I was driving from Susanville, CA to Klamath Falls, OR and saw this abandoned homestead off the roadway. I’m not sure if the tree is still alive, since it was early in the spring and a fairly high elevation. It is still an active cattle ranch. Hopefully, the family that homesteaded was able to continue ownership.
This is the lowest point in the North American continent, Badwater, Death Valley National Park at 282 ft (86m) below sea level. It was 104 degrees (40 C) when I took this photo. The white color is caused by people walking out to the actual low point in the middle of the valley. It is an alkali salt and the white color reflects the heat and makes it seem that much warmer. Not a pleasant place to spend a lot of time, but a unique experience.
The mountains across the valley include the highest point in Death Valley National Park … Telescope Peak at 11, 043 feet (3366 m). Quite a contrast in elevation in a short distance.
Looking east across the Owens River valley to the White Mountains, just north of Lone Pine, CA. There isn’t much rainfall in this area, and when there is rain, it often falls in isolated showers like this one. It lasted just a few minutes, but provided some needed moisture to that particular location.
This photo was taken from the Alabama Hills just above Lone Pine, CA. The hills were a frequent film/tv location in the 40’s and 50’s. In the background you can see the Mt Whitney Portal road carved into the mountainside. The jagged ridge along the skyline is part of Mt Whitney.
It may not look like the tree on the left is still alive, but it is still hanging on. I liked the pattern these two created on the ridge line against the clouds.