June 13, 2025 - Park Ridge Trail

 

Title:  June 13, 2025 - Park Ridge Trail
Hike Info : Description : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Panoramic Point

Trail: Park Ridge

Destination: Park Ridge Lookout

Actual Destination: Saddle about a mile before the lookout

Distance:  3.24 miles

Start Time: 1:09

End Time:  4:08

Travel Time: 2:59  (1.09 mph)

Moving Time:  1:46  (1.83 mph)

Elevation Rise:  605'

Descent: 595‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,720'

GPS Tracks

Description:

A month ago I fainted. I was hoping to be able to stress myself during this time just to see if my body reacted or came close to reacting the same way to the stress. Unfortunately, today is the first time I have had the opportunity to do so. A couple of weeks ago we went to Big Stump for a short walk which showed I could at least hike OK.

We have a few things we want to do before we go up to Panoramic Point and start our walk. I do my lightning stuff, take Friday for a walk, and spend time weeding. Sherri works around the house and does some trimming of the lavender out in front. By 10:30, we have done the needed chores and we get ready to go. We leave our house about 11:15 with Sherri driving.

She drives all the way up, including the narrow road up to Pan Pt. This may be the first time she has driven it and I am happy that she is doing it. She parks the car and we find a log in the shade and have our lunch. As I wait for Sherri to return from the bathroom, I talk with a couple who;we license plate holder says Drink Coffee. Read a Book. Be Happy. I comment on it and we talk for a while. They used to live in Coarsegold and now are in Ventura. It is their first time in Kings Canyon and are wondering about some easy hikes. I give them the Indian Basin Grove Interpretive Trail. I guess I cannot help being a tour guide.

We start our own hike at 1:10. We have walked this trail so many times, you can see the description on my other blog entries. What seems different today is how I am affected by both the altitude, about 7300’, and the uphill. I am glad when we reach the bench at Pan Point where we can enjoy the view. Many of the peaks we know, such Mt Goddard or Spanish Mountain. What catches our attention is Buck Rock. I think our friend Kathy is there, but we do not see her-she would look smaller than an ant from this distance.

Now we start on the Park Ridge Trail. As we go up this trail, I can feel that I have not been at altitude enough and feel the lack of oxygen in the body. But then there is the thing that my body has not done much uphill and it shows. I stop and take pictures of flowers and butterflies. And also a few of the scenery. Anything to give my body a rest.

Fortunately, not all of the trail is uphill. As we head to the saddle, the trail goes on a long downhill. I do much better on this stretch. I would really hope that I would do better. Sherri has noticed that I do not have a bounce in my step.

When we get to the saddle, we find that our favorite logs have been moved around and are in the sun. But there is a stump which will suit our needs. We have our lunch and sit for a while, a long while. We have decided that we are turning around here instead of going on to Park Ridge Lookout. 

 

As we are thinking about doing our return trip. A mom and her adult son came up the Azalea trail. They look like they are wondering what to do now. I, being every so helpful, tell them about how far away the lookout is. We talk about and find out that they are from England-that part was obvious. They give us some recommendations for our July trip to Ireland. They suggested the Guinness Factory Tour, the Blarney Stone and Castle, and the Ireland Eye.

They take off and so do we. We take the service road back. There is more uphill than what I remember. But this is gradual and I do not feel like I am struggling. The road can be a bit exposed, but today it is good for our strolling pace. We got back to the car about 4:10.

Once we get settled into the car, Sherri allows me to drive down to Grant Grove Village. We have decided to have dinner at DNC before going back to Fresno. It is a good choice. DNC is practically empty, so we get served pretty fast. Which means that Sherri gets us to Fresno about 6pm.

I cannot say that it was a good hike, but it was a hike that I am glad we did, if for no other reason than to let me know what kind of status my body is in

Animals

Tiger Swallowtail

 
Flowers and Plants

Buck Brush

Philox

Indian Paintbrush

September 6, 2024 - Boole Tree Loop

 

Title: September 6, 2024 - Boole Tree Loop

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

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head:  Boole Tree Parking Lot

Trail: Boole Tree Loop

Destination:  Boole Tree

Distance: 2.39 miles

Start Time: 11:32

End Time:     3:14

Travel Time: 3:42  (0.65 mph)

Moving Time:  1:47  (1.34  mph)

Elevation Rise:  711'

Descent: 716‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,810'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Patterson Bluff

Last night my CGM woke me up with a low of 58. But all was well as my blood meter registered 40 points higher. I turned off the alarms for the CGM and slept soundly until 6:30. Today, I lounged in my bag, feeling very comfortable until the skies got a bit lighter. I then got up at 7:15.

Korra and I went for a walk to the interpretive trail. Along the way, Korra and a squirrel had a face off. I was not quick enough with a camera to capture this stare down. But the squirrel blinked and scampered away, dropping his prize pine comb. We continued on our way. I visited some relations along the trail. At this point, Korra insisted on going back, so we did.

