Woodchuck Country 5 Day Trip

 
WoodChuck Country - 2016
From August 25, 2016 through August 29, 2016

Starting: Woodchuck Trail head outside of Wishon Reservoir
Ending:  Woodchuck Trail head
The Hike : Our People : Trail People :  Trail Lessons : Trail Log : References : Abbreviations

The Hike:
 Rose, Sherri and I started the JMT. But after four days, we decided it was better to come off the Trail for an assortment of reasons. But it was not because we did not want to hike. So as soon as we got well enough to go again, we started thinking of another place to go. Rose suggested the Woodchuck Country area. This is an area I have not hiked in so I was all set to go.

We think we will try to make it to HalfMoon Lake, but after talking with some folks, we decide on an alternative of Woodchuck Lake. This is a good thing since we are in the last part of August and the area is pretty dry, except for the lakes and Woodchuck Creek.

We get a late start, which in retrospect is good. We stopped at the last water until Woodchuck Lake. That would have just about done us in I think. Instead it cut the mileage and elevation gain in almost half. The elevation gain is almost the same as what we did from Little Yosemite Valley to Sunrise Camp.

Our lunch view, near Moore Boys Camp

Woodchuck Lake is a great place to camp. Lots of flat places with scenic views. It looked like anybody else who came up slept on the East or South side of the lake, giving us all of the north east side of the lake to ourselves.

We did go on a day hike to what we thought was Crown pass. We reached the right elevation, but did not get to the junction of Crown Lake, which is where the Pass actually is. Still we got great views.

Sunset Woodchuck Lake

The return back is a series of downhills which tired us out in a different way than our going up. We debated on going past the Aug 25th campsite, but decided this would split the trip in half so we stayed put.

On the whole, the walk is not very memorable, but there are places which we all felt we needed to return to.








Our People:
 There were three of us:

• Gary - myself, an old time backpacker with an old time Kelty backpack. First time in this area
• Sherri - my wife, also first time in the area
• Rose - our friend from the Central Valley Hiking Group. We started on the JMT together, but needed to come off because of feet problems. Rose is the one who has been in the area, but that was many years ago and on horseback.
  
  

Sherri                                              Gary                                              Rose

Trail People:
We only were in conversation with two people throughout the trip: Jason and Adam. They are cousins from Southern California. They were introduced to backpacking via Jason's father. But the father cannot go anymore. We camped at Woodchuck Creek both on the 25th and 28th, but they were not really a presence. Also on the night of the 27th they were at Woodchuck Lake. In between they made it to HalfMoon Lake.

Woodchuck Lake

Trail Lessons:

Crown Lake

Time moves slower on the trail. You measure your your progress in steps, in what you have seen, and the conversations your companions.
  


Trail Log:

Our journal is given by each day. Most mileages came from our GPS.



 

Date	Campsite	Miles Walked	Elevation Gained	Max Elevation
Aug 25, 2016	Woodchuck Creek	5.72	1,806'	8,076'
Aug 26, 2016	Woodchuck Lake	4.92	2,039'	9,909'
Aug 27, 2016	Woodchuck Lake	4.90	744'	10,306'	Day hike to Crown Pass
Aug 28, 2016	Woodchuck Creek	6.21	446'	9,976'
Aug 29, 2016	Trail Head	5.72	360'	8,076'
	Total	27.47	5,395'

More Sunset

Our total walking was 47.47 miles, Our "average: day was 5.5 miles with an ascent of 1,079'. 

