May 30, 2016 - Deer Camp to Deer Camp Trail Head

Title: May 30, 2016 - Deer Camp to Deer Camp Trail Head
Hike Info : Description :  Menu :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Deer Camp

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Unnamed, east of Deer Camp

Destination:None

Distance: 1.44 miles

Start Time:  6:42

End Time:   7:39

Travel Time: 0:57 (1.51 mph)

Moving Time: 0:54 (1.60 mph)

Elevation Rise: 593'

Maximum Elevation: 7,005'

Trail head: Deer Camp

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Deer Camp Trail

Destination: Trailhead

Distance: 8.38 miles

Start Time:  9:50

End Time:    2:45

Travel Time: 4:55(2.33 mph)

Moving Time: 3:16 (2.57 mph)

Elevation Rise: 313'

Maximum Elevation: 6,616'

Description:
First one up again. After looking at the map, I decided that I would go for my morning walk back up the trail and see if I can reach the top of the ridge. It is a pretty good rise, while not pushing myself, I am not stopping very often either. I pass yesterday's turnaround point and keep on going, maybe about a quarter mile. Here I come out on an opening, but not the top and am able to look over the entire Alder Creek drainage. It is also at the 7,000' mark, making it a convenient turn around spot. So after gazing around and taking a few pictures, I started back. Going back to camp is a lot easier than it was coming up. So I made better time. 

Looking West from 7000'

Looking North from 7000'

We got a late start, but that is not too important as the walking will be quick. Why you might ask did we start back late? For no particular reason, just because we could.

Railroad Spike

As has been mentioned before, this trail is more for walking than gawking. So coming back did not bring anything new. Well there was two things actually which I did not see coming over. They both were old railroad spikes. The first was just laying their in the middle of the road. I am assuming somebody found it and put it there. The second was by Rail Creek.

Railroad Spike at Rail Creek

Michelle, Sherri and I stop for a rest, but Wayne has gone on ahead-he actually makes it to the car and then realizes he does not have the keys to it. After our rest, we continue on and try to identify various bushes. Having me as the "best" botanist is sort of like following Jack Sparrow's compass-sort of your guess is as good as mine type of identification.

We meet Wayne on his way back-he is doing double duty I guess, about 3/4 of a mile from the trailhead. A short time later, the car comes into view and we are able to take our packs off. All of us are in the mood for something to eat. El Cid is the stop followed by a Reimer's ice cream chaser. A good way to end the trip.

Data Tower on Henness Ridge

But this entry would not end appropriately if I did not address the question which we started this weekend with: What kinds of people are they? Both Sherri and I enjoyed Wayne and Michelle's company. We found out that we all had the same concerns about compatibility. These fears were unfounded. We enjoyed learning a bit more about Michelle and Wayne, trading stories, sharing tidbits of places we have been and the concerns we have for family. Two more people who were changed from strangers to humans.



Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on Tortilla	El Cid and Reimer's	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, Scratch, GORP

Flowers and Plants

Oak or the poison kind?

May 29, 2016 - Alder Creek Falls and Back

Title: May 29, 2016 - Alder Creek Falls and Back
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons :  Menu : Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Deer Camp

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Alder Creek Trail

Destination:Alder Creek Falls

Distance: 6.20 miles

Start Time: 10:18

End Time:    4:12

Travel Time: 5:53 (1.05 mph)

Moving Time: 3:30 (1.77 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,011'

Maximum Elevation: 6,520'

Description:
I am the first one awake, at least I do not see anybody else. So I do an early walk up the trail going east from Deer Camp. Gets a bit steep, not real steep, but enough that I am glad to be out for a walk. Even at a slow pace I was breathing heavily.  After about 20 minutes, I turn around. Nothing special so far, just pleasant to be alone.

Railroad bed

When I almost get to camp, I meet Michelle. Since nobody else is up, we walk along the old railroad bed. The bed has a slope on one side and berm on the other and a nice flat place to walk, except for how overgrown it was. We made a lot of detours around brush and rock until we sort of ran out of land as it overlooked the creek we need to cross today. So we returned the way we came. by this time Wayne was up and starting up their breakfast. Shortly afterwards Sherri emerged from the tent as well.

