July 30, 2014 - Watchtower and Tokopah Falls

Tablelands

Title: July 30, 2014 - Watchtower and Tokopah Falls

 Trail head: Wolverton Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Lakes Trail

Destination: Watchtower

Distance: 6.59 miles

Start Time:  8:29

End Time:   1:24

Travel Time: 4:55 (1.34 mph)

Moving Time: 3:48 (1.73 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,972'

Maximum Elevation: 8,910'

Description:
When I think of a hike up to the Watchtower, I think of a good climb through forests and then a single place to find a sight worth the climb. But today, I got all of that and more.

I started the morning by stepping outside and immediately decided to go back inside. The sky was dark and clouds were ominous. So I went back inside to get my rain jacket. Now I am prepared, I think. On the drive to Kohl's, saw a couple flashes of lightening-well, maybe not all that prepared.  At Kohl's, picked up Brian W and went ahead to load Bill and Richard on the way. Even driving up, we saw lightening flashing from the clouds down to earth. There was a few drops of water hitting my windshield. After a break at Big Stump, we traveled on to the Wolverton parking lot, the beginning of our hike.
 

Cathey and Audrey walking through meadow

This hike is nearly a consistent uphill coming in. We start with a good climb out of the parking lot until we meet the ridge overlooking Lodgepole. The word overlooking is a bit of an exaggeration as the view into the Tokopah Valley is mostly obstructed by trees. But that is OK since the trees have a tendency to keep this trail cool and are enjoyable to walk through, even in bright sunshine. But today, it is overcast with a bit of concern about rain, not that the rain ever shows up.

Now the more  from above is this: surprisingly there are flowers presenting themselves, particularly in the meadows. Not so much surprising that there are flowers here, but that there are flowers here now, with as little water as we have had this year. There are some Columbines and Indian Paintbrushes. But also several varieties of whites and yellows, with blues. Just an eye opening time. There is more to this trail than just the Watchtower.

Across from the Watchtower

We reach the junction with the Panther Gap Trail-the same one we walked with the meetup group in mid-June. But we take a left, and shortly ignore the cross-over Hump Trail to Heather Lake. The rise is still moving us upward, but not as steep, until right before the Watchtower.

Once we climb a few switchbacks, the Tablelands open up for us. This is the area beyond the Watchtower in the upper Tokopah drainage.  Just an amazingly inviting country. Sherri and I have done Pear and Moose Lakes. But the area beyond is calling me. We can see across to Silliman Crest and that area. 

Tablelands

Watchtower cliff

John

The Watchtower is a place just to rest and cogitate, but not if you have vertigo. The trail brings you to the edge of a 1,100' drop straight down. Most of us enjoy the view, but from a distance at least six feet from the edge. The actual Watchtower is about a hundred feet across a chasm. Some of our group go around and climb up it and enjoy that sight.

Now it is time to return back to the cars for more fun. The return trip is backtracking along the trail we just came up. For some reason, it is easier to return going down. But somehow I am now feeling more tired. We get down just five hours after starting. Time for another walk, but this time gentler.

Trail head: Lodgepole Campground

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail:  Tokopah Falls Trail

Destination:   Tokopah Falls

Distance:  4.01 miles

Start Time:   1:46

End Time:     4:16

Travel Time: 2:30 (1.60 mph)

Moving Time: 2:08 (1.88 mph)

Elevation Rise: 502'

Maximum Elevation: 7,155'

The Watchtower

Description:
For the second part of the day, we scurry over to the Lodgepole Campground. There is a trail head inside the campground. So we park on the south side of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River, cross the bridge. The entrance to the trail is just beyond the bridge on the north side. In case this sounds familiar, our meetup group did a hike in March to some falls on this fork.

The trail is gentle, at least compared to the Watchtower.  So this does allow for conversations to occur, rather than the gasping for breath which happens on high altitude climbs. So I walk with a couple others and get into a conversation with Audrey, a third grade teacher with FUSD. Just a pleasant time to chat about people whom we both know.

Tokopah Falls, or trickle

Marble Fork of the Kaweah

But back to the trail. Towards the Falls, we get into granite blocks which we climb through. We come out to the trail's end, where the falls are. Or I should say, where the falls should be. But now there is only a trickle coming down. Sort of a disappointment in the falls. But as John said, you can just imagine how beautiful they would be-he is ever the optimist! People start to leave and I walk back with John and Cathey.

Bear Cub

The hike back is on the same trail. But it amazes me to see how different the same dirt can be going in a different direction. Just the trees and the creek and looking down valley have a different perspective. And a bear cub gently grazing for his huckleberries. Wait! A bear you say? Well really a cub about 30' from the trail. Several of us, and others, stop to gawk and take pictures. I was told that after I left mama and and another cub came up.

Grouse

Not much more after that, except for a grouse posing for a picture. We get back to the trail head and the car. Our car decides to continue back to Fresno rather than stopping for a bite to eat. I get back to home around 5:30.


Trail Lesson:
Prepare to enjoy the beauty you do not expect.