Traversing low gullies snow filled last month, great skiing.  Twisted metal tracks protrude from tunnels, mimmic Limber pine high on cliffs, vestiges of  time gone by.  Rusted cable car fallen to earth, ancient trail obscured by rock, red dynamite boxes.  Descending scree, lupine and paintbrush. 

We took a break from spring corn on the eastside to join friends for a benefit in Joshua Tree.  Took a little time to climb as well as a good long hike.  The cactus is in full bloom.
Mojave Mound Cactus, Joshua Tree National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calico Hedgehog & Barrel Cactus Joshua Tree 

 Mojave Prickly-pear cactus, Joshua Tree

Blossom on Desert Barrel Cactus, Joshua Tree National Park

 

Backcountry petroglyphs,  Joshua Tree National Park

I'd like to thank all those that worked so hard in gaining protection for all the newly designated Wilderness Lands in the Sierra, California and the rest of the Nation.  Places like the White Mountains will remain wild in perpetuity!  Congratulations

Ben Grasseschi on White Mountain Peak

Bristlecone Pine, White Mountains

 

Prickly Pear Cactus, White Mountains

 

Montgomery Peak, White Mountains 

We just returned from a ten day assignment shooting remote ranges in the Mojave. We ended up shooting the Palo Verde, Cady, Soda and Avawatz Mountains. Quite a bit of driving, not much hiking, but nice cactus and wildflower blooms. 

Cady Mountains, Mojave

 Beavertail Cactus in the Soda Mountains

Salt Creek Hills and Avawatz Range, Mojave

 

Sunrise and Palo Verde, Palo Verde Mountains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Brittlebush, Denning Spring, Avawatz Range

Soda Mountains above Cronise Lake dunes, Mojave 

 

The flowers in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada are pretty nice right now.