October 22, 2024 - Lewis Creek

 

Title: October 22, 2024 - Lewis Creek
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head:  Cedar Valley

Trail: Lewis Creek

Destination:  As fast as we can go

Actual Destination: Lewis Creek/Midway between Lewis Creek and Red Rock Falls

Distance:  3.05 miles

Start Time: 1:20

End Time:  4:46

Travel Time: 3:25  (0.89 mph)

Moving Time:  2:18  (1.33 mph)

Elevation Rise:  723'

Descent: 795‘

Maximum Elevation: 3,957'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri at beginning

Several days ago we were going to go to Yosemite, but were thwarted by a wind event. We decided to go hiking this week, but Friday was the only day we had available. But today, we have an afternoon free, so we decided to hike. Steven and Sherri decided the Lewis Creek would be good. It has the advantage of Korra can go with us.

Corlieu Falls

I got up first, about 6:15. I sort of puttered around for most of the morning, doing things which needed to be done but which I have been putting off. At 10:00, I have my appointment with Erica. She is with Kaiser and is working with me to reduce my weight and manage my diabetes better. Today it is to work on my carb intake.

Afterwards we have about an hour before we want to take off. We have our lunch and Sherri shampoos some of the carpet. By the time we are set to leave, it is a bit more than an hour, 12:15. I drive while we converse about what we want to do. The thought is we want to be back at the car before dark.Sherri suggests 5:00 would be a good time. We think we will get to the trailhead about 1:15, so that gets us 3 hours and 45 minutes to go about 7 miles. We decided that if we can make Corlieu Falls by 2:15, we would be on track to make Red Rock Falls and back by 5:00pm.

We made it to Cedar Valley. Our boots get dusty starting at 1:25. It is a bit warm, about 80 degrees. But the good news is that it does not get much warmer and actually cools down as we travel up the trail. The coolness makes the trail pretty pleasant. We have traveled this trail many a time. If you want to know about the trail, look for Lewis Creek on this blog.

Gary at rest

Steven and Korra have gone ahead of us-they definitely are faster. At 2:20 Sherri and I get to the bottom of Corlieu Falls. We look up at it for a few minutes, until we see Korra bounding down. We travel about 30 yards up to an overlook. We discuss what we want to do.Steven and Korra will go on ahead and maybe make Red Rock Falls. Sherri and I will turn around at 3:00. Steven takes off and we rest for a few minutes with a Clif Bar and Jelly Bellys.

Then it is time to climb up to the top of Corlieu Falls. The climb is steep, which is not bad. While the trail was redone a while back, there has been a couple of years of hard rains, which has deteriorated the trail.Some steps are over two feet high. In other places parts of the trail has been washed out. Also various shortcuts have caused even more deterioration.

But we managed to reach the top and walk to the place where the trail crosses Lewis Creek. There are signs which say that the Bridge is Out. We know this. But at the crossing, logs and sticks have been placed across the Creek providing a way. But we have reached our turn around time. We rest for about 15 minutes and start back

 

 

Bottom of Corlieu Falls

That means going down the deteriorated trail. To me, going down is worse than going up. But taking things one step at a time we get down. I take a look at the pool at the bottom of the Falls. About that time Korra comes bounding towards me. That means that Steven must be close by. A minute later, Steven comes in.

Lewis Creek

After giving Steven the car keys, we take off again. Steven and Korra go on ahead. Sherri and I walk contently along the trail. Not too exciting. But it is a lot cooler than when we came in. We arrive at the car about 4:45.

Once situated, Steven drove us down to El Cid. Sherri and I shared an Enchi-Burrito while Steven had a fajita. Both Sherri and Steven enjoyed a margarita. Afterwards we walk over to Reimers where we each have a scoop of ice cream. I drove back to Fresno. We get back right before Jeopardy.

Extra Photo's

Gary at bottom of Corlieu Falls

Pool at bottom of Corlieu Falls

Corlieu Falls

Gary at Rest

November 14, 2023 - Lewis Creek

 

Title: November 14, 2023 - Lewis Creek
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Cedar Valley

Trail: Lewis Creek

Destination: Red Rock Falls

Distance:  6.59 miles ¹

Start Time: 9:50

End Time:  3:30

Travel Time: 5:40  (1.16 mph)

Moving Time: 4:33   (1.45 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,537'

Descent: 1,544‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,321'

GPS Tracks

  ¹The GPS shut off before the end of the trail. There is about a half mile missing from the original. On the attached GPX file, I have filled in the remaining portion of the trail from another GPX file.

Description:

Lewis Creek

I woke up at 6:30-maybe a bit earlier than I meant to, but not unreasonable. About the time I finished my granola breakfast, Sherri and Steven got up. I washed dishes and finished getting ready. We managed to leave by 8:30-mostly because they were waiting on me. On our way out, we met Don-talked for about ten minutes before we headed out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven on the trail

Of course, we do need to know where we are going. We know the general direction: north along 41. We are leaning towards either Lewis Creek or Wawona. But there are also other options such as a Forest Service Road out of Yosemite West, Miami Mountain or even Briceberg. When we roll through Oakhurst Sherri is asleep and Steven is involved in something on his tablet. So it is up to me.

