This is view of Mt. Shasta from the Marble Mountains Wilderness. My 750 mile trek down the PCT gave me northern views of the mountain, western views and and southern views. This was one of the best. Given its mystical/magical look, it’s hardly surprising that tales of beings like Bigfoot, Lemurians, and Lizard people are associated with it. The local Native American Modoc Tribe, whose legends include Bigfoot sightings around the mountain, refer to him as Matah Kagmi, meaning keepers of the woods.I like it. The Lemurians are a New Age creation connected to highly advanced lost continent of beings that live under the mountain. As for Lizard People, think aliens and UFOs.
As part of our series about protecting national parks, monuments and other public lands, I’ve been reading news releases from the directors appointed by President Trump who oversee these areas. It’s not a task I would wish on anyone. It isn’t surprising that the directors all support the president’s objective of significantly reducing many public lands in size and opening up others for profit making operations. That’s why they were appointed.
The news releases are full of statements designed to hide their real purpose. Here’s an example:
“President Trump promised to break the permitting logjam, and he is delivering,” said Energy Secretary Chris Wright.“America can and will build big things again, but we must cut the red tape that has brought American energy innovation to a standstill and end this era of permitting paralysis. These reforms replace outdated rules with clear deadlines, restore agency authority, and put us back on the path to energy dominance, job creation, and commonsense action. Build, baby, build!”
Let’s did a little deeper. By ‘permitting logjam’ and ‘red tape’ and ‘outdated rules,’ he means rules that have been developed to protect our air and water quality, save rare and endangered species from extinction, and maintain areas of great beauty and/or cultural significance that the majority of Americans support protecting. The Administration’s perspective is that these rules get in the way of progress. Who needs clean air or water. “Build, baby, build!”
And how about American energy innovation and dominance? Obviously, he’s not talking about solar, wind and water power. We’ve been moving ahead quickly in the development of clean energy. The Trump Administration is actively discouraging this progress. Incentives designed to encourage their use have been cut. His passion is for coal, gas and oil, all three of which are nonrenewable resources and have been prime factors in the development of global warming that has been having such devastating impacts on the US and the world. The Texas floods of this past week are but one of a multitude of examples.
Several countries in the world have now reached the point where 80-100% of their energy needs are supplied by renewable clean energy. I’d argue that they are the ones achieving energy dominance, one that will last long beyond our nonrenewable resources and is vital to our battle against global warming.
On another subject, it’s interesting that right-wing Republicans played an important role in blocking the administration’s plans to sell off millions of acres of public lands in the West. Here’s what Christopher Rufo, a culture warrior and leading supporter of Trump in in the state of Washington had to say:
“Pre-2016, you’d have the small government argument against a kind of federal domination over the land, but Trump and MAGA is a nationalist movement,” he said. “I think many conservatives are now reassessing these questions, and many of us in the West understand that part of a great nation is the preservation of its natural beauty.” There is hope.
The Marble Mountain Wilderness, the subject of this post, is an example of this beauty.
On the subject of ‘far away views’ seen from the PCT in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, here are two more. These are the Trinity Alps.Beautifully green.When I left off in my last post, I was just coming up to Paradise Lake. I was captured by the reflections, in the lake and……this outcrop of lime above the lake.The sign told me that I had left Paradise Lake and was on my way to Marble Valley. It seemed like an easy walk, but don’t quote me. Some photos from along the way.One of the names of this Mariposa Lily is cat’s ear. It’s easy to see why.Always a favorite: Penstemon.The value of this tree isn’t in its board feet, which is how the Trump administration sees it. It is in its beauty. Old growth forests deserve our protection.I’m glad I wasn’t around when this gorgeous chunk of limestone came rolling down the mountain.I came on this patch of snow shortly afterward. I planned my trip to allow time for most of the snow along the trail to melt. Hiking in snow is hard and requires extra caution in the summer when it often melts beneath the surface. The trail then took me past this limestone outcrop up close.Looking up, a view of Marble Mountain was one of the treats I found in Marble Valley.As was looking down. Dozens of butterflies in the mud next to a stream provided a photo op.Close up!My hike through the rest of the Marble Mountain Wilderness featured hiking across scree/talus covered slopes…Past serene mountain lakes…Through a high mountain meadow with an rock filled stream…And covered in flowers. Including rosy spiraea.Red mountain heather.Siskiyou lewisia.And Western Pasqueflower also known as Dr. Seuss mop heads.Past more old growth giants,More mountains,And forests.Until I came to this rock. “We’re all mad here. Be you!” Bone, who’s never been anything but, insisted on having his photo taken with the rock. I found several of these rocks along the way, usually near a trailhead. I was getting excited.Peggy would be somewhere near with her welcoming smile and cold beer.She caught a photo of me hoofing it up the mountain!I got an extra long and tight hug for having finished/survived my first solo section of my 750 mile Trek down the PCT. And a cold beer. Cheers.As you read this post, Peggy and I are on a backpack trip into the Five Lakes Basin north of I-80 in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It’s where I made my first ever backpack trip in 1969, a while ago. It’s also the first place I ever took Peggy on a backpacking trip. That was in 1990 just after we met. She requested that we hike in to the basin as part of her 75th Birthday Celebration. This is a photo of the Black Buttes that overlook the basin at sunset. The trip will be our next post. Can a 75 year old and an 82 year old still pull it off? Grin. Wish us luck!Our post after the Five Lakes Basin will take you into the Canyon de Shelly with its towering cliffs and marvelous pictoglyphs and petroglyphs, which brings me to a reminder: If you enjoy word searches or know someone who does, Peggy’s new book on the unique and magical petroglyphs of the Southwest makes an excellent gift, either for yourself or a friend. It’s available on Amazon.