After breakfast we take off down the trail. There is three differences from the trail we were traveled yesterday and today's:

1. We are no longer following a railroad bed
2. We are traveling downhill
3. This trail has not been maintained for years

Michelle and Sherri on trail

 We quickly come to the little creek and there is a way across-two weeks ago it was getting one's feet wet. There is a short steep slope and then down another slope to cross another small creek, scrambling up a slope and then a some pleasant hiking down to Alder Creek. Decisions, decisions, decisions. When my daughter and I came up this, a couple of weeks ago a crossing about a third of a mile down was a bit much for her-not so much treacherous, just down right cold. So after a few minutes of talking we decided to stay on the south side of the creek, and not cross it two times. This involves a little bit of following a deer track, going around brush and down a bit of rock until we rejoined the trail.

Little water on rock

Now it is about a mile and a half later, after passing by some weeping rocks, a creek or two and the the portal into a new universe. On the last, there are two posts on either side of the trail-the purpose I do not know, but I suspect it may have been support for crossing the creek. Of course, it looks like something from Dr Who or Star Trek.

Alder Falls

Once we traverse the portal, we take a few steps and pop out onto Alder Creek going over the top. It is a magical area. About five more minutes of  we get the full effect of the falls. This is Wayne and Michelle's first time here and they are in awe of it. This is a good place for lunch and we take advantage of it. The allure of these falls has always captured my mind.

Also there is an English guy and his girlfriend about to leave. I talk with him a bit and give them some ideas about where they could go in the Valley without encountering a lot of crowds.

Wayne creating a crossing

 Now it is time to return. We start by retracing our steps. When we get to the place where we hit the trail after avoiding two creek crossings, we see that someone has thrown some sticks across.  I just use these to cross, Sherri wobbles, but successfully navigates the crossing. In a couple of months she will need to navigate worse crossing. Unlike me, Wayne is more thoughtful towards his wife. He gathers up more sticks and makes a stable crossing for her.

Sherri Crossing

Now for a decision: do we take a different, but longer route back, or cross the creak a second time and take the way we came? I think we all are a bit tired and decided to return the way we came.

After a second creek crossing, I see someone is camped in my usual camp spot. Some how I wander over and talk with them for awhile, while Sherri, Michelle and Wayne continue on back to camp. They are from San Luis Obispo, with relations in Fresno. They were looking for a nice short, but not very busy spot to spend Memorial Day. They won out with this spot.

Happy Michelle

It is time for me to take off again. Fortunately for me, the gang had stopped about a third of a mile up the trail for a few minute break. Wayne goes ahead and clears the trail of many of the obstacles we encountered this morning. He has more energy than me.

I am glad to hit camp. The cloud cover has returned and there is a few drops which fell on us. is this a prelude or just all which will dampen us? We prepare for more rain, but that is all which falls, about two minutes of drops.

It is time for dinner-Beef Strognoff for us. Sherri has added some dehydrated cream cheese from a can she ordered from Honeyville Farms. Pretty good. Gives it a smooth texture and a bit more taste.

We lounge around a bit more and talk. But as it grows dark, we hit the tent. Sherri and I try to get a movie to play on my phone, but we cannot get the sound to work. But we are tired and it is time for bed. Good night.

Alder Falls

Trail Lesson: Sometimes by taking a few more minutes and clearing the way, you can make everyone's life easier.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella on crackers	Beef Strogonoff	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, CytoMax, GORP, Bank Balls

Extra Photo's

Alder Creek below the Falls

Alder Creek

Sherri on the way back

Unnamed creek

Flowers and Plants

Pink Alumroot

May 28, 2016 - Deer Camp

Title: May 28, 2016 - Deer Camp Trail Head to Deer Camp
Hike Info : Description :  Menu : Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Deer Camp Trail Head (Yosemite West)

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Deer Camp Trail

Destination:Deer Camp

Distance: 8.63 miles

Start Time:  9:29

End Time:  3:10

Travel Time: 5:40 (1.52 mph)

Moving Time: 3:47 (2.28 mph)

Elevation Rise: 723'

Maximum Elevation: 6,572'

 
Description:
This trip did not turn out as planned. Karol had invited several of her friends, including us, to go backpacking over the Memorial Day weekend. Our daughter Andrea showed some interest. As it turned out that another couple also were interested in going as well: Michelle and Wayne. Five or six people sounds good. We have met the other couple, but do not really know them-they are more kayakers than backpackers, not that it makes too much difference.

