April 13, 2022 - Potwisha Flume

 

Title: April 13, 2022 - Potwisha Flume
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Potwisha

Trail: Potwisha Flume

Destination: Unknown

Actual Destination:  About 1.25 miles west on the flume

Distance:  3.61 miles 

Start Time:  11:04

End Time:     2:26

Travel Time:  3:22  (1.07 mph)

Moving Time:  2:23  (1.51 mph)

Elevation Rise: 966 '  640

Descent: 954‘  645

Maximum Elevation: 2,198'

GPS Tracks

Bridge across the Kaweah

Description:

Last year Betty and I walked the Potwisha Flume on the south side of the Kaweah. Since that time, the KNP Complex fire swept through the area, ravaging anything which stood in its way. Talking to several people, they indicate that the flume has been damaged, but is still walkable. I am interested in seeing how the area now looks. Fearing the worst that the area will be devoid of trees and hoping that only patches have been damaged.

Betty will meet up at the Potwisha area around 11. We leave right at 9. This is Sherri’s second hike . after her surgery, we will be determining how far we go based upon what she can deal with-not wanting to get too close to the edge like last week. Last week she did well on a trail which proved more than anticipated. Today’s should not be as hard. Sherri and I drive straight to the park. We forgot this was Spring Break, so we were surprised by a couple things: first the line at the SEKI entry station. Second, looking in the mirror, Betty is right behind us. We got to the parking lot a little bit early, about 10:40 and got ready to go. Before we go, we help a father-son who was wondering what trails there are around here.

Spot burn from the KNP Fire

The first part of the trail leads us to the bridge across the Kaweah. This is probably the worst part of the whole trail. Lots of river rock in the couple hundred yards.In the midst of the rock, there are Indian grinding holes. Also some person thought that by writing graffiti on the rocks in the area, he is improving the looks of the trail-hardly. The bridge across is a modified suspension bridge. It swings, sways and bounces as we walk across it. Once we cross it, the trick is to find the way over or around the rock-Hint: around the rock on the east. Betty has to remind me of this.

 

 

 

Gary walking the flume path

As far east as we will go

And now we start our climb up to the flume.A couple of things greet us. First the trail starts very nicely-it will go up in a little while for a short distance. Second, wildflowers show us their colors: Baby Blue-Eyes, Common Madea, and Chinese Houses to name a few. And then we start seeing where spot fires burnt last year. It is a bit strange seeing a 20’ burnt area surrounded by rich green grass and trees which are healthy. When we get to the top of the climb, there is a water flow measuring house and the Potwisha Flume. This flume used to help generate power for the Three Rivers area.

When we look into the flume, we think that the measurement of water flow will be superfluous for a while. Not only is there no water in the flume, but a layer of mud at least two inches thick lays at the bottom. We follow the flume towards the east. The going is pretty easy for a short way. And then we see where the fire has damaged a walkway. There is a long walkway, or there was. About 20’ of it is no longer there. I guess we could have climbed up, but there is caution tape warning us away.

 

The flume as a fire break

This is our trigger to turn around and head west. For the most part, this is a pretty nice walk. Mostly level. We can see where the firefighters have used the flume as a fire break. Most of the fire is on the other side of the flume, the south side. But this has its own issues. That is the uphill side. Whenever we come across a ravine, we see that sand and silt have swept over the edge of the flume, filling it. I would hate to be the person with the shovel scoping out all of this debris. 

 

 

 

 

Damage to the flume

 

 

After walking a mile and a half, we stop for lunch. The silt has made a nice seat for me. Sherri decides to sit on the ground while Betty also sits on top of the flume-on the other side of a pillar. After a break of 15 minutes, we continue on.. I do not think we will reach the pool at the end of the trail-we have started too late. But we enjoy ourselves in the sun, but not too hot of one. We are able to see the SEKI’s headquarter at Ash Mountain and then beyond to Three Rivers. Across the way are hillsides fully burnt. So sad. And then we look to the snow capped peaks to the east which brings a bit of joy to our hearts.

Lunch Time

Sherri and Betty walking the flume

Like when we went east, our trail came to a sudden end. Part of the flume has washed out, taking out the trail. I think we could have climbed into the flume and walked further, but we have gone as far to make us satisfied with our walk. So we will save the rest for the next time. 

 

 

 

 

End of our walk

 

 

The return trip is pretty much uneventful. I am trailing behind, not because I am tired-surprisingly, but there seems to be alot to stop, examine and take pictures of. Besides, Sherri and Betty look like they do not need me very much. They are moving on nicely. That is until we get to a ravine when I catch up. I go down first, as it turns out more for moral support. After this, it is a short walk to the flow monitor. And then down the trail. It is a bit steep, but not bad-just looks a bit unnerving at first glance.

Real ashes on Ash Mountain

Flume and Moro Rock

We cross the bridge and then go the short walk back to the cars. Everything looks good there. After resting for a few minutes and getting our boots off, we are ready to go. Betty mentions that she will stop at Reimers in Three Rivers. As we drive on, Sherri decides this would be a good stopping place for ice cream. Then it is off to Fresno. We get in a little before 5pm. After driving about 4 hours, I am beat, but feel pretty good. Glad we did this walk.

I began this blog with the fear of complete devastation. But my hope won out as there are definitely places where the KNP Complex Fire burnt and damaged both the flume and the trail. But it is still very walkable and enjoyable.

