February 1, 2015 - Pine Ridge-Delilah

Title:  February 1, 2015 - Pine Ridge-Delilah

  
Trail head: Gate along Delilah Road

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Forest Service Road

Destination:Delilah Lookout

Distance: 6.01 miles

Start Time:  12:25

End Time:     3:51

Travel Time: 3:25 (1.76  mph)

Moving Time: 2:24 (2.50 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,293'

Maximum Elevation: 5,320'

Description:
A couple of days ago, Sherri and I were thinking, do we want to watch the Super Bowl or do something fun. So when you pose the question that way, the answer is obvious. Lets have some fun in the sun!

Since Dennis talked about hiking up to Delilah, I have been wondering about doing this. Of course, going down some old dusty, dirt road, did not sound very fun, but we knew that Delilah Lookout was a good place to be since we staffed the lookout some last year. So we decided that would be our destination. Friday, I posted the hike on the Meetup board and got six other people who were interested in spending an afternoon away from the TV.

Walking the Road

We met at Von's and left shortly after 11. The six others are a combination of people whom I have walked with before-Sandra, Lora and Rose, and some whom I have not seen-Cathy, Ed and his son, Daniel. To get to Delilah, we go up Highway 180. Then about a mile past Snow Line Lodge, we hike the McKenzie Heliport road at Millwood Road. After doing a U-turn Millwood we progress on a narrow paved, then dirt road, past Sequoia Highland Camp. A little ways beyond the camp, the Forest Service has a gate which is closed when the Lookout is not open for the season. So we park there. It looks like we could park four vehicles there and then another four about 50 yards down the road.

Southeast Towards Alta and Sawtooth Peaks

The trail we travel is a dirt road. It hugs the west side of Pine Ridge, giving a good view of the foothills between Delilah and Fresno. With the haze we had around us, it gave these mountains an other-worldly quality. Sometimes, the tops seemed to be almost floating. But we knew better.  The oaks and aspen around us gave foreground to our views. Of course, I comment, if this is Pine Ridge, where is the pine trees? There are some, but they are not the predominate species.

Delilah Lookout

Our walk is rolls along the ridge. Some ups and downs, definitely not boring. With glimpses to the south and east, we see some snow covered peaks, but not nearly as much as should be there for February. We have sort of broken up into pairs or trios as we walk. I am walking with Cathy and Rose, enjoying the conversation. At one point, I thought we were about a third of a mile from the lookout-I was only off by a mile or so. Some of these hill tops are deceptive.  It looks like there was a prescribed burn along the side of Delilah Mountain. Later on Sherri finds proof-she found the burn plan.

But we do roll along and get to the Delilah Lookout. The lookout is closed, along with the outhouse. But we are able to go up to the second landing and take a look around. Not as good of a view as the top, but still pretty nice-for an idea of the view from the top, go to the bottom of this page. We have lunch at the big log by the lookout and enjoy the views, before heading back.

Lunch Time

The trail back is the one we came up. Enjoyable walking, and a bit easier since there is not nearly as much uphill-still enough to keep up breathing a bit. I have an enjoyable talk with Daniel on the way back.

 

Sandra and Sherri

Once back at the car, we decide to have a post-hike meal at Bear Mountain Pizza. Sherri and I have been staying away because the pizzas are ok, but not great. When we get there, Jerry J's group is already there from his hike at Hume Lake. Enjoyable meeting the other group. Our pizza arrives and we see the halftime show from the Super Bowl. Not bad-get the best of both worlds. The pizza has improved-so we get good tasting pizza as well. After halftime, we leave and get back to Fresno. By the time we get home, the final two minutes of the game is playing out. I do not know what better timing a hike organizer could have.

West looking