June 29, 2026 - Delilah

 

Title: June 29, 2026 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

I got up a few minutes before 0500 this morning-I will be tired this evening. But I wanted to get an early start to Delilah for several reasons. First, I was not there all of last season. The last time I was there was November 2024. There is a bit of anxiety over will I remember what is in Delilah? What has changed since my absence? Second, the last two weeks I did some hiking in Minnesota. My left knee had some ache in it. With coming up the 72’, 80 stairs of Delilah, will my knee bother me? Third, how tired will I be climbing those stairs? Also how will I feel after three days?

I leave a few minutes after 0600, even for me, this is a bit early. I stopped at Costco for gas and discovered that I did not have my Costco card. If I had thought for a few seconds, I would have realized that I had my Costco app which had my Costco card on it. Instead I started to look for an attendant. But right beside me was Richard who would be going to Delilah to pick up supplies for storage. He swiped his card for me. The rest of the drive to Delilah did not have a problem, except for constant glare from a dirty windshield and the sun.

I get to Delilah around 0800. The road is just as “interesting” as it was two years ago. I load up the basket, which is one a pulley system, with things and take my backpack up to the cab. The knee did not act up and I took my time, stopping at each level for a breath. Not too bad. I made a second trip to pick the remaining food and water and my sleeping bag. I think I am good for the day now. Fears two and three down.

Now to familiarize myself with Delilah. In truth, not much has changed. There are a few small differences: a radio to listen to CalFire; new kitchen utensils, a few things moved. I think I will do OK.

I do my first scan. While I was doing that, Richard and Jan drive up. After while Richard comes up and we talk awhile. He had posted on FaceBook a couple of days about going up to Mitchell Peak and realizing there was a lookout there at one time. This got us into a discussion of lookouts which are no longer there and where they are. He talked about a fire in Arizona called the Pocket Fire which is burning close to Sedona. There are several things I told him I would send him:

• List of California lookouts, current and past-from PeakBagger. PeakBagger seems to have the most comprehensive list, but there are other sites which have lists and sometimes more detail:

  • Fire Lookouts

  • National Historic Lookout Registry

  • Forest Lookouts - some of the lookouts, have interesting news articles

• Blog entry for Henness Ridge lookout

• Blog Entry for Crane Flat lookout

• Blog entry for the book Call of the Canyon, a novel by Zane Grey about East Oak Canyon near Sedona.

And now it is time to act like a lookout. I take the weather-it is a really clear day, with only a few far away clouds. Then I go into service at 0929. Then start doing my scans about every 15-20 minutes. At 1000, we get the weather and staffing. Fortunately I record this as I can never get the staffing.The weather I get from a website. At 1059, Sierra does a roll call of lookouts. There are only three of us: Buck Rock, Delilah and Signal.

The morning has gone by pretty fast. I pretty much have been doing regular scans and listening to the radio. Something which I do at the start of each season at the lookouts is to go through the eight orientation points for the firefinder. The purpose is to validate that the firefinder does not need adjustment. What it does do for me is to identify landmarks in each direction.

By 1230, it is time for lunch. The usual, a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich with chips. Then I do another scan and take the afternoon weather. Not too much change from this morning. After doing another scan, I do a couple rest periods. During the rest period, I set a timer for 15 minutes, turn the radio up and lay down. If something happens on the radio I would respond appropriately. At the end of 15 minutes, time to do another scan.

That is pretty much my afternoon and evening-not resting, but doing things in 15 minute increments. Scanning, then refreshing myself on locations close to Delilah. On my list of sites, I get to about 6 miles out, which is about 65 locations. It is not that I memorize them. Most of them I have a good idea where they are. If I do not, then I have my spreadsheet. Every other 15 minute segment, I do something personal-answer emails, read, write this blog. There is a small thing of keeping the hummers happy. So I refill their sugar water.