Sherri was up and Steven followed soon afterwards. Soon afterwards, Sherri has French toast ready to eat in about 15 minutes. Steven and I enjoy the meal with Sherri following us. A good way to start off a trip. I get cleaned up and we get the camp organized. But we do not leave until after 11. We will pay for the late start.

We are going to the Boole Tree, just a few miles away. Sherri and I have been here before and enjoyed the hike. It is not a long one, but there is a good climb up to the tree. We get to the parking area about 11:20 and start walking a little after that. The drive in is not bad most of the way. That is until we pass the road to Converse Basin Grove (13S21). Then our road (13S55) passes Stump Meadow and starts a climb up to the parking lot. I noticed that there is a thick layer of dust and the car kicks into All-Wheel drive. We make it through OK. Before entering a second dusty area, I put the car into All-Wheel drive until we made it to the lot.

I thought we said we would be doing the loop counter-clockwise. This would give us the steepest, most direct route to the Boole Tree. Sherri and Steven are ready before I am, so they start in. When I start, I glance over at the trail we are going to come out and see Steven and Sherri walking westward on it. Not that it matters-it is the same distance and elevation gain. Still I could have been going a different way than they did.

That late start has me paying a price. I feel the sun beating down on me and my steps being sluggish, not that I am overheating, just sweating and drinking water a lot. I am also lagging behind Sherri and Steven, not badly, but this is unusual as I can keep up with Sherri. Maybe it is that I do stop to take pictures, but that is only a cover, I think.

Boole Tree

Even though the trail is hot and dusty, there is many places to enjoy views. Looking west, I see Patterson Bluff’s profile, unlike seeing it front on from Delilah. Then there is Rodgers Ridge. Speaking of Delilah, I look for it on the far westerly ridges, but I do not see it until we have almost gotten to the top of our climb, when it comes into view through the haze. Spanish Mountain is right across from us with all of the spurs which come off of it. Then we can see into the Middle Fork of the Kings. There is a lot redeeming about this trail, but maybe not so much today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tops of the trees

Gary in repose and Korra on guard duty

When we round hill 6872, there is a sudden cooling. We are no longer in direct sunlight and there is a bit of a breeze. So much better. Not that I feel totally refreshed or anything like that. Also the Boole Tree comes into sight. We start descending to the base of the tree and upon arrival, I lower myself to the ground and look up at the Tree. I tell Sherri that I am meditating on the tree, but it is more that I am just that tired. Tired enough that we just sat there, enjoying the tree for an hour before eating lunch of Ritz crackers, Nutella and peanut butter. The jelly belly bag had come open, so there is some consumption of them, even by Korra.

 

 

 

 We leave after 2:30, climbing the short distance out of the bowl where the Boole Tree is. Then it is close to a mile downhill back to the car. Even though there is a lot of direct sunlight, we are going downhill, so it is not very tiring. We got back to the car by 3:45, I noticed that the temperature was in the upper 80’s.

Sherri on path back to car

On the way back to the camp, I took a detour down the Hume Lake road. Last Saturday, there was a rescue of a lost person who got stuck about a thousand feet from the road on the west side of the road. I am interested in seeing what the terrain looks like. I can see why in certain places you could get stuck. What I am wondering about is that his mother also found him and got stuck.

We got back to the camp at 4:45 and just recuperated. Sherri fixed the chick garlic pasta dish. We all decided that we would wait until Sunday to go to a Dark Sky presentation at Big Stump-we should have gone, but you will need to read that post to find out why. So we just sat around until it got dark. Around 9, I said that I was going to bed. The others followed me. I read for half an hour and then fell asleep.

Extra Photo's

Patterson Bluffs

Morning at Indian Basin

Patterson Bluffs

Gary surveying the Kings

Looking towards Spanish Mountain

 

Steven on the return trip to the car

Converse Mountain Grove

Sherri patiently waiting

Steven reading by the Boole Tree

Boole Tree

Boole Tree

Top of Boole Tree

 Animals

 
Flowers and Plants

June 16, 2024 - Bearskin Grove, Not quite

 

Title: June 16, 2024 - Bearskin Grove, Not quite

Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Junction of 13S02 and 13S45

Trail: 13S45

Destination:  Bearskin Grove

Actual Destination:  On top of a ridge on a different road

Distance:  2.25 miles

Start Time: 2:26

End Time:  4:17

Travel Time: 1:51  (1.22 mph)

Moving Time: 1:17   (1.76 mph)

Elevation Rise:  558'

Descent: 514‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,630'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sequoia in Bearskin

Today is Father’s Day. As my Father’s Day wish it was to go hiking, particularly to a place I have not been before, Bearskin Grove. I have seen it on the map and heard it on the radio-but more in connection with the campground than the grove. Plus a couple Facebook friends went there a couple of weeks ago, so it is fresh in my mind.