Well, our daughter decided that it would be a bit too rushed and so backed out. The our friend Karol got hurt and cannot go. So now we are going with a couple which we do not know. What kinds of people are they? Will they also back out? The answer to the later question is no. The answer to the former is, we will find out.

We meet at their place and sort out who's driving-Wayne has a preference in that area. So we come back to our house and unload the car and get ready. Wayne and Michelle come along a few minutes later and we are off on our adventure. We stop in at Pete's Place to pick up our sandwich which will be used for lunch and dinner. Then it is off to Wawona and picking up a wilderness permit from Ranger Dave. First, there is a whole line of people waiting for their permit. We are number two. Glad we got there 20 minutes before the office opened. He appears to be at least new to Yosemite and is being instructed. He also gives us a parking permit, but I think it is more for the Valley than where we are going.

Sherri and Wayne

Then it is off to Yosemite West and the Deer Camp Trail Head. The first part of the trail, about three miles, we have hiked many a time before. This is Sherri's first time out with her new pack, so there is some adjustments to be made. Not sure what her pack weighs, but mine is close to 40 pounds. But it is a good JMT training pack. I think I am packing almost everything we will need in August.

The trail is pretty level and we make good time. Sherri and I get to know Michelle and Wayne a bit better as we walk-that is something which seems like a natural phenomenon about hiking. You get to know people. Most of the time you learn to enjoy their company. This is not an exception.

Wayne and Michelle

Remains of some old machinery, but what?

After we cross Bishop Creek, we are off onto new ground for me. I have done to Bishop Creek and from the Alder Creek trail junction to Deer Camp, but not this little bit of trail. I think it is about a mile and a half. The walking is more of the same. There is a a flat spot which may have been some sort of watering stop, but we do not know. When we come across some logs, we stop for lunch.

Sherri crossing a creek

Sherri and Michelle

In this new section of trail, Wayne sees remnants of the old road. I believe this goes to the north side of Alder Falls. Something else to put on the checklist of walks to do-see where the road actually takes us. We are also treated to views of the Alder Creek drainage. Not spectacular, but nice and graceful looking. There are some clouds gathering to the south of us, but they should not be much of a bother to us.

Empire Meadow

We round the trickle which is Alder Creek and now are on the home stretch. This last mile seems long. A spot near Empire Meadow is pretty relaxing view. But have you noticed one thing? Memorial Day, Yosemite, and not one single person besides us. This is broken when we get to Deer Camp. There is a mother/daughter team from Alaska who is going to do two more miles over to Turner Meadow area tonight. Better people than I am. I am a bit beat. This is for just 8 miles on level trail, albeit with a full pack. We do find a semi flat place for a tent. But Wayne has more energy and does some scouting. He finds a couple of nice places just on the other side of a knoll from the meadow. I look it over and take my pack there as well.

There are two more groups of people who come in. They take our former spots. Still pretty good considering Memorial Day and Yosemite. One of the groups seem to be pretty tuckered out-even more than me. They get into their tent and do not emerge for the rest of the evening.

You know what I said about the clouds? They are gathering and a few drops falls, but that is all. Getting something into my stomach seems to have re-energized me. I decide to go down the trail a little ways towards the creek-not Alder-just to relax. It does good. I come back and everybody is getting ready for bed and I follow suit.


Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
At Home	Sandwich from Pete's Place	Other half of sandwich from Pete's Place	Clif Bar, Jelly Bellies, Scratch,  GORP

Extra Photo's

Wayne, Sherri, and Michelle

Far part of Alder Creek

Flowers and Plants

Snow Plant

Snow Plant

Large Fungi

Maybe an old Puff Ball?