References:
For those of you who might be interested in hiking this hike, here are some references which you can consult:

• Sierra South by Kathy Morey and Mike White. See hikes 4, 5, and 6

Abbreviations:

• NPS - National Park Service
• NFS - National Forest Service
• DDG - Drop Dead Gorgeous, usually when we are looking at a view
• JDV - Jaw Dropping View
• JMT - John Muir Trail 

Alpine Glow on Woodchuck lake

August 29, 2016 - Woodchuck Trail Head

Title:  August 29, 2016 - Woodchuck Trail Head
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Menu : Extra Photo's : 

Trail head:Woodchuck Creek

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail:Woodchuck Lake

Destination:Woodchuck Trail Head

Distance:  5.72  miles ¹

Start Time: 9:10

End Time:  13:10   

Travel Time:  4:00 1.43 mph)

Moving Time:  3:14  (1.77 mph)

Elevation Rise:  360'

Maximum Elevation: 8,076'

 ¹I was trying another setting on my GPS, but it did not work out as I thought it might. The setting was to record the tracks by time, rather than "Auto". Instead of the 5.72 miles which we got coming in, it was 2.95 miles.

Description:
Time moves slower on the trail. You measure your your progress in steps, in what you have seen, and the conversations your companions.

I got up around 6:10 this morning. I had my quiet time which I enjoyed. Afterwards, I took a peek at the night pictures from last night. Not bad.

Frankenfilter

Our filter has lasted 11 days or more accurately about 35 person days. Over a year ago, Andrea and I discussed adapting my Katedyn Base Camp system to using a Sawyer filter, Today I try it out for real. The result is satisfactory water flow. I call this adaptation: Frankenfilter. Let the world be on guard.

The trail

Yesterday we realized that we had miscalculated how much breakfast we brought. Today, we face the music for our error. My breakfast was peanut butter protein mix tortilla and Nutella-we seemed to have enough lunch, but not enough oatmeal. Rose gave Sherri some oatmeal. Thanks.

We three started out of camp around 9 o'clock.We probably should have gotten started a little earlier to beat the heat. But it should not be too bad as it is almost all downhill. We do start off pretty good.

Sherri waiting

But the strange thing about downhill is that it wears on you. There is the constant jarring of your body as those feet have a little extra to drop before hitting ground. Also the heat does work against us. Also since we know we are on the home stretch, this part of the trail just seems to go on forever. My mind starts to wonder, why didn't we make it to Blizzard Camp last night? (Probably because we would not have wanted to start this morning.)

Deer Rose

One of the things which happens with your mind is you start seeing optical illusions. Such as, is there antlers growing out of Rose's head? Strange thoughts which make the questions about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin seem strangely relevant. But those thoughts do not go very far and you get back to just appreciating your surroundings.

Blizzard camp

Now we descend to Woodchuck Creek. After crossing the creek-me with appropriate grace and the ladies with more caution, we go around a horseshoe turn n the trail. On the map, there is a historical marking saying that Blizzard Camp is to the east of the trail. But there is a small ridge up there which the women challenge me to find it. I do go up it while Sherri and Rose continue on. While there may be a place in an emergency to camp, there is nothing I would want to camp at. But on the west side of the trail, there is a nice camp spot. I think that is where Blizzard Camp is. Then it is off to catch up with them.

Trail Crew Remains

Creek Crossing

While in the the process of catching up, I come across some trail crew tools with some cut logs. Now I am wondering where the trail crew is. But I do not have to wonder to long-it is a good thing, you know how my mind wanders while I wonder. There is two men rebuilding a platform which I had noticed was falling down when we came across it last Thursday. Also they are helping Rose across that section. I stop and talk with them-surprise! They were wondering where we have been and how we liked things. One of the men is from North Fork.

After talking with them, it is time to play catch up again. But we are going down and my legs are long enough that I catch up soon enough. Now we are just making time to get back to the car at Woodchuck Trail Head, close to Wishon. Which we do. As we are going to the bathroom, another vehicle comes in. This group is picking up their other car as they walked from here up to Edison Lake. Not a bad jaunt.

We got in a little bit too late to go to a place in Shaver Lake which Rose wanted to go to. But we head on down to Prather and eat at Velasco's. Then it is time to get back to Rose's and to Fresno. The end of our five day trip. Enjoyable. We will go back up to Woodchuck again.