 When I see the sign for Cedar Valley, the start of the Lewis Creek Trail, so I take the road down. We take the usual 15-20 minutes to get ready to get ready to hit the trail. While getting ready, a white car drives up with a couple females. As we are leaving, they ask a couple of questions about the trail. Sherri and Steven leave-they know how I can take a simple question and stretch that into an elaborate answer. And I do just that.

 

 

 

Corileu Falls

I take off with the ladies. We talk about various things-both how easy it is to take your own home turf for granted, and how you need to look beyond the obvious at the common. About the time we caught up with Sherri and Steven, I introduced us and asked their names: Bonnie and Sherri. Notice the name-same spelling as my Sherri! They are from San Luis Obispo. We would catch up to them at both the bottom and top of Corileu Falls.

On other trips I have described the trail. While the route is about the same and so is the climb to Corileu Falls, the condition of the trail is different. Last Winter’s storms have done a number on the trail. It will get worse as we climb up the slope which Corileu comes down. But before we ascend, we gawk at Corileu. Corileu is always something to look at, even this late in the season.

Crossing a washed out section of trail

Bonnie and Sherri asked if it was worthwhile going to the top. Yep! is the answer, even though down here is more attractive. So they leave while we finish gawking. We climb up-Sherri and Steven go up the shorter, but harder way, while I take a more leisurely track. We meet Bonnie and Sherri for the last time when we reach the top-they are about to go on down.

We rest for a few minutes, complete with Jelly Bellies. Then off we go. This section is only a gradual climb. The junction with the trail from Highway 41, there are signs warning that the bridge is out. We knew this already. Yesterday the Sierra Seniors hiking group had done this same trail. Judy’s comment was that the group had developed a new game-inching along the logs. We follow suit. The only one of us who got wet was Korra who enjoyed her splashing.

Gary crossing Lewis Creek sans bridge

For some reason after crossing Lewis Creek, I started feeling tired. Not sure why, but I could tell as I have lost the spring in my step, particularly going uphill. Still the trail gives me enough reason to stop and look. Autumn has hit these trees big time. Mostly in the form of yellowing leaves, interspersed with flaming red. The trail goes up, but more in a rolling manner. Eventually we came to Red Rock Falls.

Steven on the trail

Steven and Korra are waiting for us. There we have lunch and rest. And I rest some more. I do not take the opportunity to go down to the bottom of the falls-and neither does anybody else. After sitting around for a half an hour, we started off. Steven and Korra take off, while Sherri and I take a more leisurely pace. But we are mostly going downhill, so my lack of energy is not a factor.

 

Top of Red Rock Falls

 

 

 

One thing I noticed since the last time I was up here was how much graffiti there is. Rocks have been tagged; the ends of fallen trees are tagged. Do these people think that their “art” improves on nature? Or are we just showing our falleness? Also there is a lot of litter. Unfortunately I do not have any garbage bags in my pack, so I am not on litter patrol today.

 

 

Sherri traversing a fallen log

Steven is waiting for us at the Lewis Creek crossing. We know what we are doing crossing the creek, so not nearly as exciting crossing it the second time. Since Steven and Korra are moving faster, Sherri gives them the car keys and they take off. Going down the slope is a bit more challenging than going up, for some reason. Looking down rocks with scree on them is never a calming look in my book.

But we make it down without mishap and pause at Corileu Falls. For some reason, in the subdued light the Falls look better than we saw them in the morning. So what can we do, but stop and look for a while. We then continue our return trip back to the car around 3:30-Steven and Korra are patiently waiting for us.

So the only question remaining is what do we want to do for nourishment? That gives us about 15 minutes from leaving the trailhead at 3:45 to make a decision. Since Steven brought along a flask from Southgate, that is our destination. We must have hit the sweet spot as Southgate is usually crowded-today, we got right in and are served. One thing you do not have to worry about Southgate is if their food will be any good-it is. The only decision is what to choose. I had a chicken Philly sandwich. It was soooo good. We made it back to Fresno before 6pm. In time to take a shower before Jeopardy. Another good day.

 

 Extra Photo's

Korra enjoying Lewis Creek

Gary

Korra and Lewis Creek

Steven and Korra

Corileu Falls

Us: Gary, Sherri, Steven and Korra

Autumn Leaves

Gary after crossing Lewis Creek

Sherri crossing Lewis Creek

Sherri walking the trail

Autumn Coloring

Colorful Tree

Sherri among the trees

Autumn Leaves

 
Flowers and Plants

Poison Oak

May 5, 2023 - Lewis Creek

 

Title: May 5, 2023 - Lewis Creek
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Highway 41

Trail: Lewis Creek 

Destination: Corlieu Falls

Distance:  1 mile

Description:

It is a strange day. When I get up I check to see if there was any lightning yesterday. Then get ready for our Osher Book Club-were discussing a 2007 book, The Forsaken by Tim Tzouliadis. Interesting, but very depressing book about the Russian imprisonment of American immigrants during the Great Depression through the Cold War..

