Gary-Summer: June 2020

Thursday, June 25, 2020

June 25, 2020 - Nelder Grove

Title: June 25, 2020 - Nelder Grove
Hike Info : Description : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Road split by gate to Nelder Grove

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Bull Buck and Chimney Tree Loops, and the California Tree Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance: 3.04 miles

Start Time: 12:17

End Time: 3:15

Travel Time: 2:57 (1.03 mph)

Moving Time: 1:50 (1.60 mph)

Elevation Rise: 472'

Descent: 427‘

Maximum Elevation: 5,525'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I got up a bit later today and read. Steven and Korra leave on their walk a bit later as well. When everyone gets up we have breakfast. That would be granola for me with the others, a combination of cereal and leftovers made into sort of a breakfast burrito. Not bad.

Lawrence on his slackline

This morning we need to break down our campsite. It has been a good couple of days being with Andrea and Lawrence at Chilkoot Campground. But first, we lounge around the campsite, enjoying each other. Well, not everybody is lounging around. Lawrence is balancing on a slackline.

I do not think anybody wants to leave. But somebody will be in here this evening. But we do not want to just leave. So going on another hike seems to be in order. After yesterday, not at Bass Lake. We talked about various places and decided that Nelder Grove would be good.

Steven and Kurro hammocking

We take down and pack everything in. I was a little bit concerned about packing our car. Usually when we go someplace, I can pack it pretty efficiently. But coming back, it is more chaotic. I am pleasantly surprised that there was more space in the car than when we came up. Did we really eat that much food?

Closed Campgorund sign

Onward to Nelder Grove. We turn off of Road 10. onto 6S47. Usually the gate is open all the way into the Grove. But the campground is not open, so we get to walk another half of a mile. The campground host was coming out when we came in and we greeted him, then walked up to the exhibits. Also an element of play sprouts up.

There is a short trail which I have not been on before. It goes to the Big Ed Tree and the California waterfall. As waterfalls go, not too impressive. Still nice. Big Ed is something to gander. I do notice it will be another hot one today along this path.

US-Lawrence, Gary, Steven, Sherri and Andrea

Bull Buck Tree

We get back to the road and head up towards the trailhead area. We continue on and go through the campground area and hit the Bull Buck Tree Trail. Here we have a discussion-go clockwise and take about a quarter mile to get to the Bull Buck Tree or go half of a mile counter-clockwise and get to the same place. So which do you think we did? You are right, counter-clockwise. Which is good, it is an enjoyable walk. We meet a few people, some without masks. We step off the trail aways so as not to breath their exhaust-we do have masks on.

Hikers by a Sequoia

One stump from late 1800's

The Bull Buck Tree always provides your money’s worth. One of the grand trees of the Sierra, even though it is not listed as one of the biggest. We have lunch at the viewing area. Andrea’s comment warms my heart when she notes this is the second day in a row which I have picked out an excellent lunch spot.

We go a little more down the loop then take off on the Chimney Tree Loop. The dogwoods are just starting to fade, but they still show their beauty. While still warm, this trail is well shaded. I mosey along at my new, slow pace, not cleverly disguised by taking pictures. But there is a lot to appreciate from the flowers to the trees.

Korra, Lawrence and Andrea at Chimney Tree

The Chimney Tree lives up to its name and a series of pictures are taken. Now it is a short ways back to the road. While the road has some shade, it definitely is not cooler. I feel the heat and it wears me down a bit. But it is not a long walk back to the car. Also it is downhill.

Once back at the car we have a short goodbyes-short because we will meet again in Oakhurst to gas up. It has been a good 48 hours-seems short, and long. But definitely something I am glad we did.

When we get to Oakhurst, there is a question about how the Fresno group will pay for the gas? We think some of our wallets are packed away. I do find my credit card. We say bye to Andrea and Lawrence and head back to Fresno. When we get back to Fresno, We get a call from our bank. Our wallet had been found and is at Bass Lake. Too late to go up tonight-sounds like a tomorrow trip to recover the wallet. Life is rough, isn’t it?

Background

Big Ed Tree: This tree is named after Ed Zerlang, a Soquel Mill foreman and was Ed's favorite giant sequoia, From Wikipedia. Also see the Hikespeak blog.

Bull Buck Tree.During the logging in the 1800s, the felling foreman or woods boss was called the “Bull Buck.” The woods boss told the crew to preserve the magnificent tree for posterity. The Bull Buck Tree was so named because its size made it boss of the woods. From the Friends of Nelder Grove.

Chimney Tree. This tree has a burned out center, but the outer shell of the tree is still living. From the Friends of Nelder Grove.

Extra Photo's

Lawrence, the slackline master

Lawrence with his weapon at hand

Spider webs on a burnt manzanita

Steven, Lawrence and Andrea at the California Falls

Socially distanced group picture: Korra, Gary, Sherri, Steven, Andrea, Lawrence

Bull Buck Tree

Base of Sequoia

Gary coming dragging in

Who will let them out?