At 1600 the mundane is broken. I need to respond to Sierra’s status check-they do that to make sure we all are still alive. Sometimes we get distracted and do not respond quickly and have to sheepishly say we are really here afterwards. At 1800 I went out of service with Porterville and Sierra. And that is the end of my work day.

Strawberry Full Moon with a little bit of a cloud

After going out of service, I rested for about half an hour. Then I fixed myself dinner of Sherri’s enchiladas and Stagg Chili. Maybe not high class cuisine, but it is filling and I eat it all. After that, I go down and do a 25 minute walk down to the saddle, taking pictures of a few things.

I will make sure that I am back in the tower by 2010. Why you ask? I want to get paid, as I get paid in sunsets. The setting sun should be around 2020. Sunsets are a yin and yang thing. If there is a spectacular sunset, that usually says that there is a lot of pollution in the air. Today, the sunset was not spectacular, which means there is not a lot of smog. But there is enough that I took many pictures.

Occasionally I make it into a lookout on the night of a full moon. That is tonight. There are a lot of clouds and I wonder if the moon will come out while I am awake. It finally comes out and I am able to get some nice shots. Enough to get some ooh’s and aahs.

After that, I talked with Sherri for about half an hour. It is after 10 before I snuggle inside of my sleeping bag.

Extra Photo's

Full Moon covered by a cloud

Pine Flat and Setting Sun

Looking towards Finger Rock in the evening

Content Hummer

Yokut/Squaw Valley

View from the Outhouse

Afternoon cloud buildup beyond Spanish Mountain

 
Flowers and Plants

Dandelion in the evening sun

July 2, 2025 = Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title: July 2, 2025 = Park Ridge Lookout

Hike Info : Description :  Menu 

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

The light flashed on this morning in the kitchen about 0515. Korra, Steven’s dog, must have wanted out. After a few minutes the light goes off. Either Korra now has new skills or Steven has gotten up to let her out. I got up shortly afterwards and saw that there was no lightning in our area, but there was some north of Yosemite.

It was then time to get ready to leave as well as have breakfast. I left our house at 0650. Sherri decided not to come up. It has been a hectic couple of days without rest. I understand well. For the most part going to a lookout is mostly a time of peace for me, a time which I can recharge myself.

I get to Park Ridge Lookout about 0830 without issues. The lack of issues then ends up being getting into the lookout. The trap doors are secured through a heavy chain and a couple locks-one for us and one for NPS. There have been improvements made so the door is easier to lift and the chain set up is not as intrusive. But I did not recognize what was being done, so I tried to undo their work until I realized the reality. Not sure I put together everything how it was.

I got in and then made several trips bringing up food, water bottles and personal items for the three days. Even as I go into the cab, I notice smoke coming up from the Big Stump prescribed burn. By the time I got everything up, it was 0905. Time to do the weather. Usually I forget about this until right before I go in service, so getting it done at 0908 is an accomplishment. Even before going in service, I had my first couple of visitors. They are from Mountain View, my home town. Actually, they do not live very far from where I used to live.

I go into service with both Porterville (Sequoia National Forest) and Ash Mountain Fire (King Canyon and Sequoia National Parks) at 0929. The visitors leave and I start doing routine stuff. Or at least try to get into a rhythm to do the routine. I do my scans and then remember to look up the weather online. This is before the 1000 weather and staffing.

It is mostly a regular day. But not quite. On our base radio, we have it scanning several channels. There is a channel, R5 Project, which people communicate back and forth on a bit less formal basis than command. I was not hearing anything on R5. Then when I checked, the indicator was not showing that R5 was being scanned. I asked Buck Rock if she had gotten any traffic from Park Ridge on R5 recently. Yes. I tried to set it up, but the radio would not let me set up the channel. I discussed the situation with Wendy and she came to the same conclusions as I did. Then Greg calls me and we walk through the radio. Same thing. But as I am about to hang up on him, I saw that R5 was chatting on the radio. So the radio is scanning, just not showing.