19 thoughts on “The Marble Mountain Wilderness: Magnificent Views Up Close and Far Away… Part 2”
Wow! The flowers are spectacular there! I’m thinking that walking among all the rocks…you have to be especially light-footed! It’s amazing that trees can grow in such a rocky terrain. It’s all just majestic! I especially like the beer reward! Year’s ago, I had a large back yard that I mowed with a push mower. I would set a bottle of beer on the picnic table and every turn around the yard, was a stop at the table! Enjoyable! Take care you seekers of nature!
Now there’s an incentive Wendy! One round, one sip. Hope you kept it on ice. I’m afraid I would have been tempted to more than one sip. Grin. Thanks as always for your comments Wendy.
Lovely and interesting photos as always, Curt. As to the larger purpose of these recent posts, polls show 59% of the people would like an alternative to the people the Democrats and Republicans have been presenting us. I would venture to say, Elon Musk isn’t what we are looking for either.
Like many a ‘boomer,’ I vote. But I “threw my vote away” voting for someone other than those offered by the major parties.
First, thanks on the photos, Ray. As to the second part, this nation is desperately in need of visionaries who can see beyond what we are presently being presented with. I couldn’t agree more.
Love reading yours and Peggy’s continued adventures! And cracking up that Bone took a picture with my rock! I found it on the PCT at the bottom of the Hat Creek Rim, and left it at the end of my section hike seven or eight years ago. 🙂 🙂 Many blessings to you!
Oh so good to hear from you mamafergie! That’s special. I really enjoyed seeing the rocks along the trail. And you already know what Bone thought about it. I found Bone in a snow patch filled with baby corn lilies on the Tahoe Yosemite Trail south of Lake Tahoe in 1977 and he’s been wandering the world with me and other people ever since. He says “Thank you!”
“It’s where I made my first ever backpack trip in 1969, a while ago. It’s also the first place I ever took Peggy on a backpacking trip. That was in 1990 just after we met”
Just a little while ago, Curt 😂 lol.
Gorgeous photos.. I borrowed one for my post today, giving you credit of course, since I don’t know how else to reach you other than a stone, photo opt or pit stop.
Great update and passed it on!
Hugs and Happy Birthday again, Peggy! She gets to milk this one!
You’re so very welcome and when you get some time feel free to respond to your new fans! 💓 Keep having fun! 🤩
More of this beautiful country, Curt. Thank you for continuing to speak up for the real things that make this country great – our majestic wildernesses, clean water, clean air, flora and fauna. I’m glad some Republicans have realized that! Great photos. I’d never seen a Western Pasqueflower before. What a funny plant. I hope to get to the Marblehead Wilderness some day. I hope you and Peggy enjoy your current adventure! 😀
Thanks, D. Our current adventure we just came off was backpacking. No news! 😃My knees and hips complained, but beyond that it was wonderful to be back out in the woods.
Your photos are gorgeous! I’m so glad to have found more people who are sharing their voices to protect the beauty of the parks in our country. It’s quite terrible what the current administration plans to do.
