WEBVTT
00:00:12.345 --> 00:00:13.779
ELL HOWSER.
00:00:13.847 --> 00:00:16.482
RIGHT NOW,
WE'VE STOPPED TO GET SOME GAS
00:00:16.549 --> 00:00:18.150
AND STRETCH A LITTLE BIT
00:00:18.218 --> 00:00:20.786
IN THE NICE LITTLE TOWN
OF LONE PINE,
00:00:20.854 --> 00:00:23.722
WHICH IS LOCATED
RIGHT HERE ON HIGHWAY 395
00:00:23.790 --> 00:00:25.257
IN THE EASTERN SIERRA.
00:00:25.325 --> 00:00:27.926
NOW, THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PART
OF OUR STATE,
00:00:27.994 --> 00:00:30.162
AND THERE'S A LOT
TO SEE HERE, TOO.
00:00:30.230 --> 00:00:33.032
FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT OVER THERE
IS MOUNT WHITNEY.
00:00:33.099 --> 00:00:35.834
AND IF YOU HEAD
IN THAT DIRECTION ABOUT AN HOUR,
00:00:35.902 --> 00:00:37.603
YOU'LL GET TO DEATH VALLEY.
00:00:37.671 --> 00:00:40.606
NOW, I THINK THIS IS ABOUT
THE MOST DIFFICULT ASSIGNMENT
00:00:40.674 --> 00:00:42.007
WE HAVE EVER ACCEPTED,
00:00:42.075 --> 00:00:44.376
BECAUSE BEFORE WE
COULD EVEN START OUT,
00:00:44.444 --> 00:00:47.212
WE'VE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF A LOT
OF LITTLE DETAILS
00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:49.982
AND WAIT FOR EXACTLY
THE RIGHT KIND OF WEATHER.
00:00:50.050 --> 00:00:51.884
NOW, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO
00:00:51.951 --> 00:00:56.021
IS VISIT TWO VERY REMOTE AND
LITTLE-KNOWN PLACES IN OUR STATE
00:00:56.089 --> 00:00:59.458
IN ORDER TO SEE TWO SPECTACULAR
SIGHTS FIRSTHAND.
00:00:59.526 --> 00:01:01.627
I CALL THIS PARTICULAR ADVENTURE
00:01:01.695 --> 00:01:04.129
"PLACES THAT ARE HARD
TO GET TO,"
00:01:04.197 --> 00:01:06.965
BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY
WHAT THEY ARE --
00:01:07.033 --> 00:01:08.734
EXTREMELY HARD TO GET TO.
00:01:08.802 --> 00:01:12.371
SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED
IN WHERE THESE TWO PLACES ARE
00:01:12.439 --> 00:01:13.839
AND YOU'RE UP FOR IT,
00:01:13.907 --> 00:01:17.242
PUT ON YOUR HIKING BOOTS
AND COME ON ALONG WITH US
00:01:17.310 --> 00:01:20.012
AS WE ALL CONTINUE OUR SEARCH
TOGETHER,
00:01:20.080 --> 00:01:23.048
THIS TIME TO TWO PLACES
VERY HARD TO GET TO,
00:01:23.116 --> 00:01:24.616
FOR CALIFORNIA'S GOLD.
00:01:24.684 --> 00:01:29.555
[ BANJOS PLAY
"CALIFORNIA HERE I COME"]
00:01:52.212 --> 00:01:55.981
Howser: JUST GETTING TO OUR
FIRST DESTINATION WAS A TREAT.
00:01:56.049 --> 00:01:58.017
I NEVER GET TIRED OF LOOKING AT
00:01:58.084 --> 00:02:00.419
OUR MAGNIFICENT
SIERRA MOUNTAINS.
00:02:00.487 --> 00:02:02.454
AND HEADING NORTH UP 395,
00:02:02.522 --> 00:02:06.625
YOU ALSO GET TO PASS THROUGH
SOME GREAT LITTLE TOWNS
00:02:06.693 --> 00:02:10.729
LIKE BIG PINE, INDEPENDENCE,
LONE PINE, AND BISHOP.
00:02:10.797 --> 00:02:14.366
NOW, WE WERE HEADING FOR
THE INYO NATIONAL FOREST
00:02:14.434 --> 00:02:18.437
IN ORDER TO SEE SOMETHING
IN PERSON FEW PEOPLE EVER SEE.
00:02:18.505 --> 00:02:20.939
OKAY, WE'RE JUST ABOUT
A MILE NORTH
00:02:21.007 --> 00:02:23.008
OF THE LITTLE TOWN OF BIG PINE.
00:02:23.076 --> 00:02:25.444
WE'RE STILL RIGHT OFF
HIGHWAY 395,
00:02:25.512 --> 00:02:27.980
AND WE'RE HOOKING UP WITH
KEITH OSBORNE
00:02:28.048 --> 00:02:29.782
FROM THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE.
00:02:29.849 --> 00:02:32.117
NOW, KEITH IS GOING TO BE
OUR GUIDE
00:02:32.185 --> 00:02:34.386
TO THE FIRST
HARD-TO-GET-TO PLACE.
00:02:34.454 --> 00:02:38.057
NOW, HOW FAR AWAY IS THAT PLACE
FROM WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW?
00:02:38.124 --> 00:02:40.659
IT'S ABOUT 23 MILES FURTHER
UP THE ROAD, HUELL,
00:02:40.727 --> 00:02:43.228
IT'LL TAKE US
ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO GET THERE.
00:02:43.296 --> 00:02:44.496
SO THESE ARE LITTLE,
00:02:44.564 --> 00:02:46.799
KIND OF WINDY ROADS
WE'RE GOING TO GO ON?
00:02:46.866 --> 00:02:48.067
VERY MUCH SO, YES.
00:02:48.134 --> 00:02:49.635
BUT BEFORE WE GO,
00:02:49.703 --> 00:02:52.538
I WANT TO SHOW YOU
SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING.
00:02:52.605 --> 00:02:55.341
RIGHT IN FRONT OF US HERE
IS A GIANT SEQUOIA
00:02:55.408 --> 00:02:57.843
THAT WAS PLANTED
BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
00:02:57.911 --> 00:03:00.579
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
WAS OUT HERE?
00:03:00.647 --> 00:03:02.114
THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH.
00:03:02.182 --> 00:03:03.482
DOING WHAT?
00:03:03.550 --> 00:03:07.119
WELL, PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
WAS AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN,
00:03:07.187 --> 00:03:10.489
AND TO SHOW HIS INTEREST
IN NATIONAL LANDS --
00:03:10.557 --> 00:03:12.624
NATIONAL PARKS
AND SO FORTH --
00:03:12.692 --> 00:03:16.028
HE PLANTED THIS TREE
RIGHT HERE ON THE CORNER,
00:03:16.096 --> 00:03:19.698
WHICH IS KIND OF OUR BENCH MARK
INTO WESTGARD PASS,
00:03:19.766 --> 00:03:22.935
WHICH LEADS US
INTO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS.
00:03:23.003 --> 00:03:25.637
SO WE HAVE
A LITTLE PLAQUE HERE.
00:03:25.705 --> 00:03:29.308
I'VE DRIVEN DOWN THIS ROAD
A NUMBER OF TIMES --
00:03:29.376 --> 00:03:30.743
DOWN 395 --
00:03:30.810 --> 00:03:34.213
AND NEVER KNOWN
OR EVEN SEEN THIS, PROBABLY.
00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:37.716
IT WAS DEDICATED JULY 23rd,
1913.
00:03:37.784 --> 00:03:39.218
WOW.
00:03:39.285 --> 00:03:40.686
BY TEDDY ROOSEVELT.
00:03:40.754 --> 00:03:42.521
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:03:42.589 --> 00:03:45.357
AND LOOK HOW IT'S GROWN,
AND LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS.
00:03:45.425 --> 00:03:47.126
IT'S ALMOST
A PERFECT SHAPE.
00:03:47.193 --> 00:03:49.161
DO YOU TRIM IT
TO LOOK LIKE THIS?
00:03:49.229 --> 00:03:50.696
[ Laughing ] NO.