When I had looked at the NOAA Connectivity chart this morning, it showed that there was a good chance of lightning on the eastern side of the Sierra Crest. But there are clouds which are accumulating beyond Mitchell Peak this afternoon. Around 1435 I got an alert that there was some lightning within 15 miles of Buck Rock. So I notified her. Then a while later there is lightning north of Delilah, which I dutifully notify hat lookout as well. But me? Nothing around me. Around 1700, the wind came up and blew and blew. I got out the andrometer and measured the wind as being 20-25 mph with a few drops of rain. This kept up for at least three hours. I only saw one flash of light towards the end of the evening before I went to bed. But this was a major lightning break. In tomorrow's lightning report there were over 550 strikes in our area and most of them east of Mitchell to the Crest, South of the South Fork of the Kings.

One of the things about Park Ridge Lookout is that it looks straight down on the Big Stump area. Last week there was a prescribed burn there and now a crew is mopping it up, putting out the last vestiges of the burn. I hear the Incident Commander (IC) say that there is some creeping fire, but the lines are holding and there is no smoke. About an hour before I had seen a small smoke pop up for five minutes. So I let them know. I talked with the IC and he thinks it was because a tree had fallen. I told him that I am seeing a light smoke now from around where the dry creek is. About half an hour later, the IC reports he is having 25 mph winds with some snags falling.

Around 1800 I heated up the enchiladas Sherri had in the freezer for lookout. Not bad with the ambiance of looking to the east with the mountains surrounded by storm clouds, but to the east a good view of the Sierra foothills close to me.

Because of the lightning, Sequoia NF has us in service through 2000 instead of 1800. I have already closed the windows and door into the cab and only done my scans from inside. Sherri and Steven are sweating in the Valley below, I am putting on my long-sleeve shirt. At 2000, I go out of service with Porterville. I had already gone out with Ash Mountain at 1751.

It takes me about an hour to get everything settled down. I don't even go downstairs to take care of things as the wind is still blowing hard. But with the cab all closed up, I am comfortable, particularly when I get into my sleeping bag. I talked with Sherri for about 45 minutes before going off into slumberland.

Menu

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Home	Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwich	Enchilada	Crackers, granola, jelly belly

October 9, 2024 – Park Ridge Lookout

 

 Title:  October 9, 2024 – Park Ridge Lookout

Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Park Ridge Guards

 

Description:

Woke up shortly after 5. I had done the lightning report last night, but just checked to see if there was activity between then and now-there was none. So I spent a leisurely time getting ready to my day at Park Ridge Lookout.

Plume from the Happy Fire

I take off a few minutes before 7. And it is a pretty easy drive up to the Park. I had noticed a smoke smell about 3,000’. When I got to the Park entrance, I asked the entry station if he knew where the smoke was coming from. Jeff said the Happy Fire. There was growth last night. Good to know.

As I was climbing up toward Panoramic Point, I started to notice a different smell. Not sure what it is. But when I stopped to unlock the gate to the service road, I knew what it was: coolant from my Ranger. Looking inside, I saw that a connection to a hose had broken. There is no cell service here, so do I go on to the Lookout or try to go back down? I decided that if the hose could be kept in place, there should be some duct tape at the Lookout which would help me patch together things. Plus there is water there. I put a quart of water in the radiator and was able to get to the lookout. The hose had gotten detached. I got some duct tape out of the cab and made an attempt to hold the hose in. I will do a better job of it later.

Inversion Layer in the north

I open up the lookout, bringing my stuff up. Only two loads which is a lot less than the number of times I go up for multiple days. I then take the weather, look at the boards and do a scan.

Smoke to the south

I should have known that today would be one of those days. I try to go in-service with Porterville. But Buck Rock walks over me. So I go in-service with Ash Mountain Fire. Then attempt to do it with Porterville. No response. On the fourth time, I get a response and go in-service.

