Gary-Summer: February 24, 2021

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

February 24, 2021 - Buena Vista Peak

Title: February 24, 2021 - Buena Vista Peak

Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Extra Photo's

Trail head: Kings Canyon Overlook/Buena Vista Peak Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail: Buena Vista Peak Trail
Destination: Buena Vista Peak
Actual Destination: about 160’ below the peak and 0.6 miles along route
Distance: 1.23 miles
Start Time: 2:21
End Time: 5:04
Travel Time: 2:43 (0.45 mph)
Moving Time: 2:07 (0.58 mph)
Elevation Rise: 351 '
Descent: 324‘
Maximum Elevation: 7,423'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri and I have been out snowshoeing quite a bit this month. Between age and activity, my energy level is down a little bit. So we were not sure what we wanted to do today. Something easy, something relaxing. So we begged off with our hiking buddies, Betty and Rose. Late in the morning, we decided that maybe a hike up Buena Vista Peak might fulfill the need to go out, yet not be terrible energy sapping.

View of Spanish Mtn from Kings Canyon Overlook

This trip was a good reminder of several things. A couple of these are:

Be prepared for conditions which you might not expect
Check your equipment before you leave
Conditions close by may be different than what you encounter, particularly in the Sierra.

Buena Vista Peak Trailhead

A contributing factor is that I had heard that there was barely a covering of snow on a trail close by. The person whom I heard it from did not need snow equipment on his trip, so I figured we would not our snowshoes. I should have figured there is a significant difference: my friend is like Legolas and I am more like Boromir. If you do not know what I am talking about, look at the Lord of the Rings. He could fly across the top of snow and I would sink.

Looking up to Buena Vista Peak

Enough of the preamble. We did not leave our house until after lunch, around 1pm. During the Summer, this is not a problem. We got to Big Stump, used the facility and noted how packed and slick the snow with. So we continued on to the General’s Highway. Quail Flat

Sherri hiking on snow

looked pretty appropriate for snowshoeing, not hiking. We went on to the Kings Canyon Overlook. While the snow going up to Buena Vista Peak looked constant, it looked pretty solid, with tracks left by others.

By the time we got everything ready-basically putting on our boots, it was 2:15. Good thing Buena Vista Peak is only a two mile round trip. We start walking up the already trod snow. Not bad, just a bit choppy. Once we get about a tenth of a mile in, I start to occasionally sink when there is a soft spot. But at least it gives tracks for Sherri to follow. I recognize some of the places where we have walked before, but the tracks go off on a different route, but in mostly the same direction. We follow the tracks..

Path going steeply up

My walking gets to be pretty tentative, having to test each step. Still, it is a good day. As we go along, we watch clouds starting to swirl a ways to the west. No rain or snow is in the forecast, still if these clouds move in, it will get cold.

We get to a place I recognize as a place where the trail has a lot of scree. Not today-just steep snow. I cut steps with my boots for Sherri to follow. This seems to work. The slope is only about 20-25’ tall, still steep enough. After this, a few more postholing.

Traditional Gary and Sherri Picture

The path seems to go straight up the slope-I am pretty sure the trail dips and goes around the backside. It looks easier to go up the path, so up we go. Not bad. It is steep and I am glad it is not icy, still there is the concern about slipping, also about going down. When we get to the top of this rise, I look at the time. It is my turn around time-probably a bit after it. Talking about being an exercise in futility. Now how to get down? The snow is softer on the side, so we go down that way. We take our time, picking our way down this slope.

Ridge we are walking down

About halfway down, there are a few footprints going about 30 yards over to the top of the ridge, even with us. We go that way, so we can look down into Redwood Canyon. But there is one problem. You know those clouds I talked about earlier? They now are engulfing Redwood Mountain and down into the canyon.

Mists starting to come in

We walk down the ridge, following some tracks. There is now mist drifting towards us and crossing our ridge. Not enough to make navigation a consideration, but enough to bring down the temperature. There is mostly soft snow with an occasional foot and a half plunge through a bush hole. We are moving a bit slower than I thought we would. But we are doing it safely. We spot a familiar rock. This is the one Sherri has on her Zoom background. We have to get some pictures of it.

Sherri's Zoom Rock

From here it is another eighth of a mile walk down to the trailhead. Then across the highway and to the car at the Overlook. It definitely took longer to get back than I thought it would. Still enjoyable. On our way down to Fresno, we have Steven order out. Turns out we have a Habit Burger meal. We get home at 6:30, just in time to get on our family’s Zoom call.