Rain Tree and the Yay Day or hi I'm back!

To say I haven't posted in awhile would be an understatement, (2 years, oops!)  but I'm back. I've explored more, graduated college, and traveled a bit, so that also means major photo-dump posts to come. For now however we'll focus on Mount Charleston, a very old tree, and what the outdoors scene in Vegas has to offer...

I currently work for REI as an Instructor and Green Vest on the floor. REI is an awesome co-op that not only sells outdoor equipment, but holds outdoor classes and leads some pretty fantastic adventures (300+ trips to all seven continents). I could spew out a lot more facts about us, but right now I want to focus on whats called a 'Yay Day'. Once a quarter, I get a paid day-off to enjoy the outdoors. Yup, you read that correctly. REI. It's a cool place.

This quarter, I took my parents hiking to the Rain Tree, a 3,000 year old Bristlecone Pine located in the Springs Mountains just northwest of Las Vegas. 

The crown jewel of the Spring Mountain range is Mount Charleston. Topping out at 11,916', it falls at #19 of the most prominent peaks in the United States, #9 in the Lower 48.  Not wanting to hit the summit minus Gage, my parents and I chose to head part of the way up to Rain Tree. Bristlecone Pines are the longest-living organism on Earth, with the oldest estimated to be around 7,000 years old. They grow slowly, often in harsh alpine environments, making them twisted, gnarly things. Here is my mom pictured with the elder.

To put the age into perspective, this tree predates the discovery of Iceland, the Koran, Cleopatra, Buddha, Jesus, and even the use of Alphabetic writing.

What I'm saying here is, the thing is old. And it was pretty awesome to know that standing next to it.

I'm going to back it up a little, and touch on the Spring Mountain Visitor Center/the interpretive material on the trail. I highly recomend stopping at the visitor center if you make your way into this area. Not only is it the last flush toilet you'll pass, but there's some pretty cool stuff. Go Mount Charleston is a group dedicating to preserving the area and helping people explore this area. They helped make this visitor center a reality. Get information on conditions, advice for good trails, and any pins/patches you want to remember your hike.

There is a stained glass mural that requires polarized lens to see the spectacular color. If you don't have any, no worries! They have a few there to try out. I couldn't miss the opportunity to check it out with my new Zeal Optics glasses. What's so bad about looking at life through rose-colored lens?

 

After a quick pit-stop we were off to the trail head!

Had to get a picture of this sign. Who doesn't love explosives and hiking? 

 Another example of great interpretation. Clean your boots people! It'll keep your tents and homes cleaner, and it will keep invasive species, which can take over an ecosystem, out of your favorite places.

One of my all time favorite things is a Wilderness boundary sign. It's not just a descriptor word, in 1964 Congress signed the Wilderness Act into law. This is to preserve American Land, our country's greatest treasure, in its pure form, untouched by man. The act defines wilderness as the following...

"A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man's work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value."

Do your self a favor and visit your nearest wilderness area. You'll discover all the gorgeous-ness to follow. It's wildflower season in the mountains!

 Arizona Lupine

 Ponderosa Pine! This tree makes my top 3 for sure. They're giant and crazy fire resistant.

 Kodiak sporting his new REI bandanna, next to my new Oboz Bridgers. These are some serious hiking boots, and as this was their maiden voyage, I brought back-ups for sure. Which I shamelessly changed into shortly after this picture.

PSA- Break in your boots to avoid blisters!

 Clokey Mountain Sage

 From this point in the hike, you overlook an oddly misplaced football field. It belongs to Spring Mountain Youth Camp, a male juvenile center. It is managed by the school district, and their football team is the defending 8-man state championship team.

 Bristlecone Skeletons scatter the forest, but look closely. These trees will grow around parts of themselves that have died, so they may still be holding on.

 Never miss a chance to use some map & compass skills.

 Yellow Primrose

 Dad was testing out some new gear too, the Osprey Stratos 36L.

 Another peak in this range is Mummy Mountain. This particular point is referred to as "Mummy's Toe"

 Bristlecone's sure do make great models. But not as great as Kodiak. I mean, look at this handsome dude...

And we made it! Here is the great tree herself. 

After lunch, we chose to continue right and visit Mummy Springs. A left would have connected us to a few other trails, including one to the summit of Charleston.

 And just to show you exactly how I got the above photo...

Mummy Springs is well worth the extra mile. This is a very sensitive area though, please watch where you step and avoid the urge to hike right up to the spring! We want to preserve this area for future generations.

 Thompson's Beardtoungue.

 Kodiak gets concerned when I lag too far behind.

Western Columbine. Columbines are one of my favorite wildflowers, the Colorado version I'm pretty familiar with, and was excited to see this variation.

At this point we turned around and headed back down the mountain, planning our trip to the summit the whole way. I also ran out of room on the one SD card I brought. So here ends the pretty pictures.

It was a pretty spectacular day that I got paid for. I feel really grateful to work for a company that prioritizes a balanced lifestyle, family that will join me on adventures, and the fact that I have access to these amazing places. Public Land is one of our nation's greatest freedoms, and we all should fight to keep the wilderness alive.