August 28, 2013 - Weaver Lake

Title: August 28, 2013,    Weaver Lake

Trail head:  Big Meadows

Hike Info:

Trail:  Weaver Lake

Destination: Weaver Lake

Distance:  6.58 miles
Start Time: 8:14am
End Time:  1:33pm

Travel Time: 5:17  (1.25 mph)

Moving Time: 3:38  (1.81 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,608'

Maximum Elevation:  8,738'

Description:
Another mid-week meetup group hike with John and Cathey. We met at Kohl's parking lot at 6am. Jerry J rode with us up to Grant Grove and the then to the Big Meadow Trail head. There are two trail heads for Weaver Lake--Big Meadows and Fox Meadow. The Fox Meadow trail head is shorter, steeper and harder to drive to as there is a passable, but rutted dirt road up to it. Big Meadow's trail head is paved road and parking lot with a pit toliet--easier to access.

Sheriff talks about missing hiker

When we got to the Big Meadows Trail Head, we were greeted by Tulare County SAR. The previous day, an experienced hiker had gotten lost returning from Weaver Lake and they were trying to find her. We were asked to keep a lookout for her as we walked. We would meet other SAR personnel during the day and see helicopters flying. From the Tulare County log: 
LOCATION: Big Meadow Camp Ground DATE: 08-28013 TIME:
CASE NUMBER: VICTIM: 46 year old female CITY: Pasadena
***UPDATE:  Overdue hike Cheldea Griffie located. Subject is in good condition and has been reunited with her party.
The Sheriff's Department is Searching for an overdue hiker in the Big Meadows area. Further info will be provided as is becomes available.



 

Mountains

The trail is pretty broad and beaten as it is a popular trail. But it is not that dusty and is pleasant to walk on. Sherri and I walk with john and Cathey, enjoying a pleasant talk about a range of subjects--the most popular is good places for ice cream around Fresno-unfortunately none of us can think of any besides the likes of B&R and Cold Stone. Cathey comes up with places in Bakersfield and Sacramento. The trail goes up nicely. Certainly seems easier than the last time we went up it. But things are a lot drier. But as we climb, we can see a bit of the mountains north of Kings Canyon--an enjoyable sight to ponder.


After a little more than a mile, we come across the trail from the Fox Meadow trail head and also find the trail's name sake. It is past its seasonal prime-few wildflowers. Shortly after this junction, we meet up with the Jennie Lake trail head and its creek. We take a break here as it is roughly the half way point on our trail. In most seasons, there is a nice little creek here--not today, it is dry (hear the repetitive theme this year?)

Weaver Lake and Shell Mountain

Then it is onward. The trail still rises, but does not seem that it has as much of a grade.  After about two and half miles, the trail levels out and we do a counter until we get to the trail split--the trail continues on to Rowell Meadow while we take the other trail up to Weaver. It is a short distance, maybe a third of a mile.

Today, there is much helicopter activity, looking for the lost hiker. But even before seeing them, we have been hearing them below the ridge line. On the way up, we talked to a couple SAR personnel. They were interested in some cross-country routes. I showed them a route from Weaver over to Jennie which we had taken several years ago.

Weaver and Clouds

But Weaver Lake is pretty nice. We are the only ones here-later on a couple comes up, but they have lunch on the west side of the lake. Everybody lounges around the lake for awhile. Jerry K decides to walk around the lake. Later, I meander around the boulders on the west side, getting some nice shots of the clouds. Enjoyable.

Weaver and Clouds

It is then time to return back to the trail head. We take the same route back. I walk with John and Cathey. Sherri has a fit of energy and hikes with a faster group. The trip back is made pretty quickly and without incident.