PICS from the PAST : The ONE That Started it All

[Mike Pierson]

ANZA BORREGO WILD FLOWERS & SNOW
Here are a few pics from a spur of the moment wildflower trip I did with my son Andrew out to Anza Borrego back in 2001. Being that it was a nice wet winter and one that was still going strong, I figured the bloom should be good. And, it was but what I wasn't expecting was the snow we'd have to wheel through on our way out. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics.

Here's a shot on our way out to Anza Borrego. As you can see, the hills were super green and yellow flowers popping up everywhere. You could also see the snow coming down up in the mountains.

As we got closer to our destination, the snow was really starting to collect.

Here's a shot of the route we would be taking into the valley.

And the snow just kept coming down.

And before we knew it, we were cutting first tracks through the snow.

Fortunately, the snow started to thin out as we got closer to the valley.

View of the valley.

And finally, here's what we came out to see.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed seeing these pics from the past and hope you'll check back again for more

Great shots of the flowers with the snowy clouds in the background. Still amazed at the amount of life out there in the desert; had no idea until we got out there to see it.

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

ANZA BORREGO WILD FLOWERS & SNOW
Here are a few pics from a spur of the moment wildflower trip I did with my son Andrew out to Anza Borrego back in 2001. Being that it was a nice wet winter and one that was still going strong, I figured the bloom should be good. And, it was but what I wasn't expecting was the snow we'd have to wheel through on our way out. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics.

Here's a shot on our way out to Anza Borrego. As you can see, the hills were super green and yellow flowers popping up everywhere. You could also see the snow coming down up in the mountains.

As we got closer to our destination, the snow was really starting to collect.

Here's a shot of the route we would be taking into the valley.

And the snow just kept coming down.

And before we knew it, we were cutting first tracks through the snow.

Fortunately, the snow started to thin out as we got closer to the valley.

View of the valley.

And finally, here's what we came out to see.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed seeing these pics from the past and hope you'll check back again for more

Very cool!!! Been all over Anza Borrego but I’ve never come across that much snow!

 

[JAGS]

Catching up on the last few trips you posted in the thread. Very cool to see these blasts from the past. Someday, in 20 years, your current trips will be posted again as flashbacks.

 

[wayoflife]

It's been a while since I posted up on this thread and thought now would be a good a time as any to revive it with some more pics

EXPLORING THE OWENS VALLEY
The following are a few pics from a long trip we did up in the Owens Valley and of course, the surrounding mountains and I should note, on a 4th of July weekend. Still blows my mind at just how empty everything used to be almost 25 years ago. Today, you can go to any of these places on a weekday and just about any time of year without seeing throngs of overlanders everywhere. Anyway, I hope you enjoy seeing some of these pics from our past.

To start off our trip, we decided to make our way up and over the southern end of Sierra Nevada Mountains and check out an area that had recently suffered a fire. And, we were surprised to see life already returning to the area.

Beautiful views from up here.

Stopping for a nice lunch break at a vacant campground... on a 4th of July weekend LOL

Down in the valley and with epic skies overhead.

Shot of the Owens Dry Lake bed before they put in all the dust control structures and levies.

Making a stop to check out some ruins and well before they got crapped on with graffiti and other BS.

Epic skies provide stunning sunsets in the valley.

 

[wayoflife]

Day 2 and another lovely day to be out in our Jeep!

Heading up into the Mountains again.

A shot looking back into the valley.

I'm sure more than a few of you know this place as it's become a super popular destination and overwhelmed with overlanders.

Taking a hike around the lake.

Back in the valley and along the shores of Mono Lake with stormy skies overhead.

Working our way back up into the mountains and to a place that used to be one of our favorites.

Yet again, I need to remind you that this photo was taking on a 4th of July weekend. Sadly, it's always packed with overlanders and thanks to all the social media whores who've broadcasted this location complete with GPS coordinates.

Heading up to higher ground and to a point where there's normally an awesome view or at least, when you're not socked in a cloud.

Unfortunately, you can no longer drive up to this point.

Heading back into the valley.

Always love the history and mining equipment that you can see in this area.

Final shots as we head into the valley and the summer rain.

