Gary-Summer: Goat Saddle

Showing posts with label Goat Saddle. Show all posts

Sunday, September 6, 2026

September 6, 2026 - Delilah

Title: September 6, 2026 - Delilah

Hike Info : Description : Animals

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

Description:

I slept well last night and woke up a few minutes before 0600. I tried to see if there was any lightning to report, but the Wildfire Enterprise Geospatial Portal (EGP) seems to be having an issue and I could not sign in and interrogate their lightning database.

While there was still darkness, I saw a couple of vehicles’ lights on Davis Road. One just about going over Goat Saddle; the other getting close to the Delilah Road. I do not think I would want to travel that road in the dark. But then again, at least I would know someone is coming up the road.

I dilly-dallyed around. Then I had my granola breakfast. By this time it is 0800 and I still have not made it down to the ground. So down I go. I only walked to the saddle to the south of Delilah and back. By the time I made it to the cab, it is 0850. Time to start getting ready for the new day.

Up goes the flag. There! I am official now. By 0915 I have taken our weather-the RH is 47% and the temperature is 65. A lot warmer than yesterday. I go into service at 0929 with both Porterville and Sierra. Both Buck Rock and Park Ridge beat me. Then it is the normal stuff-do a scan, listen to the radio-at 1001 Porterville did their weather and staffing.

Hunters Practicing

Between 0900 and 1000 I also listened on YouTube to my church’s worship service-First Presbyterian Church of Fresno. The pastor is going through Revelation. I will admit, I probably did not get the full impact as I was also listening to the radio, going in service and doing my scans. But what I heard was good as Jeremy talked about how Jesus rose up to bring restoration while evil can only corrupt and brings destruction.

As I was about to do one of my scans, a head came up the ladder-and I guess the rest of his body came up as well. Anyway, it was a bit of a surprise, but he was pretty personable and said he is from Squaw Valley, or Yokut Valley depending on whom you talk with. He has done work with the Forest Service and is interested in being a volunteer in a lookout as well. We talked for over a half an hour. He was interested in various places to hike, where the Sequoia groves were and if there are any archeological places of interest. One the first two, I was able to let him know where some of these places are. On the later, I directed him to the District’s archeologist.

During my conversation with my long visitor, Sierra did their 1100 lookout checkin. I did respond in a timely manner. After he left, I had my lunch, around 1230. I had started cleaning windows when my visitor came up and continued that after lunch. It is a very broken up after lunch rest period for me.

Reflections of buildings at Prather

On one of my afternoon scans, I heard gun shots. I was able to find the source being from around a vehicle parked on Davis Road just north of Goat Saddle. After about ten minutes they moved on, but then I heard another group of shots about 15 minutes later. It probably came from the same people, but a couple of miles further north on Davis.

While the shots are a bit unnerving, on the other side of the lookout, I followed a hawk in flight for about five minutes. So graceful, so majestic, such a wonderful creature. Unfortunately I am not very good at catching birds in flight with my phone camera-not sure the phone part made any difference.

Ar 1600, Sierra did their afternoon lookout check in, which all the lookouts did respond-that is always a good sign. Then it was back to the normal routine until about 1730 when I got my dinner ready. My dinner is lasagna and bread-pretty plain. While I am eating, I hear both Buck Rock and Park Ridge going out of service. They are returning home so they are leaving at the normal time. Otherwise because it is Labor Day weekend, I will be going out of service at 1930 when the shadows make it hard to see. Wendy text’s me and notes I am carrying the entire Forest’ burden on my shoulders, or something like that.

Delilah's Night Sky

At 1830, we have a family Zoom which I tuned in for. About every 15 minutes I cut away and do my scans. I listen to the radio as well, but there is nothing which concerns me.

At 1920, I went out of service, saying I was staying overnight. But we are still on Zoom for another half an hour. Then I go down to close up and get a few things for tomorrow. That seems strange since I will start bringing stuff down tomorrow morning. But I figure I should have a gallon of water up in the cab.

When I get back up, it is past 2030 and I let Sherri know that I am available to talk. Which is also strange since we also talked just an hour ago on Zoom. But there are things which a husband and wife should share, times between themselves. Which we do for over an hour. It is closing in on 2200 before we hang up. I read some and then go to sleep.

Animals

Saturday, March 13, 2021

March 13, 2021 - Davis Road

Title: March 13, 2021 - Davis Road
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Mill Creek Campground

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail: Davis Road
Destination: Davis Flat
Distance: 8.70 miles¹
Start Time: 10:02
End Time:    4:25
Travel Time:  6:23 (1.36 mph)
Moving Time:  5:12 (1.67 mph)
Elevation Rise: 1,350'
Descent: 1,343‘
Maximum Elevation: 2,085'

GPS Tracks
¹I carried both of our GPS’: Garmin 60CSX and Foretex401. After adjusting a bit for the location wobbles when we were stationary, they both came out very close together. Rose’s phone registers a little above 9.5 miles

Description:

Gary at the start

Our first “real” hike in awhile, even though it is on a road. We have Rose with us; Betty has other obligations. But more important than me?

