Gary-Summer: June 17, 2016

Friday, June 17, 2016

June 17, 2016 - Lewis Creek

Title: June 17, 2016 - Lewis Creek
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Cedar Valley Road

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Lewis Creek Trail

Destination:Red Rock Falls

Distance: 5.99 miles

Start Time: 8:38

End Time: 12:49

Travel Time: 4:10 (1.44 mph)

Moving Time: 3:09 (1.90 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,322'

Maximum Elevation: 4,279;

Description:
We need to get some miles in to do the JMT. But in my mind, this is really, lets try out some new boots day. A week ago my new Asolo Evo's came in and I have been walking around the neighborhood with them. But now for the real test, on a trail.

New Boots

We originally thought of doing Ostrander Lake. But with the President coming, we did not want to hit the Yosemite Zoo on steroids. Then lets go up to Grant Grove and do Park Ridge from the highway. That should give us a pretty good work out. But then we needed to be back by 2:30 for a doctors appointment. Are we doomed for a hike today? Of course not! You are reading this blog aren't you?

Selfie Time!

We decided to do an old stand by-the Lewis Creek Trail outside of Oakhurst. We leave after 7:00am and stop in Oakhurst at Judy's Donuts. Good coffee and donuts, but no public restrooms. So onward to the Cedar Valley Road trailhead. We are the only ones there and hit the trial at 8:40.

Weather is nice, not too cool, but not hot either. Lots of wildflowers are out. Only a minimal amount of bugs. Could be a lot worse. We are doing pretty good. Sherri is actually pushing me, which is good, but tells me how out of shape I am. Not much new to write about on this trail-we have been over this so many times. But there are a lot of downed trees. Most of them pretty manageable.

Going over a log at the start

Sherri climbing the trail

As we approach Corlieau Falls, the trail starts going up pretty nicely. But there is eye candy in the midst of this section. So we get to stop and take a break at the platform overlooking the Falls. They are going at a pretty good pace today. So there is more visual there than usual. But the trail continues to go up pretty steeply. But employing the one step at a time mode of climbing, we do pretty good. Here we come across the first set of people on our hike. Nothing exceptional as they are going down to the platform to see the Falls.

Gary at Corlieau Falls

Sherri at Corlieau Falls

The push to the top of Corlieau Falls always gives the legs and lungs a strain. But that is why we are doing this hike today-to our them used to being punished. Of course, as we are going up, they do ask, what have we ever done to you? But at the top, it levels out for an eighth of a mile where we meet up with the shortcut from the Highway 41 parking lot. After that, we cross Lewis Creek to reach the east side.

Up until two winters ago, there was a nice big log with a side rail to help you across. That winter a storm washed away this log, which was disintegrating anyways. For awhile they had some cut up logs for steps across. But those washed away last winter. Now, there is a bunch of sticks, maybe two inches wide going halfway across with a good size limb completing the journey. Gary's prediction: this will be washed away this winter as well.

Inspiration

More logs to go around

The trail is now a series of short inclines followed by some flat places. And did I say trees? That is trees across the trail. but there are ways around and so they are more interesting side trips than major obstacles. There are other distractions though. Flowers are blooming everywhere. And the many butterflies flittering around us are wonderful to watch. To name a few: Tiger Swallowtails, Common Buckeyes and California Sisters. Of course, they are hard to catch without a net, so we chase after a few with a camera and catch one who has decided to pose for us.

Now we come to the end of our trail: Red Rock Falls. These falls are really just the creek going over some large rocks. What is interesting is that an old log is stuck in the middle where the water goes over and under it. I am sort of lazy, having sit down to enjoy an early lunch sandwich. Sherri on the other hand, must be more energetic as she goes to the bottom and snaps off a few photo's. But we both enjoy spending a few minutes at the top, gazing at the flowing water.

Red Rock Falls

Top of Red Rock Falls

Walking with Mountain Misery

But now we are on our way day. I would like to be off the trail by 12:30 to get us back home in time. We make some pretty good time. Stopping only a few places. Not much huffing and puffing. But we do stop, like to take a picture of a California Sister. We get back to the car at 12:50 Where find two sets of people looking for the other falls-that would be Red Rock. Sherri does the honors of instructing these poor wayward people that they have to go all the way back up and beyond Corlieau Falls to find it. Usually this is my job. W are back home by 2pm, content with our hike.

You might be asking, how was the boots? They were pretty good. Maybe a millimeter or two too short on my left foot as I could feel the end of the boot there. But they felt good overall.