March 12, 2014 - Ladybug trail

Title: March 12, 2014 - Ladybug trail

Trail head: South Fork Campground in Sequoia NP

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail:  Ladybug Trail

Destination:  Ladybug Camp

Distance:   3.66 miles*

Start Time:  11:39

End Time:   1:18

Travel Time: 1:39 (2.22 mph)

Moving Time: 1:30 (2.44 mph)

Elevation Rise:  903'

Maximum Elevation: 4,378'

Description:
The motto for this hike comes from John: Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.

We met our Meetup group at 7am at Kohl's and then it is off to Three Rivers and beyond to hike the Ladybug Trail. Getting to Three Rivers is not bad, maybe about 75 minutes. But to get to the trail-head is an adventure in itself-my kind of road. It goes from a reasonable narrow paved road to a reasonable semi-paved road through the Sierra foothills. Then the pavement disappears into a dirt road rutted with runoff cracks. But very drivable without four-wheel drive; it does take us awhile to get there and get on the trail.

South Fork of the Kaweah

The main thing about the South Fork campground is it has an outhouse, tables and firepits. We eventually make use of two out of the three. The Ladybug Trail starts at the far end of the campground and heads out on the south side of the South Fork of the Kaweah River. But within a couple hundred feet, our trail crosses the river--if we went straight we would be heading to Clough Cave, I think. One web site said the trail to Clough was on a westward heading.

About to tackle Boot Hill

The trail starts climbing for a ways, but still pretty gradual. We cross dried Pigeon Creek-not much to write about here, except that it puts us to the base of Bone Hill. Why is is called that? I don't know.  But it does get us going into climb mode. This is where the trail gets a bit dicey. First, there is some rocks which you have to maneuver around-they could be a bit traumatic if you do not watch yourself. But then as we climb, the drop-off on the south side of the trail gets steeper and steeper. Someplace in here, we get the first view of Homer's Nose. Why is it called that? Ask John. With no end to this, a couple of our group decide to go back-which you got to respect their decision as they know their bodies and minds the best. I accompany them back to the car--maybe a little more than a half of a mile. Then I turn around and start back up the trail.

At the top of Boot Hill

Did I tell you that I was carrying a 33 pound backpack on this trip? Just starting to get used to wearing one of those things. But I can tell that I have additional weight on my back as I hit Bone Hill again. I stop to pant a couple of time, but keep up a pretty decent pace above 2.0mph. Hiking alone is not something which I get to do very often. I enjoy hiking both with friends, family and Sherri. But there are times which it is just plain enjoyable to have the solitude of hearing only your own feet planting into the dirt.

That is what I hear until after I cross Squaw Creek when I meet up with Eric on the return trip. He did not think I had been that far behind. Just respond with a smile and exchange pleasantries. Shortly after that the solitude is broken with others returning from Ladybug Camp and the end of where we are hiking today. I still have about half of a mile more when I meet John and Jerry on their return trip. We talk for a few minutes, with them giving me instructions on where to find the only ladybugs up there.

Finally, Ladybugs

About ten minutes more and I come across Ladybug Camp with a nice campfire area and what looks like a couple areas to pitch a tent. But I was told to look for the Whiskey Log Camp sign-that is where they found the ladybugs. About two hundred feet later I see the sign. Where the trail zigs back up the hill, another trail heads to the river. I take the later and find the little knob with the ladybugs on it. A bit disappointing. Maybe it is the drought, or the heat or we are a bit early or late. I do not know. Still seeing the bugs is neat, even if the number is small. I do hunt around a bit more, but do not find any more bugs. I am pretty certain the group has scoured the area and would have said where else to find them.

By the way, this trail, which is not a trail, goes to the river. It is part of an abandoned trail called the Stakecamp Dome Trail. It used to head off to the Stakecamp Dome Ridge, and then continue on to the Garfield/Hockett Trail. But NPS says that the trail is in poor condition and usage is not recommended-sounds like a challenge! Or as John McKinney says in A Walk Along Land's End , We sly hikers know that just because a trail vanishes from the map doesn't mean it vanishes from the face of the earth.

Kaweah River

South Fork of the Kaweah

I turn around and start back. Imagine, it is a lot easier on the lungs hiking downhill than on the way in, uphill. My pace shows. I do need to remember that this walk is for enjoyment, not a race. While there is no roses to stop and smell, there are things to see, sounds to demanding to be listened to and senses to experience.One of the things is just enjoying the Kaweah River as it cascades down. By hurrying I missed the South Fork Kaweah River Falls-it was close to the campsite I saw earlier. For a description, see Ann Marie Brown's book, California Waterfalls.

Squaw Creek

But one thing which I did not miss was Squaw Creek. I glossed over it in my prior description, but I did stop and ponder it then and on the return trip I enjoyed the delicate nature of this creek.  It is a thin stream of water. According to the NPS description, if you go up the creek a ways, it actually disappears, or should I say it appears to provide refreshment to the eyes and soul.

Now it is time to tackle the descent of Bone Hill and  then back to the car. Once again, it is called to mind that the mountains are not made to hurry in. They helped remind me by reaching up and grabbing a toe. Did not fall, but it was the mountains subtle reminder to enjoy the walk.

As I round the curve, I see John and Jerry waiting for me on the bridge, looking very nonchalant. Thanks guys. We walk the remaining trail and find everyone enjoying some good conversations. We go into the campground for some tables and celebrate Donna's birthday-in my pack was a bear canister full of cookies for her. Then it is off to Three Rivers and the Riverview restaurant where I gobbled down a bacon, bacon cheese burger. The drive back to Fresno seemed a lot longer than going to Three Rivers. Must be tired from a good hike.

Token Ladybug

Looking down from where we came

More Squaw Creek

^{*The distance, elevation and time recorded above is the time it took Gary to go from the South Fork Campground to Ladybug Falls. Note: the mph is for Gary, not the group. But Gary returned back to the Campground after going five-eigths of a mile. The time below is for the entire trip Gary did.}

Distance:  4.92 miles

Start Time:   10:15

End Time:     13:18

Travel Time: 3:02 (1.62 mph)

Moving Time: 2:22 (2.08 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,385'

Maximum Elevation: 4,378'