Trail Lesson:

Time moves slower on the trail. You measure your your progress in steps, in what you have seen, and the conversations your companions.


Background
About a month after doing this walk, Sherri and I were in Delilah Lookout. There was a report of a fire, about a mile east of Wishon Lake, around Woodchuck Creek. It was a small fire, but called the Woodchuck Fire. It was man-made and put out within a day.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal from Rose and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang. Also Peanut Butter and other misc items to make up for mis-calculation on oatmeal.	Velasco's in Prather		Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

August 28, 2016 - Woodchuck Creek

Title:  August 28, 2016 - Woodchuck Creek
Hike Info : Description : Menu : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head:Woodchuck Creek

Hike Info:

Type:  Backpacking

Trail: Unnamed

Destination:Blizzard Camp on Woodchuck Creek
Actual Destination:Woodchuck Creek, same place we camped on Aug 25, 2016

Distance:  6.21 miles

Start Time:  9:35

End Time:  3:42   

Travel Time:  6:06 (1.02 mph)

Moving Time:  4:39 (1.34 mph)

Elevation Rise:  446'

Maximum Elevation: 9,976'

GPS Track

Description:
As I was getting out of my bag to do some business in the middle of the night, I realized that with my new camera, there is a night/star mode. So this is a good time to try it out. Fortunately, it was not too cold-just cool enough that I did not want to mosey too long. So I was able to shot a couple pictures-one at 60 seconds; the other at 15. They look pretty good.

Night Sky at 60 second exposure

I suspect that we can never describe the glory of my Lord. That we get a brief look at glory is grace to us. No wonder God had to shield Moses when he passed by. When at sunrise, when the sun starts to bask the mountain sides, this is when I get reminded of the beauty which is His.

I got up around 6:30. The light was already starting to shine but not directly on me yet.  Loper Peak catches the light early.  I had my quiet time just asking in these mountains I time alone just pondering.

Sun on Loper Peak

So once again we are little bit lazy in getting started. We have our breakfast, well some of us did. We shorted our oatmeal and so Rose have gave us some oatmeal also. By the time which we got packed and ready to go it is 9:30. But we are not worried about the times it is mostly downhill today. We should get to where we camped Thursday without too much problem. The question is will we get all the way out today and do we want to?

One of many meadows

We leave the same way we did yesterday, that is along the west side of the lake, not following a trail for the first third of a mile. It is fine just walk along the rocks picking our way through. Eventually we hit up the trail and get up to the trail junction. This is where we split from yesterday. Instead of going to Crown Pass we head west and head back to Wishon Reservoir.

Talus field

Going down a different trail is interesting and I keep in the back so that I can stop and look around. While there is not a lot of variation to scenery, it is good to just to feel for this area. Like a lot of the High Sierra's, there is a sparseness to the trees which makes the forest seem open and and alive. The open part of the trail is good, letting the clean air infiltrate our lungs.  The decline is moderate. We pause once before the junction to Chimney and Marsh Lakes. Now the trail goes down a little bit more. We stopped and break a limit for a few minutes.

Loper Peak

Here Sherri, before an interesting grouping of rocks, she discovers that her camera lens will not retract. After much work, I was able to get the lens to retract somewhat properly. But the thing about this kind of probably, you never know if the camera is focusing properly or is a bit off.

Snow sign at Lunch Meadow

Rose

As you go down the trail it doesn't get steeper but the side of the mountain does. But the Forest Service has done a great job of grading the trail so that it will be a gentle decline. I'm not sure I would want to come up, but at least it seems like it would be a good climb rather than something which will leave you whimpering. We get to the meadow which we ate at Friday. We stop and eat here also. Sherri has been walking pretty good and she got here about 10 to 15 minutes before Rose and I did. So she is all rested up. Lunch is peanut butter and Nutella and crackers.

