August 31, 2022 - Park Ridge Lookout

Title: August 31, 2022 - Park Ridge Lookout
Hike Info : Description : Background :  Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: : Lookout

Description:

I must have been a bit concerned about today-got up at 0515. But this should give me plenty of time to get to Park Ridge Lookout. I checked for lightning yesterday and there was none, as I expected. Then I finished packing. This left me some time to read. I left home a bit after 0700. Wendy asked me to meet her at the Hume Lake Ranger District office. I pulled up a few minutes before 0800. She is already there. We chat for a few minutes and she gives me a replacement binoculars for the lookout.

I am off and get to the Park entrance. The entrance ranger sees my Buck Rock Foundation magnetic sign on the side of my car. and waves me in and wishes me a safe day. I briefly stop at the Grant Grove Visitor Center and then I am on my way. I turn onto the service road near Panoramic Point. Here I meet some of Sherri’s favorite beasts-bovines. They should not be in the Park. They scatter when I approach.

Burn area along Big Baldy Ridge with Mt Silliman

I get to the lookout a few minutes after 0900. This gives me time to move a few things into the cab, including three bottles of water. I take the weather and get the lookout ready for the day. At 0930, I go into service with Porterville and then with Ash Mountain Fire. With the latter, I let them know about the six head of beef I saw. Then for the first time, I talk with Park Dispatch, repeating the information given to the fire dispatcher. I suspect they will contact the bovine’s owner to come and pick up their cattle.

When I do my first scan, I use the new binoculars. I like them! I gave Wendy a call about the status of the outhouse and how much I like the new binoculars. At 1000 I listen to the weather and staffing, and then the day falls into the routine of scanning, listening to the radio and brushing up on the area around us.

Haze and smoke

Wilsonia Smoke

The day is clear with blue skies above. But when I look to the west, there is a layer of haze. In the morning it does not hamper the visibility for my area. I can still make out the outlines of the Coastal Range, barely. But as the day progresses, the haze thickens and reduces what I can see. While it is not as ugly as I have seen it, it leaves me to wonder where it is coming from. Also the afternoon brought heat. Even though it only got up to 85, it seemed warmer since the sun shone directly through the west facing window. After our 1600 indices and weather, Buck Rock and Delilah had a discussion about where is this smoke coming from? They conclude it is from the fires up in Yosemite.They could see the smoke column this morning The Buck Rock radios me and asked if I had seen the cloud-negative. But I gave a bit more information about the size and location of the fires. Still throughout the day I can gaze to the east and enjoy the mountains close by.

 

Evening Sun

The other thing to add is that I had three sets of visitors: a lady from Boston, a couple from San Antonia and a mother, father, daughter from Illinois-Park Ridge to be more specific. They are sprinkled throughout the day, so I get some breaks in between them and am able to do what I am “paid” to do. The Boston lady is visiting her parents in Wilsonia. We talk about various places to go to. Also let her know about the open house this weekend. The San Antonia couple is here for a couple of days then going to Yosemite as camp-hosts. They are trying to escape the heat of Texas, Ironically they are going from the frying pan into the scorching heat of Yosemite this weekend. But they are enjoying their time here. The Illinois family stayed with me the longest. Or did I keep them here? Either way, they kept asking me questions on Sequoias, trails, spotting and reporting fires and more. I seemed to answer them to their satisfaction. Visitors, in sporadic intervals, are a blessing. I think I missed my calling. I could have been a tour guide.

 

 

 

Mountain Traffic Jam

As 1800 approached, I ate dinner, then cleaned up. Come 1800, I went out of service. then packed the car. Off I go. On the way out, I glanced over into Wilsonia. There is a smoke. But I think they are allowed to burn since they are a private enclave and it is above 6,000’. And then I continued on. You remember those cows I talked about coming in? There they are on the road, blocking my way out. A man on horseback was trying to herd them. I managed to get out of the way and the cows passed by.