00:03:50.764 --> 00:03:53.866
THAT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY COMMON
FOR A SEQUOIA IN ITS EARLY AGE.
00:03:53.933 --> 00:03:56.001
THIS IS NOT TOO OLD,
AS YOU CAN SEE.
00:03:56.069 --> 00:03:58.437
THESE GROW UP TO BE
ABOUT 3,000 YEARS OLD,
00:03:58.505 --> 00:04:00.572
AND THIS ONE IS UNDER 100
RIGHT NOW.
00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:02.274
WOW.
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TREE.
00:04:02.342 --> 00:04:04.743
WELL,
TEDDY ROOSEVELT WAS HERE,
00:04:04.811 --> 00:04:08.113
AND IF IT WAS GOOD ENOUGH
FOR TEDDY ROOSEVELT,
00:04:08.181 --> 00:04:09.882
IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR US.
00:04:09.949 --> 00:04:11.250
LET'S HEAD ON OUT
00:04:11.317 --> 00:04:14.486
AND GO TO OUR FIRST
HARD-TO-GET-TO LOCATION.
00:04:14.554 --> 00:04:15.954
WE'RE IN OUR VEHICLE,
00:04:16.022 --> 00:04:18.857
AND SINCE WE DON'T KNOW
WHERE WE'RE GOING,
00:04:18.925 --> 00:04:20.392
WE'LL JUST FOLLOW YOU.
00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:21.727
SOUNDS GOOD.
00:04:21.795 --> 00:04:23.529
ALTHOUGH GOING DOWN
THIS LITTLE ROAD,
00:04:23.596 --> 00:04:25.297
I DON'T KNOW
HOW WE CAN GET LOST.
00:04:25.365 --> 00:04:26.465
[ BOTH LAUGH ]
00:04:26.533 --> 00:04:27.966
WE'RE OFF!
00:04:28.034 --> 00:04:31.036
Howser: AND OFF WE WERE,
HEADING OUT ACROSS SOME TERRAIN
00:04:31.104 --> 00:04:33.439
THAT SEEMED TO CHANGE
EVERY FEW MINUTES.
00:04:33.506 --> 00:04:35.140
FIRST THERE WAS OPEN COUNTRY.
00:04:35.208 --> 00:04:38.277
THEN THE ROAD GOT WINDY
AND HILLY.
00:04:38.345 --> 00:04:40.646
AND THEN WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH
AN AREA
00:04:40.714 --> 00:04:42.748
WITH A LOT OF ROCKS
ON BOTH SIDES.
00:04:42.816 --> 00:04:45.718
AND THEN WE REACHED
THE HIGH COUNTRY --
00:04:45.785 --> 00:04:47.553
OVER 9,000 FEET UP.
00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:51.190
IN FACT, THIS AREA IS ONLY OPEN
FOUR MONTHS A YEAR.
00:04:51.257 --> 00:04:54.626
THE REST OF THE TIME,
IT'S COMPLETELY SNOWED IN.
00:04:54.694 --> 00:04:58.664
WE WERE DEFINITELY HEADING
SOMEWHERE OFF THE BEATEN TRACK.
00:04:58.732 --> 00:05:00.432
Howser:
OKAY, WE HAVE GONE
00:05:00.500 --> 00:05:02.434
AS FAR AS WE CAN GO
BY VEHICLE.
00:05:02.502 --> 00:05:04.903
WE HAVE NOW REACHED
THE DISCOVERY TRAIL.
00:05:04.971 --> 00:05:08.173
THOSE ARE THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
IN FRONT OF US,
00:05:08.241 --> 00:05:12.044
AND WE'RE GOING TO GO THE LAST
COUPLE OF MILES BY FOOT.
00:05:12.112 --> 00:05:14.580
THAT'S RIGHT.
WE'RE ALMOST THERE.
00:05:14.647 --> 00:05:16.482
JUST STICK WITH ME, HUELL.
00:05:16.549 --> 00:05:20.219
I'LL TAKE YOU RIGHT UP
TO OUR FINAL DESTINATION HERE.
00:05:20.286 --> 00:05:21.854
SO WE'RE ALMOST THERE?
00:05:21.921 --> 00:05:23.455
YES.
00:05:23.523 --> 00:05:26.492
I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN ON
A LONG JOURNEY TO GET HERE.
00:05:26.559 --> 00:05:27.993
WE'RE REAL CLOSE.
00:05:28.061 --> 00:05:30.429
BUT IT'S GOING TO BE WORTH IT,
ISN'T IT?
00:05:30.497 --> 00:05:31.730
ABSOLUTELY.
00:05:31.798 --> 00:05:34.033
NOW, I'VE BEEN ON A LOT OF HIKES
IN MY LIFE,
00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:36.035
BUT I DON'T THINK
I HAVE EVER SEEN
00:05:36.102 --> 00:05:38.303
A VIEW QUITE AS SPECTACULAR
AS THIS ONE.
00:05:38.371 --> 00:05:39.705
YOU LIVE UP HERE.
00:05:39.773 --> 00:05:42.141
DO YOU EVER GET TIRED OF LOOKING
AT THIS?
00:05:42.208 --> 00:05:43.842
NO WAY.
THIS IS FANTASTIC.
00:05:43.910 --> 00:05:47.046
I REALLY CAN'T REMEMBER IT BEING
THIS BEAUTIFUL.
00:05:47.113 --> 00:05:49.515
THE HEAVY RAINFALL
WE HAD THIS YEAR
00:05:49.582 --> 00:05:52.951
HAS REALLY MADE THE SNOWFALL
ON THE SIERRA COME OUT.
00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:54.453
IT IS TRULY BEAUTIFUL.
00:05:54.521 --> 00:05:57.389
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT --
I'M ALSO OUT OF BREATH.
00:05:57.457 --> 00:06:00.359
WE'RE AT 9,000 FEET.
THERE'S NO AIR UP HERE.
00:06:00.427 --> 00:06:03.729
ACTUALLY, NO, HUELL.
WE'RE UP AT 10,100 FEET.
00:06:03.797 --> 00:06:06.432
SO IT'S NOT
THAT I'M OUT OF SHAPE,
00:06:06.499 --> 00:06:08.867
THERE'S JUST NO OXYGEN,
RIGHT?
00:06:08.935 --> 00:06:10.235
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:06:10.303 --> 00:06:12.371
THERE'S QUITE A BIT LESS OXYGEN
UP HERE.
00:06:12.439 --> 00:06:14.573
AND BECAUSE THIS IS
A DRY MOUNTAIN RANGE,
00:06:14.641 --> 00:06:16.642
THAT EVEN COMPOUNDS
THE PROBLEM MORE.
00:06:16.710 --> 00:06:18.711
LET'S STOP AND REST
FOR JUST A MINUTE,
00:06:18.778 --> 00:06:21.880
AND, LUIS, JUST LOOK
AT THIS VIEW WITH US OUT HERE.
00:06:21.948 --> 00:06:25.050
THIS IS A NICE PLACE TO REST
AND CATCH OUR BREATH.
00:06:25.118 --> 00:06:26.885
[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]
00:06:26.953 --> 00:06:28.487
WELL, WE ARE FINALLY HERE.
00:06:28.555 --> 00:06:29.788
YEAH, HUELL, WE ARE.
00:06:29.856 --> 00:06:31.190
THIS IS SCHULMAN GROVE
00:06:31.257 --> 00:06:33.759
IN THE ANCIENT BRISTLECONE
PINE FOREST.
00:06:33.827 --> 00:06:35.828
AND IN CASE
ANYBODY'S WONDERING
00:06:35.895 --> 00:06:38.030
WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE
SO SPECIAL,
00:06:38.098 --> 00:06:41.133
IS IT'S HOME TO THE OLDEST
CONTINUOUS LIVING THINGS
00:06:41.201 --> 00:06:42.434
ON THE PLANET EARTH.
00:06:42.502 --> 00:06:44.136
NOW, WHEN YOU SAY
00:06:44.204 --> 00:06:47.473
THESE ARE THE OLDEST
CONTINUOUSLY LIVING THINGS
00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:50.542
ON THE PLANET EARTH,
HOW OLD ARE THEY?
00:06:50.610 --> 00:06:51.977
HOW OLD IS THIS TREE?