I found your blog via Cindy Georgakas, by Pete Springer who recommended to Cindy my posts on our Minnesota State Park adventures. https://rosevettleson.wordpress.com/category/mn-state-parks-2/ We’re not photographers, but we’re trying to share the beauty of our Minnesota state parks. We have 65 state parks in Minnesota and have visited 62. We started our state park journey in 2023. It’s been so fun and we’ve learned so much history about our state through our parks.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Wow! The flowers are spectacular there! I’m thinking that walking among all the rocks…you have to be especially light-footed! It’s amazing that trees can grow in such a rocky terrain. It’s all just majestic! I especially like the beer reward! Year’s ago, I had a large back yard that I mowed with a push mower. I would set a bottle of beer on the picnic table and every turn around the yard, was a stop at the table! Enjoyable! Take care you seekers of nature!
Wendy
Now there’s an incentive Wendy! One round, one sip. Hope you kept it on ice. I’m afraid I would have been tempted to more than one sip. Grin. Thanks as always for your comments Wendy.
Lovely and interesting photos as always, Curt. As to the larger purpose of these recent posts, polls show 59% of the people would like an alternative to the people the Democrats and Republicans have been presenting us. I would venture to say, Elon Musk isn’t what we are looking for either.
Like many a ‘boomer,’ I vote. But I “threw my vote away” voting for someone other than those offered by the major parties.
First, thanks on the photos, Ray. As to the second part, this nation is desperately in need of visionaries who can see beyond what we are presently being presented with. I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks, Curt, for your amazing photos and energy, taking us to places many of us would never be able to go. All best, Zan
It’s our privilege to share the photos and stories, Zan. Thanks for doing along on our adventures. –Curt
A stunning post. It confirms my love of green.
What more could one ask, Peggy!
Beautiful! Good luck on your backpacking trip. Looking forward to hearing about it, as well as Canyon de Chelly. Such a special place!
Thank Diana. Peggy and I loved our trip. Not so sure about my 82 year old hips and knees. Grin. Post should be up in a couple of days.
Love reading yours and Peggy’s continued adventures! And cracking up that Bone took a picture with my rock! I found it on the PCT at the bottom of the Hat Creek Rim, and left it at the end of my section hike seven or eight years ago. 🙂 🙂 Many blessings to you!
Oh so good to hear from you mamafergie! That’s special. I really enjoyed seeing the rocks along the trail. And you already know what Bone thought about it. I found Bone in a snow patch filled with baby corn lilies on the Tahoe Yosemite Trail south of Lake Tahoe in 1977 and he’s been wandering the world with me and other people ever since. He says “Thank you!”
“It’s where I made my first ever backpack trip in 1969, a while ago. It’s also the first place I ever took Peggy on a backpacking trip. That was in 1990 just after we met”
Just a little while ago, Curt 😂 lol.
Gorgeous photos.. I borrowed one for my post today, giving you credit of course, since I don’t know how else to reach you other than a stone, photo opt or pit stop.
Great update and passed it on!
Hugs and Happy Birthday again, Peggy! She gets to milk this one!
💗🎉
Love your share, Cindy. Thanks so much! Appreciated! Peggy and I just got off our latest backpacking adventure and there it was… ❤️😁
You’re so very welcome and when you get some time feel free to respond to your new fans! 💓 Keep having fun! 🤩
More of this beautiful country, Curt. Thank you for continuing to speak up for the real things that make this country great – our majestic wildernesses, clean water, clean air, flora and fauna. I’m glad some Republicans have realized that! Great photos. I’d never seen a Western Pasqueflower before. What a funny plant. I hope to get to the Marblehead Wilderness some day. I hope you and Peggy enjoy your current adventure! 😀
Thanks, D. Our current adventure we just came off was backpacking. No news! 😃My knees and hips complained, but beyond that it was wonderful to be back out in the woods.
Your photos are gorgeous! I’m so glad to have found more people who are sharing their voices to protect the beauty of the parks in our country. It’s quite terrible what the current administration plans to do.
I found your blog via Cindy Georgakas, by Pete Springer who recommended to Cindy my posts on our Minnesota State Park adventures. https://rosevettleson.wordpress.com/category/mn-state-parks-2/ We’re not photographers, but we’re trying to share the beauty of our Minnesota state parks. We have 65 state parks in Minnesota and have visited 62. We started our state park journey in 2023. It’s been so fun and we’ve learned so much history about our state through our parks.
Happy 75th birthday to Peggy!
Thank you for taking us on such a lovely journey!