Title: March 16, 2016 - Hite Cove
Trail head: Savage Trading Center
Hike Info:
Type: Hiking
Trail: Hite Cove
Destination:Hite Cove
Distance: 7.23 miles
Start Time: 9:10
End Time: 2:38
Travel Time: 5;27 (1.33 mph)
Moving Time: 3:52 (1.87 mph)
Elevation Rise: 1,549'
Maximum Elevation: 1,713'
Description:
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you
of little faith? Matthew 6:28-30
It has been awhile since doing a meetup hike and I am a bit apprehensive that I will be able to be strong enough to do this. Caring for Mom is rewarding and draining. It does not let a lot of focus be on my needs for fitness and more on taking care of her. But one must start someplace. Sherri is taking care of her today, so I can go on a hike-thank you.
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| Merced River |
Carol comes by at 6:10 and we get to Eddie's Bakery a little before 6:30. When coming in, we notice steaming coming up, but not from my car. It was Betty's right beside me. After conferring, Betty decided to go back home courtesy AAA while the rest of her contingent would get a ride back with Richard. (Water pump went out, but the car and Betty made it back home ok) So off we go, all 19 of us. After stopping at the Burger King in Mariposa for coffee and bathroom services, we hit the trail head at 8:30.
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| South Fork of the Merced River |
The morning is brisk and we start in without too much ado. Bruce is in front with Jerry K at the end, with Dan. They both would stop frequently to take pictures. I would walk someplace between Lora and them. I can feel that both the lungs and legs both feel the lack of use-what other body part has an "L" can hurt? But the walking is good and on the level ground I am able to hit my stride.
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| Sunlight and Flower |
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| Field of Flowers |
While that is an interesting sidelight, at least from my perspective, the real show is the flowers. Poppies were the main show, but there was an assortment of a strong supporting cast: the white flowered chamise, redbud-even though it is purple, larkspur showing its royal violet color, even some Baby Blue Eyes. You throw in walking beside the South Fork of the Merced River for 3 3/4 miles, it made for a spectacular show for the eyes and ears.
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| Field of Flowers |
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| Log Jam causes Trail Jam |
But there are serpents in this garden which is called poison oak. It seems like this nuisance was determine to reach out and touch us every chance we got. I
t was growing all along the side of the trail and intertwined with other bushes, making it hard to avoid. Then there were many fallen trees to provide for extra exercise. Some we climbed over, others scooted underneath. Then there was one one where branches were scattered across a creek. Going across one of these logs, the battery cover on my camera opened and I ended up chasing my batteries, But what can you say? This is how an outing should be: not tame, maybe not too wild, but not civilized either. We want to see nature out there and trees down and poison oak help to give us appreciation of the world we live in.
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| Field of Flowers |
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| Seasonal Creek by trail |
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| Seasonal Creek flowing into Merced |
This trail, even though you rise only a net of maybe 300'. has plenty of ups and downs to get your legs into that rubbery feeling pretty quick. Plus there are places where the trail is narrow and a bit rocky where care is needed. In addition to the flowers, there is water coming down the sides of the hills which I had not seen before on my hikes. Both on the trail side and across the
Merced. Fun to walk in a year when there is actually water.
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| Field of Flowers |
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| Trail to Hite Cove |
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| Lava Rocks and Merced |
By the time you get to
Hite Cove, you are ready to have a good break in the walking. Hite Cove itself is not a glorious place, but a bit of history. The area was mined and as you go along, you see old machinery laying around.
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| Field of Flowers by the Merced |
The trip back was a bit more brisk and I was definitely more tired, so in places I lagged behind. The heat, evening though only in the low 70's was definitely bothersome. I kept sucking on my water bladder. You could tell my the number of red faces I was not the only one. But we all got off the trail and then proceeded to Mariposa and an after hike meal at Happy Burger.
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| Henness Ridge and South Fork of the Merced River |
Three warnings if you decide to travel this trail:
- The signage is not accurate. The first sign you see says 4 1/2 miles, I think one way. It is more like 3.6-3.7 miles. My GPS has been pretty consistent about it. About a a mile in you will see a sign saying you have gone 3/4 of a mile.
- The first mile is on private property, but from what I can tell, the Forest Service must have been given an easement for this trail.
- This is not a well maintained trail. Several places you need to use caution.
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| Poppies along our path |
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| End of the trail in sight |
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| Larkspur, I think |
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| River and flowers |
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| Redbud by the Merced |
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| Baby Blue Eyes |
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| California Golden Poppy |
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| Hite Cove Area |
Start Time: 9:10
t was growing all along the side of the trail and intertwined with other bushes, making it hard to avoid. Then there were many fallen trees to provide for extra exercise. Some we climbed over, others scooted underneath. Then there was one one where branches were scattered across a creek. Going across one of these logs, the battery cover on my camera opened and I ended up chasing my batteries, But what can you say? This is how an outing should be: not tame, maybe not too wild, but not civilized either. We want to see nature out there and trees down and poison oak help to give us appreciation of the world we live in.
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