My Office

Today was my day to rove/hike the alpine day use area around Wheeler Peak. I think I've mentioned at least once (maybe twice) that I work in an absolutely beautiful place. I hiked and talked to people I came across, gave them trail condition reports (plenty of snow but I didn't get lost today!) and just enjoyed being above ground. (Don't worry, I still love the cave.)

I hiked up to Stella Lake, then over to Teresa. It was beautiful!
There was a dead tree that had fallen right into Teresa Lake and I walked/wobbled my way out onto it to get this shot. I was glad I didn't fall in in uniform; that would have been really embarrassing and hard to explain why I was all wet to my supervisor when I got back to the visitor center. Behind me Wheeler Peak rises 13,063 feet but looking toward the valley, you have no idea the lake is located at over 10,000 feet!

10,230 feet to be exact.

I'm getting pretty good at finding a good branch on which to set my camera, setting my timer, and skittering like a big horn sheep over the talus before 10 seconds are up.My end goal today was the Bristlecone Pine grove. I made it! I got up to the grove about 12:30 and found a nice place to sit and eat my lunch. These trees are amazing! I'll get more photos of the grove and do a post simply on their age and perseverance.I hiked back to Stella with time to spare before I needed to head down to the trailhead parking lot and took some time to reflect and chat with other hikers in a nice mountain meadow by the lake. One visitor told me I had "beautiful blue eyes" and totally made my day. The shot below is takin' it all in at Stella. Every time I get out and explore, the more I want to share it with friends. If you can escape your office a few days in the next two months, I'd love to show you mine!