00:06:52.045 --> 00:06:55.247
WELL, THIS TREE -- I DON'T KNOW
ITS EXACT AGE, HUELL,
00:06:55.315 --> 00:06:58.884
BUT MY GUESS WOULD BE IT'S OVER
3,000 YEARS OLD AT LEAST.
00:06:58.952 --> 00:07:00.019
REALLY?
00:07:00.086 --> 00:07:01.120
YES.
00:07:01.187 --> 00:07:02.554
HOW DO YOU TELL THAT?
00:07:02.622 --> 00:07:04.623
ARE THERE RINGS
ON THE TREES?
00:07:04.691 --> 00:07:05.991
YEAH.
00:07:06.059 --> 00:07:09.028
WE DO A CORING PROCESS
WITH A SWEDISH INCREMENT BORE
00:07:09.095 --> 00:07:12.364
WHERE WE CORE INTO THE TREE,
AND WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE OUT
00:07:12.432 --> 00:07:14.667
A SMALL CYLINDER
OF THE INNER TREE,
00:07:14.734 --> 00:07:17.169
COUNT THE RINGS,
AND DETERMINE ITS AGE.
00:07:17.237 --> 00:07:18.771
AND WE CAN DO ALL OF THIS
00:07:18.838 --> 00:07:21.006
WITHOUT ACTUALLY HARMING
THE TREE.
00:07:21.074 --> 00:07:23.942
HOW CAN TREES LIVE
3,000 YEARS?
00:07:24.010 --> 00:07:27.112
WELL,
THAT'S A VERY SPECIAL STORY,
00:07:27.180 --> 00:07:29.848
AND IT'S UNIQUE
TO THE BRISTLECONES.
00:07:29.916 --> 00:07:33.152
PART OF IT IS THE SOIL
THAT WE'RE STANDING ON.
00:07:33.219 --> 00:07:35.654
THERE IS NO SOIL.
IT'S ALL ROCKS.
00:07:35.722 --> 00:07:36.855
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:07:36.923 --> 00:07:39.658
THIS ROCKY SOIL HERE
IS CALLED DOLOMITE,
00:07:39.726 --> 00:07:42.528
AND IT'S A CALCIUM MAGNESIUM
CARBONATE.
00:07:42.595 --> 00:07:45.798
IT'S ORIGINATED FROM THE BOTTOM
OF AN OCEAN FLOOR,
00:07:45.865 --> 00:07:47.099
BELIEVE IT OR NOT,
00:07:47.167 --> 00:07:49.535
AND AS THESE MOUNTAINS
WERE FORMED,
00:07:49.602 --> 00:07:52.571
IT WAS UPLIFTED
AND BROUGHT TO THIS ELEVATION.
00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:55.541
IT PROVIDES A SPECIAL SOIL
OR GROWING CONDITION
00:07:55.608 --> 00:07:56.875
FOR THESE TREES.
00:07:56.943 --> 00:07:59.645
IT'S AN ALKALINE SOIL,
BELIEVE IT OR NOT.
00:07:59.713 --> 00:08:02.448
A LOT OF THEM LOOK LIKE
THEY'VE BEEN BURNED.
00:08:02.515 --> 00:08:04.750
THEY'VE BEEN STRUCK
BY LIGHTNING --
00:08:04.818 --> 00:08:06.352
THAT'S WHAT IT IS, RIGHT?
00:08:06.419 --> 00:08:07.686
SOME OF THEM HAVE,
00:08:07.754 --> 00:08:10.489
AND SOMETIMES THE BARK
JUST GIVES THAT APPEARANCE.
00:08:10.557 --> 00:08:11.824
AS IT'S BEEN WEATHERED
00:08:11.891 --> 00:08:13.892
BY BLOWING ICE AND SNOW
AND SO FORTH,
00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:16.929
IT GIVES THAT KIND OF BURNED,
DARK APPEARANCE TO THE WOOD.
00:08:16.996 --> 00:08:19.231
VERY STRANGE,
EERIE LOOKING TREES.
00:08:19.299 --> 00:08:21.633
YES.
ALMOST LIKE THEY WERE SCULPTED.
00:08:21.701 --> 00:08:23.569
IT'S A VERY DRY
MOUNTAIN RANGE,
00:08:23.636 --> 00:08:26.705
AND THESE TREES ARE ADAPTED TO
DROUGHT CONDITIONS.
00:08:26.773 --> 00:08:30.309
AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THEY GROW
VERY, VERY, VERY SLOWLY
00:08:30.377 --> 00:08:33.112
AND DEVELOP
A VERY RESINOUS WOOD
00:08:33.179 --> 00:08:36.782
THAT IS RESISTANT TO INSECTS
AND DECAY.
00:08:36.850 --> 00:08:38.684
SO THIS IS HARDWOOD?
00:08:38.752 --> 00:08:40.586
VERY HARD WOOD, YES.
00:08:40.653 --> 00:08:42.221
NOW, IS THIS TREE DEAD?
00:08:42.288 --> 00:08:43.822
THIS TREE IS DEAD, YES.
00:08:43.890 --> 00:08:46.358
I DON'T SEE ANY GREEN ON IT
AT ALL.
00:08:46.426 --> 00:08:49.194
THE DEAD TREES PROVIDE
SOMETHING SPECIAL
00:08:49.262 --> 00:08:50.763
TO THE AREA AS WELL,
00:08:50.830 --> 00:08:54.233
BECAUSE SCIENTISTS HAVE BEEN
STUDYING THE DEAD TREES,
00:08:54.300 --> 00:08:57.236
WORKING A CHRONOLOGY BACK,
STUDYING CLIMATE
00:08:57.303 --> 00:09:00.706
AND DATING ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
USING THIS OLD WOOD.
00:09:00.774 --> 00:09:03.342
SO THESE TREES UP HERE
ARE ALL GREEN,
00:09:03.410 --> 00:09:04.977
THEY'RE ALL STILL ALIVE,
00:09:05.045 --> 00:09:08.013
AND THEY'RE ALL MIXED IN
WITH THE DEAD ONES.
00:09:08.081 --> 00:09:10.983
WHERE IS THE OLDEST
BRISTLECONE PINE TREE?
00:09:11.051 --> 00:09:13.118
CAN YOU SHOW THAT ONE
TO US?
00:09:13.186 --> 00:09:16.355
NO, I CAN'T SHOW THAT ONE
TO YOU, UNFORTUNATELY.
00:09:16.423 --> 00:09:18.290
IT IS HERE AT SCHULMAN GROVE.
00:09:18.358 --> 00:09:21.660
IT'S ON THE METHUSELAH TRAIL,
BUT WE DON'T MARK IT.
00:09:21.728 --> 00:09:23.328
IT'S 4,722 YEARS, AND --
00:09:23.396 --> 00:09:26.532
4,722 YEARS?
00:09:26.599 --> 00:09:28.434
YOU GOT IT DOWN TO THE YEAR?
00:09:28.501 --> 00:09:30.002
TO THE YEAR, YES.
00:09:30.070 --> 00:09:33.038
AND IN HONOR OF ITS GREAT AGE,
WE DON'T MARK IT.
00:09:33.106 --> 00:09:35.774
WELL, YOU DON'T WANT ANYBODY
TO KNOW.
00:09:35.842 --> 00:09:36.742
EXACTLY. YES.
00:09:36.810 --> 00:09:38.811
BOY, LOOK AT THIS AGAIN.
00:09:38.878 --> 00:09:42.181
IT'S SUCH A WONDERFUL
JUXTAPOSITION --
00:09:42.248 --> 00:09:45.884
THESE 2,000-, 3,000-,
4,000-YEAR-OLD TREES
00:09:45.952 --> 00:09:50.522
LOOKING OUT ACROSS TO THE SIERRA
WITH THE GLACIERS IN THEM
00:09:50.590 --> 00:09:54.093
AND REALIZING
THAT IT'S LOOKED LIKE THIS,
00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:58.097
STANDING RIGHT HERE,
FOR 4,000 YEARS AT LEAST.
00:09:58.164 --> 00:09:59.598
THAT'S RIGHT. YES.
