Place: CA-Big Meadow (Sequioa)

Big Meadows, Big Meadows Creek (Giant Forest 15', Muir Grove 7.5')
(Trailhead-N36.43.043,W118.50.029)

Description:

"... the ridge widened out into a plateau occupied by a large meadow; a number of cattle had been driven here, and the place was known to hunters as the 'Big Meadows.'"  (Whitney, Geology, 370 (SeNF)   From Peter Browning's Place Names of the Sierra Nevada

June 18 we came on here, about eight miles farther, over a region fully as rough, sometimes through forests, and at others over and among rocks. We at last struck a trail that has recently been cut for the purpose of bringing in cattle. We came to camp here, by a little meadow, where our animals have good grass and we plenty of wood and water. It is at an altitude of about 7,800 feet. Here is a succession of grassy meadows—one called the Big Meadows is several miles in extent—and some men have cut a trail in and have driven up a few hundred cattle that were starving on the plains. Back of these lie the sharp and snow-covered peaks of the crest. From Up and Down California by William Brewer, Book 5  Chapter 2

 Upon their return we went back to the Big Meadows, as we were out of flour, salt, bacon, and sugar—in fact had nothing but venison and beans to eat. An escort of seven soldiers had been there several days waiting for us. They were having a good time and were eating venison at a heavy rate.
From Up and Down California by William Brewer, Book 5  Chapter 3

Big Meadow lies in a shallow cup. It is exactly like a lake, only the waters are the green grass, arms of which reach among and around wooded knolls like bays and estuaries. A forest surrounds it, and hills surround the forest, and mountain peaks the hills. You have to travel some miles to appreciate the latter fact, however. During those miles you ride in the woods, with occasional openings for brooks and thickets and other wilderness necessities of the kind, until all at once you look out over California, lying seven thou sand feet below. Or if you happen to go in the other direction you merely bob up and down little ridges until the trail emerges from cover, at which point it stands on edge and you climb up to snow banks. But at Big Meadow itself there is little to convince you of elevation unless, happening to botanize or to carry a heavy pail of water, you shall find your wind short. From The Pass by Stewart Edward White, chapter The Big Meadow Trail

Big Meadow flourished under a benign and patriarchal government. The Forest Ranger was the head of it.    From The Pass by Stewart Edward White, chapter The Forest Ranger

 

 


Trips:

• March 8, 2014 - Cross Country Skiing
• August 28, 2013 - Meetup group
• December 24, 2020 - Snow walk with Sherri, Steven, Gary and Korra. First snow of season
•  February 7, 2021 - Snowshoe/Ski trip to Rabbit Meadow with Sherri, Gary, Steven and Korra
•  May 9, 2021 - Mother's Day hike along the Starlight Trail to hill 7,704'
• June 23, 24, and 25-Three day backpacktrip to Weaver Lake and Jenny Lake, starting at the Big Meadows Trailhead with Andrea, Steven, Rachel, Korra and Gary.
• June 15, 2023 - Steven, Korra, Sherri and Gary walk the Starlight and road 14S14.
• July 16, 2023 - Day Hike to Weaver Lake: Andrea, Steven, Korra, Sherri and Gary.
• March 12, 2024 - Snowshoeing with Steven, Korra, Sherri and Gary
  

References:

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Pictures:

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  July 16, 2023 - Big Meadows Creek