Oct 16 2008
Inyo County: The Land of Diversity and Contrasts
Inyo County is one of my favorite California Counties to visit. But probably not too many Americans, even Californians, know about this county. Inyo County is in the eastern part of the Sierra. This part of California is less known and less visited. Maybe, it is because when people think of desert, the picture they have in mind is simply a barren land.
Mesquite Sand Dunes, Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, CA
But for those who have experienced Inyo, they know this is a haven for those who seek peacefulness and nature’s beauty. And this is geologists’ natural disneyland. It is the land of the extremes, the land of the contrasts.
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, Inyo County, CA
“Inyo” comes from an Indian word which means “resting place of the Great Spirit.”
Father Crowley Point, Death Valley National Park, Inyo County
Indeed, everytime we visit Inyo county, our spirits would make wonderful rest in many of Inyo’s natural wonders.
North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon @ Late Fall
North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon @ Early Fall
Inyo County is a land of magnificent diversity and contrasting diverse geography. Its lowest point, Badwater at Death Valley National Park, is the lowest point in North America and in the Western Hemisphere.
Amazing Salt Deposits @ Badwater, Death Valley National Park
Badwater, 282 ft below sea level, the lowest point in Northern America
Inyo’s highest peak is Mt. Whitney, which is the highest point in contiguous US.
Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in contiguous US (does not include Alaska) at 14, 492 ft
One of nature’s delightful twists, the highest point in contiguous US and the lowest point in North America and in the Western Hemisphere are situated close to each other, in Inyo County. Aside from these two extremes, Inyo County also has the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, which grows the world’s most ancient living tree, Methuselah, at 4777 years old (no picture of Methuselah as I have not been to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest yet). It exceeds the age of oldest Giant Sequoia by 1500 years. Another twist of nature, the oldest living tree lives in a desert mountain, with the most brutal environment. What does nature teach us here? That the oldest inhabitant of this planet is not the one who lives in the most pleasant environment, but is the one who is able to withstand all the challenges and all the harsh tests of time.
” The County offers a full spectrum of adventure and involvement from the absolute stillness and peace of the desert,
Black Volcanic Sand near Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley
through the meadows blanketed with wildflowers, over the rushing mountain streams of the forest,
@ Big Pine Canyon Creek, Inyo County
to the wind whipped granite peaks.
Lake Sabrina, Bishop Creek Canyon, Inyo County
There is nowhere one can turn without seeing Natures striking beauty.
Desert’s Color Palette @ Golden Canyon, Death Valley
One can experience this unforgettable grandeur from the comfort of one’s car, on foot or on horseback.” - http://www.countyofinyo.org/
More of Inyo County to come…….
Thanks a lot, Melissa, Mark, Nova , Heidi and Debbie.
@ Melissa, I agree, the desert is a wonderland of learning.
@ Mark, thanks, i really like that black volcanic sand photo too, definitely one of my favorites if not the favorite. i am always drawn to its surreal colors and landscape.
@ Nova, yes, lagawan lang guid ako ya! Love to wander, hihi. Thanks for the visit too.
@ Heidi, thanks always for your inspiring comment.
@ Deb, Palm Springs is not that close to Inyo County, but I think they are separated only by one County, that is San Bernardino. Palm Springs is very close to Joshua Tree National Park ( http://sandiegobackroads.today.com/2008/10/08/joshua-tree-national-park/ ), which I featured in my San Diego Backroads.
Another round of gorgeous photos… I’m so jealous! The second shot is my favorite… I love the unique shadow result!!! And thank you so much for those get well wishes, I think they worked!!
I really like the picture of North Lake. All of them are beautiful though, and it does look peaceful.
thanks so much sarabella, vixen and sunnflr.
@ Vixen, if you plan to see a lot of what Inyo has to offer, then, a weekend is definitely not enough. Lone Pine (where Alabama Hills is) is 4 hr drive from SD, and to go to Death Valley from Lone Pine is about an hour too. And Death Valley is huge, some just stop by there for pictures, which I wonder if they appreciate it at all. I believe the beauty of DV is after what you see what lies behind the hidden and putting all the pieces together, which means a weekend is definitely not enough. For Fall peeping in Bishop, I think a weekend is enough, staying for a night. But I believe right now, their leaves have all fallen already. We have been to Inyo 3x but still never get to see all of Inyo offers. I would have to email you later for more of this.
The scenery is just breathtaking - so peaceful and serene. I need to visit very soon. Thanks for sharing and also for your comments on my blog.
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