mtnfolk mike

mtnfolk mike

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today we took a drive over to the pinnacles national monument, to do some hiking... it actually rained all last night, but we went anyway... we went with a few other friends that had not been there before...

http://www.nps.gov/pinn/
this place is epic... it's about an hour and 45 minutes south east of us... to get there, you drive along these gorgeous country roads, covered in chapparal, wildflowers and oaks... you then turn and out pop these huge rock formations... spires and monliths, all old volcanic matter form long ago...
there is some amazing rock climbing here as well... i've done a lot in the past, but it's been a long time since i've climbed there...

we did a short 4.5 mile hike, since we had small critters with us, up bear gulch... at the top is prestine reservoir, where we hung out for a bit and ate our lunch.. we then came back down through the bear gulch caves... that was a lot of fun....

enjoy...mike and family..

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making some yummy sandwiches..
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the lovely misses again...
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Mike, not only is the scenery always stunning in your pics, but the happy, positive, and relaxed vibe and spirit of you and your family literally jumps off the screen and is equally stunning and contagious. It's rare that anyone can send out that blissful energy over the internet and have it absorbed by the viewer, but you manage to do so.

This forum, because of its members, is the only place on the web that I have ever felt that tangible positive energy just by being here and interacting with you all. It is truly amazing to me.
 
here's a few more...

cool shot of some climbers, climbing along a rock in the sisters range... i neeeeeed to do some climbing soon...i's been quite a while, thanks to this stinking knee of mine...
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the mandatory knife pics... i had my rick lowe EDC knife and a SAK camper... i also had my benchmade ritter mini-griptillian, which i carry everyday, and my gossman PSK in my pack...
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some local wildlife...
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hiking down from the reservoir, heading towards some caves...
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waiting for some folks to come out of the caves... it got waaaaaaay dark in there and really tight...
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i love this restroom.. probably one of the coolest ones i've ever seen...
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2 more, that's all...:o there is a bunch more too.. but this is it for now... i'm beat...
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cheers... mike
 
Mike...awesome as usual...As always I'm left with the impression that youare one cool kat..Looks like your wife is packing a blade too is that right?? only blad I can getmy wife to carry is a sak classic... Scenery is real nice 1 day Ill make further west than the rockies
 
Brian Jones said:
Mike, not only is the scenery always stunning in your pics, but the happy, positive, and relaxed vibe and spirit of you and your family literally jumps off the screen and is equally stunning and contagious. It's rare that anyone can send out that blissful energy over the internet and have it absorbed by the viewer, but you manage to do so.

This forum, because of its members, is the only place on the web that I have ever felt that tangible positive energy just by being here and interacting with you all. It is truly amazing to me.
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brian-- many thanks brother...:thumbup: i appreciate it.. we try and get out as much as possible..:D even if it is just our local woods...

RescueRiley said:
Mike...awesome as usual...As always I'm left with the impression that youare one cool kat..Looks like your wife is packing a blade too is that right?? only blad I can getmy wife to carry is a sak classic... Scenery is real nice 1 day Ill make further west than the rockies
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riley-- anytime you want to trek on over to the left coast man, you're more than welcome...:D there is a lot of stuff to do in our area, as you can see...

you're right.. the misses is carrying a blade... :o this one is a benchmade mini-griptillian.. she carries one everyday... since she works outside and all.. you should see her ever growing collection.. she's got a few cool blades... a few stolen from me of course...:o
 
Nice little hike. Looks like lots of nooks and crannies to explore! I did a hike up here in New England yesterday - similar looking pink granite, but it was covered in two inches of ice, and there wasn't any swimming! :D Thanks for the pics.
 
Wow, very nice place Mike. In all the years that we've been in this area, we have never been to the pinnacles. Gonna have to get up there before snakes get bad.
 
That's a great spring/fall destination. We try to take our scouts there every year, and we'll be there again next month. As a geology buff, I really enjoy going there.
 
Great pics, and a heck of a way to spend an afternoon! I didn't know PNM had such beauty. When I was there, all I saw were the pinnacles, I didn't know about the rest of the park. What a treasure. Especially that reservoir in country like that.
 
Sweet pics and it looks like you guys had a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing!
 
nice pics mike!

Like I've said elsewhere, the pics of you and your family are very pleasant and peaceful.

Take care!
Brett
 
Mike,

How are the wildflowers at Pinnacles, right now? How are the butterflies, right now? How are the fungi, right now? Did you see the condors? If yes, where, and how close? Thanks for any info you can provide.

Here are a few Pinnacles shots:

The Pinnacles...

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A Western Tiger Swallowtail nectaring on wallflower...

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Silvery Blues mating on fiddleneck...

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Fantastic scenery! What a lovely family you have there. Keep up the photos!
 
Brian Jones said:
Mike, not only is the scenery always stunning in your pics, but the happy, positive, and relaxed vibe and spirit of you and your family literally jumps off the screen and is equally stunning and contagious. It's rare that anyone can send out that blissful energy over the internet and have it absorbed by the viewer, but you manage to do so.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more! Thanks for the pics, looks like you guys had fun.

The one pic looks like one of the climbers fell, and is laying in a heap at the bottom of the rock, lol.
 
Great pics Mike, that looks like a real cool place to spend a day exploring !!!
 
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