July 27, 2016 - Ostrander Lake

Title: July 27, 2016 - Ostrander Lake
Hike Info : Description :   Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Lost Bear Meadow

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Ostrander Lake

Destination: Ostrander Lake

Actual Destination: About a quarter mile before Ostrander Lake

Distance: 12 miles ¹

Start Time:  8:45am

End Time: 5:15pm

Elevation Rise: 1,929' ¹

Maximum Elevation: 8,590' ¹

 ¹For the second day in a row, I forget my GPS. So the statistics  is taken from our backpacking trip to Ostrander a couple of weeks ago.

Description:
We have not been on a meet up hike in a while. So it is good to be going on this hike even though we have just been to Ostrander two weeks ago. Ostrander has always been one of our favorite hikes anyway.  I am not sure if we can get too much of that lake. And then hiking with some of our friends that is an added bonus.

We meet at Eddies Bakery at 6:30. But Sherri and I get off on a late start and so we don't get there until just before the group is about to leave. We find out on our way that Jerry will be meeting the group above Oakhurst. When we get to the Bakery,  the group is mostly organized. So I attempt a few wise and profound words-yeah right-and then we are off. Sherri and I get to have Majda riding with us. It has been awhile since we have seen her and we enjoy getting caught up with her. We travel through Oakhurst and come to Tenaya Lodge, where we stop. We pick up a couple more people, including Sonya whom we will hike the JMT with and Jerry, the hike organizer. They do not ride with us, but it will be good seeing them face to face.

We get up to the trail head around 8:45 o'clock. And then start off. I know I am going to be slow-I am carrying most of my JMT pack on this walk. So I tell Jerry that I will stay around and walk with a couple people who need a little more time to get ready. Both of them I have not met, but Lore has been on several hikes with the meetup group. Ellen is her guest.  Ellen has a concern about dragging everybody down but as I will see throughout the hike that is a ill found worry.

When we start off I realized I have forgotten my GPS, it is on the kitchen table. But that is not an issue with this trail. We have been up it numerous times. I know pretty much every part of the trail and  we do have a map. On something like this, I use the GPS more to gauge how fast were going and to take measurements which I use for this blog. So today will be an estimation.

Meadow on the way up

The first two and a third miles go by pretty quickly. Not sure what Lore and Ellen thought of me, but they seemed to be OK with me babbling about all sorts of stuff, such as the history of James Savage, a few odds and ends of botany-as if I know anything about that, and just some general chit-chat. They seemed to want to know what the trails are like what people are like what's expected of the group and all those kinds of things which somebody which makes the time pass on a trail like this quickly. I must have made some impression as they think I am a tour guide-are they gullible or what? But because of our conversation, the miles go by pretty quickly.

Sherri, the Happy Camper?

Climbing Horizon Ridge

Before you know it we are at the Deer Camp trail junction where we see Sherri. She is doing okay but not as quick as a lot of the other members of the group. We stopped there for a few minute break until the biting flies start driving us away.  We start going up the rest of the trail. Lore and Ellen are faster than we are--of course, our packs are full. The more true declaration is that we are not quite up to our backpacking speed. Even at our best backpacking speed we are among the slowest of the herd. Between going uphill and the weight of the pack, we are feeling it. Did I tell you that it is a hot?  The weather said it was supposed to be a 110 in Fresno so that will make it around 90 degrees here. We are feeling it. Sweat is dripping from my face. I really want to blame it on the heat and caring around 38 pounds and going up a pretty good hill. But in reality I think its because I'm sadly out of shape. But we know what is up ahead of us in little more than a  week.

We have told Jerry that after they have rested and appropriate length of time at Ostrander just to start back when we see them we will come back as well. When we reach the top of Horizon Ridge and startup the spine of it we meet the first group-3 young men-I have hike with one of them. They are zooming down because they need to be back in Fresno by 6 o'clock. But we continue on. We meet more groups coming down. I stop and talked with Sonya about JMT things, until we see Jerry coming down. I say good bye and then work on catching up to Sherri. Lore and Ellen are still at the lake so we continue on.

Add caption

There is a snow station up on Horizon Ridge. Sherri stops there and I drop my pack and continue up to Ostrander. I meet Ellen and Lore right at the top of the ridge going into Ostrander. I do not feel like walking down that 100' drop and even less of a desire to walk back up it. So I turn around. Besides I cannot resist playing the tour guide role. Close to this top area is a little use trail which leads out to a vista of the Clark Range, Mt Hoffman, Half Dome, and Clouds Rest. I get the appropriate ooh's and aah's. Then we go down and pick up Sherri.

