We were up around 7 AM Saturday morning. I made some bacon and french toast for my breakfast as well as enjoying several cups of good coffee. We were in no hurry, having all do to do not much more than visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine forest and ride down to Big Pine to refresh supplies. About 10 AM we rode up the hill to play tourist. I'll let the pictures tell much of the story.

(1) Playing tourist [map]

Playing tourist
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/800s 27.0 mm

(1) Where we are [map]

Where we are
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/250s 42.0 mm

(1) Short walk [map]

Short walk
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/250s 70.0 mm

(1) Forest? [map]

Forest?
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/1600s 24.0 mm

(1) Almost above the tree line [map]

Almost above the tree line
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/1600s 70.0 mm

(1) Old cabin [map]

Old cabin
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/1250s 50.0 mm

(1) Cabin innards [map]

Cabin innards
ISO 200 f/2.8 1/25s 24.0 mm

(1) Got ya! [map]

Got ya!
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/400s 59.0 mm

(1) Mine [map]

Mine
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/640s 25.0 mm

(1) Dirt road [map]

Dirt road
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/1000s 34.0 mm

(1) Trees [map]

Trees
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/800s 59.0 mm

(1) Patterns one [map]

Patterns one
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/1250s 38.0 mm

(1) Patterns two [map]

Patterns two
ISO 200 f/4.0 1/1600s 45.0 mm

(1) Patterns three [map]

Patterns three
ISO 200 f/3.5 1/160s 68.0 mm

Tom and I took off on the dirt road that leads to the Barcroft Field Station, a research station run by the University of California. Well, we rode the 20 miles to the gate that leads to the station. The gate is only open one day a year. The gate is at about the 11,500 foot level. We hiked up a little bit more to take in the views overlooking the Owens Valley. Again, I'll shut up and let you look at the pictures.

(2) End of the road [map]

End of the road
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1250s 64.0 mm

(2) Looking toward bishop [map]

Looking toward bishop
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1250s 24.0 mm

(2) Owens Valley [map]

Owens Valley
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1600s 59.0 mm

(2) View from 12,000 feet [map]

View from 12,000 feet
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1250s 24.0 mm

(2) The bikes wait [map]

The bikes wait
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1250s 70.0 mm

(2) Owens Valley, again [map]

Owens Valley, again
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1250s 43.0 mm

(2) Wider view [map]

Wider view
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1000s 24.0 mm

(2) Lichen [map]

Lichen
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/800s 63.0 mm

(2) Bishop [map]

Bishop
ISO 200 f/6.3 1/1250s 38.0 mm

(2) The road back [map]

The road back
ISO 200 f/4.0 1/3200s 54.0 mm

(2) Dusty [map]

Dusty
ISO 200 f/5.6 1/1000s 25.0 mm

Here's a video showing the road to and from the gate.

HD version [link].

(3) 20 miles later [map]

20 miles later
ISO 50 f/4.0 1/400s 7.3 mm

I took the lead on the way back. Since we were now familiar with the road it took us half the time that it took getting there. We met Carl at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest info center. From there the three of us rode down Westgard pass to Big Pine where we had lunch and picked up some beer, ice, and snacks/dinner.

Great day. I had planned on taking more star photos but instead found myself in my sleeping bag shortly after nightfall. Sleep came easy. It helped that the camp across the way was quieter than they were the night before.