Tag: California

California, located on the west coast of the United States, is renowned for its diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and significant economic influence. From the sun-kissed beaches of Southern California to the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, the state offers a range of natural beauty. The state is home to iconic cities like Los Angeles, known for Hollywood and the entertainment industry, and San Francisco, famous for its tech innovation and the Golden Gate Bridge. The state’s economy is one of the largest in the world, driven by sectors such as technology, agriculture, entertainment, and tourism. With its rich cultural diversity and pioneering spirit, California continues to be a land of opportunity and innovation.

Whitney Portal Campground

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Whitney Portal Campground is the campground in the foothills of the High Sierra, and serves as the gateway for many hikers up Mount Whitney in Inyo County, California. The campground sits at high elevation at over 8100 feet above sea level. It is nestled among pine trees and Lone Pine Creek offers a babbling creek, the rushing waters of which the break the sound of the wind through the pine needles.

Mt Whitney looms large over the High Sierra, out site of Lone Pine, California
Mt Whitney looms large over the High Sierra, out site of Lone Pine, California

The campground is a prime camping place, and located at the base of the tallest peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney stands at 14,505 feet above sea level and is considered the king of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The campground has 43 sites which allow access to the John Muir Wilderness and its hiking and back packing trails. Each campsite is nestled among the boulders in a mature pine forest.

A rushing Lone Pine Creek near Whitney Portal Campground
A rushing Lone Pine Creek near Whitney Portal Campground

The campground sees heavy use in the late spring and summer months. The elevation helps break the heat from the valley below. Due to its location and popularity, the campground is known to have bear activity. All precautions should be taken with respect to food and trash and bear locker are provided. In addition to Black Bear, mountain lions, mule deer, pine martin and pika are known to be in the area, so keep your eyes open.

Whitney Portal Campground Summary

NameWhitney Portal Campground
LocationLone Pine, Inyo County, California
Latitude, Longitude
Sites43
Elevation8100 ft
AmenitiesWater, Vault Toilets, Bear Lockers, Picnic table, fire ring, no hook-ups

Directions

From Highway 395 in Lone Pine, California turn west (at the stoplight) onto Whitney Portal Road. The campground is 12.5 miles from Lone Pine and about 3400 feet in elevation gain.

Whitney Portal Campground Map

References

Tuttle Creek Campground

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Tuttle Creek Campgound outside of Lone Pine, CA
Tuttle Creek Campgound outside of Lone Pine, CA

Tuttle Creek Campground is a small campground located on the eastern Sierras near Lone Pine, in Inyo County, California. The campground is located just below the foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Amazing sunrises and sunset greet the camper who choses this place to vacation.

Tuttle Creek is located just five miles away from Lone Pine and the Alabama hills are even closer. There is a group camp available and also two horse corrals are available.

Tuttle Creek is a great place to camp when exploring up or down the beautiful 395 highway. It offers a jumping off place to travel into Death Valley or up to Mt. Whitney. The tranquility and scenery may want to stay the full 14 day limit, and yet, the Eastern Sierra light will entice you to leave and further explore.

Campground Summary

NameTuttle Creek Campground
LocationLone Pine, Inyo County, California
Latitude, Longitude36.5649341,-118.1261991
Number of Sites83
Elevation4658 ft
Amenitiesvault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern holders, seasonal water

Directions


From Highway 395, drive 3.5 miles west of Lone Pine on Whitney Portal Road, then 1.5 miles south on Horseshow Meadow Road, follow signs to the campground.

Tuttle Creek Campground Map

References

Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa)

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Silver Cholla (Cylindropuntia echinocarpa) is a common species of cactus which is native to the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The Silver cholla is a larger cactus which is known to grow in excess of 6 feet tall.

Silver Cholla waiting for an incoming storm.
Silver Cholla waiting for an incoming storm.

This species can be found rather easily and quite common in the Mojave Desert, Sonoran Desert and the the Colorado Desert. It is typically found in dry desert washes, Joshua Tree wood lands (as photographed above ) or pinyon-juniper woodland environments.

The body of the cactus is segmented by joints which are typically four to eight inches in length. The joints and body of the cactus are densely covered with spines about 1 inch long with are covered in a papery sheath. The spines are typically yellow in color, which contrast nicely against the green skin of the cactus body. This spiny armor not only protects the cactus, but is also forties the nests of the Cactus Wren and other animals who may seek shelter within this plant.

This cholla typically blooms in spring depending upon conditions. The flowers are green in color however some variants may contain yellow, pink or brown. The lumpy, tan-colored fruit hosts the seeds for germination and is known to have a foul scent.

Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)

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Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) is a small delicate looking flowering plant commonly commonly found in the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The flower is named for John C. Fremont who was the 5th Governor of the Arizona Territory as well as a soldier, explorer and first Republican Candidate for President of the United States.

Fremont's Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) photographed in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) photographed in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

The Phacelia is a small annual plant which only grows to a height of 12 inches. The small flowers are funnel or bell shape and typically blue or lavender with a yellow throat and between 7 and 15 mm in size. The throat is typically crossed with purple veins to offer a wonderful contrast against the yellow throat. The deeply lobbed leaves are oblong in shape.

Fremont's Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)
Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)

Fremont’s Phacelia is known to grow in the Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada and the above photograph was taken in Valley of Fire State Park near the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The little plant commonly grows in gravelly or sandy soils and flowers between March and June each spring and may be found at elevations up to 8000 feet.

Fremonts Phacelia is named for John C. Frémont - 5th Governor of the Arizona Territory
John C. Frémont – 5th Governor of the Arizona Territory

Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis)

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Commonly found in the southern half of the United Stats, the Southern Cattail ( Typha domingensis ) is a a wetland plant which may be found in California, Nevada and Arizona. The Southern Cattail will flower in late spring and summer and produces a densely packed seed spike which may grow up to 13 inches long. The Pistillate spike is the identifying feature on this wetland plant.

Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis)
Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis)

This rhizomatous plant is centered around a simple, erect stem which may grow between 5 and 13 feet tall. Each stem may grow between 6 and 9 long and linear leaves. As with many marsh plants, the cattail has an internal tissue adaptation which allows the direct transfer of air between the leaves and roots, which is similar to a vegetative snorkel. The hot dog shaped brown flower is indicative of a female plant, while the male is characterized by a yellowish tapered cone arrangement.

The cattail is typically found between sea level and 6000 feet in elevation. Native American tries were known to use the plant as thatch, and the young shoots could be utilized as a food source. The seed fluff could also be mixed with tallow and chewed as a gum.

Southern Cattail along a water crossing on the old Mojave road.
Southern Cattail along a water crossing on the old Mojave road.

Recent studies suggest that the Typha is very effective at cleaning the water of bacterial contamination. This includes up to 90% reduction of enterobacteria which is common flora inside of mammalia intestines.