October 12, 2016 - Nelder Grove

Title: October 12, 2016 - Nelder Grove
Hike Info : Description : 

Trail head: Shadow of the Giants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Shadow of the Giants

Destination: Loop

Distance:  1.0 miles ¹

Elevation Rise:  100'

 ¹I did not have my GPS on during this loop. So the distance and elevation rise is from the Yosemite Hikes web site.

Description:

We leave Eddie's Bakery at the usual times. We stop at Raley's and the bakery there for a rest stop before getting to Nelder Grove. At Nelder Grove we head to the left to go to the Shadows of the Giant. When we get to the parking turn out, I look around and see that Sonya is not there. I think, maybe she has gone to the other trailhead. There is not much signal here, but I try a text to her. A few minutes later, Sonya comes up in her Jeep.

Autumn Colors

Small creek at trail's end

Now it is time to take off on this mile trail. Basically the trail is a loop up a creek and then back down. But that is sort of like saying you go to San Francisco and drive around and come back. This loop, particularly in the Fall, is just so relaxing. The colors are soft, the sky is gray and the Sequoia's are tall and majestic. Of course, I do not need to say anything about the company as they are fabulous. But being a mile, after a half an hour, we ware back to the cars. Much too short. But good thing there is another hike coming up.

Trail head: Nelder Grove

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Graveyard of the Giants, Chimney Tree and Bull Buck Tree Trails

Distance:  6.03 miles

Start Time: 9:53

End Time:    2:04

Travel Time:  4:10 (1.45 mph)

Moving Time:  2:52 (2.10 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,107'

Maximum Elevation: 6,051'
 GPS Tracks

Description:

When we get to the cars, we move on to Nelder Grove, which is about a mile and a half away, down a dirt road. Because of an early morning rain, there is some mud puddle in the road, but passable. All of get settled in and ready to go.

Manjit, somebody and Sonya

Grandpa Tree

The first trail which we go on is the Graveyard of the Giants. John has me go first. But I am quickly outpaced by many others. The trail climbs good at the start, but then starts to go out along an open spot where you can look down the ravine and out towards Oakhurst. Here we meet our first Sequoia and it is a pretty one by a creek. The trail takes off on another ascent, but not a big one. It appears to me that at one time this was a railroad bed as there is mounding of a cut to make things level.

Around a turn, there is a narrow view where you can see the Tenaya Lodge near Fish Camp. Its green roof makes it hard to see, unless you know where to look. A little ways further we see the chimney tree and then the trail takes off from the main bed. This trail goes up to the Grandfather tree.

We stop and rest at the tree. The real trail goes back, but there is a track which will help us make a lollipop loop. We take it. It is a bit more steep descent in places, but not bad. We go through some manzanita before hitting our other trail. Now, it is mostly a repeat of the trail coming up.

Back at the parking lot, we regroup and go on the Chimney and Bull Buck Trails. These sort of loop around the Nelder Grover area proper. Each are maybe a mile or so. But I can tell how badly out of shape I am. The distance is starting to get the legs to feel more rubbery. Still, this is a good walk, full of Fall leaves on our broadleaf trees. Of course the converse trees keep its green needles, except for the bark beetle infestation.

Bull Buck Tree

The Bull Buck Tree is not may favorite looking tree. In many ways it is down right ugly. But there is a certain fascination I have with it. It is immense, squat-at least compared to other Sequoias-and a bit craggy like it has seen many a year on this ground. I can see there is good reason why it is called the Bull Buck. There is power in that tree.

Now it is back to the cars. Most people have left. We will be having our traditional after hike meal at Duzy's at Bass Lake. A bit more pricey than our usual places. Still the companionship is good.