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