January 28, 2015 - San Joaquin River Gorge Loop

Title: January 28, 2015 - San Joaquin River Gorge Loop

Trail head: Ya Gub Weh Tuh Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: San Joaquin River (Pa'San Ridge Loop)

Destination: Loop

Distance: 7.65 miles

Start Time:  8:30

End Time:  12:51

Travel Time: 4:20 (1.77 mph)

Moving Time: 3:35 (2.13 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,845'

Maximum Elevation: 1,882'

Description:
It is a pleasure to hike with my children. Today Rachel is coming with us. But she needs to be back to Fresno mid-afternoon so she can go to work. We meet with John and company at 7am at Kohl's, our usual winter meetup time. Then it is off to Prather and the BLM parking area around the San Joaquin River Gorge.

This is the second time I have hiked this trail. The first time was a year ago and it was a discovery for Sherri and I. This time around, I am wondering, will be as good as last time? What different things will be seeing? Part of the fun of being on a meetup hike meeting friends of ours like Betty whom we have not seen for awhile, or the two Jerry's,  Kate, Richard, Jing, and several others. Then there are new folks to hike with like Lora and Rebbecca. The later is from Exeter and I pick her brain about the murals down there for a future walk. Sounds like it is worthwhile making a trip there.

San Joaquin River bridge

Powerhouse and San Joaquin

This is a lollipop loop. The candy is a wide loop with a short stick. The first part from the parking lot is a pretty good downhill. Talking is good and we come to the bridge across the river where we regroup again. The water is low-seems like I say this on every hike these days. But there are some beautiful reflections on both side of the bridge. 

But now it is time to head up the hill. John decided we will go counter-clockwise. Either way, we get the fun of rising up on the emerald colored hills. Oaks are silhouetting their branches against the sky. We see evidence of recent rain and cow activity (explains the greenness of the grass). The trail meanders around with n it route up. I get a bit confused about which drainage we are in, but that is quickly cleared up-I tried to figure out where Delilah is and boy am I long ways off. 

 

Trail, Trees and Sky

At the top we stop for a break, allowing us all to socialize. I have a pleasant talk with Lora. Rachel needs to get to work at 3, so we make arrangements for Sherri and Art to have a ride back down. So when the group heads out, I am in the unaccustomed position of being in the faster group. Still, I do pretty decent. A bit tired, but that may be from the lingering effects of a cold. Some things about traveling faster, first my eyes do not have time to roam the country side as much. But the other thing, is instead of letting my eyes just droop to the ground, they are roving and taking in more.

Such a nice meadow

Unfortunately, not much time for lollygagging. So when we hit the bridge, Rachel and I just keep on going. The good part of going back up to the car, and I do mean up, for some reason, this part of the trail has seemed like it is faster finishing up than starting. But that is a good thing. Rachel and I get to the car a little before 1 and make it back to Fresno about 1:45, plenty of time to get cleaned up from hiking and going to her job. Sherri said that they ate at a Mexican restaurant in Prather, an enjoyable time. They got back around 4.

Looking down into the gorge

Oak

San Joaquin River