Looking down Corlieu Falls

When I get out of Osher, Sherri hits me with when are you going to be ready? Ready for what? To go to Lewis Creek, like I should have known this? After some discussion, we are going to go up to Lewis Creek and hike. I was not at all prepared, so it takes me about an hour to get a few things together. We leave at 12:30.

On the way up, Sherri and I discuss plans for the next couple of months. Steven wonders where to start the hike-at the lower trailhead for Lewis Creek or Highway 41. Uncertain at this point. But as we approach Oakhurst, I comment about a few drops of water on the windshield. As we go further up the road, the sprinkles turn into rain. This determines we will start at Highway 41.

When we reach the Lewis Creek Trailhead, it is raining good.So we take the opportunity to have lunch. That gives the rain a chance to calm down, but we still get some gear on-I am not prepared for rain, but we shall see how well my new jacket holds up.

Washed out trail

Clouds in Cedar Valley

Our thoughts of going to Red Rock Falls are quickly quashed. There are signs that says the bridge across Lewis Creek has been washed out with the rains this Winter.. It is still raining so we decided to go to Corlieu Falls. The question we shall answer is do we stay at the top or go to the bottom? We shall decide in a few minutes.

When we get to the top of the Falls it is a spectacular sight that we see. Lots of water coming over the top. Really good. Still raining, but we decide to go to the bottom and return to the car.

 

 

 

Manzanita

The rocks are wet, so we are careful, but they do not seem to be terribly slippery. But as we travel down the trail, it gets steeper and we are more cautious . While none of us slips, the trail is precarious. There is one place where the whole trail has been washed out. So we ended up going down what I think was a use trail last year. 

 

 

Manzanita blossoms

We get to one place where someone has strung a rope to help us down to the creek. It is steep for me and even more so for Sherri. She stays back while Steven, Korra and I go down to the creek. This puts us about 2/3’s of the way down the falls. Even with not all of the falls in view, it is spectacular-I think I said that before. I make a comment to Steven that I think this is the best and the fullest I have ever seen them. He agrees

Now we go back up the trail. Steep, but much more doable than coming down.Now it is more controlling the breathing than wondering if I am going to slide. We catch up with Sherri. Then go on up. We pass by some blossoming manzanita. In the rain, the blossoms glisten.

We get back to the top. We have met more people coming down now that the rain is ending. It is only about 3pm. A bit too early for dinner, so we head back to Fresno. Steven has driven both ways. I am tired and lay down on the couch when we get home.

November 4, 2022 - Lewis Creek Trail

 

Title: November 4, 2022 - Lewis Creek Trail

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

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Highway 41 turnout

Trail: Lewis Creek

Destination: Red Rock Falls

Distance:  3.28 miles 1

Start Time:  2:00

End Time:   5:00

Elevation Rise:  696'

Descent: 696‘

Maximum Elevation: 4,213'

 ¹A GPS was not taken on this hike. Data is from plotting the trail on Google Earth.

Description:

Gary

With all of my working in the front yard, I am trying to get out and do something I really enjoy, such as hiking or being in a fire lookout. So today, we are going to go on a hike. The “we” is Sherri, Steven, Korra and myself.

But first there are a few things. I get up at my normal time and do the normal stuff: have my quiet time, read, and do the lookout lightning report. I also spend about an hour digging up a pathway in the front yard. And then there is the OSHER Book Club. We discussed Marie Benedict’s

Sherri

The Personal Librarian. It is a book which holds your interest, a fictionalized telling of JP Morgan’s librarian Belle Greene. I think her life is interesting enough without having to resort to fiction.

It is after 11 when my book club finishes. I hunt around and find Sherri and Steven out in the back garden. We have lunch before we go. So it is approaching 1 before we leave for Lewis Creek. Steven is driving, which is good as I want to rest for a bit. We get there about 2pm with a few minutes to get our boots on.

 

 

Steven

This is a trail we have been on many times, particularly in the Fall. Most of the leaves are still green and on the trees. It seems like the last time I crossed Lewis Creek, I had to pick my way across the water. There is a new bridge across the creek.

The air is cool, but pleasant for hiking. Steven and Korra take off as befitting their youth. Sherri and I lag behind, strolling along. enjoying the air and the walk. A couple from out of state stops and talks with us for a while. We give them some tips about what to see. I can tell I have not been on a trail in a while. I have been working hard physically, but not the muscles which are used for hiking. So by the time we reach Red Rock Falls, I am ready to rest.

 

 

 

Korra

There are plenty of reasons to stop at Red Rock. I will say that today, the Falls are rather anemic. But that is to be expected this time of year, particularly with as little rain we had last year. Still it is a good place to stop and have a snack. Food revives our energy levels.

So off we go back to the car. Not much happens. Even though there are a few cut rounds of logs which we lust after, but which are much too heavy to lug back to the car. We stopped at a new place, North Fork BBQ. Sherri and Steven order and I wait in the car with Korra until it comes. Korra only gets to rest about 15 minutes while I am away. The food is good. We will probably add it to our list of places. By the time we get back to Fresno, it is dark. The shower still feels good.

Extra Photo's

Lewis Creek

 
Flowers and Plants