July 16, 2023 - Weaver Lake

 

Title: July 16, 2023 - Weaver Lake

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Big Meadows

Trail:  Weaver Lake Trail

Destination:  Weaver Lake

Distance: 7.14  miles ¹

Start Time: 10:59

End Time:     5:42

Travel Time: 6:42  (1.07 mph)

Moving Time:  5:39   (1.26 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,027'

Descent: 1,560‘

Maximum Elevation: 8,721'

GPS Tracks

¹The mileage is a little low as I did not turn on the GPS until we were about a quarter of a mile into the hike. Also the start time is about 10 minutes low. Other figures may be affected as well. AllTrails has this as a 6.8 mile trip.

Description:

Last night we discussed should we go up to the mountains tomorrow?And if so where? The concern is that last week I saw snow in the Weaver Lake area. But then it is to be 112 in Fresno. Seems strange being concerned about snow and heat.

 

 

Big Meadows Creek

I got up at 5:45-no lightning today to report, so I did a few things, including eating breakfast. We were trying to leave by 8am, but settled for 8:20. Then I compounded the lateness by forgetting my hat. Steven gets the car filled up with gas and then we are off. The drive, with me as a passenger, was pretty smooth. We arrived at the Big Meadows trailhead at 10:15.

The “we” in all of this is Andrea, Steven, Korra-the snow dog, Sherri and Gary. We get on our boots, get our packs situated, and our picture taken. I made a comment to Andrea that with it being as warm as it is, this might be a short hike. By the time we leave it is 10:45.

 

Korra, Sherri and Gary crossing an unnamed creek

We have been up this trail many a time-including with backpacks last year. So there are other places where I describe this trip. Going over Big Meadow Creek on its bridge, the greens are splendid and vibrant. We probably hit it at a good time as there are only a few mosquitos. I do OK as long as the trail is level or a bit ascending. But that does not last long. The trail starts to rise. While my legs are doing OK, I am starting to breathe harder. But with the rise, we start to see a bit of the Monarch Divide and beyond and the high mountains to the east. They are pleasant to see and gives me an excuse to stop and gwack.

As we approach the trail coming in from Fox Canyon/Meadow, Andrea finds a nice log to sit on. Since it is 12:15, we all agree it is a good place to stop and time to eat. Andrea, Steven and Korra play catch with some sticks. A good thing about lunch in the Sierra during a hike is that you are content to let the break go on and on. Of course, that is the same attribute which can lead to less fortunate consequences, such as relaxing too long.

 

Andrea Charging up a hill

We did neither. We started walking. There are a few patches of snow across the trail. The snow only makes the walking a bit different, not really a hindrance. Korra is a snow dog. She loves this stuff and rolls and florlicks in it. I wonder if it is the heat or her natural tendency?

Someplace along this trail, we talked with a family who used to be with Sierra National Forest. They indicate that a group is looking for a friend who got separated. So we are on the lookout for Kirk with a lime-green pack.

A short while later, at 1pm. we get to this little unnamed creek. each time we come to it, it seems so refreshing. Maybe it is just because I am tired. Evidently Sherri is more tired as she indicates this is about as far as she wants to go. I guess we have gone up about 500’ with another 700’ to go up, some of it is steeper than what we have gone up already.

After resting a bit-didn’t we just have lunch 25 minutes ago?-I start off because I know I will be the slowest and the most likely to peter out. A short time later, Steven and Korra catch up with me, but there is no sign of Andrea. Steven goes on. I continue to trudge up the trail. The legs are doing OK, but the lungs are another story. Andrea comes up and talks with me for a few minutes. I think she is checking out the old man to make sure he is doing well enough to continue. I must have passed inspection as she goes on.

Gary Crossing a creek

One of the joys of hiking is coming across fellow hikers. One of these had been out for five days-I was amazed with him with all the snow he must have encountered. He had gone to Jennie Lake, then into the Roaring River area, up to Avalanche Pass and then spent last night at Weaver Lake-he said that it was crowded. Fun talking with him. We then went our separate ways.

A few minutes later I come across a couple of young females. We talked for a few minutes. I make a comment that I will just be happy getting to the Weaver Lake sign. They take pity on an old man and say it is just around the bend. And sure enough it is. I know that Weaver is just about 80’ up from here and less than a quarter mile. I can do this.

And I do make it. The time is 2:54, just a couple of minutes before my 3:00pm turn. Andrea and Steven are right there. It is pleasant looking at the pool of water. I relax for awhile. They have been at the lake about 30 minutes before I showed up and had gone out and cooled themselves in the lake. Right before getting to the lake, I started sucking air out of my bladder. I probably drank at least two liters if not 2½ litters. Andrea gives me half of her water.

 

 

LifeStraw in use

But about 15 minutes after getting to the lake, we left. The trip down is pretty uneventful. I take a lot less water going down than when I was coming up it. We get to the creek and Sherri at 4. A couple of years ago, Steven gave us a LifeStraw to filter water with. Sherri brought hers. I get down on my knees and start sucking water from the creek. Tastes really good. I will need to dig up mine. We rested again for a little while.

The lungs are no longer an issue. The legs are like rubber. But we are mostly going down so it should not be a struggle. I just do not feel very springy. We get down to Big Meadow Creek and the short uphill to the parking area. It is 5:45.

 

 

 

 

Korra on drive home

We load the car up and take care of business. Andrea’s Smart Watch tells her that the temperature ranged between 85 and 90 degrees. No wonder I used up my water. On our way back, with Steven driving, I let our family know we will not be able to attend the Sunday Family Zoom this evening. We make it home by 8, tired and ready for a shower.

