October 20, 2013 - South Shore Trail, Millerton

Title: October 20, 2013 - South Shore Trail, Millerton

Trail head: Blue Oak Picnic Area

Hike Info:

Trail: South Shore Trail

Destination: Winchell Bay

Distance:  6.51 miles

Travel Time: 3:02. (2.15 mph)

Moving Time: 2:21 (2.77mph)

Elevation Rise:  573' ¹

Maximum Elevation:  617'

Description:
This meetup hike fit Sherri's and mine schedule--thank you Karol. We met at a Starbucks at 1pm and then drove up to Millerton State Park, about 15 minutes away. It was a bit warm in the afternoon, getting up to the mid-80's. But considering a month ago, it was 10-15 degrees warmer, nobody was complaining.





This is a hike which we have been really blessed with. We first did it in May 2012 and came close to an eagle. What a trip! (More info on the actual trail in that blog entry.) Then Karol led us on our first meetup hike last December. Since that time we have gone on hikes with Karol and our mid-week meetup. So you can see, this trail has some good memories for us.

Trail under an oak

Today we started about a mile and half up from where we previously started--at Blue Oak Picnic Area. The 15 of us made a fine looking line as we started our walk. This first part of the trail has us going along the road, most of the time at a little distance. But since the road is not busy, we are not bothered by it. The sun is overhead, so we are a bit warm, but our hats keep us protected. I do see a couple red-tailed hawk overhead, but evidently nobody else does. 

Millerton Reservoir

Some of the meetup group

When we finish this segment, we stop briefly at an outhouse. Some folks go down to the lake and get a bit wet to cool off.  Then it is onward for the two miles to Winchell Cove. The scenery gets a bit more interesting since we now walk above the lake, about 40-60 ' above the surface. Not a whole lot of boats this Sunday afternoon. Maybe Summer really have come to an end and everybody is tired of the water. 

The scenery, particularly in the Fall, is not really noteworthy. Maybe it is the straw colored grass or the unbroken blue sky with a warm sun, or the smoggy air, but the scenery is a bit plain. Of course, the oaks which line up on the hills around us give a sense of gentleness and serenity. But this also leads one to focus on conversation with this around you, such as Marlene, Maggie, Kelly, Mark and Jeff. That is one of the great things about the meets, is the conversations which you have.

Oaks in front of sun

We get to the end of the trail at Winchell Bay. We make use of the facilities, and rest for 15 minutes. Then it is time to head back. I walk back with Kelly and Kendrick--a pleasant time. The trail back is pretty much a repeat of the trail over in reverse.

We get back to the cars around 4:30, then go over to Sandals in Friant  (Fresno Bee article) for dinner. A good day.



¹This elevation gain seems high. On the May 2012 trip we showed an elevation gain of 188'. Considering we went farther today, an elevation gain of 250-300' may be more appriopriate.