October 20, 2015 - Deer Camp Trail

Title: October 20, 2015 - Deer Camp Trail

Trail head: Yosemite West

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Deer Camp Trail

Destination: Bishop Creek

Actual Destination: A little beyond Bishop Creek

Distance: 7.15 miles ¹

Start Time: 9:35

End Time:  1:14

Travel Time: 3:40 (1.95 mph)

Moving Time: 3:32 (2.02 mph)

Elevation Rise: 730'

Maximum Elevation: 6,119'
  ¹The GPS did not sync up for about a third of a mile, so the mileage and elevation rise are an extrapolation and a composite of this trip and others along this trail.

Description:
Got up at 5:20 this morning after a restless night sleep. Must have been a bit nervous as this is the first time in three months which I have put together a meetup hike. But we got out the door by 6:30, got gas at Costco and made it to Kohl's by 6:45. Carl and Jerry J were already waiting for us. By 7:08 we had almost everyone here which was going, except for one person. But she zoomed in from Merced. That made 16 here in Fresno. We stopped at the Tenaya Lodge for bathroom and coffee and picked up Lori and Sonya, making all the people who signed up for the hike.

We get to the turn off for the Deer Camp Trail with losing only one car. The turn off to park is a bit tricky and is easily missed. But the missing car turns around and we get ready to go with my pre-hike talk which boils down to two things:

• Don't get lost
• If you do get lost, take someone with you.

Hikers on the trail

The first 100' is the hardest, a gentle 20' rise to get us on the railroad bed. looking back, it is somewhat impressive seeing my following-even though I suspect "my following" is here more for the hike than me. But I can live with the delusion.

Anyway, enough of my delusions. The trail is essentially flat and so the walking is quick. I end up hiking with Kelly, my first time walking with her. The miles go fast when there is pleasant conversation.  We stop for the first time at Rail Creek where I talk about this creek's history. Jerry J points out this is the benefit of walking with Gary-the additional benefit of a tour guide.

Fresh Buds

As we walk along, I notice a few things which I find unusual. I stop by a dormant looking bush, only to find that new buds are forming all over it, and this is October. The rain earlier this week may have been mistaken for Spring rains instead of a prelude to snow. Still, it is refreshing to look at the forest around us.

Just beyond Rail Creek

Then there is a meadow in this forest which though mostly brown now is holding the promise of a pleasant green for the Spring. This is where I think the area was competing to hold the Winter Olympics in the 1920 when Lake Placid won the bid. Glad it went back east.

We stop briefly at Strawberry Creek. No great lecture, but I do note that what they are standing above is stone work from the railroad. Then it is off to Bishop Creek. We cross one of the dry washes and continue on to the second branch of Bishop where our rendezvous point will be. What's this? Our lead group is coming back. Carl notes that he went about a third of mile beyond our stopping point. So we find a nice sunny spot and enjoy a time in the sun for lunch.

On our way back, I talk with my friends Doug and Sally. This is Sally's first hike with us, and I am pleased they have come out. The forest is a good place just to talk and we do talk about several things, such as our old place of employment and current activities.

Soon we reach the start of the trail, while tired, it is a good tiredness. Jerry J suggests we stop in Oakhurst at DiCiccio's, which we do. The poor waiter did his best with a group of 18 people, and he did well. But with 18 people coming in, the food delivery was slow, but good. We got home just around 4:30. A good day and the first hike I have organized in three months.