July 1, 2026 - Delilah

Title: July 1, 2026 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

Description:

It was a warmer night last night. Even the floor was not cold when I got up at 0510. I checked for any lightning and found none. In the process, I realized that how I was interpreting EGP was incorrect. I need to investigate more. But I think that even when I specify a map set, it is not using it to what I specify rather what is on the screen. That explains that when I pull data, I get outside of the parameters that I specified

I have a leisurely granola breakfast and then go out for a walk. I go further than I have on my last several walks and had more of an incline. Does this mean I am getting into better shape? Probably, but neither does it mean I will be going out tomorrow with a full backpack going up a good slope for 10 miles. It is an improvement and I am glad for improvements.

I got back into the cab about 0830. While the walk was good, the trip up the stairs left me pretty tired for 15 minutes. By 0900 I was doing a scan, then took the weather and went into service at 0930, along with Park Ridge Lookout.

Not much went on in the morning. I continued to do the scans and stuff. Buck Rock did not hear who the duty officer was during the 1000 staffing report and asked Park Ridge who also did not hear. I had recorded the staffing and played it back, so I could hear who the duty was-BC31. When Buck Rock asked me, I could tell her.

On the day when I am leaving, I have my dinner at lunch time. Today it is a repeat of Monday: enchilada and Stagg chili beans. By the time I ate and washed up everything, it was a little past 1300. So I took the weather. The relative humidity is still high compared to how we usually are around here. Then another scan and time for a 15 minute rest time.

 

 

Goat Saddle area

A few more scans. I had just finished one of these scans at 1400 when I heard CalFire, FKU, say that there was a wildland fire called the Guide Fire. I could not decipher the location, but it sounded like it was local. I started scanning, but did not see any smoke. This is not unusual as Pine Ridge blocks about 80 degrees of the area to the south of Delilah. Then Porterville calls it out and the smoke starts to rise up over a branch of Pine Ridge called Dude Ridge. I am able to confirm the smoke. In about seven minutes, that puff was gone, before I could get a good picture.

The area I saw the Guide Fire smoke, mostly dissipated 

The rest of the afternoon is normal stuff. Well sort of. At 1525, while I was doing my scan, I saw something big fly across my binoculars field of vision. There are two hawks gliding around, flying the air currents. Then one of them sees something and makes a beeline into the trees below the tower. I never saw it again. But it was fast. Then the second dives into another set of trees to the west. I lost them then. I guess that is the end of the saw. When I looked up the birds in my John Muir Law’s book, I was wondering if it was an eagle of some type.

At 1600, I responded to Sierra’s lookout check in. There are four of us: Buck Rock, Delilah, Miami and Signal. A little while later Mt Tom went into service. It has been awhile since I heard his voice. I have never met the man, but it is good to have him back.

Sometimes during the afternoon, I heard a report of smoke from Miami Lookout. I have a special interest in Miami. We have hiked up to it several times, but it has never been open. I think starting last year it was being staffed. The lookout was reporting a smoke a half a mile from his lookout. A short time later, he gives a legal location, which puts it at Metcalf Gap. I think that is pretty close to the road we walked up to get to the lookout. If I was him, I would not be very comfortable. Sierra and MMU get right on it and nobody sounds panicked.

As the time of 1800 approaches, I get my stuff together and then clean up the lookout. Of course, I am doing my scans. But the last few scans I may not have been as diligent as earlier in the day. I go out of service with Porterville and Sierra. Then take my stuff down, while locking up. As I am about to climb into the car, I find I still have the lookout keys around my neck. I now had to go back and put them away. Then it is time to drive home. I arrived a few minutes before 2000. That shower felt good.

Extra Photo's

Morning view from the outhouse

The early hummer gets the sugar water

Early morning view of the crest of the Sierra. Split Mtn is part of this view

June 30, 2026 - Delilah

 

Title: June 30, 2026 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

Description:

It was a bit cooler last night than I expected. Still I kept warm, I just kept inside of my bag. While I can sleep with a light on, if I poked my head out of the bag, the moon was still going strong. It probably will be the same tonight.