 Now we start down. Usually Sherri is about as fast going down as she was going up. I do not know if it was the lateness of the hour or being with Lore and Ellen, Sherri is doing a pretty decent job of keeping up. Still this is a ways down and we pick our way down some rocky slopes. I have started up the piffle talk again on the way down which seems to be appreciated.

We briefly stop at the Deer Camp junction and then continue on. Nobody seems to appreciate that we are 2+ miles away from the car. But the good part is that it is mostly of the rolling variety of hills with much of it flat. So we make good time and are able to make it back to the cars around 5:15. Our friends are all gone, with the except of Majda who seemed content with reading a book and napping as she waited for us. Now the big question of the day: where to eat in Oakhurst. Nobody decides, so I dictate it will be El Cid. It is a good place to fill up-the five of us: Majda, Sherri, Ellen, Lore and I all enjoy the eats and company. By the time we get back to our house, it is around 7:45. We are beat but happy.

Flowers and Plants

Snow Plan-but more in a stem

Buckwheat

Sierra Daisy

Twin Berry

July 26, 2016 - Old Glacier Point Road

Title: July 26, 2016 - Old Glacier Point Road
Hike Info : Description :  Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Chinquapin

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Old Glacier Point Road

Destination: Badger Pass

Actual Destination: Just before top of ridge above Badger Pass

Distance:  4 miles ¹

Start Time:  10:45

End Time:     2:30

Elevation Rise: 1,110' ¹

Maximum Elevation:  7,150' ¹

 ^{1This is an approximate distance. I did not bring my GPS to give me an accurate reading of distance, time and elevation.}

Description:

We need to get some miles in before we go on the John Muir Trail. So we were looking around for something we could do today but as our plans progressed it turned out we need something short that which would help us to get in a little better shape. I have been reading about an old road behind a restroom where we go where we stop in Chinquapin. So we decided to go ahead and try that route.

We left Fresno a bit late around 8:30 after stopping at Costco for some gas. We were slowed down as we traveled up 41. There was an accident right before we got into Oakhurst. Then after getting through Oakhurst we ran into some slow traffic as we approach the park. But we got up to Chinquapin a little bit later than expected. By the time we put on our boots it was 10:45. By the way, it is not only boots, but about 35 pounds of backpack.Also, this is the maiden journey for a new camera I got.

Path Up

Water Tank and structures

The path up to the Old Glacier Point Road from the restrooms is a bit steep. It follows a old it follows the old telephone and electrical power lines all the way up from 41 to the old road. Up is the operative word here as it's a really a steep climb. Once on the old Glacier Point Road we realized it's going to keep on rising up and not nearly as deep as they passed. We quickly come to some water  tanks which feeds of the restrooms on Chinquapin.

Gary on the road

Falls on Indian Creek

 From here we realize we are following the service road which comes in from Badger Pass which was the Old Glacier Point Road. The trail, or should I say road, follows the side of the ravine which Indian Creek runs down. We can't see the creek too much it is not a big one. But there is some visual refreshment as I see an unexpected set of falls.

The road continues its course. There's nothing visually exciting presenting itself to us. But it is a nice training walk for us and the scenery is pleasant. Even though it is hot, its not oppressive as there is a good amount of tree cover.

Lunch break for Sherri

Gary at rest

As we get towards the top of the ridge above the west side of Badger Pass we decide to have a lunch break. It is around 12:30 by the time we stop. Even though we have not reached the top, we decide that we do need to turn around as we need to go past Mariposa on the way home. We think we are within a hundred feet of the top but we have choices to make. As a consolation prize, we have climbed up 1100 feet  in about 2 miles.

Falls at Indian Creek

We return the same route what we came up in the morning. It definitely is hotter. By my cheapie thermometer-whistle-compass it is about 90 degrees. Too hot to hike. But we come down the slope ok.   Sherri was able to get a good view of the falls we came by and saw earlier-she did not realize earlier that my pointing and gesturing was for her to look. Besides being a good place to stop and rest for a few minutes, it is a nice place to gawk.