Then it was down to Fresno. Along the way, I got in on our family’s Zoom meeting. Towards the end of the meeting, I was in Fresno and filled up our Highlander with gas at Costco. Then on to home by 2000. I am a bit tired, glad to be home, in a cooler environment.

Background

Today Park Ridge Lookout got a new-binocular-a Vortex Crossfire HD 10x50. One of the first things you understand right from the beginning of using binoculars, particularly as much as fire lookouts do, not all binoculars are the same, even with the same power of magnification or field of vision. The Vortex has three qualities which puts it above my Bushnell 10x50. 1) The clarity of what you are seeing is so much better. It is like the difference between a VGA and HD monitor on a computer. What you see is a lot more crisp. While the colors seem to want to emphasize the browns or greens, it does help distinguish what I am looking at. 2) The hand grip is non-slip, making for more sure grip. 3) I thought the weight was lighter than the Bushnell, but I think they are the same, they are far less bulky. So from a non-technical use of the Vortex, it looks and feels good.

 
Flowers and Plants

Sugar Pine

August 22, 2022 - Indian Basin Grove Loop

 

Title: August 22, 2022 - Indian Basin Grove Loop

Hike Info : Description :   Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Princess Campground

Trail: Indian Basin Grove Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance:  1.1 miles 1

Start Time: 10:20

End Time:  11:10   

Elevation Rise:  145'

Descent: 144‘ 

Maximum Elevation: 5,938'

 ¹Distance and elevation are from Google Earth. The Start and End Times are the approximate times based upon my phone time.

Description:

Beginning of our walk

I got up around 5:30, which seems around the normal time lately. I just mosey around, doing odds and ends until it is time to go. Today I am not anticipating an epic journey, just one of pleasure. I say just not to deride that but more to narrow my focus. John and Cathey are going with us to Indian Basin, where Sherri and I went three weeks ago. It should be about a mile walk on an easy surface with little elevation gain. This is one of those classic situations: do you get your pleasure from the journey or destination? In this case it will be both with our surroundings and the people.

We pick up John and Cathey at 8:30 and are on our way. The conversation is mostly catch-up talk, which is good. We get to Princess campground a little after 10am, after an uneventful ride.Our trail comes out of the campground. The parking area even has its own outhouse-I am noting the important points, you will notice.

Reading a sign: John, Sherri and Cathey

 

 

Over a hundred years ago, this area was logged. Before 180 came through, the Sequoia grove descended from a ridge on the north, down a creek and into the Indian Creek area. But logging left the stumps from many trees close to Indian Creek. Along this part of Indian Creek is a long meadow which goes almost up to Cherry Gap. It is at the western edge of this meadow is where our trail will take us. The basin part of Indian Basin Grove is this whole bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary, the explainer

Our starting temperature is a little above 75, warm but not too warm, yet. The trail starts off paved. It is meant to be an accessible trail for everyone. We just enjoy the smoothness. We are impressed with how much green there is, not only in the trees. but the meadow and even the flowers surrounding us. There are exclamations of wonder at this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stump and flowers

We wander down the path till we reach the first interpretive sign. This would be the first of many. Some of the signs talk about the trees which were lumbered: hence the many giant stumps. There is also who resided here, as well as what animals inhabit the area. And of course, what plant life. While educational, they are places to stop and enjoy the scenery. The trail is easy enough to walk, so there is not much need to rest.

 

 

 

Young Sequoia

There is a shorter loop, which is a half of a mile. We go for the longer loop which changes to a dirt path, not that it makes any difference to us. There is some preference for a dirt path anyway on my part. This dirt path takes us southward, to the end of the main meadow, then it turns into the forest. 