Flowers and Plants

Elderberry

Primrose

Columbine

Azalea

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

June 24, 2020 - Shuteye Peak

Title: June 24, 2020 - Shuteye Peak
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Road 8029

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Central Camp Road

Destination: Shuteye Peak

Actual Destination: Not even close to Shuteye

Distance: 2.85 miles

Start Time: 12:14

End Time: 2:26

Travel Time: 2:12 (1.29 mph)

Moving Time: 1:34 (1.82 mph)

Elevation Rise: 453'

Descent: 293‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,518'

GPS Tracks

Road to our starting point

Description:

Caution: this is being written up three weeks after the day we had. So my mind may be creating a few things.

I thought I got up early enough. But then I saw that Korra and Steven had gone for a walk down to Chilkoot and Willow Creeks. Judging by Steven’s pictures, early morning is when you should go down there. So quiet and still. Plus the gentle colors of morning makes the whole beauty of it stand out.

Willow Creek

I enjoy the quietness of the morning in the chair Sherri got me for Christmas. A bit low, but comfortable. Andrea and Lawrence emerge after a while. And Sherri comes out as well. By this time Korra and Steven have returned.

This morning’s breakfast is pancakes. We have several versions of mix, but mostly Krusteaz. We managed to finish off the other mixes and left with only about half of a box of the Krusteaz. I cook the pancakes and I can tell it has been awhile since I made them as each person gets a unique version of pancake. Some have black bottoms, others raw in the middle (actually I think some are both), some are scrambled, but some are noumenon and come out according to specs. But nobody is complaining. I think we are just all happy to be together.

What are we going to do today? Seems like we want something and that something is just not going to be sitting around enjoying the air and each other and trying to avoid the mosquitos. But what to do? After talking it over I have said that I have wanted to go up to Shuteye Lookout since we hear him over Sierra’s radio. So that is our destination for today.

We make our lunch-peanut butter and something. Mine is Nutella, obviously. And then we are off in two cars-the Oakland and the Fresno car. We continued on up Beasore Road until we hit Central Camp Road. We take the dirt road which at least starts off OK. As far as dirt roads go, not too bad. I am in the lead because we have the higher clearance vehicle. I try to pick my way around obstacles knowing the Subaru which is following me will have a bit more issues with clearance.

Korra and Steven, with Sherri and Andrea in background

We make a turn-still on Central Camp Road, but it is a sharp turn otherwise the road goes on to Gaggs Camp. About a mile later we came to a creek. I stop and look at it. I think my Highlander would make it across OK. But everybody else thinks this is the end of the line for the cars. So we backup and find a place off the road to park. We get ourselves ready for our hike. Not sure how far away from Shuteye we are, but I think it probably is out of reach today.

We cross the creek without incident. Korra does not seem to mind the water. The road gradually slopes upward, but not bad. It is a bit hot and a bit dusty. We are pretty much masked up anytime we get close to a person outside of our circle. Still, it is pleasant enough walking with Andrea and Lawrence.

Lawrence and Andrea

We come to another no-name creek. But we can tuck ourselves into the shadows and out of the sun. There is a small crack in a rock where the water splashes down. Relaxing on the eyes. Besides, it is after 1pm, so it is time for lunch. It is a nice spot to eat, even if I do say so myself.

I think the heat is getting to me a bit. Not like in heat exhaustion, just feeling it sap my strength. After lunch there is no spring in my step. We continue on up until the road makes a sharp turn. By now, everybody else has come to the conclusion that we are not making it to Shuteye. So before the final ascent to Little Shuteye Pass, we turn around.

Even going downhill the spring does not return to my step. But we do make a bit faster time. We all stop in front of a sugar pine tree. Now that I think about it, it may not be in awe, but in fear as those cones are hanging straight down. One of them hits you and it will do damage.

We make it past the tree to cross our creeks and back to the car. It certainly is hot. Even though I have been sipping water like crazy, I do not feel refreshed and maybe a bit dehydrated. The drive out is the same as coming in.

Steven

When we reach Beasore Road, we decide to go on up it aways, maybe take in Chilkoot Lake. But I passed that, and Jones Store. By the time I realize it, I am five miles past the store. We turn around and stop at the store. But they are closing, having run out of food around 2:00pm. Still have not eaten there.

So what do we do? Why go back to our camp at Chilkoot. There we rest. I also have a first: that is falling asleep in the hammock Steven got me for Christmas two Christmas’ ago. Felt much better when I got up. You sort of get the feeling that I am using Christmas gifts this trip.

Jones Store Hold Up: Steven, Lawrence and Andrea

Now the question is where to eat or more accurately, where to pick up the food, around Bass Lake. Several places were mentioned, but we decided to try Miller’s Landing.A friend of Andrea’s had recommended it. So Andrea and Lawrence go ahead and we order it when we have a phone connection. When they get to the place, this looks like a cesspool of potential COVID-19 incubation. They tell us there is no social spacing, about a quarter of the people are wearing masks and even the staff have a very “relaxed” attitude about the potential dangers.

Andrea and Lawrence risk their lives while we go back and search for a place to eat. We find a day use area called Lakeside. A bit of a mess this late in the day. But we found a clean set of tables to eat at. The food was good enough. We watch the crowded boats swish by and wonder and hope that nobody is on board with COVID-19. As we are leaving, somebody from the California Land Management comes into the parking lot. This gives us impetus to leave as technically this is a $10 fee area, which seems a bit steep for 40 minutes of use.