Pinyon Creek Adventure
Sometimes the best trips are those that don't go as planned. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, my family and I were determined to make our way to the middle of nowhere to avoid humans at all cost. The original plan was to camp at a location near Reward Mine, but those plans quickly changed once we reached the destination. Based on Google Map searches and a family friend's description, the original spot was supposed to be a gorgeous desert oasis with nearby mining sites to explore. Unfortunately when we arrived we were greeted with creepy dolls that visitors had shot up and the horrible stench of battery acid from a car battery that had multiple bullets through it. Not the ideal camping location.
Since we had set out relatively early in the day, we had time to drive over to Reward Mine which was relatively close by. Despite snow falling all around us and several rocky sections on the road, we managed to get one of vehicles up to the mine and drive inside. Sadly we were only able to drive in a short distance due to the roof box which was nearly taken out by a large rock. After the 4Runner had reached its stopping point, we continued into the mine on foot and explored several tunnels. After venturing a ways in, Kayanne began to get uneasy. To avoid stressing her out, we made our way back to the entrance. As with most mines I have been into, Reward Mine was cold, dark and covered in spray-painted "artwork" that added to its character. Overall, Reward Mine is one of the coolest mines I have ever explored based on its depth, size, and location.
After checking out Reward Mine, we ventured back down to Lone Pine and had lunch at Mt. Whitney Restaurant. If you are ever in Lone Pine, I would highly recommend the bacon cheeseburger. While waiting for our food, I turned around to find Riverdale star KJ Apa standing behind me. Star-struck, I asked for a photo. As if that wasn't cool enough, I looked out the window to find Cole Sprouse outside on the phone smoking a cigarette. Conscious of his tendency to be reserved, I decided to wait for the best possible time to ask for a photo. My timing was successful and I secured a photo with him as well. Sometimes it pays to be in the middle of nowhere!
After lunch, we drove to Independence and headed up Onion Valley Road. After checking out a campsite we had stayed at previously, we found a new site closer to the mountains. By this time it was snowing so we quickly set up camp and hunkered down. The following morning we woke up to our tent caving in on us due to the weight of the snow. Acting quickly to avoid breaking any of the tent poles, we shoved the snow off of the tent and straightened it out. Putting on several layers of clothing to keep warm, we unzipped the tent and stepped into a winter wonderland. Overnight, several inches of snow had fallen, blanketing the ground and covering many of the shrubs. Pinyon creek had partially frozen over and the Sierra Nevadas were enveloped in a thick layer of clouds. It was beautiful and freezing. . .literally. While drinking our morning coffee, we shoveled snow from around our tent and scrambled to find missing items that had been buried in the snow. Realizing that we didn't have enough fire wood to last us through the trip, we made an emergency trip down to Lone Pine down the snow-covered road. Later in the day, the snow fall began to slow and the snow plow made its way up the road. Given the warmer temperatures, Brandon and I decided to go for a stroll up the road with Kayanne, and saw a herd of deer up on the hill.
On our way back to camp, the sun peeked through the clouds and created ideal lighting for a photoshoot. Remembering the hat and sundress I conveniently packed, I booked it back to the tent to change before the sun disappeared again. Pairing the yellow dress with my wool socks and hiking boots, I threw on a jacket for the short walk back to the road. After taking a few photos in the hiking boots, I decided they were a bit distracting and took them off. Looking back, this was not the best decision and is probably the reason I caught a cold a few days later. Regardless, it was worth it.
The next day we spent the afternoon wandering around camp and playing music. In the evening, the moon was exceptionally large as it rose over the Inyo range, and the sky glowed in beautiful shades of pink and purple. I attempted to get a few night shots too but the moonlight and light pollution from Lone Pine and Independence foiled these plans.
On the last day of the trip, we were having breakfast when a truck drove up the road and startled a Great Blue Heron. Leaving my breakfast on the chair and grabbing my camera, I ran through the snow in my tennis shoes to get a closer look. After hopping over snow covered shrubs and boulders, I finally got close enough to the majestic bird and snapped a few shots with the Sierras in the background. When I returned to camp I found my empty plate on the chair. I asked my dad if he had eaten the rolls but he looked surprised and said no. Confused, I looked around and saw Kayanne laying on her bed looking guilty. Somehow she had managed to snatch two rolls off of the plate without moving it or leaving any crumbs. That is quite the feat! After making a second round of rolls, we finished breaking down camp and headed home in search of a warm shower.
