August 31, 2014 - Copper Creek Trail

Title: August 31, 2014 - Copper Creek Trail

Trail head: Roads End

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Copper CreekTrail

Destination: Upper Tent Meadow

Actual Destination: The Lip

Distance: 16.0 miles

Start Time:  7:05am

End Time:   8:30pm

Travel Time: 13:24 (1.19 mph)

Moving Time: 7:22 (2.17 mph)

Elevation Rise: 5,273'

Maximum Elevation: 10,366'

Description:
What a hike! As Fritz says, one vertical mile we climbed today, and he did a little bit more.

We get up at 6 and have breakfast. Sherri has decided to hike over to Mist Falls while we, that is Fritz and I, do our hike up Copper Creek. The last time I have been down, or should I say up, this trail was when my family climbed over from the Middle Fork of the Kings, back in the late 60's or early 70's.

Upper Kings Canyon at Daybreak

We get on the trail just a little after 7. This is good because Kings Canyon promises to be hot today. We are able to start in the shadows. I think the first miles, even though pretty well graded, are the steepest. Traveling at a steady 2 mph pace, we have climbed a thousand feet before we know it. But I am feeling like this will not be maintained all day long. 

A good thing about a climb like this is that you soon see the sides of the canyon. Kings Canyon is one of those places which can only be partially appreciated from the floor. As we climb up the sides we see the Sphinx and Avalanche Peak. Even higher up, we can see the cut which Roaring River passes through.

Fritz and Gary

There are several creeks which still have water in them. I am surprised as I thought even the main creeks like Copper may be dried up. The gurgling sound is always pleasant to the ear, unless it comes from your Camelback, which thankfully it does not today. Someplace after Lower Tent Meadow I start losing gas. I am stopping more often and for longer times. But Fritz is patient with me-I think he enjoys the company. Probably several factors: we are climbing steeply, our pace has been-not obsessive but more than I can now keep up, then because we are going up, we have less oxygen to breath.

Mt Hutchings

We pass a couple SLO women returning from back packing at Upper Tent Meadow. A good conversation. Then when we get to Upper Tent Meadow, we see a couple who will pass us in a few minutes. Friendly folk, besides, talking-and listening, I am able to catch my breath without stopping looking too bad. We sort of leap-frog for a while. They take our pictures and we theirs. Then a day hiker passes us, we find the secret to this trail. We need to be in the Zone! Right now, I am glad to be on my feet.

Fritz descending into the Granite Basin

But eventually, we get to The Lip, at 10347'. This is a ridge which divides Copper Creek from the Granite Lake basin. Nice views, but obstructed by trees.  Mt Hutchings is right before us with the Roaring River basin behind it. On our side, we can see some of the Granite Lakes. We have our lunch. Then Fritz wants to go down into it. I am still pretty tired so he goes on by himself. I wait on top. I snooze on and off, then write in my blog. After awhile I go down about a quarter mile to see if I can see him. No good, so I return and write some more.

Granite Basin

Then things started to go south. Fritz did not return. But I am thinking that  Fritz is still in Granite Basin. I wait and think that if there is a turn around time of 3:00pm then he may be back around 4:30. So I sit around and wait and write and play. At 4:25 I hear a shout and it is  the hiker we saw earlier today-The Zone hiker. He and Fritz had met on the trail and he had come up after me. What a guy!

Copper Creek and Avalanche area

So down I went. By this time I know the hiker's name is Gene. Fritz had gone down to find me while Gene came up to see if I was still on The Lip-I was. So I walked down with Gene and found out he is from Fresno and we had some friends in common. He is part of our hiking meetup group and knows some of the people I hike with. Pleasant chat, plus a good pace going down-it is easier.

Got back down around 7:30, to the relief of everyone. 

Upper Kings Canyon in the Evening

Trail Lesson:

Struggling during a hike is good. It gives a chance for others to be gracious.

 

Grand Sentinel

Mt Hutchings and beyond

Mt Hutchings

Lower Granite Basin

Pass above Granite Basin

August 30, 2014 - North Grove Loop and Dead Giant Loop

Title: August 30, 2014 - North Grove Loop and Dead Giant Loop

Trail head: General Grant Tree parking lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: North Grove Loop and Dead Giant Loop

Distance:  2.91 miles

Start Time:  4:55pm

End Time:   6:10pm

Travel Time: 1:14 (2.36 mph)

Moving Time: 1:11 (2.46 mph)

Elevation Rise:  622'

Maximum Elevation: 6,288'

Description:
We are getting a late start and I am getting a bit frustrated. But we do get up to Grant Grove and meet Fritz around 4:20. Fritz is a person who we met on the JMT last year and have kept in contact with. A very knowledgeable guy about the hiking trails in California. I suspect he has read, if not owns, all trail books ever written about our area.