 

The forest gives us a bit of protection from the sun. Not that it is terrible, just at 7,000’ or so, the sun can make its presence known. Also it is a change of green. We are now walking among some Sequoia. Not the old gigantic ones, but the towering young 100 year old. I suspect these came after the loggers left. Even the young ones exude a majesty in the making. They have a symmetry which leaves you in awe. They stand in contrast with the stumps which litter the area. I wonder if they can feel anything. If they can, I do not feel condemnation. But maybe a sorrow that humans with all of our brilliance did not recognize the destruction we were reeking on the creation which God gave us. As Cathey asked, and which I wonder at times, “what are we doing now which in a hundred years my children’s children may say, what were they thinking?”

John, Gary and Cathey on trail

This pretty much brings us back to the parking lot. Even though it is shortly after 11, we break for lunch. A relaxing day with some good friends. By the time noon comes around, we are packed into the car and ready to take off.

 John and Cathey have not been up here this year, so I wander five minutes down the General’s Highway. You start seeing the devastation of the KNP fire from last year. There is a overlook which allows us to view straight into Redwood Canyon. As I park the car, I see smoke.

My lookout senses kick in and start determining where the smoke is and what the description of it is. Sherri tries to reach one of our lookouts, but we are not able to because of lack of cell service. So we drove to Big Stump and contacted Buck Rock. She tells us that Park Ridge reported it this morning. 

 

Smoke in Redwood Canyon

I am thinking that the smoke we are seeing is from last year’s fire-my guess. There have been several smokes spotted this summer in the area. What happens is that embers may get caught in the canopy, just smoldering for a long time. When the heat hits something combustible, we will see the smoke. People just assume that when a fire is out, tht is the end of it. The agency may need to close off an area for several years, both from these smokes, but also that when a fire comes through many trees are standing, but damaged. With the right wind and time, they will fall without warning. It is bad form to have a visitor knocked in the head by a falling tree.

We have now done our duty and can head home. We get back into Fresno by 2:00pm/ John and Cathey are content to have gone and been on a short hike this year. I am content to get back home where I take a nap for a couple of hours. A good day.

Animals

 
Flowers and Plants

Sierra Daisy

Incense Cedar

August 18, 2022 - Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title: August 18, 2022 - Park Ridge Lookout

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

 

 Description:

I got to bed later than I was expecting last night-a friend came over for dinner and we played a game-Big Thunder Mountain. I quit before it was finished. Then got up at 0500 and tried to produce a lightning report. The EarthNetworks was a bit under the weather (pun intended) last night and this morning. It was allowing me to submit inquiries, but not to receive any of the emails from them. Finally when I was about to give up, a set of emails was returned and I was able to produce the report-getting it out by 0615.

Smoke haze from Wishon Fire to the south

Had breakfast and got ready. Sherri must have stayed up really late as the dishes were washed. I finished loading the car, and got out of the house by 0710. Nobody else was up by then. I am taking the Highlander up, mostly because it has air conditioning and I think when I return I will need it as the temperature prediction is around 105 degrees in Fresno, only about 75-80 at Park Ridge.

The trip up was uneventful until just before the Park when I needed to stop for construction_I knew about it, so no big surprise, just annoying. I waited around 15 minutes until we were released. And then into the Park. I was thinking I would use my Buck Rock Foundation plaquared which is on the side of the car. But no, the attendant is not there yet. Oh well.

I stop at the Grant Grove Visitor Center before heading up. On the Panoramic Point Road, I encountered deer. Not just a doe and fawn, but four does and 7-9 fawns all together. Then there are a few more on various parts of the road-none are injuried in my travel. I go down the service road. At the Azalea Trail saddle, I see a couple SEKI trucks: C-91 and C-91A. I look around but I do not see anybody. But I am keeping a bit more of an eye out for any workers along the road.

I got into the tower shortly after 0900. Rachel has texted me to talk when I have a few minutes. But she will need to wait. I take the weather, get the logs all set up and then go in service at 0926. I then call Rachel. She just wanted to know about USB connection. It is great to have your children still think you have answers to questions.