Then it is the normal stuff. Scanning, listening to the radio. I get two visitors from Minnesota and I go through my fir and prescribed burn routine. they are interested in lookout life. Also he seems fascinated with the Osborne Fire Finder. That breaks up the day some. There is a lot of haze/smoke. So I only have about 5 miles of visibility. The smoke is from the Happy Fire. I heard on the radio that there are a couple of our folks up at the fire, tending it. Around 1145 they will be leaving the fire. Their call sign is Firewatch51. As I am hearing them, I think we need a cool call sign instead of Park Ridge Lookout or Delilah.

I talked with the President of the Buck Rock Foundation. I told her Sherri and I were resigning from being Associate Directors on the Foundations Board. We are not unhappy with the Foundation. We just think that we have one too many things going on and this will be easiest to cut. We still want to be lookouts.

Looking east, pretty clear

By 1230 it is time for lunch and I take care of that. Then followed at 1315 for the weather. It looks like the smoke is lifting some. Towards the west, I can see about 6-7 miles along with the south. But the real improvement is to the east where I can see Mitchell Peak very clearly now along with the peaks behind, such as North and South Guard and Mt Brewer. I spend a few minutes laying down with my 15 minute timer going. A bit more rested. More scans and going over the terrain.

About 1430 I think I should go down, and revamp my fix to the radiator hose. I set up the Forest’s handheld to scan SQF’s Ch 4, R5 Project and the Park’s Command 2. Almost immediately I heard communications on the handheld from the Park, but none on the Park radio. This is interesting. After I go down and do what I am going to do, I will check this out further.

Looking at the tape job I did this morning, I think there is a better way, so I redo it and fill up all of the coolant water places. Then it back upstairs to figure out the radio.

I confirm that the Park radio seems to die after a couple of minutes. But it had been on the charger all night. Maybe the charger is not charging? Or have all the batteries decided to die? Or maybe it is the radio? At this point, I think it is time to bring in Wendy. I explain about the radio and she said that the lady who was up there previously was having issues as well. We work through a few things to no avail. Wendy suggests the clam-shell. There is a clam-shell filled with AA batteries. The outside contacts has a layer of corrosion which I wipe off. Still no good. I cannot open the clam-shell to see if the batteries are corroded as well. I tell Wendy that I think I can work with the Forest radio and she said to change the tone to 7 so I could talk on it. After some fumbling, I am able to. Set the tone and do a radio check with Ash Mountain Fire. They are able to hear me.

Source of my car problems

I then explain to Wendy that I had car problems coming up.. She is ready to call in the cavary. I think if I can make it to Panoramic Point, I can get down to the Visitor center pretty easily. It will be a lot easier to get help there. But she advocates that I leave early. Now that sounds pretty good. It is about a quarter to four. There is a few things to do before closing up the lookout. I only manage to leave at 1630, about 25 minutes sooner than scheduled.

I notified everybody that I was leaving. I keep an eye on the temperature gauge. It looked pretty good. I get to the gate and start down the hill, a bit nervous, but pretty confident I will get to the Visitor Center. I do get there and I tell Wendy, Sherri and Steven of my status and continue on my way. I do pretty well until just past Bear Mountain Pizza when the Ranger starts to lose power. I stopped by the side of the road and there is steam coming out. I guess my fix did not last all the way down. I have about three gallons of water which I put into the radiator after letting the engine cool a bit. Then I am off.

This time I make it as far as Centerville. I debate about getting a tow or having Sherri come out with water. I decided to inconvenience her. About 45 minutes later she comes out with four gallons. I fill the radiator and am off. I am hoping to make it home. But not quite. I make it onto Dakota, about three miles from my house. I try to park at a spot which will allow access for Sherri, but not be blocking anybody. I failed. The Ranger dies in the middle of a alley access to a gym. But some SouthEast Asians, tell me to get back in the vehicle and they push me to the side of the road. Thank You!

Sherri comes out in about 30 minutes-she had not made it home yet. I will the radiator and make it home after 2000. After unloading the truck, I join the Zoom family meeting. It is good and relaxing. Sherri makes me a croissant chicken sandwich. It hits the spot. After the meeting, I take a shower and go to bed-I am tired.