Sherri and Rose leave a few minutes before me. I catch up on some some of my blog entries-recording them rather than trying to write them in with my fat fingers into a tiny cell phone keypad. Also The Lord of the Rings has been calling me, so I spend more time reading. So I'm about 10 minutes behind them but that is good because I can go at my own pace and enjoy a little bit longer stride.

Rose resting

Hiking around a tree

After about a half an hour I catch up with them. They are now going down the steeper parts of the trail. Eventually we stopped and rest maybe about a quarter mile above where we camped Thursday. Rose and Sherri take off again. They are a few minutes ahead of me. I should have realized how close we were to our old campsite, but I did not. They continue on past our old campsite. When I come to it, I recognize it and then chase after them, literally whistling them down.

Sherri trucking on

Is this man happy?

After returning to the old campsite we talked about what we want to do. The consensus is, why hurry and push our way back? Even tomorrow we can get back before 5 and still be good. On the plus side, we can spend one more night in camp-isn't that a good thing? So we decide this is a good place to stop for the day. We are about 5 3/4 miles from the car and it should take another 3 hours to get back. So I get to enjoy another day of rest. how do I do this? By laying out on a rock by Woodchuck Creek and continue my reading.

While we are setting up camp, Adam and Jason come by. They are also looking for a place to camp and I show them where we have looked last Thursday. They seem to be okay with that place. Our camp is set up and we are content just to relax until dinner time. After dinner, all go to bed, except for me. i am waiting for the dark to try some more night pictures.

Mountains beyond Wishon Reservoir

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Ritz Crackers, Tortillas, Peanut Butter, Nutella	????	Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

Animals

Morning Glory

 
Flowers and Plants

August 27, 2016 - Crown Pass

Title: August 27, 2016 - Crown Pass
Hike Info : Description :  Background : Menu : Extra Photo's 

Trail head: Woodchuck Lake

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Unnamed

Destination:  Half Moon Lake
Actual Destination: Crown Pass

Distance:  4.90 miles

Start Time: 9:34

End Time: 4:12

Travel Time:   6:37 (0.74 mph)

Moving Time:  3:27 (1.42 mph)

Elevation Rise:  744'

Maximum Elevation: 10,306'

GPS Tracks

Early morning sun on Loper Peak

Description:
Note: I wrote this up once and then lost it. I think a second re-write almost always loses some of the vitality of the first. But this blog is principally about recording hikes so i can relieve them later.

I woke up around 5 and went out to do my business. When I came back in, I just laid there for the next hour and a half. It was relaxing. As light started hitting the tent, I got up. I am the first one up, even though I think I heard Rose rolling over.

Breakfast crew

I had my quiet time, enjoying the morning silence. I attempted to play my recorder but found out that I've lost any sense of fingering. Will have to work on that.  I did see Finger Rock and Mt Hoffman-not the Yosemite one-which we see from Delilah.

Bear hang and Laundry Line

The morning is a slow morning. But that is OK, it is a day hike rather than having a heavy pack on our back. Our goal is to get to HalfMoon Lake, about 3-4 miles away. So we don't need to rush or anything. That shows in how we are moving around camp, rather lackadaisical. But that is OK since there is no pressure and that is not why I hike.

Laundry water

We have our breakfast oatmeal like usual. I have my electronics all charged up. Then string a laundry line and place my sleeping bag on it. Now it is time to do the laundry. Amazing how dirty our clothes can get in two days. Then we just mosey around some more and eventually get everything packed for our day trip.

Mylar Balloon

Towards Marsh Lake

 We start walking about 9:30, traveling on the west side of Woodchuck Lake. There's not a trail on this side of the lake, even though I noticed several other sets of footprints over here. It is easy to walk, here as there not many obstacles. So far it is a pleasant relief from the climbing of the last couple of days. As a bonus, we get a better view of the lake as well as the area what we've come from. I get to show Rose and Sherri Finger Rock and Mount Hoffman. But in a tree we find a surprise: a Mylar balloon at 9,900'. How far those things travel.

