January 15, 2016 - South Shore Trail

Title: January 15, 2016 - South Shore Trail

Trail head:

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: South Shore Trail

Destination: Millerton Marina

Distance: 3.36 miles ¹

Start Time: 8:54

End Time:  10:54

Travel Time: 1:59 (1.69 mph)

Moving Time: 1:21 (2.48 mph)

Elevation Rise: 352'

Maximum Elevation: 598'

¹I missed about a tenth of a mile at the start of the walk before turning on the GPS. So calling this an even 3 1/2 mile hike is probably fair.

Description:
Last night some showers took place and in the early morning, things did not look promising. But Karol in her wisdom had us meeting at 8:00am. Why wisdom? Because by that time, the skies were clearing and the day looked promising. So we had a good start to our eagle watching. We took off from Kohl's by 8:10 and the first cars made it to Millerton around 8:40. We waited for the rest of the cars to arrive-they took more of a scenic route to the lake.

Hike group on South Shore Trail

By the time we got to Millerton State Park, the clouds had scattered and the sun was shining in the hills on the north side of the lake. It was proving to be a great morning after all. There is nothing like being out on a trail after a light rain. The grasses are coated with drops of water; the air is so clean and clear; and for some reason the sun just seems more friendly.

Eagle

The 13 of us started off on this short hike. It is one which Sherri and I have done several times: our first meetup hike, three years ago, was here. It is close to Fresno, so I am not sure why we do not get over here more often.  I walked a lot of the way with Carey and Mike. We noticed the main group stopping and looking back towards us, but much higher. Sure enough, up on a perch on top of the ridge was a bald eagle, sitting around, looking pretty elegant up on his tree. This was an early success for our eagle watching hike.

Eagle

After gawking at the eagle for 10-15 minutes, we continued on. I was feeling a bit stretched-probably from the inactivity for the past month, even though the last 10 days I have started to get out a bit more. But today I can feel that I need to do a lot more to get back into shape. At least the legs do not feel like I can really give the push I would like them too. They seem to be tiring easily.

Tree and Water

Unlike the last time we were here, the grass is green. Even though the trees are in winter mode, minus leaves, they look so much more fresh than we have seen in quite awhile. Just refreshing walking along, enjoying-I think this is becoming a theme, and a good theme too I might say. The wildflowers are not out yet, but there is promise for a wonderful Spring.

Once we made it to the Marina, we stopped and talked before turning around. Looking across the Marina there appeared to be a tree with a mass on top of it. Looking through the binoculars, the form could be another eagle, but then maybe not.

I have often said  that you can walk the same trail twice in different seasons, it is like walking someplace familiar, but different. The same can be said for walking it in a different direction. Coming in we see the snow covered mountains with the waters in the foreground, even an eagle on a tree. But coming back no mountains in the distance, but Friant Dam looms across the waters in front of us, with the old Fresno Courthouse beside it.

Ft Miller and Friant Dam

Tree and Fence

Even better is being able to talk with friends, both new and old as we walk down the trail.  Most of it is just common talk. But there is always some talk which leads to deeper thought, such as talking with Lee about what we are doing with my Mom.  That is what hiking is about: enjoying the outdoors, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, but always with a glad heart.

After getting back to the parking lot, most of us visit the old Fresno Courthouse. In the 1800's, Millerton was both an army base, Ft Miller, as well as the Fresno county seat. But we went over there to look for more eagles. But did not find any. So off we went to eat at Toledo's in Fresno. Enjoyable way to end a hike.

Mountains and lake

Clouds over Millerton

Before the Sun Rose

May 25, 2012 - Blue Oak Trail

Trail head: South Bay Picnic area, Millerton

Hike Info:

Trail: Blue Oak Trail, also called the South Bay Trail

Destination: Winchell Cove

Distance: 3.5 Miles

Travel Time: 2:08

Moving Time: 1:22

Moving MPH: 2.5

Elevation Rise: 188'

Maximum Elevation: 638'

Description:
When I think of the Millerton Lake and Friant Dam area, I imagine a hot dry area with this man-made lake in the middle. Definitely do not think of excitement, coolness and enjoyment. But that is exactly with we got on this trail. The coolness was fortunate, since Fresno temperatures was exceeding 90 degrees a few days earlier and this trail and area can be like an oven on a hot day.

We knew this was going to be a special day from the first few steps on the trail. A small eagle, yes I did say an eagle, swooped down and landed 10 yards in front of us. He stayed there, or close by for a good 25 minutes before flying away. Excitement!

But that was not all. With a front coming through the area, the weather was cooler than we had any right to expect. But also, the front brought in some soaring clouds to march past our trail. This make for a constantly changing view. The lake turned from mundane to magnificent. Instead of hot and dry, it was cool, breezy and comfortable.

Our walk continued along the south shore of Millerton, After about 45 minutes of leisurely walking, we made it to Winchell Cove. The boats were all set for the Memorial Day weekend. While we could go about a quarter mile further on the other side of the boat launch area, we decided, just to turn around and go back the way we came.

Over all, the trail is easy walking, on a hard beaten clay. The grasses give you wide berth and the trail is about as level as you can get—Looking at the trial profile, I have seen more activity on seismographs. Oaks give visual entertainment. This is definitely a Fall, Winter, Spring hike rather than a Summer hike—unless you hit it on a day like today.