 

 

 

Extra Photo's

Sherri traversing a ravine where the flume broke

Trail crosses a plank

The Flume Girls-Betty and Sherri

Wall flowers?? Baby Blue-eyes along the flume

Gary looking out on the Kaweah River

Indian Grinding Holes

Kaweah River

Toys left to play with-NOT! Clean up tools

Gary walking the flume

Betty and the flume

Betty and Sherri beside the flume

Sherri and Betty walking the plank

Animals

Possibly a red fox-thanks Rose

Sierra Lizard

 
Flowers and Plants

Common Madea

Common Madea

Golden Brodiaea, Pretty Face

Baby Blue-Eyes

Baby Blue-Eyes

Baby Blue-Eyes

Baby Blue-Eyes

Miner's Lettuce

Sierra Arnica

California Indian Pink

California Indian Pink

Chinese Houses

California Indian Pink

Fireweed

Fireweed

Fireweed

Western Wallflower

April 6, 2022 - Topokah Falls

 

Title: April 6, 2022 - Topokah Falls
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Lodgepole Campground

Trail: Topokah Falls Trail

Destination: Topokah Falls

Distance:  5.18 miles

Start Time: 10:37

End Time:    2:42

Travel Time: 4:05  (1.27 mph)

Moving Time:  3:24  (1.52 mph)

Elevation Rise: 917 '

Descent: 897‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,335'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Today is a special day for us-notice the us? Sherri will be going on this hike-the first hike after her surgery. It is less than 4 miles and around a 400’ rise. Also I have told her that if she wants or needs to, I will turn back with her. All of this allows her to feel confident about the day.

Sherri, John and Ken at start of hike

We will leave from home and meet up with the CVHG at Lodgepole. We managed to leave a bit later than I thought we would. So I think we are behind the group. We stop at Big Stump for its facilities, before continuing on. This takes us down the General’s Highway. Shortly after turning off of the Wye, we see the devastation of the KNP Complex Fire. This will be with us all the way down to Lodgepole. There is sadness as we observe the charred remains of trees once green and majestic.

Warning sign

We get to Lodgepole and notice two things. First, the way to the trailhead is blocked. Second, we see Betty and only Betty in the parking lot. Evidently we are not dragging up the rear. Betty tells us that Ken and Bobby have gone up the road, but no sign of the rest of the Fresno group. They pull in about half an hour after us. So we had a good time catching up with Betty.

 

 

Marble Fork of the Kaweah

 It looks like we have between three-quarter to a mile more than we thought because of the blocked off road. Fortunately there is not much of a slope. John has us stop at the trailhead to get a picture. Then off we go. I manage to slip towards the back with Sherri and the usual back of the group friends. This gives me a chance occasionally to take a picture.

The trail is dry, at least at the start. But there is snow across the Marble Fork of the Kaweah. my prediction was that we would encounter snow on the trail and maybe some ice. While I feel I was pretty good with my prediction, I am glad that the condition of the trail did not meet my expectation, or fear.

Unnamed rivelet

The trail goes up a little bit more than I was expecting. But we all are doing good. The river is flowing nicely beneath us with a nice sun shining on us. Not too badly, just enough to keep us warm. We crossed several dry ravines. This is not a good sign for later on in the season.

 

 

 

 

 

Crossing a patch of snow

Something about this group is that there are hikers who are pretty strong in their hiking. They have a tendency to soot ahead to the end of the trail pretty fast.Of course, they end up waiting. Me? Lately I have been on the other end. At least today I am not huffing and puffing too badly. 

First sighting of Falls

 There are some of the creeks flowing across the trail as we get close to the falls. I think one of them is called Horse Creek-there are many creeks by that name. Once past the creeks, we start catching glimpses of the falls. Also the trees recede and we are more in the granite. A couple people feel that they are seeing the falls and it is time to turn back. I give Sherri the option, but she wants to get a bit closer, so we charge ahead.

 

 

Jerry has gone ahead to start herding people back down the trail. So we get to greet many people while we make our way up the final section of trail. One of these groups is Jan and Cathy-not the Cathey of John and Cathey. Turned out she had been on our last Wawona hike. She showed appreciation for our organizing it. Always good to hear.

Topokah Falls

And now we approach the end of the trail. The last hundred feet of the trail has snow over it. We decide that is as far as we are going to go. We take a few pictures, look over the falls and turn back. After a while, Betty is waiting for us. We talk together until Sherri and I break for lunch.

And now we are on our way back. There is none of our group behind us, even though there are several other families who have made the trip up. Sherri and I enjoy our saunter back down the trail. There is a sense that this hike is longer than we thought it would be, but we have enough energy to finish it well. Sometimes going back down a trail, you see things at a different angle, or you get to look down a valley instead of up a ridge. These things make a hike back both the same, yet different.

 

 

 

Sherri looking down Topokah Valley

Towards the end of the trail,we catch up with Betty, John, Cathay and Ken. It is good to come onto the trail all together. Most of the rest of the gang is going home via Three Rivers. There is a good, relaxing restaurant/bar on the Kaweah with good food. But Sherri and I are pretty tuckered out and will go straight home. It has been a longer day than Sherri anticipated and she sleeps much of the way back. So glad she did this hike.

 

 
Extra Photo's

Topokah Falls

Snow Field off of the Watchtower

Watchtower

Interesting little unnamed falls

Gary

Marble Fork of the Kaweah

Watchtower

Sherri, Gary and Topokah Falls