Extra Photo's

Daughter and her Father

Steven and Korra setting up for a group shot

Buck Rock Lookout

Andrea in the lake

Steven sunbathing by the lake

Korra, Steven and Andrea by an unnamed creek

Steven and Andrea on trail

Korra

Unnamed Creek

Animals

 
Flowers and Plants

Western Wallflower

Indian Paintbrush

October 28, 2022 - Delilah Lookout

 

Title: October 28, 2022 - Delilah Lookout
Hike Info : Description :  Background 

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

I woke up to the very faint glow behind the eastern mountains. I watched it, along with the fading stars, falling back a sleep several times to wake up to the wonder of these skies. Around 0630 I finally get up. And by 0700 I am ready to make a trip down to the car. While down at the car, I take a short walk-it will be the last time on the ground until I leave Delilah.

 

 

The sun comes up over Park Ridge

I had a discussion about when and where the lightning was at Jennie Lake two weeks ago. P33 is the investigator for this fire. I do not have a good connection here, so I tell her I will send the information to her tomorrow-it actually will be Sunday before I get it together.

I did all of the normal stuff to get ready to go in-service this morning. Then at 0930 I notify Sierra and Porterville that Delilah is now working. It will be a lonely day as both Park Ridge and Buck Rock are not being staffed. Park Ridge is out of service for the season and no volunteer was available for Friday and Saturday.

The rest of the day is pretty much non-descript. You can read my personal log down in Background. I suppose I should be a little emotional about the possibility of not being in a lookout again this season, but I am not-not because I do not enjoy it, but the emotion I think would be artificial. Still, I do savor what I am able to do up here.

Bee Catcher

There are a couple of things which I view. First, there is the dead tree clearing going on. I see the machinery move around, then disappear behind a ridge. I had seen the truck lights driving up this morning. But I know they are there as I see dust fly up occasionally. In the afternoon, I am looking around and realize that a dead tree about half a mile away which the birds of prey would perch on is missing-taken down in the dead tree clearing. I wonder where or if I will find them? And then as I do my scan, I spot these bits of red floating in the sky. I am thinking it is bits of flagging. But then one comes into focus, and I discover it is a leaf! It is a couple hundred feet off the ground. I gaze at these leaves in awe for several minutes before they blow further away.

Dirt Devil

And so the day went. Around 1600 I cooked myself dinner-the rest of the Mac & Cheese, along with the rest of the soup. And then it was time to clean up. I got most of the cab clean, except I did not get a chance to mop-but I did sweep.

After going out of service, I finished taking stuff down to the truck and locked up the lookout. On the road, I stopped and picked up the rounds I chose last night and then headed home, getting there just in time to see the last half of Jeopardy. I am glad I was able to be up there these two days. I both give and take. I give of my time and take a sense of contentment.

 

 

 

Background
 

Activity	Time	From	To	Digest
	635			I get up
	700			go down the the 80 steps of Delilah, getting a head start on packing to go home this evening. Things like that went down to the truck: Excessive water bottles, sleeping bag,… Then walked around a bit
Phone	838	P33	Del	Discussed possibility of lightning around Jennie Lake contributing to the Kaweah Fire. I will send a map tomorrow.
	850			Breakfast
	905			Took and recorded the weather
	920			Scan
	925	Del	PTV	In-service
	926	Del	SNF	In-service
	936			Scan
	959			Quick Scan
	1004	SNF		Lookout Check in, Staffing and Weather Report
	1006	PTV		Weather Report and Staffing
	1030			Scan
	1033			Started to Wash Windows
	1047			Scan
	1111	P33	PTV	Inservice to Dunlap
	1112			Scan
	1118	KaweahTrainee	PTV	Update report on the Kaweah Fire at Jennie Lake. They are on the scene. The containment lines held overnight. He will report back in an hour.
	1125	SNF		Tone 10 going down for a battery swap-this is at Fence Meadow. Later on I can see the reflection of his vehicle’s window.
	1135			Scan
	1137			Interesting following things on a scan. I saw several reddish objects floating around. At first I thought it was bits of red plastic flags. But then one of them came into view: it was a leaf, flying a couple hundred feet above the ground.
	1138			Continue to wash windows
	1141	E32	PTV	Inservice to Dunlap
	1152	361	PTV	Inservice to Big Meadows
	1155			Scan
	1201	310	PTV	Inservice to Big Meadows
	1215	Div 3	E32	Inquiring about location
	1223	P33	PtV	Location change: Hume Lake area
	1225			Scan
	1230			Lunch
	1251	KaweahTrainee	PTV	Fire still within lines. They put some water on it to cool the fire and snag tree. Remain in patrol status. Returning to vehicle.
	1255			Scan
	1303	E32	PTV	In quarters, Pinehurst
	1307			Took Delilah’s Weather
	1311	36	PTV	Returning to quarters
	1325			Scan
	1325	Comp2	SNF	Tone 10 back online
	1340			Finished washing windows
	1353			Scan
	1354			Nap
	1359	36	PTV	Back in quarters and out of service
	1414			Scan
	1431	3A	PTV	In Service to Big Meadows
	1439			Scan
	1510			Scan
	1513			Continue to go through coordinates
	1528	KaweahTrainee	PTV	Returned to vehicle. Returning to quarters
	1529			Scan
	1537	P33	PTV	Returning to Quarters
	1540			General fire weather
	1550			Scan
	1600	SNF		Lookout Check in
	1602	PTV		Indices and Weather
	1614	P33	PTV	In Quarters
	1620			Scan
	1625			Pack, clean and sanitize
	1645			Scan
	1658	SNF		Evening checkin-Went out of service
	1700	Del	PTV	Out of Service
	1720			Left Delilah
	1730			Picked up the rounds I saw yesterday
	1910			Back home