Gary-Summer: March 19, 2016 - Million Dollar Mile and Beyond

Saturday, March 19, 2016

March 19, 2016 - Million Dollar Mile and Beyond

Title: March 19, 2016 - Million Dollar Mile and Beyond

Trail head: Italian Bar Road

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Million Dollar Road

Destination: Powerhouse #6

Actual Destination: About a mile short of the powerhouse

Distance: 12.89 miles

Start Time: 10:07am

End Time: 3:09pm

Travel Time: 5:02 (2.56 mph)

Moving Time: 4:17 (3.01 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,258'

Maximum Elevation: 2,298'

Redinger Lake

Description:

The morning started off fine enough. We left the house at 6:50 and had a good breakfast at The Train Depot. With a good feeling in our tummies, we head off to Prather and our walk. We get to Prather all right, then things fell apart. As we headed down Audberry Road, we missed our turn off to Jose Basin Road. By the time we figured out we were not where we wanted to be, we were a long ways off of were we should be. So we put in some coordinates around where we wanted to go and headed off to Audberry again. This time, the GPS headed off down towards North Fork. Sigh. By this time we have spent an hour and half wandering around the area. I finally got smart and put an address close to where we wanted to go and we ended up at the Million Dollar Mile trail head. Should not happen again-loaded the trail head into our GPS.

Power Lines

The idea behind this hike is to walk for four hours-two hours each way--and walk the entire road from end to end. That would be a 14+ mile walk. We will see how we do.

By the time we put the first step onto the pavement, it is after 10am and I am tired from driving. But we get rejuvenated as we start walking. Why you might ask? Is it because we are walking along pavement and over steel bridges? I do not think so. How about the steel lines of power from the generators? Not a chance.

First Adit

It is because as we walk along we see streams of water falling over rocks. Wildflowers are blooming in all their colors. Then there are the shear walls of the gorge which the San Joaquin River has cut through the centuries. All of these make it a good walk. We even visit an adit which SCE has been cleaning up the muck and berry vines so we can walk all the way into it rather than being stopped by the thorns of blackberries.

In a little more than an hour, we have traveled 3 1/2 miles to Stevenson Falls. The falls are going strong and with the sunlight shining through, it is refreshing. We stop for a few minute break and munch a Luna bar. Then shove off to the remainder of the road. But we only have 50 more minutes to cover another 3 1/2 miles.

Stevenson Falls

Falls across the canyon

We have not traveled this part of the road, except for once-last year. So we are amazed by the gorge we go through (would you say it is gorgeous?). But that is not the only thing we are in awe of. There is water coming down the rock every couple hundred feet, making the walk seem like lushness on one side and stark on the other. But on our side, there is moss and grass hanging from rock, along with trees hanging over the road. And of course, flowers bring bright spots to these gardens.

Lunch Spot

At the two hour mark, we come to a waterfall, 6.25 miles from the start of our walk. Here we stop and have lunch-peanut butter and nutella sandwiches. It was good and we were refreshed and ready for our walk back. But my legs need to figure out that they have been rested and should be feeling better, rather than stiffing up and feeling old. But as we go, the legs get better, but the feet decide to take over the aching. At the end of the hike, I realize there is a small blister. Also by the time we got home, the legs were stiff and I was tired.

We got to the end of the road around 3pm and picked up a bit of garbage around the car. That is when we noticed a sign, a big sign, which said Road Closed. Did that mean closed to bicycles and walkers or just vehicles. Of course there were other signs talking walkers and bikers to be careful. So I think we are ok. After that we stopped in Prather at the Pizza Factory. Then on to home around 5pm. A good day. (Note: The road is open for walkers and bikes. Just a new sign)