00:09:59.666 --> 00:10:02.201
IT'S A REAL CONTRAST
LOOKING ACROSS TO THE SIERRA
00:10:02.268 --> 00:10:05.337
AND HOW WET IT IS OVER THERE
AND THEN HOW DRY IT IS HERE.
00:10:05.405 --> 00:10:08.273
BUT I THOUGHT YOU GOT 4 FEET
OF SNOW HERE EVERY YEAR.
00:10:08.341 --> 00:10:09.942
WE DO, BUT THAT'S ALL.
00:10:10.010 --> 00:10:12.845
IT AVERAGES OUT TO BE ABOUT
12 INCHES OF RAINFALL A YEAR,
00:10:12.912 --> 00:10:15.180
SO ALL OF THESE TREES
ARE DROUGHT-ADAPTED.
00:10:15.248 --> 00:10:16.482
NOW, WHAT IS THIS?
00:10:16.549 --> 00:10:17.816
ISN'T THIS GREAT?
00:10:17.884 --> 00:10:20.652
RIGHT OFF THE TRAIL
IS A YOUNG BRISTLECONE.
00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:22.221
THIS IS A BRISTLECONE?
00:10:22.288 --> 00:10:24.723
YEAH.
ONLY ABOUT 50 OR 60 YEARS OLD.
00:10:24.791 --> 00:10:27.526
BUT YOU CAN SEE IT'S GOT
THE FIVE NEEDLES
00:10:27.594 --> 00:10:29.361
THAT ALL BRISTLECONES HAVE,
00:10:29.429 --> 00:10:31.897
AND IT'S STARTING TO GET
THAT SHAPE.
00:10:31.965 --> 00:10:34.533
IT LOOKS LIKE
A LITTLE CHRISTMAS TREE.
00:10:34.601 --> 00:10:37.636
AND IT'S SO INTERESTING
BECAUSE OF THE CONTRAST
00:10:37.704 --> 00:10:40.339
BETWEEN THIS YOUNG,
LITTLE BRISTLECONE
00:10:40.407 --> 00:10:44.076
AND THE OLD STUFF THAT IS SO
TWISTED AND GNARLED AND AGED.
00:10:44.144 --> 00:10:46.478
WHAT'S AMAZING
IS THE SMALL SIZE --
00:10:46.546 --> 00:10:48.080
4 FEET TALL, PROBABLY --
00:10:48.148 --> 00:10:50.749
AND STILL QUITE OLD --
50, 60 YEARS OLD.
00:10:50.817 --> 00:10:53.285
HOW MUCH DO THESE THINGS GROW
A YEAR?
00:10:53.353 --> 00:10:55.921
DO YOU KNOW?
HAVE YOU FIGURED THAT OUT?
00:10:55.989 --> 00:10:58.490
WELL, IT DEPENDS UPON
WHERE THEY GROW.
00:10:58.558 --> 00:10:59.925
ON A SLOPE LIKE THIS,
00:10:59.993 --> 00:11:02.828
THIS MAY ONLY GROW AN INCH,
2 INCHES A YEAR.
00:11:02.896 --> 00:11:04.963
WOW.
SO IT'S GOING TO BE A WHILE.
00:11:05.031 --> 00:11:06.265
OH, YEAH. ABSOLUTELY.
00:11:06.332 --> 00:11:08.367
WE'LL BE LONG GONE,
AND SOMEDAY,
00:11:08.435 --> 00:11:10.636
SOMEBODY WILL BE WALKING
ALONG HERE,
00:11:10.704 --> 00:11:13.272
LOOKING AT THIS ONE
ALL TWISTED AND GNARLED
00:11:13.340 --> 00:11:16.075
THE SAME WAY WE'VE BEEN
LOOKING AT THE OTHERS.
00:11:16.142 --> 00:11:17.376
WOW. LOOK AT THAT.
00:11:17.444 --> 00:11:20.646
A LITTLE BABY BRISTLECONE,
ONLY 50 YEARS OLD.
00:11:20.714 --> 00:11:23.549
THEY'VE GOT LITTLE PINE CONES
ON THEM.
00:11:23.616 --> 00:11:25.751
UNLIKE MOST PINE TREES,
00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:29.888
THESE CONES STAY ON THE TREE
FOR THREE YEARS
00:11:29.956 --> 00:11:32.791
BEFORE THEY MATURE
AND FALL.
00:11:32.859 --> 00:11:36.395
OKAY, SO HERE'S ONE THAT'S --
WHOA --
00:11:36.463 --> 00:11:38.397
HERE'S ONE
THAT'S FALLEN OFF.
00:11:38.465 --> 00:11:39.598
YEAH.
00:11:39.666 --> 00:11:41.233
IN FACT,
IF YOU TAKE THIS CONE
00:11:41.301 --> 00:11:43.469
AND YOU RUN IT
BETWEEN YOUR HANDS,
00:11:43.536 --> 00:11:46.939
YOU'LL DISCOVER WHY THESE TREES
ARE CALLED BRISTLECONES.
00:11:47.007 --> 00:11:48.140
WHAT HAPPENS?
00:11:48.208 --> 00:11:49.641
HERE. HOLD MY MIC.
00:11:49.709 --> 00:11:50.642
LIKE THIS?
00:11:50.710 --> 00:11:52.544
YOU FEEL THOSE BRISTLES?
00:11:52.612 --> 00:11:53.545
YEAH.
00:11:53.613 --> 00:11:54.947
YEAH. THEY'RE STICKY.
00:11:55.015 --> 00:11:56.515
MM-HMM.
00:11:56.583 --> 00:11:58.851
NOW, CAN I TAKE THIS HOME
AS A SOUVENIR?
00:11:58.918 --> 00:12:00.285
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
00:12:00.353 --> 00:12:02.821
AND THAT'S REALLY
AN IMPORTANT THING TO MENTION.
00:12:02.889 --> 00:12:04.390
THIS IS A BOTANICAL AREA.
00:12:04.457 --> 00:12:06.792
IT WAS DESIGNATED BY CONGRESS
AS SUCH,
00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:09.728
AND BECAUSE OF THAT DESIGNATION,
IT'S PROTECTED.
00:12:09.796 --> 00:12:11.296
NOTHING CAN BE TAKEN OUT --
00:12:11.364 --> 00:12:13.966
NO WOOD OR PLANTS OR ROCKS
OR THE PINE CONES.
00:12:14.034 --> 00:12:15.801
NOT EVEN
A SINGLE PINE CONE?
00:12:15.869 --> 00:12:16.902
THAT'S CORRECT.
00:12:16.970 --> 00:12:18.437
OKAY,
I'M GOING TO PUT IT --
00:12:18.505 --> 00:12:20.372
I'M ALSO GOING TO FALL OFF
THE MOUNTAIN --
00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:22.741
I'M GOING TO PUT IT BACK
KIND OF WHERE I FOUND IT.
00:12:22.809 --> 00:12:24.109
AND I'M CLEAN.
00:12:24.177 --> 00:12:26.412
I'M NOT CARRYING
A SINGLE PIECE OF WOOD WITH ME.
00:12:26.479 --> 00:12:27.880
[ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S GOOD.
00:12:27.947 --> 00:12:29.481
Howser: YOU KNOW,
00:12:29.549 --> 00:12:33.619
YOU CAN SAY THAT A TREE IS
A COUPLE OF THOUSAND YEARS OLD,
00:12:33.687 --> 00:12:37.189
BUT TO ACTUALLY BE STANDING
NEXT TO SOMETHING
00:12:37.257 --> 00:12:39.191
THAT IS ALIVE FROM NATURE
00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:43.462
THAT HAS BEEN SITTING RIGHT HERE
ON THIS ROCKY MOUNTAIN
00:12:43.530 --> 00:12:45.564
FOR 3,000 YEARS, GROWING --
00:12:45.632 --> 00:12:49.835
I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER
THIS IS GOING TO TRANSLATE
00:12:49.903 --> 00:12:51.337
ON THE AIR OR NOT,
00:12:51.404 --> 00:12:54.473
BUT IT IS A --
IT'S QUITE AN EXPERIENCE.
00:12:54.541 --> 00:12:55.808
IT REALLY IS.
