March 8, 2014 - Big and Rabbit Meadow

Title: March 8, 2014 - Big and Rabbit Meadow

Trail head: Big Meadow Parking Area

Hike Info:

Type:  Cross-Country Skiing/Snow Shoeing

Trail: Big Meadow Road and Rabbit Meadow Trail

Destination:  None

Distance: 4.06 miles

Start Time:  1:59

End Time:   4:01

Travel Time: 2:02 (2.0  mph)

Moving Time: 1:37 (2.51 mph)

Elevation Rise: 722'

Maximum Elevation: 7,825'

 Description:

We get a late start, so we cancel out on doing Dewey Point in Yosemite, and instead head to Grant Grove area, more specifically, the Big Meadow area in Sequioa National Forest. In looking around, I saw this side trail, off the the Big Meadow Trail/Road. We had not done this before. So Steven and I put on our ski's and hit that trail. Sherri is snowshoeing and will just wander on the Big Meadow Road a ways.

Steven

Even though there was a heavy snow last weekend, the snow is pretty thin in most places. 6 to 12 inches at best. The temperature is in the 50's and melting the snow rapidly. Won't be much snow in a few days if this keeps up.

Along the road, snow mobiles have easily dug down to pavement, so we have several large patches of bare ground to work around. But after traveling a half of a mile, we come to the junction with the Rabbit Meadow Trail. This trail is rated as easy. Not much of a grade as it follows an old dirt logging road. It only does a loop around Rabbit Meadow. 

Rabbit Meadow

The snow is a little soft, but because of lack of depth, we sink only a little into it. One skier has been on on it before us, hardly leaving tracks. We go around to the far end  of Rabbit Meadow. From there, there a small ridge which we climb, off the trail. We hope to see down into Hume Lake, but are disappointed as trees block the view. But kids must have their fun. So we both ski down this little hill a couple of times, then continue on around.

A couple of trees block the trail, but it just gives opportunity to ski off trail for a few minutes. On one of these, I have the only fall of the day. Steven looks a lot more limber than I feel. The whole Rabbit Trail is only 1.25 miles, so we meet the Big Meadow Trail after skiing for 45 minutes or so. As you can tell, this trail is nice, but not exciting. Good early season trail.

Alta Peak

We progress a little ways further until we come to an overlook, allowing us to see Alta Peak and Shell Mountain. We properly admire the view and go to the next rock outcropping. As it is getting a bit late, we start back. After half of a mile, we come across Sherri going back home. It is on,y another half of a mile

 Back to the car, following the Big Meadow Trail.

When we got back, a family was just coming in from snow play. Talked with them for a few minutes. He works for NPS as a backcountry ecologist. I ask about Colby Pass-one of this summer's hikes. He thinks it sounds like a great trip. We part ways and come back to Fresno and dinner out.