This photo captures the onset of a storm front coming in at about 8,000 feet or so. Below are the Western Sierra foothills. The jet stream from the Pacific Ocean brings storm clouds onto the Western face of the Sierra with some reach farther inland. With less obstruction to explain why there is much more growth, vegetation, and forest life on the Western slopes. As compared to the Eastern side which is more exposed and barren at higher elevations. The Eastern Sierra largely produces its own weather from temperature inversion and high-pressure build-up.
There was one time necessary to squat upright inside my tent with an insulated pad under the balls of my feet. Touching nothing, hands out, without anything conductive nearby (carbon fiber poles). With a surreal atmosphere, overhead lightning and ground strikes passing by one after another. Compared to that, rather encounter a curious brown bear, or cross a rough river any day.