00:12:55.875 --> 00:12:58.043
JUST TO BE ABLE TO VISIT
THE FOREST,
00:12:58.111 --> 00:13:00.112
TO SIT DOWN
NEXT TO THESE THINGS,
00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.980
AND TO REACH OUT,
TOUCH THEM,
00:13:02.048 --> 00:13:04.750
AND TO FEEL THAT, YOU KNOW,
IF THEY COULD SPEAK
00:13:04.818 --> 00:13:07.853
AND WHAT THEY COULD TELL US
ABOUT HISTORY AND SO FORTH
00:13:07.921 --> 00:13:09.822
IS JUST AN AMAZING CONCEPT.
00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:16.061
Howser:
LEAVING THE WHITE MOUNTAINS
00:13:16.129 --> 00:13:18.964
AND THE MAGNIFICENT
BRISTLECONE PINES,
00:13:19.032 --> 00:13:21.934
WE GOT BACK ON HIGHWAY 395
HEADING NORTH
00:13:22.002 --> 00:13:24.837
AND THEN TURNED OFF
ON ROUTE 120,
00:13:24.904 --> 00:13:27.172
WHICH IS KNOWN AS TIOGA PASS.
00:13:27.240 --> 00:13:28.707
NOW, THIS HAS TO BE
00:13:28.775 --> 00:13:31.510
ONE OF THE PRETTIEST DRIVES
IN OUR STATE.
00:13:31.578 --> 00:13:35.147
THE DESTINATION FOR OUR NEXT
HARD-TO-GET-TO ADVENTURE
00:13:35.215 --> 00:13:37.182
WAS IN YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.
00:13:37.250 --> 00:13:41.186
SPECIFICALLY, IN AN AREA
KNOWN AS TUOLUMNE MEADOWS.
00:13:41.254 --> 00:13:44.990
WE PULLED INTO THE TUOLUMNE
MEADOWS LODGE LATE AFTERNOON
00:13:45.058 --> 00:13:48.127
AND SPENT THE NIGHT
IN TENT CABINS.
00:13:48.194 --> 00:13:49.828
GOOD NIGHT.
00:13:52.032 --> 00:13:54.833
WELL, AFTER A GREAT NIGHT'S
SLEEP IN OUR TENT,
00:13:54.901 --> 00:13:58.037
IT'S NOW ABOUT 7:00
THE NEXT MORNING.
00:13:58.104 --> 00:14:01.607
WE'RE HERE
AT THE TUOLUMNE MEADOWS STABLES.
00:14:01.675 --> 00:14:03.275
LOTS OF MULES HERE,
00:14:03.343 --> 00:14:07.046
ALL OF THEM UP BRIGHT AND EARLY
THIS MORNING.
00:14:07.113 --> 00:14:08.781
A BEAUTIFUL MORNING.
00:14:08.848 --> 00:14:10.649
A GREAT DAY FOR A HIKE
00:14:10.717 --> 00:14:13.919
BACK TO OUR NEXT
HARD-TO-GET-TO PLACE.
00:14:13.987 --> 00:14:18.390
AND THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO
BE GOING ON RIGHT HERE.
00:14:18.458 --> 00:14:21.660
NOW, THE MULES DIDN'T LOOK
TOO EXCITED ABOUT IT.
00:14:21.728 --> 00:14:24.630
BUT WE WERE EXCITED,
PUTTING ON OUR HELMETS,
00:14:24.698 --> 00:14:27.466
WHICH ARE NOW REQUIRED
FOR SAFETY REASONS,
00:14:27.534 --> 00:14:31.170
PUTTING ON OUR SUNSCREEN
BECAUSE WE WERE HIGH UP --
00:14:31.237 --> 00:14:34.340
OVER 8,500 FEET --
AND THE SUN WAS BRIGHT,
00:14:34.407 --> 00:14:36.175
AND FINALLY SADDLING UP
00:14:36.242 --> 00:14:39.812
AND MAKING SURE THE STIRRUPS
WERE ADJUSTED JUST RIGHT.
00:14:39.879 --> 00:14:43.382
YOU SEE, IN ORDER TO GET
TO OUR ULTIMATE DESTINATION,
00:14:43.450 --> 00:14:46.051
WE WERE TRAVELING
BY MULE PACK TRAIN,
00:14:46.119 --> 00:14:47.786
WHICH WAS A FIRST FOR ME.
00:14:47.854 --> 00:14:51.290
WE WERE HEADING NINE MILES BACK,
DEEP INTO THE PARK,
00:14:51.358 --> 00:14:52.725
AND TO GET THERE,
00:14:52.792 --> 00:14:55.194
OUR GUIDES FROM
THE TUOLUMNE MEADOWS STABLES
00:14:55.261 --> 00:14:58.130
TOOK US THROUGH SOME
OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY
00:14:58.198 --> 00:15:00.232
ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
00:15:00.300 --> 00:15:03.068
THAT'S THE KIND OF STUFF
YOU SEE
00:15:03.136 --> 00:15:06.271
WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL
IN YOSEMITE.
00:15:06.339 --> 00:15:09.808
NOW, I AM AMAZED AT
HOW SURE-FOOTED THESE MULES ARE.
00:15:09.876 --> 00:15:12.344
IS THAT BECAUSE THEY KNOW
THE WAY?
00:15:12.412 --> 00:15:15.280
Woman: WELL,
IT'S PARTLY BECAUSE OF THAT,
00:15:15.348 --> 00:15:17.216
BUT IT'S MOSTLY JUST BECAUSE
00:15:17.283 --> 00:15:20.452
THE MULES ARE LIKE
OUR 4-WHEEL-DRIVE VEHICLES.
00:15:20.520 --> 00:15:23.722
THEY'RE ROUGH,
THEY'RE MADE FOR THE MOUNTAINS,
00:15:23.790 --> 00:15:27.126
AND, YEAH, THEY ARE USED TO
ALL THE ROCKY TRAILS.
00:15:27.193 --> 00:15:28.360
WOW.
00:15:28.428 --> 00:15:30.529
BECAUSE I'M NOT DOING
ANYTHING.
00:15:30.597 --> 00:15:33.198
MY MULE IS JUST FOLLOWING
YOUR HORSE.
00:15:33.266 --> 00:15:36.502
I'M NOT PULLING ON THE REIGNS
OR DOING ANYTHING.
00:15:36.569 --> 00:15:39.438
WELL, THAT'S WHY WE USE MULES
FOR YOU GUYS
00:15:39.506 --> 00:15:41.106
AND I RIDE A HORSE.
00:15:41.174 --> 00:15:45.277
THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL
AN EASY RIDE.
00:15:48.448 --> 00:15:51.116
AND A TIGHT FIT.
00:15:51.184 --> 00:15:53.185
[ LAUGHS ]
00:15:57.157 --> 00:16:00.426
NOW, WATCH THESE MULES
GO DOWN THESE STEPS.
00:16:00.493 --> 00:16:02.161
IT'S AN AMAZING THING.
00:16:02.228 --> 00:16:06.498
THEY DON'T MISS A BEAT,
AND WE'RE GOING STRAIGHT DOWN.
00:16:06.566 --> 00:16:08.767
I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY DO IT,
00:16:08.835 --> 00:16:12.338
BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE TRIPPED
ALL DAY LONG,
00:16:12.405 --> 00:16:15.240
AND WE'RE GOING
STRAIGHT DOWN THESE ROCKS.
00:16:25.618 --> 00:16:28.754
THIS IS
THE MOST SPECTACULAR VIEW
00:16:28.822 --> 00:16:32.458
I THINK I'VE EVER SEEN
IN MY WHOLE LIFE,
00:16:32.525 --> 00:16:34.526
LOOKING OUT OVER HERE.
00:16:34.594 --> 00:16:36.695
LOOK AT THIS.
00:16:36.763 --> 00:16:39.131
THIS IS NATURE.
00:16:39.199 --> 00:16:43.035
COME ON, CLARABELLE --
UP THE HILL.
00:16:43.103 --> 00:16:45.237
WHOA!
00:16:47.741 --> 00:16:49.975
SHERIDAN,
YOU SUGGESTED WE STOP HERE
00:16:50.043 --> 00:16:52.978
TO WATER THE HORSES AND MULES,
AND I CAN SEE WHY.