I do wake up before the sun rises, at 0500. I had checked last night and saw that there was some lightning yesterday, both in my local area and in Stanislaus NF. The local one is outside of my vision. It stretched from the upper Middle Fork of the Kings to east of Florence Lake. The question is how to do the report. Yesterday I realized that the travel laptop I have did not have all of the files which my home computer had. Last night I had decided on how to jerryrig things to get something useful. I was able to get to mostly working and get the information the lookouts needed.

 

Delilah

By the time I was done with the lightning report-I had eaten breakfast while working on the report-it was 0800. I decided to go for a walk before getting into lookout mode. Of course, when in the tower, there is a reflex of looking around and seeing if all is right with the world. I am gone for about 40 minutes, having gone just to the saddle and back. Then I clean up the cab and get ready for the day.

Nothing special to start today off. I started off doing a scan, then took the weather. Nothing alarming with either. At 0930 I go into service with both Porterville and Sierra. Then I look at the fire weather forecast and see who is on in the Sequoia Forest. The “who is on” is what staffing there is around me and most importantly, who the duty officer is on duty. It looks awfully sparse as far as staff in this area. The radio traffic from Porterville at times can have a lot of static. This is one of those times. I have a habit of recording the staffing, so I can play it back and make sure I hear the staffing correctly. Evidently Buck Rock had the same issue as they called me up and I told her what I heard.

 

Smoke in the Valley

When I am at a lookout for more than one day, I try to clean windows. I am able to do Delilah’s windows in a couple of hours, between other duties. Well, after finishing, I still see places for improvement. At 1230 I have my lunch. Then at 1309, I take the weather. Not too much different than this morning, except more breezy. I am hearing on the radio that the duty officer and a work group is gathering at the McKenzie helipad. That is on the road into Delilah. I wonder if they are going to head this way? Am I getting lonely? I do not think so after all the isolation of Delilah is one of its attractions for me.

I do have two 15 minute rest periods, between scans. During my scans, I see a wide variety of land. There is the Valley land, filled with orchards, farmlands, and ranches. We do not report fires in this area. Then comes the foothills, above the Friant Kern canal. For the most part, these lands hold only some interest-the people I know and the history which is part of the land. Then there are the mid-mountains where Delilah is. I have traveled through some of the areas, both in a car and on foot. It is fascinating and not many people go over to Patterson Bluffs, nor into Millwood or any of the places which this lookout is part of. Finally, on a clear day, I can look up the Middle Fork of the Kings all the way to the crest.

And that is where my heart is. And why this train of thought came as I looked over the areas which I love? I wonder if I will ever be able to go back there? It does require strength and endurance, things I am losing. There is a bit of melancholy with that thought. The reason which I love that area is because I have been able to experience it, it became part of who I am. In stories you read about how a hero cannot go home and looks longingly towards the place he cannot return to. I can place myself in the hero’s shoes.

But I am fortunate as I can still do so many things I love to do, such as hike be in a lookout, read, and the plethora of interests I have. Also I have family and friends who love me. I am not despondent, just yearning.

Evening view from outhouse

At 1600, I responded to the lookout check in from Sierra. I spot two smokes, but neither are reportable as they are in the Valley. At 1716, I called up Porterville to say I am overnighting here, my last planned night for a little while. I do have a lot to be thankful for. At 1755 I went out of service with Sierra and Porterville.

Most days after I have been in the lookout all day, I am spent. Not because I am doing anything terribly physical, nor mentally challenging. I think it is because of always being on: listening to the radio and constantly looking out for smoke. Very little real downtime during the day. Yesterday evening, I was spent. Tonight, after finishing up everything, I got right to the business of eating the quiches Sherri had sent me.

98.9% of a full moon

After washing the dishes and putting away everything, I went for a walk. I was thinking I would be about half an hour, but I was gone for over an hour. Wendy and I had a light and fun text conversation. Each of my replies would give me an excuse to pause while going up the hill which is Mount Sampson, not that the road goes over it.

When I returned, I talked with Sherri for about 45 minutes. Since I have waited this long, I think I will wait for the moon to rise. It is to rise at 2119 and be 98.9% full. Maybe not as nice as yesterday, but there will not be clouds getting in the way. By 2140, I am in my bag.

