The Crystal Creek crossing is about 1 mile from the parking lot at the end of the road in Mineral King. It is relatively flat and easy. We don’t even pretend that it is a hike and it barely passes for exercise. But recently I’ve been thinking that as one ages, one’s body produces and contains progressively more discomfort. Since to hike is to be uncomfortable, one becomes less inclined to add to the discomfort by forcing oneself out onto trails of great steepness and altitude gain. (I AM SICK RIGHT NIGH UNTO DEATH OF THIS STUPID PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY!)
Ahem. Excuse me for shouting. Let’s take a nice little gentle walk to Crystal Creek.
First, we cross the bridge and admire the classic view of Farewell Gap and the Crowley Family cabin.
Then we head up the road on the left side of the creek which leads to the pack station. The road turns into a trail after the pack station, SO DON’T BRING YOUR DOG.
There were a ton of flowers, and I experimented with the iPhone 14 as a camera with mixed results. All but one of these are dandelions, which are a wildflower in MIneral King, but a weed in your yard. The other is one of many unknowns in my personal wildflower index.
The trail passes through the green tunnel.*
Hey, a non-yellow flower! I’ve always thought these are whorled penstemon, but many books are calling them “small flowered penstemon”. I think “whorled” has a specific botanical definition, but I’m ignorant of it.
Here is the wide and shallow Crystal Creek. (That is kind of like Facebook, but it might be much wider and even more shallow.)
The views back down the trail:
Yea! More colors!
This summer is showing promise of being a terrific one for wildflowers. Everything seems to be about 2 weeks earlier than normal.
Tomorrow: The Nature Trail
*Remember this painting? I feel compelled to show you because this blog is supposed to be a business venture. Yes, it is the yellow tunnel here. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
While I am advertising, this painting might still be for sale at the Silver City Store.
9 Comments
“As one ages, one’s body produces and contains progressively more discomfort.” Isn’t that the truth?! I enjoyed this little walk, and I don’t even have any aches or pains afterwards!
Michelle, how is the Peleton stuff going for you? Are you able to stick with it?
Correct, NSHO. IMNSHO is also used (In My).
Not so much “lazy chick” as “physically challenged” chick feet!
Thanks – I enjoyed walking up the trail to the creek crossing – just like I was there!
Virginia, so happy to have you along on my virtual walk. The flowers are surprisingly good this year!
I like that Yellow Tunnel painting very, very much!
Dan, phew, I am so relieved to know this! 😎 Thank you for checking in, and see you soon!
“Gentle.” My kind of walk (says this old cripple!)
whorl [ hwawrl, hwurl ] noun: a circle of plant parts; a circular arrangement of three or more similar anatomical parts such as leaves, petals or other plant parts arising from a common point or node at the same level on a stem or other axis; a verticil. You’re welcome.
Facebook wide and shallow? Oh, yes, I think you’re right!
I think you should paint the Green Tunnel exactly as it shows in your photo (as opposed to fall colors). My NSHO.
Neuropathy notwithstanding, I know you enjoyed your Gentle Walk!
Thank you, as always, Sharon, for the information about whorls.
Not So Humble Opinion?
And I always prefer a gentle walk over a death march, because inside me is a very lazy chick.
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