A peaceful creek with an ominous past
After reading about the intriguing legend of Deadman’s Creek, I was ready for a photo-adventure and planned a day trip to the area which is in Mono County near Mammoth Lakes, California.
The lazy Deadman’s Creek wanders through slopes with Quaking aspens, while Jeffrey Pines and various evergreens reach toward the blue sky.
It is told that in 1861 two prospectors were searching for the Lost Cement Mine which held a gold vein. The burned and headless body of the one partner, Robert Hume was found in a shallow grave. Later, his head turned up in a stream which came to be named-- Deadman’s Creek. When Farnsworth, the second partner was questioned, he told of a surprise Indian attack and barely escaping with his life. However Farnsworth disappeared before an arrest warrant could be issued.
Then after a few more years, the remains of two more prospectors were found at the bottom of what was to become Deadman’s Pass. Furthermore, in December 1879 after a severe winter storm, the body of mail carrier William Haines and his mailbags were recovered at the bottom of Deadman’s Summit.
Arriving at road’s end, I followed the path and saw 2 planks for crossing the stream. At this point, you might be curious if I dared venture across the weathered boards and tempt the legend with my own mortality? I noticed a grassy path that led away from the creek and being the adventurous soul, I carefully walked the planks.
Trekking up through the tall grass, I came to the clearing and was rewarded with the most incredible view. A sign standing on the rocky pumice ground stated that I was entering the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness.
There before me stood the tallest evergreens and the horizon that was accented with dormant volcanic domes.
Most of the wildflowers had reached their prime but the rabbitbrush was thriving and drawing in bees and several different fleeting butterflies.
To me, the negative entities that controlled the past were put to rest by the peaceful beauty of a thriving environment. I left Deadman’s Creek with a renewed spirit and a yearning to explore more of the domes, craters and summits that were works of nature’s creative artistry.
The lazy Deadman’s Creek wanders through slopes with Quaking aspens, while Jeffrey Pines and various evergreens reach toward the blue sky.
In such a serene environment, you might wonder how it came to be named Deadman’s Creek.
It is told that in 1861 two prospectors were searching for the Lost Cement Mine which held a gold vein. The burned and headless body of the one partner, Robert Hume was found in a shallow grave. Later, his head turned up in a stream which came to be named-- Deadman’s Creek. When Farnsworth, the second partner was questioned, he told of a surprise Indian attack and barely escaping with his life. However Farnsworth disappeared before an arrest warrant could be issued.
Then after a few more years, the remains of two more prospectors were found at the bottom of what was to become Deadman’s Pass. Furthermore, in December 1879 after a severe winter storm, the body of mail carrier William Haines and his mailbags were recovered at the bottom of Deadman’s Summit.
Arriving at road’s end, I followed the path and saw 2 planks for crossing the stream. At this point, you might be curious if I dared venture across the weathered boards and tempt the legend with my own mortality? I noticed a grassy path that led away from the creek and being the adventurous soul, I carefully walked the planks.
Trekking up through the tall grass, I came to the clearing and was rewarded with the most incredible view. A sign standing on the rocky pumice ground stated that I was entering the Owens River Headwaters Wilderness.
There before me stood the tallest evergreens and the horizon that was accented with dormant volcanic domes.
Most of the wildflowers had reached their prime but the rabbitbrush was thriving and drawing in bees and several different fleeting butterflies.
To me, the negative entities that controlled the past were put to rest by the peaceful beauty of a thriving environment. I left Deadman’s Creek with a renewed spirit and a yearning to explore more of the domes, craters and summits that were works of nature’s creative artistry.
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What
an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been. I love
it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get
treated to new experiences.
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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.
"Reflecting Nature's Artistry"
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