January 12, 2012-Lewis Creek Trail

Title: January 12, 2012

Trail head: Highway 41

Hike Info:

Trail: Lewis Creek Trail

Destination: Red Rock Falls

Actual Destination: Red Rock Falls and Sugar Pine

Distance: 4.5 miles

Travel Time: 2:42 (1.67 mph)

Moving Time: 2:08 (2.11 mph)

Elevation Rise: 758'

Maximum Elevation: 4,320'

 Description:

Start of trip

We should call this the Deep Freeze hike. Karol of the Central Valley Hiking meetup group lead us on this hike. We met at 8:30 at the Kohl's parking lot. It is cold—about 30F in Fresno. It is predicted to be 30F at the trailhead above Oakhurst at 10am. We get up to the trailhead off of 41, above Cedar Valley Rd around 10:10 and hit the the trail at 10:25. We put on SnowTraks for better traction, since we anticipate some icy conditions.



Snow on the ground and white breath in the air—that is how we started. We cross Lewis Creek on a bridge—one slip on the bridge, not by me for a change. But it was not a problem. A bit up the trail, Sherri realizes she forgot her GPS-problem. So I go back, about a quarter of a mile, not a big deal. Joe is waiting for me when I return. With the cold, I put on another pair of gloves over my liners, but other than that I am pretty warm. Someplace along the lines, a SnowTrak comes off of one of my boots, but I do good going up.

We do get to Red Rock Falls in about an hour. There is ohhs and ahhs at the frozen water, with the rushing falls right beside it. Just a really nice winter sight. After a little stop, we go on up the trail to the Sugar Pine Road.

Red Rock Falls

Ice and Falls

Ice in Lewis Creek

Snow Covered Trees

We did a return trip back to the trailhead. Nothing exciting as far as the walk is concerned. Just a walk along the creek, through beautifully snow covered trees, with some pretty enjoyable people. We then end up at Todd's in Oakhurst. I have an over the top Tipsy Texas sandwich—Beef Briquet's with sausage, wonderful topping to a hike.