View to the north

And then the quiet morning started. Every 15 minutes I do a scan. Only a few things on the radio which concern Park Ridge Lookout. The biggest is that there is work being done in the Indian Basin Grove to help make Sequoia groves more fire resistant. Essentially, the Forest is picking up debris from around Sequoia trees which might cause a fire to climb into its branches. Sequoias need fire to thrive. But the fires lately have been too hot and too big for anything to survive.

At 1215 I have my lunch-peanut butter and nutella sandwich with Fritos. And then I return to the routine after having a relaxing lunch. And the afternoon is pretty much like the morning. I take the weather, scan for smoke-none all day, observe clouds, and listen to the radio. When none of that is going on, I look through my list places and identify where they might be. Some of today’s places include: Meadows Ridge, Grouse Meadow, Logger’s Point-need to get the easy ones in, General Grant Tree, and Buena Vista Peak -a second easy one. This helps to keep me aware of my surroundings.

Now don’t tell those who run Park Ridge, but I also laid down for a while. As a justification, I set my alarm for 15 minutes, so I did my scans. Also the radio’s are always there, but today, they are mostly silent. I do not think I ever fall asleep, but the rest is good. It also gives me a chance to read. The two books which I am going through are Backpacking with the Saints by Belden C. Lane and The Book of Joy with the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Tutu and Doug Abrams. The latter is a book, which I needed to read for one of my book groups-I am only a week late on this. The former is one which seems appropriate. He has Julian of Norwich talking about fear. While I am not that concerned up here, one of his points is that when you are in the outdoors, there is a sense of adventure, a sense of the unknown which can lead to fear. But Julian notes that All is well. even in times of turmoil.

And when I say that things are normal, that does not mean for everybody else in the Park. Such as I hear of a person down in Cedar Grove is experiencing low blood pressure. So the Park calls in their front line people who deal with issues such as this. One thing which I realize is that even though there are only a few roads, it takes time to go to places like Cedar Grove. The Park does not have the resources stationed at each location waiting for an emergency to happen. But it is also good to know that the Park will react when something does happen. In this case, I do not hear them calling in an ambulance nor a helicopter, so the person must have recovered.

Clouds to the east-a favorite lookout pastime of mine-cloud watching

In the late afternoon, I finally get visitors. Least somebody thinks I was sleeping when they came, I was not. I was looking up places close by and figuring out where they are, when I heard a creaking. And there they were. This couple was from Monteleiller, France. She spoke English and translated for me. I showed them the various sights to be seen from Park Ridge. Also talked about the KNP Fire from last year. Then showed them the Osborne Fire Finder. They were dutifully impressed. The next place where they are going is up Highway 1. So I got asked about what to see. Being the tour guide I am, I rattled off various places. They were impressed and noted I must be a native Californian, which I am.

After they left, it was business as usual. Sherri had sent a hamburger up with me, so that was dinner. Then started cleaning up the place. At 1800 I went out of service. As I make my way back down the Panoramic Point Road, I spot something stripped beside the road. I stopped and looked-a good sized rattlesnake. Judging by the flys around its head, I think it is dead. And back on the road again. By 1950 I was safely back at home. Glad I went up there.

 

 
Extra Photo's

Big Baldy-brown area in front is burn from KNP Fire

Redwood Mountain-burn spot on west slope

Looking east

Buck Rock Communication Towers

Look closely at the burnt tree-up high are some green cones

How did this outhouse survive the fire?

August 5, 2022 - Tillamook and Salem

 

Title: August 5, 2022 - Tillamook and Salem
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Car

Description:

I got up at 6:30, having slept through the night. I love sleeping in a tent, even though at times, the dawn may seem like it takes forever if one wakes up at 4am. But that was not the case this morning. When I got up, I walked around the Beverly Beach campground for about 30 minutes, making my way to the overpass again, mostly just to watch the waves. But my phone did catch a signal and downloaded some emails. I didn't even try to do a lightning report.