Fritz and Gary

We decide to do a couple short trails. The first is a loop out of the General Grant Tree parking lot, called the North Grove Loop. We have hiked it several times and have even skied it as well.  It is a pleasant walk among the elder trees, the Sequoia's. We go counter-clockwise and start our descent. For such a simple trail, it seems like it descends so steeply. During the Spring it is reviving to me seeing all the green. But now the Fall is close by, the plant life is preparing to go dormant. Still the Sequoia's reign tall and allows me to ponder outside my narrow confines of thought.

Dead Giant

As we round the lower western edge of the loop, we enjoy the leveling of the trail. Here the trail shows signs that the road this once was is fading away. So it is of all things mankind makes. It is only dust in the wind. That is the works of man. But man is more than his works and so will work out his mortality with the Creator of all.

As we come to the end of is section, we start on the second trail-The Dead Giant. For this trail we hike about a quarter mile to the start of its loop. We take the loop clockwise. A pleasant walk and we soon get to the overlook of Sequoia Lake. Enjoyable view. Way off in the distance we think we see Delilah lookout, where Sherri and I have volunteered at. Then off we go to finish our hike. We pass the Dead Giant and return back to the North Grove Loop trail. A short time later we are back to the cars.

A log I have always liked

Once in the cars, we go down to Cedar Grove with Fritz. We get into the lodge-thanks Fritz! Then go down  and get a tri-tip dinner. Then it's time to discuss tomorrow's plans and hen off to bed.

August 27, 2014 - White Chief Mine

 

Title: August 27, 2014 - White Chief Mine

Trail head: Eagle Lake

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: White Chief Mine Trail

Destination: White Chief Mine

Distance: 6.04 miles

Start Time:  9:11

End Time:    4:01

Travel Time: 6:49 (0.89 mph)

Moving Time: 4:41 (1.29  mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,038'

Maximum Elevation: 9,554'

Description:
We got up this morning and had a pancake and bacon breakfast. Rob and Robert, our camp mates, and us take off to go to the Eagle/Mosquito Lakes trail head, where we meet John and Cathey around 9. The five of us are the "A Team" and start a head of everyone else. John stays back to wait for the rest of the meetup team. I think they get there a little before 10.

A Team

Kaweah River Valley

The first mile or so is a gradual up. We are rising above the East Fork of the Kaweah and see the trail to Farewell Gap. It is good looking down this canyon. Our group s doing pretty well, which is surprising to me, with the altitude and stuff. A little after a mile, we come to the Eagle and Mosquito Lakes trail junction. We still have not been caught which gives us a feeling of, hey, we are hiking pretty good! Not that ones hike is ever judged by the speed. I judge my hikes by how much I enjoyed the hike, whatever the component: beauty, exercise, friendship or just the plain joy of experiencing God's world.

Rainbow Peak

But now we are on the section of the trail which does some serious ascension. The trail get seriously steeper and the breathing is more labored, with stops more frequent. Rob is setting a good pace for us as he gauges our struggles. This section is where the lead hikers of the late group first appear with Lee F and Daniel in the lead. But I noticed that there s a nice sheen of sweat on them, as well as the succeeding groups of our meetup hikers-they are laboring as much as we are. Almost all of the meetup group gladly enjoy the chocolate covered espresso beans from the Jelly Belly Factory, when offered.

 Usually with Sierra mountains, when you struggle, there is a reward. In this case with the strong ascension, we are able to see the upper granite lined basins around Mineral King. Such beauty is so good to experience.  A couple creeks coming down the side of Farewell Canyon into the East Fork of the Kaweah River reminds me of Kuna Creek dropping into Lyell Canyon in Yosemite-it is that beautiful.

Ruins of Crabtree's Cabin

As we top the lip of our side of the canyon, we become the last group again, our rightful place. The walking become milder, even though there is less oxygen. Walking through a little high Sierra valleys is always fun for me-it arouses my sense of wonder. As we round one corner, I realize this is where the map says the site of Crabtree's cabin is, so I walk the 40' off the trail and find the remains of a couple pipes, what looks like a ladder and the corner of the cabin. Nobody else wanders off the trail with me. So I get to reflect on the passing nature of us all.

