May 2, 2018 - Big Baldy

Title: May 2, 2018 - Big Baldy
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons 

 Trail head: BigBaldy Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Big Baldy Trail

Destination: Big Baldy

Distance:  4.32 miles

Start Time: 9:25

End Time: 12:37

Travel Time:  3:11 (1.36 mph)

Moving Time:  2:25  (1.79 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,089'

Descent: 1,030‘

Maximum Elevation: 8,196'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Another meetup hike with John and Cathey. Sherri has a bike ride scheduled this morning, so she will not be joining us. This may be a good thing as rain, and maybe thunderstorms, are in the forecast this afternoon up here in the mountains. We gather at 7:00am and leave about 7:25am. There are 10 of us in all going. We usually stop at Big Stump for a bathroom break, but the gates are closed so we go on to Grant Grove. I ask about the trail at the Visitor Center, but they have no information, except that the road is open. So off we go.

Ice on Trees

There are two cars parked by the trailhead when we get there. One takes off when we arrive. The other must be out hiking-we do meet him on the trail. It looks like he went about a half of a mile and turned around. It is a bit cold, about 40 degrees. Also there is a layer of snow on the ground, maybe an inch at the most. Just enough to hide the trail in places, but not cover the trail.

Sequoias on Redwood Mountain

We take off at 9:30 with me being in the lead. We will see how long that lasts. I have been on this trail several times and it is not an issue having snow on it. What I see as an issue is that, even though I start off at a 2½ mph pace, as we go up the hill, I can tell my lungs will not keep it up. About ⅔ of a mile, there is a set of branches blocking us going on to the old trail. But where is the new one? Maybe the snow does make it a bit more difficult. But Hagop finds the trail above and I see where the trail does a switchback. But from here on out, I start falling back. Some to take pictures, but also to keep my breathing at a sustainable pace.

Hiking among snow covered trees

Hikers in the snow

 I should say a word about the weather. The forecast has been for the possibility of thunderstorms starting at 11am with the possibility going throughout the afternoon. So we really want to be off of Big Baldy before then. So far, there has been clouds, but not thunderheads or anything which looks like rain. But as we close in on Big Baldy, the clouds start to envelop us. Not the thick, misty kind, but more like the ones which give you about a hundred yards of visibility. So when we get to the top of Big Baldy, the sites are not there.

Views from Today and Four Months Ago

Top of Big Baldy

At the top of Big Baldy, there is not much to see. Hagop tries unsuccessfully to find the radio tower up here. We all take a break and have a bite to eat. I point out where our lookouts would be, if we could see them. So it is time to go back down. Lots easier than going up, at least on my lungs.

Redwood Canyon briefly visible

After starting off towards the front, my picture taking gets me towards the back. So John and I enjoy the companionship known to only those who can appreciate a slower paced walk in the snowy woods. And there has been much to appreciate. Maybe not the views, even though after leaving the top, the clouds part and we can see Big Baldy, Redwood Canyon and Shell Mountain to the southeast of us. But what has made this hike special is the snow in the trees and the thin layer of snow. It is fitting that we enjoy the white world painted before us before the sun of summer comes and melts away this.

Hikers in the Mist

Even as little time as we have been on the trail, much of the snow has melted off of our path. We get to the cars and John’s, The Trail Is Clear rings out. There had been a discussion of adding Buena Vista Peak to our hike. But I have been thinking that we will be able to see exactly what we saw from Big Baldy-the inside of a cloud. Anyway, the idea does not take hold.

Now to figure out where to go to eat. Leslie suggests we go to Twin Valleys Restaurant. Sherri and I have eaten here before. Usually we are hungry enough, or tired enough not to go out of our way home. But the Big Blue Burger I had was pretty decent. After eating, we go back to Fresno and get in a little after 4pm. It has been good to walk with John and Cathey again.

Trail Lesson: No matter what the weather or circumstances, find beauty there.