00:16:53.046 --> 00:16:56.181
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT.
IT'S LIKE A POSTCARD.
00:16:56.249 --> 00:16:58.650
ISN'T IT?
IT REALLY IS LIKE A POSTCARD.
00:16:58.718 --> 00:17:02.087
IT GIVES YOU SUCH A BEAUTIFUL
VIEW OF THE CATHEDRAL RANGE.
00:17:02.155 --> 00:17:03.689
YOU CAN NOTICE ECHO PEAKS,
00:17:03.757 --> 00:17:06.558
AND KIND OF IN THE DISTANCE
IS CATHEDRAL PEAKS.
00:17:06.626 --> 00:17:09.762
THIS IS ONE OF THE LOVELIEST
SHOTS IN THE WHOLE PARK,
00:17:09.829 --> 00:17:11.163
I BELIEVE.
00:17:11.231 --> 00:17:13.465
ARE THE MULES HAPPY
TO BE STOPPED HERE
00:17:13.533 --> 00:17:14.800
WITH THIS FRESH WATER?
00:17:14.868 --> 00:17:16.101
OH, CERTAINLY.
00:17:16.169 --> 00:17:18.537
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MULES
JUST A LITTLE BIT,
00:17:18.605 --> 00:17:20.873
BECAUSE THEY'RE
RATHER REMARKABLE ANIMALS.
00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.608
THEY CERTAINLY ARE,
00:17:22.676 --> 00:17:25.511
AND THEY CERTAINLY BELONG
UP IN THIS HIGH COUNTRY.
00:17:25.578 --> 00:17:26.845
THIS IS THEIR HOME.
00:17:26.913 --> 00:17:29.448
NOW, WHAT DO YOU MEAN,
"BELONG" UP HERE?
00:17:29.516 --> 00:17:31.950
I'VE BEEN AMAZED
AT HOW THEY OPERATE
00:17:32.018 --> 00:17:34.520
ON THESE NARROW, LITTLE,
ROCKY PATHS.
00:17:34.587 --> 00:17:37.589
YEAH, THEY'RE MUCH BETTER
THAN HORSES, ACTUALLY.
00:17:37.657 --> 00:17:40.926
AND EVEN THOUGH EACH ONE HAS
A DIFFERENT TEMPERAMENT,
00:17:40.994 --> 00:17:43.028
AS YOU'VE
CERTAINLY NOTICED --
00:17:43.096 --> 00:17:45.264
EACH OF YOUR MULES
IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT --
00:17:45.331 --> 00:17:46.965
BUT WHENEVER THEY GET
IN TROUBLE,
00:17:47.033 --> 00:17:48.767
THEY HAVE
A LOT OF COMMON SENSE.
00:17:48.835 --> 00:17:51.637
THAT'S A REAL IMPORTANT THING
UP HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.
00:17:51.705 --> 00:17:53.739
SOMETIMES THINGS
WILL HAPPEN TO THEM
00:17:53.807 --> 00:17:56.075
WHERE THEY'LL MAYBE FALL OVER
IN THE SNOW
00:17:56.142 --> 00:17:58.677
AND GET CAUGHT IN ROPES,
AND THEY'LL JUST WAIT,
00:17:58.745 --> 00:18:01.780
WHEREAS A HORSE WILL EXPLODE
AND BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR YOU
00:18:01.848 --> 00:18:03.982
AND PERHAPS KILL HIMSELF
AND HURT YOU.
00:18:04.050 --> 00:18:06.919
LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT
ABOUT CLARABELLE.
00:18:06.986 --> 00:18:10.189
CLARABELLE HAS BEEN
A PRETTY GOOD MULE SO FAR,
00:18:10.256 --> 00:18:13.359
BUT SHE STOPS AND EATS
WHENEVER SHE WANTS TO.
00:18:13.426 --> 00:18:14.693
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:18:14.761 --> 00:18:16.095
WELL, SHE'S A BIG MULE,
00:18:16.162 --> 00:18:18.163
AND SHE'S USED TO GETTING
HER WAY.
00:18:18.231 --> 00:18:20.566
I'VE NOTICED
THAT YOU'VE BEEN SHOWING HER
00:18:20.633 --> 00:18:23.369
THAT YOU'RE PRETTY BIG, TOO,
AND CONTROLLING HER.
00:18:23.436 --> 00:18:24.870
NO, NO, I'M NOT.
00:18:24.938 --> 00:18:27.406
SHE'S BEEN DOING
WHATEVER SHE DARN WELL PLEASES.
00:18:27.474 --> 00:18:29.541
WELL, THAT'S PROBABLY
SOMEWHAT TRUE.
00:18:29.609 --> 00:18:32.111
Howser:
WELL, WHEN WE STARTED UP AGAIN
00:18:32.178 --> 00:18:33.779
AFTER WATERING OUR MULES,
00:18:33.847 --> 00:18:36.515
WE STILL HAD
ABOUT THREE MORE MILES TO GO
00:18:36.583 --> 00:18:39.318
BEFORE WE REACHED
OUR FINAL DESTINATION --
00:18:39.386 --> 00:18:42.988
A 3-HOUR JOURNEY THAT TOOK US
THROUGH ALL KINDS OF TERRAIN,
00:18:43.056 --> 00:18:45.357
LIKE THIS OPEN AREA
OF SOLID ROCK.
00:18:45.425 --> 00:18:48.761
THEN WE WENT UP AND DOWN NARROW,
ROCKY TRAILS
00:18:48.828 --> 00:18:51.163
AND ACROSS FAST-FLOWING STREAMS.
00:18:51.231 --> 00:18:52.831
ALL OF THIS TO GET TO
00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:55.534
A VERY SPECIAL PLACE
IN THE PARK,
00:18:55.602 --> 00:18:58.237
A PLACE THAT FEW PEOPLE
EVER VISIT.
00:18:58.304 --> 00:19:00.272
AND AS SOON AS WE GOT THERE,
00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:03.509
I KNEW THE LONG MULE TRIP
HAD BEEN WORTH IT.
00:19:03.576 --> 00:19:07.212
I'M SO ANXIOUS TO SEE THIS.
00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:08.881
OH, WOW.
00:19:08.948 --> 00:19:11.183
AND THERE IT IS, LUIS --
00:19:11.251 --> 00:19:14.753
WHAT WE'VE COME ALL THIS WAY
TO SEE,
00:19:14.821 --> 00:19:19.258
WHICH IS REALLY...
00:19:19.325 --> 00:19:22.227
PRETTY SPECTACULAR.
00:19:22.295 --> 00:19:25.097
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?
00:19:25.165 --> 00:19:27.933
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?
00:19:28.001 --> 00:19:30.969
WELL, WE'VE MADE IT
TO LeCONTE FALLS,
00:19:31.037 --> 00:19:34.840
WHICH IS IN THE GRAND CANYON
OF THE TUOLUMNE RIVER.
00:19:34.908 --> 00:19:38.277
AND I GUESS ALL OF THIS
IS THE GRAND CANYON.
00:19:38.345 --> 00:19:40.646
YEP.
WE'RE LOOKING RIGHT DOWN TO IT.
00:19:40.714 --> 00:19:42.915
IT'S HEADING TOWARDS
HETCH HETCHY,
00:19:42.982 --> 00:19:45.150
WHICH HOLDS
SAN FRANCISCO'S WATER.
00:19:45.218 --> 00:19:48.854
THIS FALLS WAS NAMED AFTER A
UNIVERSITY OF BERKELEY PROFESSOR
00:19:48.922 --> 00:19:50.589
BY THE NAME OF JOSEPH LeCONTE,
00:19:50.657 --> 00:19:52.991
WHO CAME UP HERE
WITH A LOT OF TRIPS.
00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:56.095
THE WATER-WHEEL ACTION
THAT YOU SEE HAPPENING HERE
00:19:56.162 --> 00:19:59.765
IS CAUSED BY THE WATER HITTING
A ROCK AND ALMOST BACKFIRING
00:19:59.833 --> 00:20:03.002
AND COMING AROUND AND FORMING
THAT CIRCULAR MOTION.
