Gary-Summer: March 27, 2018 - Briceburg to the West

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

March 27, 2018 - Briceburg to the West

Title: March 27, 2018 - Briceburg to the West
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Briceburg

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Merced River Gorge Trail-West

Destination: Railroad Flat Campground

Actual Destination: about half of a mile beyond the campground

Distance: 11.10 miles

Start Time: 10:08

End Time: 2:26

Travel Time: 4:17 (2.59 mph)

Moving Time: 3:48 (2.92 mph)

Elevation Rise: 646'

Descent: 618‘

Maximum Elevation: 1,305'

GPS Track

Description:

Briceburg Bridge

We have wanted to follow the Merced River Trail coming out of Bagley. But with last week's storms, Highway 49 got washed out in many places and it is closed just north of Mariposa. So that sort of forced us to do a different route.

At 8:15 we left Fresno and made it to Briceburg at 10:00. Our first decision was, do we drive down to Railroad Flat Campground or park at Briceburg and walk. We decided to walk.We got on the trail about 10:10. The start is to cross the Briceburg Bridge. We found out that our decision was wise as there is a locked gate and sign saying Road Closed.We are of the mind, this means to vehicular traffic, so we charge forth.

The Merced

The Merced River is running full. The river alternates between swiftly, raging rapids to long placid pools. We quickly find the reason why the road is closed : there are many places where the bank above the road has collapsed, leaving boulders strewn across it. But a little bit of dirt and mud does not stop us.

McCabe Outhouse

After a mile and a half we spot the first surprise of the day: an outhouse! There is a day use area for a beach on the river. The facilities were made use of. Then we continue on.

Redbud and River

The road is very flat with gravel and small rocks. For the most part it is easy to walk on and we make good time charging on. At the three mile mark we come to the first campground, McCabe. This is really on a section called McCabe Flat. But we just pass through.

A little ways afterwards, Sherri stops up and has us look across the river. There is a turkey strutting around there. This keeps us interested for about 10 minutes, watching it strut around. When we start moving, so does it. This prolongs out enjoyment by another five minutes. And then Steven spots a couple of ducks swimming in the Merced. Of course we need to stop and observe. I think this is one of those things where if you look you will find things of interest.

Halls Gulch

Onward with our walk. Another campground, North Fork Campground. At least it has a bathroom. And we continue on. When we get to Railroad Flat, we have met our turnaround time. But I have been trailing behind, taking pictures and the like. Also, I smell smoke, but the source is not evident. There is a grave at Railroad Flat, so I hunt around for the tombstone.

Robert Berg's grave at Railroad Flat

Field of poppies

Sherri and Steven have gone on ahead, passing through the turnstile at Halls Gulch. Looks like an old train stop-at least the bench and covering have that feel. Not sure if this is original or replica-guessing a replica. They are still a couple hundred yards ahead of me. But now we are seeing whole hillsides covered in orange. Sheets of poppies give the hills a Golden State cover. Fantastic.

I suggest it is time to turn back for two reasons. First, we are beyond our turnaround time and Steven would like to be home by 5:00pm. The second is that it is getting pretty warm and I am not sure we brought enough water for this warmth. They are ready to start back, and so am I.

More poppies

But first, when we reach Railroad Flat, we decide to have lunch there. Also there is a toilet which is a luxury we do not have on many hikes, even if it is a pit toilet. The lunch break is good and we get a bit of strength back again. Now to continue on.

Remember that smoke we felt earlier? Still there. So we investigate a bit. There is someone camping here, probably a bit under the radar. We talk for a few minutes. He asks if we know when the road will open-no. But we do tell him that a major storm is in the forecast later this week. He thanks us and we are on our way.

Hikers-Gary, Sherri, Steven

Now the heat is picking up, reflecting off of the dirt. I have the one thought of keep on putting one foot in front of another. But I still do get a chance to look around. Occasionally we pass a road or something which takes off up the hill. I wonder where does it go to? Also the wildflowers, particularly the poppies are an attraction. Across the Merced we see a creek emptying into the River. Looks like it is running strong now, but I suspect in a couple of months, it will be dry.

We have only met a person on a bike coming out and the man at Railroad Flat. But now we see a couple coming towards us. Not highly sociable, so we just continue on. Steven and I are keeping up a pretty decent pace. But Sherri is starting to be affect by the heat, even more than I am. So I wait for he and we finish out our hike together.

Gary hiking back

I think we will be adding this walk to our repertoire of hikes. Just the hill with the field of poppies is worth the walk. Who knows, maybe next year we can drive to Railroad Flat and hike further down the Merced.