Flowers and Plants

Grove of Dandelions

Milkweed

Foxtail

Google says it is Penstemon, I am not that sure

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

June 15, 2026 - Going to Minneapolis

 

Title: June 15, 2026 - Going to Minneapolis
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type:Plane

Description:

Today is the start of our twelve day trip to Minnesota. I have gotten most of my stuff together Friday night and then packed on Saturday. Rachel has been helping Sherri with her packing. I have gotten everything in my carry-on while Sherri has a checked back. I have been putting the last bits of stuff since then with the final few things this morning.

I got up at 4:00am and had my breakfast. Sherri got up around 4:30. We are all ready to go with Steven driving us to the airport, leaving our house at 5:10. We checked the bag and got through TSA by 5:40 without issue, except for being patted down. We had a minor faux pax finding the correct gate. Recently FAT opened a new terminal; we had headed off to the old terminal. Once we figured out that B2 was in the new place and back tracked to the new one, we sat down and waited 30 minutes to board.

Boarding started at 6:30 and we got on one of the first groups. Then sat on the plane for 20 minutes until take off. We left the ground promptly at 7. The flight was pretty calm. I was speculating that at least on our ascent, the fifteen seconds of turbulence may have been when we went through the inversion layer, At least that is my thought. Sherri slept about half the way.

Mt Hood

As far as what we saw,when we went by Yosemite, it was rather hazy. I recognized Half Dome and then El Capitan a bit late. Further update, there was a glimpse of Tahoe, but I did not see Lassen or Shasta. Then I think I saw Mt Hood was off to the east and then we crossed the Columbia River. After that Mt St Helens and Mt Adams seemed to line up . On the whole the scenery was nice.

We got into Seattle a few minutes early. Once we settled down, we decided to take a walk. When we were here last June and the plane was not going to leave that night, I bought Sherri some chocolates from Dilettante Chocolates. Sherri liked them then and wanted some on this trip. Off we went for a stroll through the airport and found them. Just as good as last year.

I noticed that our gate had changed in the meantime from the C concourse to the D. That is where we headed on our return trip. Sherri got herself situated-she has a foot which is bothering her and will affect her walking on this trip. I, on the other hand, walked for half an hour until getting close to boarding time.

Mt St Helens and Mt Adams

The boarding is about 10 minutes later than expected, but not bad. We have exit seats which I thought would be a bit roomier. Not so. While only two seats in the row, not much leg space and very narrow. Note to Gary: do not get row 17 on a 737-800. Sherri noted later on that the back row of this plane also has little leg room. The plane sits on the ground for a while. We finally got airborne at 12:19 close to half an hour after the advertised take off time.

Mt Ranier

Not a whole bunch to see as there are clouds for most of the way. Sherri watches one of the Toy Story movies. I read some more of Deborah Blum’s The Poisoner’s Handbook and made notes on Dorothy Sayer’s Gaudy Night. The seats after two plus hours are not very comfortable.

He plane lands in Minneapolis at a few minutes late, around 5:25. Turns out we will be doing some walking in this airport. The first order of business after going to the bathroom is to retrieve Sherri’s checked luggage. Right when we get there, it arrives. Good timing.

On the Metro

Then we start following the signs for Light Rail. This will eventually take us to terminal 2. If we were more aware, we would have found the station in terminal 1, but at least I got to stretch my legs. Poor Sherri and her foot, though. We see an information desk and ask about the Metro. They give us a map and answer our questions. Turns out we can be counted as seniors. We eventually made it to the light rail spot. But so far I have not seen any place to use our purchase. I would guess there will be someplace to use our pass. But nobody ever came by. We will have to find out how to the Metro works here in Minneapolis.

Anyway, we got off at the Government Plaza stop. From there it is only a three block walk to the Hotel Indigo. The check-in person, Sam, is very friendly and gives us all kinds of pointers. We are in room 1611. That’s right, the 16th floor. This is certainly a classy place. Our room is a corner room. We are able to see to the south and west. Rain clouds come in and the skies open up. Enjoyable watching, from inside.