00:20:03.069 --> 00:20:06.372
SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE REALLY HERE
TO SEE, IS THE WATER WHEEL?
00:20:06.439 --> 00:20:07.873
YEAH.
00:20:07.941 --> 00:20:10.242
AND, IRONICALLY,
THE WATER WHEELS HERE AT LeCONTE
00:20:10.310 --> 00:20:12.711
ARE BIGGER THAN AT THE ACTUAL
WATER WHEEL FALLS,
00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.713
WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE
DOWN THE ROAD.
00:20:14.781 --> 00:20:17.850
YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S SORT OF
DIPPING DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
00:20:17.917 --> 00:20:19.251
THE WATER'S COMING DOWN,
00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:21.420
IT'S HITTING A ROCK
INSIDE OF A DIP,
00:20:21.488 --> 00:20:22.821
AND IT'S FIRING BACK UP.
00:20:22.889 --> 00:20:24.189
SO IT'S COMING UP
00:20:24.257 --> 00:20:27.393
AND JUST REALLY BEING PROPELLED
STRAIGHT UP
00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:30.195
AND A LITTLE BACKWARDS,
SO IT CURLS.
00:20:30.263 --> 00:20:32.464
SO YOU'VE GOT ONE
UP HERE...
00:20:32.532 --> 00:20:33.966
ONE HERE, TWO HERE,
00:20:34.034 --> 00:20:36.168
TWO HERE --
MAYBE ALMOST THREE.
00:20:36.236 --> 00:20:37.603
TWO HERE.
00:20:37.671 --> 00:20:40.472
WOW.
00:20:40.540 --> 00:20:42.808
NOW, HOW SLIPPERY IS IT
OUT HERE?
00:20:42.876 --> 00:20:44.576
WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT --
00:20:44.644 --> 00:20:48.047
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET ME
OUT THERE, THAT'S FOR SURE.
00:20:48.114 --> 00:20:50.149
THAT WOULD BE
A ONE-WAY RIDE.
00:20:50.216 --> 00:20:53.152
THE CAMERA WOULD BE FOLLOWING ME
ALL THE WAY.
00:20:53.219 --> 00:20:55.921
WE HAVE KIND OF
AN ADVENTURE SERIES HERE.
00:20:55.989 --> 00:20:58.857
OH, I SEE --
HARD-TO-GET-TO PLACES, HUH?
00:20:58.925 --> 00:21:02.261
HOW DO YOU GET TO THEM, THOUGH,
IS THE QUESTION.
00:21:02.328 --> 00:21:05.064
BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY --
I MEAN, I --
00:21:05.131 --> 00:21:06.498
ONCE YOU STARTED...
00:21:06.566 --> 00:21:08.000
THAT WOULD BE IT.
00:21:08.068 --> 00:21:09.401
YOU'D END UP...
00:21:09.469 --> 00:21:10.836
IN HETCH HETCHY.
00:21:10.904 --> 00:21:12.204
DOWN THERE.
00:21:12.272 --> 00:21:13.772
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:21:13.840 --> 00:21:16.642
YOU'D PROBABLY
COME OUT OF A FAUCET
00:21:16.710 --> 00:21:18.744
IN SAN FRANCISCO SOMEWHERE.
00:21:18.812 --> 00:21:20.245
[ LAUGHS ]
00:21:20.313 --> 00:21:21.580
THAT'S GREAT.
00:21:21.648 --> 00:21:24.383
NOW, ARE THERE FISH
IN THERE?
00:21:24.451 --> 00:21:27.586
YOU BET.
THERE ARE A LOT OF TROUT.
00:21:27.654 --> 00:21:29.355
YOU CAN SEE THEM.
WATCH.
00:21:29.422 --> 00:21:31.490
WAIT. OH, NO.
SOMETIMES YOU CAN.
00:21:31.558 --> 00:21:32.791
WHAT KIND OF FISH?
00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:34.159
TROUT.
00:21:34.227 --> 00:21:36.895
A LOT OF BROWN TROUT
AND OCCASIONAL RAINBOWS.
00:21:36.963 --> 00:21:39.999
THE BEST FISHING HERE --
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW --
00:21:40.066 --> 00:21:42.935
BUT THE FLAT AREAS
ARE NOT THE BEST PLACES TO FISH.
00:21:43.003 --> 00:21:46.038
IT'S DOWN IN THESE LITTLE POOLS,
LIKE RIGHT DOWN BELOW,
00:21:46.106 --> 00:21:48.207
WHERE PEOPLE REALLY CATCH
THE FISH.
00:21:48.274 --> 00:21:50.843
WELL, WE'VE SPOTTED
A COUPLE DOWN HERE
00:21:50.910 --> 00:21:53.979
WHO LOOK LIKE THEY'RE
JUST KIND OF SITTING HERE
00:21:54.047 --> 00:21:55.381
AND ENJOYING IT ALL.
00:21:55.448 --> 00:21:57.549
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE
TODAY?
00:21:57.617 --> 00:22:01.186
WE'RE TAKING A BREAK, COMING OUT
FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS,
00:22:01.254 --> 00:22:02.521
GOING BACKPACKING.
00:22:02.589 --> 00:22:04.356
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HERE
BEFORE?
00:22:04.424 --> 00:22:05.591
NO. NEVER HAVE.
00:22:05.658 --> 00:22:07.159
WHAT DO YOU THINK
ABOUT IT?
00:22:07.227 --> 00:22:09.361
IT'S GREAT.
PICKED A GOOD YEAR TO COME.
00:22:09.429 --> 00:22:10.729
YEAH -- LOTS OF WATER.
00:22:10.797 --> 00:22:13.399
I'M WONDERING
HOW THIS IS GOING TO TRANSLATE
00:22:13.466 --> 00:22:14.767
TO PEOPLE AT HOME --
00:22:14.834 --> 00:22:17.202
WHETHER THEY'RE
GOING TO BE ABLE TO TELL
00:22:17.270 --> 00:22:19.571
HOW ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL
IT IS HERE.
00:22:19.639 --> 00:22:22.074
THE GRANDEUR
IS PRETTY HARD TO CAPTURE
00:22:22.142 --> 00:22:24.910
WHEN YOU'RE AT HOME,
WATCHING ON A TV SCREEN.
00:22:24.978 --> 00:22:27.646
YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE HERE
AND SEE ALL THE CLIFFS
00:22:27.714 --> 00:22:29.281
AND PUT IT ALL IN PERSPECTIVE.
00:22:29.349 --> 00:22:31.850
THE AMOUNT OF WATER COMING HERE
IS INCREDIBLE.
00:22:31.918 --> 00:22:33.919
I DON'T KNOW
IF IT'S JUST THIS YEAR
00:22:33.987 --> 00:22:35.888
OR WHETHER IT'S ALWAYS
LIKE THIS.
00:22:35.955 --> 00:22:38.991
WELL, YOU'RE WEARING A HAT
THAT SAYS "THAT'S INCREDIBLE."
00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:41.560
[ LAUGHS ]
YEAH, MAYBE THAT SAYS IT ALL.
00:22:41.628 --> 00:22:45.064
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SIT
HERE AND LOOK OUT LIKE THIS?
00:22:45.131 --> 00:22:50.069
WELL, I FEEL PRETTY LUCKY
TO BE HERE, FOR ONE THING.
00:22:50.136 --> 00:22:52.504
I'M FORTUNATE I CAN GET HERE
ON MY OWN TWO FEET
00:22:52.572 --> 00:22:54.173
AND REALLY ENJOY IT.
00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:57.142
IT'S WONDERFUL THAT IT'S BEEN
SET ASIDE FOR ALL OF US TO ENJOY
00:22:57.210 --> 00:22:59.044
AND WE LIVE
IN A FABULOUS STATE --
00:22:59.112 --> 00:23:01.180
BEAUTIFUL PART OF THE COUNTRY
TO BE IN.
00:23:01.247 --> 00:23:02.548
I LOVE IT.
00:23:02.615 --> 00:23:05.017
WHAT DO YOU THINK
ABOUT THIS PLACE?