Meadow above the lip

But this moment of reflection only lasts that long, a moment. Off I go and quickly catch up with my group. We trudge along, gently gaining elevation, appreciating that Crabtree did this day in and day out to go to his mine. The pockets of trees on top of the ridges give pleasant relief to the rock surrounding us. We finally break out into the final walk to the mine. We cross the small creek we have been following and climb to the White Chief Mine's entrance. The entrance is above a tailings dropping in white rock. This is not your dingy mine, but one which would appeal to a person of taste. The mine is open to the public and safe to walk the full 150' length. Many of us have headlights so we can explore. Others in our group go further on up the trail about 400' above to explore the basin below White Chief Peak.

Into the Mine

Back to the Mine Opening

Mine Opening

Descending from Mine

But we  start down the trail we came up on. It is a repeat in reverse of us going up. But this time our group stops and gawks at the ruins to Crabtree's cabin. Then it is off down the steeper slope. Jean, a new hiker, both to our group and to the hiking experience falls in with us slow ones and we chat for a ways about hiking, it's equipment and enjoyment. Judy, another hiker new to our group, but one of those who went to the upper basin briefly chats with us before running off. 

We all make it in. Sherri, Rob, Robert and I go to our camp, gather stuff up and take off to John and Cathey's cabin in Silver City. Most of the group has gathered around the shop for pie and enjoy the time. Then most hurry off back to Fresno. But some of us enjoy Cathey and John's hospitality and the chili beans. Good talking with them and a pleasant way to end our hike.

Cathey, Jean and Rob

Rainbow Mountain

Juniper

August 26, 2014 - Monarch Lake Trail

Title: August 26, 2014 - Monarch Lake Trail

Trail head: Timber Gap Parking Area

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Monarch Lake/Sawtooth Pass

Destination: Monarch Lake

Actual Destination: 9,800' level, about a mile before Monarch Lakes

Distance: 6.67 miles

Start Time:  11:30

End Time:     5:16

Travel Time: 5:46 (1.16 mph)

Moving Time: 3:43(1.80 mph)

Elevation Rise: 2,0

Maximum Elevation: 9,778'

View of Farewell Gap area and Parking Lot

Description:
I got in a good walk this morning. Walked up to the a Eagle/Mosquito Lakes Trail head. Then I came down the nature trail back to camp. A pretty good walk, while watching the morning shadows being replaced by light. Sherri was just getting up. We finished our pancake breakfast around 9:30 and cleaned up our camp. Talked with the ranger about the area. Then went over to the ranger station to see if they had suggestions for us. We finally decided to go toward Monarch Lakes.

Monarch Creek

Around 11:30 we start off. In the first half mile, the cars look small. We have gone up 600' and have reached the trail junction with Timber Gap. We go right and our climb becomes more moderate. Make no mistake, we still are going up, but the trail seems almost gentle in comparison. We are exposed some to the sun, but today is a good hiking day.

Trail up towards Monarch Lake

With the trail rising, the sight of the southern part of Mineral King come into view, including where White Chief Mine is, our hike with the meetup group tomorrow. Also Sawtooth looms bigger in front of us. We cross Monarch Creek and find a nice spot for lunch. While having lunch, several groups come by-until now we had not seen very many, but it seems like everybody was deserting the backcountry, or at least completing the Monarch Loop.

Mineral King

As we go up, we get some nice views of the Mineral King  area. A division of low greenery and ragged mountain tops-country I like. But the afternoon is getting late and we did not start early enough to make it to Monarch Lake. Our 3pm turn around time looms as we get to the 9,800' level.

Sawtooth Peak

From 9,800' we turn around and head back, making pretty good time. When we cross Monarch Creek, there is a little trail heading north. I think it may go to a little mound to get an overlook, but the view is only ok. But the trail goes on and looks like it may continue up to Sawtooth Pass-something to look into. I turn around and catch up with Sherri. Before long, we are back at the car. 

Sawtooth Peak

Sawtooth Pass

Monarch Creek Area

When we return back to Cold Springs Campground, Rob has joined us. Sherri and I go on to Silver a City and gave a pleasant dinner with Cathey and John. By the time we return, Robert B has joined our campsite. After talking for a few minutes, it is time to crawl in my sleeping bag for a good night sleep.



 

Sawtooth Pass

White Chief Area

Sherri on way down

Parking Lot