Dinner at DiCiccio's

We get down to the car around 2:30 and hit the road to Mariposa. You might be asking, why Mariposa? Well, a couple of weeks ago we bought a painting from Faith Rumm Studio and want to pick it up.Faith is waiting for us, hard at work on another set of panels to help educate people on the coast concerning area wildlife.  The painting is well worth the drive and I expect it will bring many a smile to my face over the years. But now it is time to go on home. We stop in DiCicco's in Oakhurst and enjoy dinner. Service was a lot better than when Rachel and I stopped in May. We got back to Fresno about 7:30, tired, but good.

Background

Chinquapin was built as a junction of the Old Glacier Point Road, which was built in 1882.
Previously it was a bridle trail to Glacier Point (the current Glacier Point Road, which starts immediately north of the old road was built in 1940).^[2] On an 1896 U.S. Cavalry map it is marked as "Chinquapin Station"^{[3]
 From Wikipedia on Chinquapin}

Extra Photo's

Strap on the old water tank

Flowers and Plants

White Polemonium

Dog Vomit Slime Mold

July 14, 2016 - Return From Ostrander Lake

Title: July 14, 2016 - Return From Ostrander Lake
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons :  Menu : Extra Photo's :  Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Ostrander Lake

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Ostrander Lake

Destination: Lost Bear Meadow Trail Head

Distance: 6.22 miles

Start Time:  9:01

End Time:  12:49

Travel Time: 3:47 (1.64 mph)

Moving Time: 2:57 (2.11 mph)

Elevation Rise: 301'

Maximum Elevation: 8,555'

Description:

Slept well last night, even got a bit more sleep-slept well past the rising sun. Got up around 6:40. Feeling a lot more rested. I spend some time by the lake reading and enjoying the quiet of the morning. Sherri gets up about an hour after I do.

Ostrander Lake

We have a normal breakfast and then slowly get packed and hit the trail at 9. But before we do, I notice a carving on a tree. Has my brother-in-law been here before? We enjoy a few views of the lake. I think, I have been looking at the lake, but no pictures to share. So a few are taken, but no "traditional"  "we are here" pictures.

There is a small rise coming out of Ostrander before we head down the 1,500' slope we came up yesterday. At the top we get ourselves adjusted. I eyeball an opening in the trees about 30 yards away and meander off there and get an eyeful of the landscape to the east of Horizon Ridge.  As good as the other vistas along this ridge are, I am thinking I like this one best.

Clark Range

Gary with a view

Clark Range

Clouds Rest and Mt Starr King in front

Sherri and a little knoll on Horizon Ridge

We walk a couple hundred yards across the east face of the ridge and met the trail. Now we start down the trail in earnest. Enough of this gawking. We have a date in Oakhurst for lunch. So we start down Horizon Ridge. Now mind you considering this is downhill and not too bad, we are going at, how should I say this, "all, deliberate speed."  Some of it is as we pass open areas, it is getting warm.

We meet a few people as they are going up. One couple is marching right up the slope we sweated on yesterday. Guess that is what happens if you are in shape.

When we get to the bottom of the slope-our usual stopping place with the deteriorating log, we are greeted by a group huddled around a person. Upon closer inspection, the person is wearing a hat usually worn by a ranger. So this is a good place to stop and snack for a few before continuing on. Sure enough, the ranger comes over and wants  our permit, which is gladly supplied. We also ask a few questions concerning our JMT expedition in a three weeks.

Now we are a little more than two miles from the car and the heat is really bearing down on us. After, this is Lost Bear Meadow-get it? In a mile, we briefly stop and then continue on. The cars come into sight and we are glad we parked in the shade. Even more happy that there is cold water in the care which slurp up.

We let Steven know where we are and head to Oakhurst for our food. Steven brings my Mom up and we all enjoy BBQ at Alice's Cookhouse and Barbecue. Then it is back home to Fresno and showers. A good short overnight trip. Enough to say, we need work or we will die on The Trail in three weeks.

Ostrander Lake

Trail Lesson:

Beat the Heat, and get an early start.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Lunch at Alice's BBQ in Oakhurst	At home	Clif Bar, GORP, Nutella To Go

Extra Photo's

Half and North Domes from Horizon Ridge

Horizon Ridge

Clouds Rest-Mt Starr King in Front

Flowers and Plants

Mariposa Lily

Pussy Paw

Sierra Daisy

July 13, 2016 - Backpacking to Ostrander Lake

Title: July 13, 2016 - Backpacking to Ostrander Lake
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Menu : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Lost Bear Trail Head

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Ostrander Lake

Destination: Ostrander Lake

Distance: 6.27 miles

Start Time:  11:10

End Time:     5:04

Travel Time: 5:54 (1.06 mph)

Moving Time: 3:29 (1.80 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,929'

Maximum Elevation: 8,590'

Description:
This was to be a two night trip, but we needed to make a decision on getting an air conditioner, so we cut off a day. Also we decided to go to an old stand-by: Ostrander Lake. We know the trail and it will be a good training for our JMT hike in August. Also, as a side benefit, the lake is beautiful.