After resting up a bit, we decided to try the hotel’s restaurant, the Star Bar and Bistro. I have a smash burger and Sherri mac and cheese. Both are very good. By the time we get back to the room, it is 9pm local time. It is still light. But I think we will be going to bed soon after 10.

June 9, 2026 - Park Ridge Trail

 

Title: June 9, 2026 - Park Ridge Trail
Hike Info : Description 

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Panoramic Point

Trail:  Park Ridge Trail and Service Road

Destination: Park Ridge Lookout

Distance: 5.48 miles

Start Time: 10:12

End Time:    2:40

Travel Time: 4:28  (1.23 mph)

Moving Time: 2:46   (1.98 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,111 '

Descent: 918‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,696'

Minimum Elevation: 7,206'

GPS Tracks

Description:

When I was at Park Ridge Lookout last week I left behind some stuff in the refrigerator. The food I did not care about, but the container and it turns out my insulin as well was left behind. A normal human bean would have turned around when they discovered this and drove the 20 minutes back to the lookout. But then I think, this sounds like a perfect excuse for a hike. That leads us to today.

I got up at 6:00 and did the lightning stuff-there was none in the California skies yesterday. Since this is a day hike, I was able to get mostly prepared last night. I had wanted to leave someplace between 8:15 and 8:30. We came close, having to return to get my keys to the car, we left at 8:40, The we is Steven and Rachel. I am driving and we make it to Panoramic Point parking area a few minutes after 10.

We started hiking about 10:15 and went to the original Panoramic Point. Always a good view, particularly of what is north of the Kings. I start pointing out the various places which we see from Delilah. After ten or fifteen minutes we start on the Park Ridge Trail. This will take us around and on the spine of some of the ridge. The last time I walked this trail, I pooped out about ⅔rds of the way to the lookout. We will see what we will do today.

The trail rolls along the ridge. Both up and down. I admit, when we climbed up some of the slopes, I did so rather slowly. But I made it up each one, in good order, without feeling like I was not going to make it. We did stop in some places-sometimes to breathe after all we are above 7,000’. But mostly because a view came in which I wanted to enjoy and share.

We made it to the saddle about 11:30 and had lunch there. Sherri and I have found these logs to be restful and they did not disappoint. This spot is about 60% of the way to the lookout. When I did this before, I already knew that it was time to turn back. While not chipper, I think I have enough in me to make it all the way to the lookout and back to the car.

The next part had a prescribed burn, I think two seasons ago. From the saddle, it looks like it is going to be gruesome. But soon, we rise out and above that and see that most of our trail does not go through the burn and the burn only looks bad in places. Once we hit the top of the ridge, I am able to walk pretty good, that is until the next rise. But I know that we will descend soon to the service road and a short rise to the lookout.

We had seen people returning from the lookout and they were pretty jazzed about what they saw and heard up there. It is always good to hear that a fellow lookout has conveyed their love of being up in the tower to other people. Later on when I asked George about it, he said that they just kept asking questions. I know the feeling as I had a family do that to me as well.

We get up to Park Ridge Lookout. We go up and George welcomes us. This is the first time Rachel has been up in a lookout and I think the second time for Steven. They talk with George and he explains the various aspects of being up here. We also talked about the water situation. He has found mineral deposits in the water supply at the lowest place. Indicates either the tank has rust or the water coming in contains sediments. I retrieve my stuff and after 50 minutes we are on our way back.

We had taken the trail in, but decided to take the service road back. After all, we would see a different set of scenery this way. The service road is about the same length as the trail and close to the same elevation gain, but a bit more gentle. I show Steven and Rachel where I saw the bear last week-definitely gone and now sign of him. There is Log Corral Meadow which I just love walking by. We briefly stop for a rest break and I an energy bar at the saddle before continuing on. Today is not dreadfully hot, so the sunny part of the trail is not bad. We are able to peer down into Wilsonia and see some of the cabins.

We got back to the car around 2:40. Rachel, who was a bit concerned about the road, offered to drive and I accepted. We got back home by 4:15. I am tired and glad she drove. The shower did feel good.