A glimpse of the Great Lake in passing The day dawned with low cloud and drizzle which obscured the mountains and sent fingers of mist down into the valleys. The contrast with the day before couldn't have been greater, nor could the landscape. Optimistically, we drove up into the mist anyway. At least it would be an interesting drive even if we couldn’t get to the falls. After turning right at the Highland Lakes Road (B51), we stopped at Pine Lake and said Hello to the Pencil Pines, that being one of the few places where you can see them easily without having to do heroic backpacking trips into the mountains. This is one the highest points on the Highland Lakes Road It is also one of the few places where you can see ancient Pencil Pines - Arthrotaxis cupressoides. These have been estimated to be over 1000 years old, though they can live to be 1500. They are related to Sequoias and date from the same geological period This was heroic enough. A biting wind was blowing and ...
Practising Geographer - nature culture places people