February 4, 2015 - Million Dollar Mile to Stevenson Falls

Title: February 4, 2015 - Million Dollar Mile to Stevenson Falls

Trail head: Italian Bar Road, Audberry

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Million Dollar Road

Destination:Stevenson Falls

Distance: 7.15 miles

Start Time:  8:50

End Time:  12:34

Travel Time: 3:43 (1.92 mph)

Moving Time: 2:46 (2.58 mph)

Elevation Rise: 975'

Maximum Elevation: 2,364'

Description:
The air is a bit cool on this Wednesday morning as we stand around the Kohl's parking lot. But I am not concerned since I am pretty sure it will warm up soon. We get up to the Italian Bar trailhead around 8:40. I am right, it is warming up, so off comes the pant legs, but I do keep my SmartWool shirt on.

The trail is really a paved road, a private road by Southern California Edison. There is a reason why it is called the Million Dollar Mile. This road was part of the Big Creek project. There was a massive grant cliff which needed to be cut through, costing a million to do.

Normally this road is quiet as only SCE vehicles are on it. Today, it seems like SCE is really working hard as we saw many of their vehicles. But they are all driving with consideration, so there is no close calls.

San Joaquin River

Today I am walking at a little bit faster pace, particularly with the paved surface. I keep Jean and Christine and John H company for much of the way. We talk and take pictures and just enjoy the air and sun.  The pictures are both of people and the San Joaquin. Not much is flowing by us, but the cut it makes is attractive as it makes it way through the foothills.

We get to the bridge across Stevenson Creek. This is the creek which comes out of Shaver Lake, so it does not have a natural flow to it. In some years, the water swallows the bridge we are crossing, but not this one. It will take several storms to make that happen. But in the meantime, we enjoy the falls. These falls also have an upper component. Lianne says that there is a road at the top which one can walk on. Up at the top it is even steeper than what we see. Just looking at the topo map, I am thinking this is a spot I must visit one day.

Stevenson Falls

Upper Stevenson Falls

We have lunch here and some folks enter into the Adit-a cavern built for a tunnel to flow the water down from Shaver. After awhile, we start breaking up and walking back towards the car. Cathey and I talk for much of the ways. Always a pleasant part of our hikes is the conversations which ensue. Sherri and Richard join us later on. Going up I had told Richard about another adit which was hidden, so off we go exploring through the berry vines and into a swamp. The adit stands behind a sea of green at its entrance. Jerry K also joins us and we gaze for awhile before rejoining the road.

Walking the Road-Gary, Cathey, Richard

Entrance to a Tunnel

 As we walk along, we see parts of the San Joaquin River Trail where we walked a month ago. No wonder were so challenged by that hike! But with this view we are close to the end of our hike. We pause when we get to Jose Creek and look at newts swimming as well as the rushes and a bit of water flowing.

San Joaquin River Trail

But as you all know, just because we end our walking, that is not the end of the hike. Some of us stop at the Pizza Factory in Prather,  others enjoy the Mexican restaurant close by. But we all arrive safely in Fresno, satisfied with the hike.

Jose Creek

Gary and Cathey

Stevenson Falls

Tricklets on side of Stevenson Falls