Even though it is less than 60 miles from our house, it is almost two hours of driving. So we meet at 8:00am and get on the road pretty quickly after that. We go through a maze of foothill roads until we reach Pine Flat Reservoir. Our destination is on the other side of Pine Flat at Mill Flat campground. We reach that at 9:50. The temp is 51^o at the start. But the sun is shining on us, so I go down to a T-shirt and shorts. There is a feeling of coolness, not cold. A great feeling to hike with.

Poppy Field

And now onward with our hike. During the summer and fall when Sherri and I are in Delilah Lookout , the area seems so brown, dry and hot. But during the Winter and early Spring, it is a magical wonderland full of emerald colored hills, flowers and water flowing. This is Rose’s first time in the area and we stop every couple of minutes to examine some new marvel, such as a newly blossomed plant. The road will go gradually up for the first two miles. But, not evenly, it is on a rolling incline. So I am thankful for these small breaks to enjoy these mirific times.

We shortly come to the first checkpoint: the unnamed creek, maybe about half a mile up the road. I told Rose this is a creek I have called Disappointment Creek, mostly because every time I have taken a picture of it I have been disappointed. But on the topo map there is no name so I can call it what I want. I think Rose is drawing the line on me calling a cement water drain a natural formation.

Rose and Sherri at "Disappointment Creek"

We continue to enjoy the emerald colored hills. But beyond them, we are seeing snow, looking like it starting around 3,000’. This is from a recent storm, so it may melt off quickly.

The road now turns east and we stop at Crabtree for a break time-it is way past elevenses. I devour a Clif bar; Sherri has an Access bar. Three bicyclists pass us-of course we chit-chat with them (Sherri might say it was more of a chinwag on my part. At least it could be a step up from pontificating.) They may be reaching their limits on hill climbing as this is their first outing.

Delilah Lookout from Davis Road

Even though this is our first hike of the season, we will not be stopping here. I figure another hour and a half until we reach my turn-around time. This part of the road, we start rising up really good. But the previous couple of miles I think has loosened my muscles so we can even talk a bit while doing this climb. Another bicyclist passes us-we see him a short ways up chatting to the other three bicyclists. He will pass us again later on.

Davis Flat

One benefit about climbing is that those snow covered mountains are even clearer to see. Even around the Converse Mtn area-not sure if we see the mountain or not-is showing, inviting us to come back and snowshoe, but that is another day.

We now change to the Davis Creek drainage-definitely a smaller creek than Mill Flat Creek. Still there is beauty there. The creek is far beneath us allowing for us to get a good view to the north. Even though we go up pretty good, the creek rises faster. We go around a hill while the creek goes another way.

Whose Pants?

When we meet up again, the creek is at our level. But there is something else which I start looking for: Delilah Lookout and I found it! Today it seems a lot clearer than when I have seen it before from this road. Also I know that we are close to Davis Flat.

This is good, because I really would like to sit, eat and rest. You can probably guess why. We cross Davis Creek and find the rocks we are familiar with. Time to enjoy lunch, which we do. As we look around us, there is a pair of jeans neatly laid out. The mystery, where are the legs which went into these pants? I do wander to look at the old mine and the shack which we have seen there before.

Rose and Sherri walking the road

It is 2:00pm and now it is time to head back, I am a bit stiff, but as I start walking, the stiffness works out. I fall back as I stop and examine things and even try taking a few pictures. Even with it being easier going down, I fall behind Rose and Sherri. That is OK as I enjoy my time of quiet. With my hiking I enjoy time of friendship, being among those whom I care for. But I also enjoy walking through beauty with my own thoughts and ponderings. On this hike I am getting both-I am blessed. By the way, my thoughts are not great, just enjoying.

Gary in search of a newt

The bike who passed us earlier comes down. We chat for a few minutes. He made it to the approach to Goat Saddle before going through snow got to him. That is a pretty good journey up-about a 2,000’ climb. He goes on and I catch up to Rose and Sherri at Crabtree.

On our final 2+ miles, it is time for some wildlife. No not that kind. First we see a Sierra Newt. This time living. We have seen several dehydrated and squashed-not sure which happened first. Always fun to see them. Then a large bird is circling overhead. It might be an eagle. Or it could be a raven. To me it could be either. An eagle sounds so much better. Then another newt. When I get up from my picture taking, my shovel easily slides down between my underwear and skin. You do not know how thrilling that can be.

We end up at the car with it still being light, around 4:25. We say goodbye to Rose and head off with her following. It has been a good day, tiring though. When we get home after 6:30, Sherri goes out and gets what is becoming our traditional after hike meal, Habit Burger. When I lay down for a few minutes, the next thing I know, Sherri is waking me up to go to bed. I guess I really was tired.

Extra Photo's

Mill Flat Creek

Davis Road a bit lower at start

Looking north across the Kings

Flowers at Gary's "Disappointment Creek"

Looking towards Converse Mountain

California Golden Poppies

Poppies on a hillside

Flower Photographers