FIELD REPORT
Blue Moon at Fourteen-Thousand
The August full moon — the second this month — rose at 7:43 PM. We planned the start for 6:00 PM to reach the ridgeline at 14,000 feet before dark. The sky was clear in a way that only happens in the eastern high desert after a cold front.
The trail follows the Ancient Bristlecone Scenic Byway to the trailhead at Schulman Grove, then climbs directly north along the exposed ridgeline. At this elevation there are no trees, only stone and sky and the occasional patch of late-season snow in the north-facing shadows.
The moon cleared the horizon at exactly the predicted time. From 14,200 feet it appeared enormous. We stood in the dark and watched it climb. The desert floor three thousand feet below was lit silver.
