October 9, 2013 - Trail of the Lone Oak

Title:  October 9, 2013 - Trail of the Lone Oak

Trail head: Basalt Area

Hike Info:

Trail: Trail of the Lone Oak

Destination: The Lone Oak

Actual Destination: Ridge, about a mile from the Lone Oak

Distance:  4.68 miles

Travel Time: 2:27 (1.91 mph)

Moving Time: 1:53(2.48 mph)

Elevation Rise: 676'

Maximum Elevation: 724'

Description:

Road to Start

This trail was really should have been in Pacheco Pass State Park, but Gary missed the turn off and 152 is no place to back up on. We were returning from dropping Gary's parents off after our San Diego trip. We have stretched our legs out here before and wanted to do it again. But absent the correct turn off, we continued on down 152 until we got to the Basalt Area turn off, at the base of the B.F. Sisk dam. Then headed around to the the boat ramp, after showing our State Park Pass.

San Luis Reservoir

Now, if we had understood where we were going to pick up the Trail of the Lone Oak, we would have gone a short ways up a dirt road at the sweeping curve right before the day use parking lot by the boat ramp. But we did not, so we parked in the parking lot and then walked a quarter of a mile back to the dirt road which leads up to parking for our trail.

Gary on trail

Lone Oak Bay

Because we are hiking in the fall, the hills are golden, but the reservoir is low, very low. The trial descends to a dirt road, which we walk for about 100 feet. Then we turn off. There is a small ravine of water--more of a muddy area where marshmellow is growing.  then it is time to head back up a ways and contour around the lake. We get to a ridge which ends in Quien Sabe Point. We are now able to see Lone Oak Bay-which is pretty dry. We do get a good view of the windmills towards Pacheco Pass.

Barbwire

After crossing over the ridge, we start to contour around the lake. Pretty soon, we get to a barbed wire fence. From what we have read, this fence marks the spot where the State leases land to graze livestock. We are allowed  on this land, just be courteous. Also, as one author said, you do need to have some skill in getting over or under barbwire.

We go maybe about 3/4 of a mile further before spying the Lone Oak, a ways in the distance. But then we think, we need to be out of the park by 7 and we still have a ways to drive back to Fresno. So the remaining mile we leave to another day. 

The return trip is retracing our steps. But we do see a red-tailed hawk circling above us. Also a deer on top of a hill before getting back.

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