December 24, 2020 - Big Meadows Snow Hike

 

Title: December 24, 2020 - Big Meadows Snow Hike
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals 

Trail head: Big Meadows Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail:  Starlight Trail and Big Meadow Road
Destination:  None
Distance:  2.09 miles
Start Time: 11:50
End Time:    2:08
Travel Time: 2:17  (0.91 mph)

Moving Time:  1:34 (1.33 mph)
Elevation Rise:  461'
Descent: 216‘
Maximum Elevation: 7,788'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Today is not going to be a big day. Just a time to get out into the mountains and enjoy a little snow. Steven has the day off, so he and Korra will join us. This will be Korra’s first day in the snow. We also have a family Zoom call at 6:30. So not sure how long we will have up there.

Gary, Korra and Steven at start

The idea is to leave by 10:00am. We leave a little afterwards. As it turns out, this leaves us ample time to wander around. We head towards Big Meadows. Korra has had a history of getting car sick in the Highlander and today is no exception. But it seems to be getting better. We arrive at Big Meadows around 11:30 and are off within 20 minutes or so.

Korra takes to the snow, as if she was born for it. And being a husky, she probably is. She sniffs everywhere and eats a bit of the white stuff. She clearly enjoys it.

 

 

Korra, the Snow Dog

I am interested in walking a trail which comes out of the parking lot, not the road. This is the Starlight Trail. It looks interesting. There is not much snow on the trail, so I opt to wear boots, rather than snowshoes. The snow is packed and has been walked on. Judging by the width of the path, snowshoes have been through here before. It is relatively easy to follow besides the walked on area. There are blue markers on the trees, helping us to navigate.

I think this trip is more to get out and enjoy the snow than to look for spectacular scenery. Still there are the times of just enjoying the wintery scenery around us. The whiteness against the green, the sound of snow crunching underfoot, and the sense of being alone in the white. On the last part, the only folks we see on this day is a couple clearly just going up for a little ways to see how things are. And another couple who knew what they were doing after 50 years of skiing the area-we will meet them later on.

 

 

 A little before 1:00 we stop for lunch at some boulders which are clear of snow. Enjoyed just lounging around. I can feel that I have not been doing this much for a while. It has been a month since Andrea and I went out to the Pinnacles. Other than my morning walks there has not been a lot of activity. There is another factor in our lounging. It just feels so refreshing sitting here alone, with each other.

Tracks, but whose

On the way up, I did see some tracks. I am thinking they may be mountain lion or a bunny rabbit. The rabbit is more probable, but it does not quite look like it is. They seemed a bit older than fresh. Sort of thrilling that we are walking the same area as it did and comforting knowing that it has been awhile since the cat has been here.

Steven, Gary, Korra, and Sherri

We are ready to go on. Rather than go down to the trail, we contour around a small ridge. Then cut over to where I think the Big Meadow Road is. And we do hit it!. As we are pondering if we want to do a little more, a couple of skiers go by. I think the one guy looks familiar. We talk and there is not really a connection. But a pleasant conversation.

 

 We decide to go on up the road for another 15 minutes. There is a nice area where we can look out to the south and see Shell Mountain and the area where Alta Peak is. Really nice view there.. We catch up with the skiers and talk a little more. Also we spend a few minutes just taking in a view of white, rock and tree.

Southern View

And now it is time to go back. We take the Big Meadow Road back. It is a bit longer, but not as steep. There were a few places where I was leary about going down unaided, at least without poles the way we came.

There are gradual slopes to the road. I would say for the most part, uninteresting. If we had enough time and energy, we could do a loop around the Rabbit Meadow loop. But none of us feel up to it right now. There are some interesting clouds around us as well. Nothing looking threatening.

 

 

Towards the Central Valley

 

We get back to the car around 2:10. It takes a few minutes to get packed up and then we are off. I was wondering what the Woodward Creek Trailhead looked like, so we went a few minutes further south and took a look. I think I have been here before, many years ago. Now it is back home. The big question is where do we eat. Or in these COVID days, more, where do we eat out. It is decided to do Chinese food in Fresno, Shanghai restaurant. We get back home a few minutes before 4:00. Plenty of time before our family Zoom call tonight.

 

Extra Photo's

Sherri and Steven hiking the Big Meadow Road

Gary almost back to the parking lot

Gary, Sherri, Steven and Korra

Gary and Korra

Off towards Alta Peak Area

Log and Clouds

Sherri walking on Starlight Trail

Korra

Interesting Rock

Gary and Sherri walking the Starlight Trail

Panorama of forest and snow

Korra and Steven

Animals

June 16, 2009 –Lower Chilnualna Lake to Royal Arches Lake, (7.4 miles GPS)

I got up earlier than I thought it was—6:25. Cold last night, in the 30’s. Had my quiet time.

Usual breakfast. Leisurely start. It is a clear, beautiful morning. It is about 9:15 before we got started.

A word about the weather, There has been a lot of overcast during our days of hiking. But except for a brief hail and sprinkle the first day, we have been dry, but cold. We have been fortunate.

The first part of the day is a climb up to the junction (N37.60378 W119.52220). Its about two miles and 600’. We do it in 2 hours. What a view! Saw the backside of Half Dome, Clark, Starr King, and many others. Nice place for lunch. But it started to get cold again.

Buena Vista Lake (N37.60002 W119.51752) is an “Oh Wow” lake. Maybe it is three days hiking; it may be it’s the 9,077’ elevation; or the cliff side of Buena Vista Peak, but this is one fine lake. Right now snow is very much part of its show. We just gawk as we pass by. Stopping only to take pictures.

On up to the top of the saddle (N37.59977 W119.50974). Its another ¾ mile and 300’ climb up to 9,350’. Towards the top, snow covers some of the trail. Steven and David come down and take our packs. We were just about at the top when they came to us. But it was nice gesture for them.

Because of the snow, they went a non-trail route—designated the Dead Chipmunk Trail. Some bones were found along the way. I went off and took a few shots of Buena Vista Lake.

Coming down the south face of the saddle, there was lots of snow until about the 9,000’ level. We were able to follow the trail from a distance or crossing it with snow on the trail. We did pretty well going down, that is until a large patch of snow hid a left turn made by the trail. It crossed the creek. But we kept looking on the west side of the creek. When we went low enough, we realized where the trail was. So across the creek we went, and found the trail pretty quickly.

While we were coming down, it started raining for about an hour. Can’t say we were soaked, but it chilled us with a cold rain. There was a couple sounds of thunder—a ways away.

We came into Royal Arches Lake (N37.57809 W119.50439) as the clouds were descending. Got even colder. David got his tarp out and we pulled the tents under it—of course at this point, it stopped raining.

Dinner was beef stroganoff. Pretty tasty. We are about half way through our fuel. We will see how this works out.

David and Steven start a fire. It felt really good. Perfect would be hot chocolate and cheesecake. Clouds are starting to rise.

We have company! Two people came in. Sort of unsociable folks. They even buried their fish guts close to our camp.

The fire is dying. Its getting cold, and still cloudy, but breaking up. Bed time is around 8:30.