Gary-Summer: May 25, 2015

Monday, May 25, 2015

May 25, 2015 - Lewis Creek

Title: May 25, 2015 - Lewis Creek

Trail head: Cedar Valley Road

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Lewis Creek Trail

Destination:Red Rock Falls

Distance: 6.23 miles ¹

Start Time: 11:30ish

End Time: 4:00ish

Travel Time: 4:30 (1.38 mph)

Moving Time: 3:16 (1.91 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,831'

Maximum Elevation: 4,200'
¹I forgot my GPS so I used the GPS on my phone. Steven's Android came in pretty close as well: 6.40 miles. Both of these are in the ball park with our January Lewis Creek hike of 6.41 miles. Also see the map and profile in January for more info.
May 27, 2015 - to add insult to injury, I had my GPS with me all the time. I had thrown it into my backpack and was carrying it, off, all the time.

Description:
I need to read more of John Muir before I go on a hike. Why you might ask? Is it because I am walking in the same area? No. There is something special pertaining to the hike today? No. Then why? Muir went through life with his eyes wide open. I have been reading Muir's My First Summer in the Sierra. I am amazed at the details of what he observed. So on this walk, I tried to observe a lot more rather than just walking the trail. I think I was somewhat successful.

Creek Crossing

Below Corlieu Falls

We were going to go backpacking today, but were discouraged from doing so by the weather forecast which said rain and thundershowers this afternoon and evening. So it is a day hike for us. Originally, it was to be an early start, so I got up at 6:00am, read and had my quiet time. Everyone else started moving around 8:30 or 9:00. We finally hit the road at 10:30 or so.

Corlieu Falls

We get to the Cedar Valley Road/Lewis Creek trailhead around 11:15. Sherri drove. Our feet touch the trail at 11:30. I discovered I had forgotten my GPS, so it is time to see how my phone stacks up as a GPS.

Sherri and Steven started ahead of me. I am carrying a 33 pound pack-still packed with what I would have brought backpacking. But that does not make me lag behind. Just getting my phone synced up with the GPS. But I start in and realize in a few minutes that I am taking Muir's example. At least I think I am seeing more. More flowers are drawing my attention and the attention of my camera-the phone once again.

I am surprised as I thought even though this being May, most of the flowers would be dead and dried by now with our drought conditions. But I guess with the late rains, things have perked up a bit. There are many flowers decorating our path-the petite, white blooms of mountain misery, some reds and golds. Even above Corlieu Falls, the dogwood flowers comes through. Then the butterflies are fluttering everywhere. Red Admirals, particularly, plus many smaller varieties.

Dogwoods and Gary

Steven on Trail

I catch up with Steven and Sherri when the trail meets up with the creek, maybe about a third of a mile into the hike. They are waiting, while I have been gazing. From there, I take the lead, but not able to do so much gazing. But with my pack, I do pretty well-a bit more huffing and puffing than I would like. But I have not done much hiking this past month, so what can I say. We stop for our lunch break at the base of Corlieu Falls. A few other groups are here as well, coming down from the Highway 41 trailhead. We stop for about 20-30 minutes before going on. Sherri goes wild with her pictures of the Red Admirals.

Now we go up the hardest part of the trail. Hardness is only in relative terms. It is steep, but short, maybe a third of a mile, going up 250-300', max. So we just buck it up and climb it. on top we come to the rock platform where you can go to the top of the falls. But we are onto Red Rock Falls.

The path up is mostly gentle and definitely not very hard. More flower abound, so we have plenty to feast our eyes on. We walk more along waters of Lewis Creek, sometimes close, sometimes above it. Pleasant, even though the afternoon is getting warm. But not as warm as it will be in a month.

Top of Red Rock Falls

Lewis Creek above Red Rock Falls

We finally come out at Red Rock Falls and enjoy this small fall. While the rock is not very red-at least compared to desert standards and the falls is not very high, there is sort of a serenity about the place with the large pool at its base and a log leaning across the rock. What makes me enjoy it is there is a small tree growing out of the top of log, at the top of the falls. So good to enjoy this sight. Only other people here is a catch-and-release fisherman and his family. He does catch a good size trout just to give him back to the creek.

Red Rock Falls

We stay at Red Rock Falls for half an hour before we turn back. The return trip is just the same as going up. But a lot easier. We make good time. But the warmth is now getting to us a bit more. So I am glad to be on the return trip. We stop at Alice's for dinner, which used to Todd's. I do not think it is quite as good as Todd's, but it is better than average. Also stopped at SouthGate Brewery to fill the growler. Even made it home in time to shower and go to house church. A good day.