Rachel and Andrea in the Tillmook bus

We had our breakfast-granola for me, of course, and hot oatmeal for Sherri. We got packed up and ready to go. Last we heard, we are to meet Andrea and Rachel at Tillamook around 10:30, so we need to start soon. Sherri starts the engine at 9:15. It is an uneventful drive to the Creamery.

We arrived at 10:45 at Tillamook. Rachel texted and said they would be late. That is OK with us, so we just read, waited and analyzed the idiosyncrasies of various parking jobs. At 11:30, Rachel and Andrea said they were inside and wanted to do a photo-op with the Tillamook minibus. So we go in and meet them. 

 

 

 

 

After taking their bus pictured, we follow the interpretive signs. This is mostly going down one hallway, watching how cheese gets made into packages from the raw milk. There are less people now than there were in June when we went. A good thing about doing this stop is Tillamook gives you some free samples. 

 

  

 

 

Rachel on the phone with Jeopordy

By this time it is after 1 and I think we are all getting hungry. So we order from their cafeteria a pizza, hamburger and salad. As I was getting ready to pay for it, I discovered my wallet did not have any of my credit cards! I am hoping that they slipped out in the car. But our lunch got paid for through Sherri’s cards. Then we had ice cream afterwards. That is a way to soothe one’s soul. During all of this, Rachel was trying to straighten out her live audience Jeopardy! tickets. While not getting it settled then, she was able to get things set up later on. When she gets back to Los Angeles, she and Edrees will be part of one of the first live studio audiences. Exciting! When we get back to the car, I found the missing cards-they slipped out of the wallet, beside the seat.

Before we leave the area, Andrea wants to take us to Cape Meares. For a person who has been in Oregon about six months, she certainly knows her way around interesting places. She takes us out some backroads from Tillamook-still paved, but interesting. At the end is a parking area which is being well used-we still find good places to park. Signs by the parking area give background on the lighthouse and the area. It is about an eighth of a mile walk down to the lighthouse. The base is open, but we cannot go up to the top. But how the path descends to the base of the lookout, we can see right into the red lenses. Still just looking out from the area in front of the lighthouse has us gawking for awhile, particularly at the birds on a couple rock islands a ways off the coast.

After we had taken in the view from the lighthouse, Andrea led us up a trail towards the south. We passed by the parking lot and up the side of a hill. Then we came to a tree called the Octopus Tree. You can imagine why it got its name-it has eight limbs going straight up which look more like an octopus than a tree. Interesting. We go a few feet to another ocean overlook. The whole walk was about0.8 miles. Not long by hiking standards, still enjoyable and just what I needed

Octopus Tree

Dinner at Noble Wave

Then it is back to the cars and onward to Salem. It is roughly the same route we took in June. Except Andrea and I are driving-different cars. We arrive at Andrea and Lawrence’s place without incident. We unpack our car to get ready for tomorrow. And then it is off to dinner-with Lawrence.

 

 

 

 

Band playing on the Salem art night

This is a bit late. We start eating around 7:40pm at the Noble Wave in downtown Salem. I got a fried curd chicken sandwich. It was huge and good. Downtown Salem is having a regular first Friday of the month arts night, which includes music. There are groups playing on many a-corner including a variety of stringed instruments. It makes for a nice walking evening. We walked over to the river and through a park. In the park is a local band playing, which we listen to for a while.

We then returned to Andrea’s place. There was some talking about tomorrow, but we all were ready for bed. 

 

 

 

 


Extra Photo's

Octopus Tree

Morning at Beverly Beach

View from Cape Meares

Cape Meares Lighthouse

Cheese Making Factory with interpretive signs

More cheese making and packaging

Andrea and Rachel

Rock Islands with lots of birds

Rock island off of Cape Meares

Bridge across the Dechutes River

Rachel, Andrea, Sherri and Lawrence enjoying the night music

 
Flowers and Plants