We leave the house a little after 8am and get to Oakhurst at 9am where we stop at Pete's Place and pick up a turkey sandwich. They were making some breakfast burritos which looked good. So we got one for dinner as well. Then stuffed them into our bear canister. Next stop: Wawona Ranger Station. There we got our wilderness permit, then headed to our trail head: Lost Bear Meadow-appropriately named since last year we saw a cub which seemed hopelessly disoriented. Also a friend of ours saw either the same cub or a close cousin around the same area last weekend.

Coming up the trail

But there is no bear today, except today is going to be a bear. We are getting started late and the  it is a warm day. The first part of this trail, until the Deer Camp trail junction is a pleasant, gradual up. We do ok, but I think the GPS has gone wacked-showing we have traveled about 3.5 miles when this section of the trail is only 2.3 miles. But even more impressive is we are traveling more than 3 mph-I am thinking only in my dream.

We stop at our disintegrating  log at the Deer Camp junction. When we first started doing this trail, it was a nice place to sit and have lunch. Today we choose some rocks behind what used to be the log. Fairly comfortable rocks too. But our lunch is interrupted by some bumble bees and biting flies. So off we go, not fulling appreciating the Pete's Place turkey sandwich.

Sherri walking the Ghost Forest

We start up the steep part of the trail, rising about a thousand feet in two miles.  The heat is wearing us down, still one foot in front of the other. There is a ghost forest from a fire two decades ago. We also cross some exposed granite which gets us a bit more baked.  And then it is more uphill.

Sherri is a bit a head of me-I have been waiting a bit more when she stops and rests. Even as slow as we are traveling, we pass a group of young teenage girls from Camp Tawonga. They look even more spent than us. I offer a few words of encouragement that the lake is really  beautiful and there is a tendency for the pain to be forgotten. I do not know how convinced they are.

When we reach the top of Horizon Ridge and take a break, that gets short lived. A bumble bee starts to attack Sherri. This gets her going fast-not hiking fast, but away from the bee with her pack. I also get attacked when I put on my pack. While killing it, I do get a measure of revenge by whacking it with the heel of my boot. I sort of wonder why anything hit by my boot survives.

We trudge up Horizon Ridge. Having been somewhat spent from the last two miles, our progress is not very fast or energetic.  Three people on horses are on their way down and we use that as an excuse to stop and talk. They are from Placerville. But our rest time ends when they move on. One of the ladies think we are cute and takes our picture.

The advantage we have is we have been on this trail many a time and know how far more we have. The disadvantage is the same. At this point, we have conquered the hard part and just need a mile more. A little before the final hump we get a view off of Horizon Ridge to the east-seeing the Clark Range. Always an enjoyable sight.

And now for an even more enjoyable sight,  Ostrander Lake comes into view. The ski hut is there, looking the same. We veer off to the west and the camp spots there. We try to leave the largest camp spot for the girls coming up.  While the intention is good, where we had set our packs, but not set up the tent yet had a bigger flat area where the girls could sleep. So we traded. You sort of expect the leader to say "Thank You". But we were really surprised and impressed that each of the girls also addressed us and thanked us.

So we set up camp and lounged around. Got a bit thirsty and found out that the filter was not working. The filter is new, why isn't it working? After the initial panic of will we have water on this hot evening, I took apart everything and then noticed the valve I had recently put in had a ball valve. Unfortunately the ball allowed flow the wrong way. So took it off when I wanted to filter water and then screwed it back on to stop the flow. Crude and inefficient, but we got water.

We had our Breakfast Burrito dinner, well most of it-this thing was large. Then went to bed for a good night sleep.


Trail Lesson:

Make sure your equipment is working before you get on the trail.


Background
The Ghost Forest is the result of a big burn called the Horizon Ridge Fire in 1994.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Home-granola	Turkey sandwich from Pete's Place in Oakhurst	Breakfast Burrito from Pete's Place in Oakhurst	Clif Bar, Scratch, Propel, GORP

Flowers and Plants

Scarlet Fritilla