July 31, 2015 - Buena Vista Peak

Title: July 31, 2015 - Buena Vista Peak

Trail head: Buena Vista Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Buena Vista Peak Trail

Destination: Buena Vista Peak

Distance: 1.96 miles ¹

Start Time: 7:15pm

End Time:  10:00pm

Elevation Rise: 641'

Maximum Elevation:  7,642'

 ¹Mileages, elevations, maps and profile are all from our August 10, 2014 full moon hike.

Description:
At the start of July, there was a full moon. But there was also a very strong set of thunderstorms which came in. The top of a peak or dome would not have been the place to be.  But the special thing about July 2015 is that we have an opportunity for a blue moon-yes two full moons in the same month.

So we suggested to some friends of ours about going up for a full moon experience tonight. Peter, Carol and Karol took us up on it. So the six of us made the trip up to Buena Vista Peak in Kings Canyon National Park-the six included Steven, Sherri and myself. We had a light dinner of hoggie type sandwiches and left Fresno around 5:45, getting to the Buena Vista Peak Trail Head a little after 7pm.

Carol, Karol and Sherri Hiking the Trail

It was hit and miss on going up there tonight as there was clouds, but no sign of impending thunder and lighting activity. So off we go on our trail.  The trail up is only about a mile, but there are a few stiff uphill sections which caused some of us to pause to admire the trees around us. Sherri, Carol and Karol got to the top without a problem and were rewarded with a spectacular sunset. One of the enhancements is with so many fires in the area, there is a lot of particulate matter in the area.

Sunset

Peter and Steven coming up a slope

Karol and a sunset

While we waited at the top for the moon to rise, we took some shots. There was some good ones of Karol with the sunset behind her.  Also from Buena Vista Peak, there are at least two active lookouts within view: Buck Rock and Park Ridge. Buck Rock stands out-anytime you see the rock, you can find the lookout. With a lookout staying up there tonight, they left the light on for us. Park Ridge takes a bit more looking and you need to know what you were looking for.

Buck Rock Lookout

Look closely for Park Ridge Lookout

Oh yeah, and why did we go up there again? The full moon. The truth on this, the moon did rise, but the light came through silhouetted. So it was less than spectacular. A little bit after 9pm, we started heading down. Steven and Peter were able to go down faster, while I stayed with the ladies. Eventual the moon came out from behind the clouds and graced our return journey. Pretty nice watching it as it went in and out of the trees. I only mislead the ladies once on the way down.

We made it to the cars around 10:15 and back to Fresno about 11:30. Tired, but a good evening. Now when is the next full moon? Oh yeah, August 29ths. Wonder what I am doing then?

And yes, there was a moon