The next day, I take the truck into Snapps. They are able to get the part and having it back to me in one day. I love that place.

Trail Lesson: Things will happen, be prepared for them.

November 21, 2023 - Pincushion

 

Title:  November 21, 2023 - Pincushion
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Finegold Area 

Trail:  San Joaquin River Trail, Pincushion Trail

Destination:  Pincushion

Actual Destination: Above a hundred yards from the top and 150 feet below.

Distance:  2.62 miles

Start Time: 11:43

End Time:    2:58

Travel Time: 3:15  (0.81 mph)

Moving Time:  2:21  (1.12 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,045'

Descent: 1033‘

Maximum Elevation: 1.492'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri on path, climbing

What are we going to do today? Confession: I slept past 7 this morning. It was not until Sherri was getting her breakfast ready did we agree upon a hike: Pincushion. Pincushion is a local peak near Millerton Lake.

Sherri and I started from our house a little after 10. Table Mountain Casino has expanded since the last time I was here-I had a bit of trouble finding the right road to go up. So it took me a few tries to find Sky Harbor. Even with the detour, we got to the Finegold area of Millerton State Park by 11:15. The gate was closed-we would not be going in anyway as we have not bought a pass. But we did find a place to park on Sky Harbor.

 

 

 

 

Yes, it was that steep

By the time we started walking it was 11:45. It was less than a quarter mile into the trailhead and outhouse. The trail starts off by going up a pretty good slope. Having been on this trail several times, this is not unexpected. Sherri is keeping up a steady pace; I am doing OK, but I can tell that we are ascending. After traveling ¾ of a mile, Sherri comes across three people who wonder how much further it is to Pincushion? We say they are about a third of the way there, but the majority of the climb is ahead. This suitably discourages them.

50 yards further, the trail to Pincushion splits off of the San Joaquin River Trail. Actually, the real trail is about a quarter mile further, but this is the one commonly used. Now the climb really starts. The trail is badly rutted. It is wide, so it is possible to avoid the worst of the issues. No matter how you work it, this is steep-overall about a thousand feet in just a bit over a mile.

Gary having climbed up rocks

As we work our way up the slope, it just gets steeper. It is not because my legs and lungs are getting a workout that I think this, but just looking up the trail, it is steeper! But taking it one step at a time gets us up the hill.

There is a shelf about 150’ below the top of Pincushion. This is a bit of a rocky area which we climb up. I feel a bit uncertain about going to the top-maybe it is old age, a bit of arthritis, or just the legs feel out of shape. Whatever it is, I am content with stopping on this shelf and looking out over the area. I do not think it took too much to convince Sherri to stay here either.

From the log we are sitting on, we can see Spanish Mountain, Mt Brewer, Mitchell Peak and a whole bunch of other mountains we can see from our lookouts. Always interesting getting a different perspective. We also have lunch here while we enjoy the sight and sun. It has been a perfect day weather-wise. Sherri gets a call from Verizon-Rachel is trying to add a connection to the account and Verizon needs Sherri’s permission, which is given.

Peaks seen from Pincushion from the PeakFinder application

 

 

Sherri descending

And now we start back down. I think that old thing makes me more conscious that if I fall, I will break something and it will take a long while to mend. So I pick my way down carefully-even dragging my rear on occasion. Once we get down so we can walk, it is just a long steep downhill where we pick our route carefully-remember the old remark.

Not much is different on the return trip, except it is a lot easier on the lungs. We made it back to the car by 3:00pm. It has been a good hike, even if it has left me a bit rubber legged. It is one which I need to do to rebuild strength.

One thing I do when we get back home is to look up getting a State Park Pass for Seniors and 2024. Looks like I can apply only after Thanksgiving. Time to put that on the calendar.

Extra Photo's

Millerton

Tree and Sun Glow

Sherri coming down rocky section

Spanish Mountain

Scene from Pincushion

Animals

West Coast Lady

Ant Hole