North part of Woodchuck Lake

South part of Woodchuck Lake

We continue to walk towards the trail, starting to rise to meet the trail. When we come to the trail, I walk straight over it, while telling Sherri and Rose to where I think the trail actually is. After we get on the trail, we continue to climbing until we meet the junction for Marsh Lake. The trail starts gently meandering, rising without much protection from the sun. But there are many meadows. I stop and gaze at many of these. When we get to the top of the rise, we meet Adam and Jason-our friends from the past couple of days. They are heading to Woodchuck Lake, neighbors again. They tell us that where we are at is the best view of Crown Lake and that there is a 900 foot drop going into Half Moon Lake.

East Looking from Crown Pass

Since this is a nice place to eat lunch, overlooking Crown Lake we decide to do just that. Afterwards,  things get a lot more leisurely-I guess contentment does that to you. Rose and I take a side excursion along the ridge. Many excellent views. When we came back to Sherri, we just sit around and talk and talk and talk until the breeze cooled us off  get a bit.

One thing which catches my eye is out by the Middle Fork of the Kings River. I spot the backside of Tehipite Dome. The Dome stands high above Tehipite Valley-reportedly Kings Canyon answer to Yosemite Valley. Many years ago our family tried to make it down the Middle Fork to Tehipite Valley, but we were driven out by coming across many rattlesnakes. Ever since then, the name Tehipite evokes a since of a forbidden place. Memories of my Dad flood my mind and I wonder if he would have been satisfied with this view. It also gives me a sense of appreciation for him and how he and Mom brought both my brother and I backpacking, starting at an older age when most people are on the decline. Today is two days short of the first anniversary of his death.


And then it's time to reach race are steps back to the Woodchuck Lake. When we reach the place which we caught the trail, we decide to go off trail again to the west side of our Lake since its it is a bit shorter.

Woodchuck Lake from the trail

This gives us a couple hours just to enjoy the camp life. The laundry is mostly dry, so it is taken  down.  Besides that, I mostly read and attempt to send out our Spot messages.  Rose wades in the lake and gets her self clean. I take the hint and a little bit later I do the same. There is a nice sandy beach on the north side of the lake. A meadow flows down to almost the lake's edge with a barrier of sand before the water. It is great just wading out and getting wet, cleaning off trail dirt and sweat. After getting all wet, I sun myself on the meadow grass, getting dry and warm. What a life!

Now it is time for dinner. Sherri and I are having Tamale Pie Freestyle. I am hungry and enjoy the meal. Sherri has a little bit more than she can eat, so I devour most of that as well. It is important to leave a little room for treats. What do we have? Girl Scout thin mint cookies. Satisfaction all the way around! We are just about ready for bed. But before we retire to our tents, there is sunset. Orange skies and dark trees-fantastic! The alpine glow off of the east side of the lake is not as intense as other places, but still pretty. And now, we can go to bed, around 8pm. Evidently we are tired as we do not continue with A Walk in the Woods.

Background
Since we visited the area, a new fire  broke out on Sept 15, 2016, about 5-6 miles south of Crown Lake. Appropriately enough, it is called the Crown Fire.

Alpine Glow on Woodchuck Lake

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Ritz Crackers, Tortillas, Peanut Butter, Nutella	Tamale Pie Freestyle ,  Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies	Clif Bar, GORP, Propel, CytoMax, Scrytch, Coffee Candy, Jelly Belly

Extra Photo's

Finger Rock and Mt Hoffman

Gary overlooking Crown Lake

Sherri relaxing

Northeast of Crown pass

Crown Lake and Beyond

Southeast from Crown Pass

More of Finger Rock and Mt Hoffman

Blackcap Mountain, Mt Goddard and many other peaks

Three Sister

Sample of a meadow