From the second half of the 1800s through the 1960s Basque sheep herders
tended their flocks in the high Sierra throughout the summer. Each year
they returned to the same areas and carved their names and dates into the
Aspen trees. Many trees have the same name repeated year after year.
They also left more artistic carvings. Many reflected their . . . uh, let's
just say lonliness after spending an isolated summer, and are not fit
to display here, ;)! Although the date was not readible on this one I
believe it may be from around the turn of the century, judging by the condition
of the tree. The oldest date I found in this grove was 1891, however most of
the really old ones are gone because aspens just don't live that long. Anyway,
it was a lot of fun looking for this graffiti, that is now considered historic
and protected under the archaeological protection laws in the US.