We decided to go after church. But first we need to load up the car. The car had been in for a facelift after its encounter with a deer last month. We just got it back Friday. We reload it with the necessities of life: hiking boots and poles and a few other things. Then have lunch and are off by 12:30.

The drive up is without incident. It is slow though as it seems like a good many people have the same idea of going to the mountains. Also it is Sunday and Hume Lake Christian Camps are getting a new load of their campers. But we make it up to Quail Flat and then down Ten Mile Road about five miles until we see road 13S02. Surprise! A forest service road which is paved and seemingly paved to nowhere. Where it stops being paved, the Redwood Hikes website says to park. But Hume Lake has established a drop off site there for something called Wildwood. After asking about parking there, we decided to move a little ways further down 13S02.

Steven

So I lightly blame Hume Lake for my confusion which exhibited itself when I parked. The confusion you might ask? Is road 13S45 the right road? What is the right one? The right one is road 13S98 and 13S98A. This road is 13S45. Rather than go back, I decide that we can do Bearskin another day and we will see where 13S45 leads us. It looks like on the map that we will be looking across to Bearskin.

We take off at 2:30. It is amazing how late things can be if we get a late start, have slow traffic and am confused at the start. The start of the road is steep, and exposed, and steep. It feels like around a 20% grade. We shall see how long we go, but at the latest, I am looking at a 3:30 turn around time.

The good thing about climbing up steeply is that you get to see things. First, there are the Sequoias of Bearskin Grove. The next best thing to being among them, is being able to gaze at them completely. Almost all of the Sequoias which I have seen are majestic and are worthy of our admiration.

The second thing we see is Buck Rock

Buck Rock Lookout

standing guard over the area of the forest. It is really prominent above us.-about 2,000’ higher than we are. The one thing which is lacking on our trip is a view of Hume Lake. It is out there but not visible.

Once we get close to the top of the ridge, the elevation gain starts to level out. Also we enter into an area where the trees provide shade. The walking becomes a lot more pleasant. It is amazing how the road can be the same, and yet the surroundings change, making such a difference in my outlook. Something to remember that as I continue on this road of life, there will be dry spots, but be sure to have those areas of refreshment.

At the end of the ridge, the road doubles back with a horseshoe bend. We stop here and rest and enjoy the sight. We look across the Kings with a good view of Spanish Mountain. But no view of the closer Hume Lake. There are trees blocking my view of the Mt Goddard area, so we just have to be content with some of the other snow-covered mountains to the east.

We decided that since it is close to 3:30, which is my turn around time, we will turn around now. Going down has a lot less strain on my muscles. But it is a lot more jarring to my bones. The first part back gives me many stops to take pictures of the flowers, but when we reach the section which is exposed to the sun, I am ready to get down the slope a bit quicker-not fast, just quicker than to lally-gagg around.

Sherri on the trail

But Korra has other ideas than a speedy time to the car. She catches the whiff of something, which turns out to be a deer. She gives chase and runs after it. After a minute or two, Steven calls her back, but she is not responsive. We have not heard a yelp so we think she is OK, but the concern is where is she? After ten minutes she comes back to Steven. I wonder what she would do if she actually caught the deer?

We get in the car and leave at 4:30. I drive us back to Big Stump, passing the WildWood people on the way out. At Big Stump, Sherri calls in the order to Bear Mountain Pizza and then Steven takes over driving. When we get to Bear Mountain, and I am getting out of the car, I hear the shout, Gary! Looking around, there is Brianna from Snapps, our car mechanic’s receptionist. We talked for a few minutes. She warns us that it is an hour wait, but we have ordered ahead, so it is only a ten minute wait.

After being fed, Steven takes us home. Road 13S45 is definitely not a must see. Still it was a good enough walk, particularly with the flowers and seeing Buck Rock. Looking at the roads which connect with it, I think there is a connection to some of the Forest areas behind Park Ridge Lookout where we cannot see. Maybe another day when I have more energy.

 

 

Trail Lesson:

Know where you are going before you get going.

On the road of life, there will be dry spots; that is part of the journey. Appreciate those areas of refreshment.

Background

The actual directions to Bearskin Grove is: Park on paved road 13S02; there’s a pullout just a few yards past road 13S98.

Two old logging roads run through the grove. Road 13S98A climbs through the best part of the grove. The short road is open to vehicles and is in drivable condition, although it’s a little rough. The road climbs past about 10 or 12 massive sequoias, including two especially large giants on the left that have very little taper. A lot of logs are scattered around from the 2022 fuel reduction program. From Redwood Hikes

Extra Photo's

Garlic Meadow

Sequoia in Bearskin Grove

Spanish Mountain on the right

 
Flowers and Plants

Snow Plant

Mountain Misery

Penstomen

Hartweg Lily

Mariposa Lily