I know there weren't a whole lot of pics of our TJ in this one but then, most of why we got it in the first place was to see the sights and not to highlight it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the pics. There's a lot more to come

 

[OverlanderJK]

Love that area. If its the place I am thinking of it was packed when I was there last at the top but not at the lake. The lake was way lower too. Think this is the spot. lol

 

[semicolon]

Thanks for sharing your travels, these are my favorite posts to view!

 

[wayoflife]

Love that area. If its the place I am thinking of it was packed when I was there last at the top but not at the lake. The lake was way lower too. Think this is the spot. lol
View attachment 421392

Yup, same place

How things have changed.

 

[wayoflife]

Thanks for sharing your travels, these are my favorite posts to view!

Glad to hear you enjoy seeing these old, crusty and crappy pics LOL

 

[OverlanderJK]

Yup, same place

How things have changed.

Totally missed the pics with the "lakes." I think I tried for three or four years straight to make it up to those and always got stopped by snow. Wild to see how little there was on 4th of July. That road sucks now with so much traffic and people not knowing how to move over.

 

[jeeeep]

wow, and on a 4th weekend, how things have changed.

Many of the areas I would go to over a long weekend like the 4th are no longer enjoyable because of the crowds.

So many cool places to venture around.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

Great pics and looks like some awesome places to visit and explore. Was this when you had to use a good ol paper map?

 

[wayoflife]

Totally missed the pics with the "lakes." I think I tried for three or four years straight to make it up to those and always got stopped by snow. Wild to see how little there was on 4th of July. That road sucks now with so much traffic and people not knowing how to move over.

We literally stopped going to most of these places about 10 years ago. It was just too depressing.

wow, and on a 4th weekend, how things have changed.

Many of the areas I would go to over a long weekend like the 4th are no longer enjoyable because of the crowds.

So many cool places to venture around.

At the risk of sounding old, it used to be magical to go to some of these places. Now, it's just fuckin annoying.

 

[wayoflife]

Great pics and looks like some awesome places to visit and explore. Was this when you had to use a good ol paper map?

LOL - it's funny because there literally was no such thing as GPS for the public back then and even when it did become available, it was expensive and the military purposefully made to be inaccurate by about 30'. I can remember a good friend of mine got one of the very first ones and all it did was provide coordinates - there weren't even images of a map on it.

 

[Mike Pierson]

Beautiful area and great pics! I’m glad you’re posting up on this thread again.

 

[TrailHunter]

Recognize some of those locations from exploring with my family… My favorite areas.. great old pics!

 

[DirtHeadDavis]

Very cool pics! Love this thread because it reminds me of old pics we have like them with my family and the TJ.

 

[bobfriesenhahn]

Day 2 and another lovely day to be out in our Jeep!

Heading up into the Mountains again.

A shot looking back into the valley.

I'm sure more than a few of you know this place as it's become a super popular destination and overwhelmed with overlanders.

Taking a hike around the lake.

Back in the valley and along the shores of Mono Lake with stormy skies overhead.

Working our way back up into the mountains and to a place that used to be one of our favorites.

Yet again, I need to remind you that this photo was taking on a 4th of July weekend. Sadly, it's always packed with overlanders and thanks to all the social media whores who've broadcasted this location complete with GPS coordinates.

Heading up to higher ground and to a point where there's normally an awesome view or at least, when you're not socked in a cloud.

Unfortunately, you can no longer drive up to this point.

Heading back into the valley.

Always love the history and mining equipment that you can see in this area.

Final shots as we head into the valley and the summer rain.

I know there weren't a whole lot of pics of our TJ in this one but then, most of why we got it in the first place was to see the sights and not to highlight it. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the pics. There's a lot more to come

It is nice to see how things were (some of which I saw when I was young) but sad that excess popularity and visitors have destroyed the natural tranquility.

 

[AZVAJKU]

LOL - it's funny because there literally was no such thing as GPS for the public back then and even when it did become available, it was expensive and the military purposefully made to be inaccurate by about 30'. I can remember a good friend of mine got one of the very first ones and all it did was provide coordinates - there weren't even images of a map on it.

The good old days!

Go here:




Get these and a compass.



Drive around and explore. Guaranteed adventure and quality time even if you did not find exactly what you were looking for.

 

[Mike Pierson]

The good old days!

Go here:

View attachment 421406


Get these and a compass.
View attachment 421407


Drive around and explore. Guaranteed adventure and quality time even if you did not find exactly what you were looking for.

Dammit Clay, you just gave away my favorite spot!