May 21, 2016 - North Boundary and North Grove Trails

Title:May 21, 2016 - North Boundary and North Grove Trails
Hike Info : Description : Background

Trail head: General Grant Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: North Boundary and North Grove Trails

Destination:Loop

Distance: 4.82 miles

Start Time:  9:17

End Time:  12:52

Travel Time: 3:35 (1.34 mph)

Moving Time: 2:17 (2.11 mph)

Elevation Rise: 973'

Maximum Elevation: 6,717'

Red on Google map is the are of the Rough Fire

Description:
If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.  Luke 17:6

Our hikers on the North Boundary Trail

Last Summer, the Rough Fire tore through the Kings Canyon area. Since the fire went out, I have been wanting to lead a series of hikes around some of the fire area. So this is our first Destruction Hike to examine what the fire did. Today's will be around Grant Grove. There are ten of us, most of whom we who have had limited hiking experience with. Should be fun

We pick up our friends, Fernando and Nancy at 7:00 and meet the rest of the people at Eddie's Bakery. We leave at 7:40 and travel non-stop, at least my car does, up to the General Grant parking lot in Grant Grove.

By 9:15, we are ready to start our hike. I talk a few minutes about the fire, but these fine folks did not come to hear me talk, So off we go. Up beside a small creek for a little ways, then we cut over and pay a visit to the General Grant Tree, the third largest living thing. Some of our company has not seen this tree. I have commented in other blog entries that sometimes I got so used to the spectacular it becomes common, so it is good to see things through fresh eyes. Afterwards we stop briefly at the Gamlin Cabin.

There he goes again-pontificating

Now we take off along the North Boundary Trail, going counter-clockwise. I do a lot more talking about the forest, Sequoia seedlings, fire and cones. At one point I talk about the saying of Jesus and a mustard seed. In my mind I think more of Sequoia seeds and the tree that seed produces. But mostly I talk about how fire is needed for a healthy forest. To get Sequoia seeds germinated and onto the ground, fire needs to go through an area.

For the first part of this trail, we notice a few old burnt areas, but we would never know that the impact of Rough Fire was just a third of a mile away from us. We are still at awe with the wonders of the Sequoias with its red colored wood. We pass by the stables and then talk a bit about prescribed burns. This area had been burnt a few years back.

Gary and fellow hikers posing in front of burnt forest-photo by Kevin S

We hit the top of a ridge, and there we see a blacken forest. We stand and look. Even here, the trees are not all black-this is where a prescribed burn was done a couple of years ago. As we travel further, the burn areas are almost completely removed of vegetation. Almost, but not completely. It is a mystery to me why some small brush seems to have been bypassed, but a large tree was burnt to a crisp. Thoughts to ponder.

Results of Rough Fire-photo by Kevin S

We get to a place where we stop for a few minutes, probably less time than wanted, but it is cold, definitely in low 40's, maybe a bit colder. So I do not stop long. We are at the connector piece with the North Grove Trail.

From the top of this trail, the Rough Fire could be long ways off. Enough so, that our group enjoyed mugging before one of them. But shortly after  taking trail split-we are doing this loop counter-clockwise-we start seeing evidence of the fire, My two favorite trees are unscathed, but right below them the fire rampaged, leaving bare ground in place of vibrant green. We would go in and out of burnt areas until we hit the lowest part of the trail. Then it was a complete burn. I thought Sequoias would be almost invincible to fire, but we saw at least two of them giants completely burnt. So sad it is.

Remains of Rough Fire from McGee overlook-photo by Kevin S

Now it is time to go back up the trail till we hit the parking lot. A bit of the climb. I mentioned the McGee Overlook and our group was interested in seeing it. On our hike, we got a close up picture of the impact of the fire. But from this overlook and being able to see a couple miles of nothing but burnt acreage, it is sobering. Even more so that we are only seeing about a third of the fire. With this on our mind, we head down to Squaw Valley and the Bear Mountain Pizza for a bite to eat before returning back to Fresno.

Enjoying a Sequoia Gigantia

Background

• The Rough Fire started on July 31, 2016 from a lightening storm. Originally it was called the Garlic Fire because it was misplaced as being on garlic Ridge-the spotting was done in the twilight. It is the 13th largest fire in California's recorded history, burning 151,623 acres with 3,741 firefighters, 345 engines, 19 helicopters and 45 bulldozers used.
• Prescribed burns is used to remove fuels from an area. allowing for more vegetation to grow.
• Wikipedia
• Smokey the Bear
• NPS policy concerning fire. 
• Fire is needed for Sequoia seeds to be able to grow.
• McGee Fire was in 1955. The picture above is the extent of this fire.