00:23:05.085 --> 00:23:07.186
WHEN YOU'RE HERE,
DO YOU WISH
00:23:07.253 --> 00:23:10.589
MORE PEOPLE COULD COME
AND SEE THIS FOR THEMSELVES,
00:23:10.657 --> 00:23:13.525
OR ARE YOU GLAD
THAT IT'S SO HARD TO GET TO
00:23:13.593 --> 00:23:15.928
THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE
DO GET HERE?
00:23:15.995 --> 00:23:17.129
BE HONEST.
00:23:17.197 --> 00:23:18.430
THAT'S A TOUGHIE.
00:23:18.498 --> 00:23:20.632
I THINK I'M GLAD
IT'S HARD TO GET TO.
00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.534
I MEAN,
IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING,
00:23:22.602 --> 00:23:25.771
AND YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE IT BACK
SO PEOPLE AT HOME CAN SEE,
00:23:25.839 --> 00:23:28.507
BUT I THINK THE REWARD
OF WORKING TO GET HERE --
00:23:28.575 --> 00:23:31.410
HIKING, GETTING A FEW BLISTERS
ON YOUR FEET,
00:23:31.478 --> 00:23:33.846
RIDING,
WHATEVER WAY YOU GET HERE --
00:23:33.913 --> 00:23:36.081
I THINK IT'S A REWARD
TO SEE IT.
00:23:36.149 --> 00:23:38.217
I DON'T KNOW.
HOW DO YOU FEEL?
00:23:38.284 --> 00:23:39.318
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
00:23:39.386 --> 00:23:40.619
IT'S A LOT MORE SPECIAL
00:23:40.687 --> 00:23:42.788
THAN IF THE ROAD CAME DOWN
RIGHT HERE
00:23:42.856 --> 00:23:45.858
AND YOU PULLED OFF AND LOOKED
OUT YOUR WINDOW, FOR SURE.
00:23:45.925 --> 00:23:48.093
AND PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE
CAN GET HERE.
00:23:48.161 --> 00:23:50.362
WELL, THEY JUST HAVE TO MAKE
AN EFFORT.
00:23:50.430 --> 00:23:51.764
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:23:51.831 --> 00:23:54.266
SO IF WE
HAD BEEN STANDING HERE
00:23:54.334 --> 00:23:56.735
AT LEAST
HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO,
00:23:56.803 --> 00:23:58.737
LOOKING OUT HERE LIKE THIS,
00:23:58.805 --> 00:24:02.641
IT WOULD HAVE LOOKED EXACTLY
THE WAY IT LOOKS RIGHT NOW.
00:24:02.709 --> 00:24:04.043
PRETTY MUCH.
00:24:04.110 --> 00:24:07.713
I MEAN, YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING
MADE BY MAN AROUND HERE.
00:24:07.781 --> 00:24:08.781
THAT'S RIGHT.
00:24:08.848 --> 00:24:10.482
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS
00:24:10.550 --> 00:24:14.086
I REALLY MARVEL ABOUT,
BEING IN THIS HIGH COUNTRY --
00:24:14.154 --> 00:24:17.256
THE FACT THAT SOMEONE HAD
THE PRESENCE OF MIND
00:24:17.323 --> 00:24:18.590
TO CREATE PARKS,
00:24:18.658 --> 00:24:21.694
TAKING BEAUTIFUL PLACES
AND PROTECTING THEM
00:24:21.761 --> 00:24:23.996
SO THAT THEY'D BE HERE
FOR US.
00:24:24.064 --> 00:24:27.399
I THINK
THAT'S A PRETTY AMAZING THING.
00:24:27.467 --> 00:24:31.570
I GUESS THAT'S WHY JOHN MUIR
IS SO HEROIZED HERE
00:24:31.638 --> 00:24:33.305
BY ALMOST EVERYONE.
00:24:33.373 --> 00:24:36.308
DO YOU THINK HE STOOD
WHERE WE'RE STANDING RIGHT NOW
00:24:36.376 --> 00:24:37.476
AND LOOKED UP HERE?
00:24:37.544 --> 00:24:39.011
OH, I'M SURE, AND HE SAID,
00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:41.847
"LET'S JUST PROTECT
THIS ENVIRONMENT RIGHT HERE."
00:24:41.915 --> 00:24:43.615
BECAUSE YOU CAN IMAGINE --
00:24:43.683 --> 00:24:46.285
WE'D HAVE CONDOS
ALL UP AND DOWN HERE.
00:24:46.353 --> 00:24:48.787
I'D SURE LIVE IN ONE...
IF I COULD.
00:24:48.855 --> 00:24:49.988
NO CONDOS.
00:24:50.056 --> 00:24:51.590
NO. IT'S SO SPECTACULAR.
00:24:51.658 --> 00:24:54.226
IT'S WONDERFUL TO COME HERE
EVERY YEAR
00:24:54.294 --> 00:24:55.761
AND SEE THE SAME THING.
00:24:55.829 --> 00:24:57.429
NOBODY'S LOGGED ANYTHING.
00:24:57.497 --> 00:24:59.932
NOBODY'S DONE ANYTHING
TO CHANGE IT.
00:25:00.000 --> 00:25:03.602
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE MAGICAL
QUALITIES ABOUT THIS PLACE.
00:25:03.670 --> 00:25:07.239
NOW, DO YOU THINK THE PEOPLE
WHO COME OUT HERE WITH YOU
00:25:07.307 --> 00:25:09.775
ON THE PACK MULE TRAINS
THAT YOU RUN
00:25:09.843 --> 00:25:11.477
LEAVE HERE WITH SOMETHING
00:25:11.544 --> 00:25:14.813
THAT THEY MAYBE DIDN'T HAVE
WHEN THEY STARTED OUT?
00:25:14.881 --> 00:25:16.081
I THINK THEY DO.
00:25:16.149 --> 00:25:17.583
THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE
00:25:17.650 --> 00:25:19.651
THAT DON'T KNOW
WHAT THEY'RE COMING FOR,
00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:22.087
LIKE YOU SAID BEFORE,
"WHAT ARE THEY COMING FOR?"
00:25:22.155 --> 00:25:24.857
I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE
DON'T KNOW AT ALL.
00:25:24.924 --> 00:25:27.493
AND THAT WAY,
THEY HAVE NO EXPECTATIONS,
00:25:27.560 --> 00:25:31.230
AND THEY CAN LEAVE WITH A PIECE
OF SOMETHING FOR THEMSELVES.
00:25:31.297 --> 00:25:35.167
THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN
OUT HERE,
00:25:35.235 --> 00:25:37.503
AND THERE'S A LOT OF SPACE,
YOU KNOW?
00:25:37.570 --> 00:25:40.572
THERE'S A LOT OF SPACE TO THINK
AND BE WITH NATURE.
00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:42.574
IT'S A GOOD EXPERIENCE.
00:25:46.780 --> 00:25:49.715
WELL, UNFORTUNATELY,
THAT'S THE END OF OUR VISIT
00:25:49.783 --> 00:25:52.918
TO TWO VERY HARD-TO-GET-TO
PLACES HERE IN OUR STATE.
00:25:52.986 --> 00:25:56.155
BUT IF YOU'VE STUCK WITH US
ON THIS LITTLE ADVENTURE,
00:25:56.222 --> 00:25:58.791
I THINK YOU'LL AGREE
THAT BOTH OUR VISIT
00:25:58.858 --> 00:26:01.060
TO THE ANCIENT BRISTLECONE
FOREST
00:26:01.127 --> 00:26:03.295
AND FINALLY HERE
TO LeCONTE FALLS
00:26:03.363 --> 00:26:05.564
ON THE TUOLUMNE RIVER
IN YOSEMITE,
00:26:05.632 --> 00:26:08.334
EVEN THOUGH
THEY WERE HARD TO GET TO,
00:26:08.401 --> 00:26:10.536
BOTH WERE WELL WORTH THE EFFORT.
00:26:10.603 --> 00:26:12.104
AND BOTH ARE, INDEED,
00:26:12.172 --> 00:26:15.174
SPECTACULAR EXAMPLES
OF CALIFORNIA'S GOLD.
00:26:15.241 --> 00:26:18.076
TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST
WITH YOU AS I SAY GOODBYE,