Gary-Summer: March 1, 2019

Friday, March 1, 2019

March 1, 2019 - Burton Road

Title: March 1, 2019 - Burton Road
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Extra Photo's

Trail head: Quail Flat

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail: Burton Road

Destination: None

Actual Destination: Just short of Weston Meadow

Distance: 2.89 miles

Start Time: 12:16

End Time: 2:24

Travel Time: 2:07 (1.37 mph)

Moving Time: 1:30 (1.93 mph)

Elevation Rise: 296'

Descent: 219‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,903'

GPS Tracks

Description:

It’s the first snowshoe of the season for us. Sort of pitiful when I am saying this in March. So it will be short trip. Just not sure where to go. But it will be towards Grant's Grove.

Sherri on snowshoes

But first, I need to run an errand to the tax accountant. Then Sherri finished balancing her credit card. Then Steven filled up the car with gas. Oh rats, forgot somethings so a trip back to house. By the time we leave it is 10:30

Steven is driving so I am relaxing. We get to the park entrance and flash our Golden Age card-I love that part of getting old. We decide to go to Quail Flat and down Burton Road.

Burton Road

We “discovered” Burton Road a few years ago. We went down to the Little Boulder Creek Grove-a fun hike. Then last Winter did this same snowshoe, except starting earlier and going farther. Last Summer the back end was closed due to falling trees, the aftermath of the Rough Fire.

Steven and Gary admiring a view

There are several good things about snowshoeing this road and one annoying thing. The annoying item is that you start by walking down a gentle incline. What’s so bad about that? You are coming back UP the incline. But it is a gentle road to snowshoe, just right for the first of the season. The next item is that not very many people go down it. Next, you catch glimpses of the mountains across the Kings River. Today even saw Mt Goddard-sort of my standard of a good view. Lastly, we saw Buck Rock Lookout.

Mt McGee, Mt Goddard and Clouds

On the later, is a reminder one should look around and enjoy your walk. Going down, we did not catch sight of the Lookout until we had almost reached Weston Meadow. Coming back up, it seemed like Buck Rock was always just a couple glimpses away from viewing. Maybe because I was pausing more coming up?

Buck Rock Lookout in the distance

I had set a 1:00pm stopping time, but in reality it was 1:20 before we did. Sort of what happens with a later start. The concern is that there is a storm coming in later on this afternoon. So I want to get back to the car and heading down the hill before this happens. We can see the ravine where Weston Meadows is, but rather than go down into the ravine, we stop at the top of a small rise. I spy Buck Rock Lookout for the first time on this trip. Maybe it was covered in clouds before? Or I did not stop and notice.

Buck Rock Lookout

The way back is mostly uphill, but not steep. Either I am getting more in shape or this is not that hard-my money is on the later.As alluded to earlier, I was seeing more sights, while definitely breathing more than coming in. Steven must have been feeling more energetic as pretty soon we lost sight of him. The clouds seem like they are hanging a bit lower. We cannot see across the Kings anymore, but Buck Rock is more in view.

Same view as before, but obscured by clouds

About 2:20, we make it back to the car-no storm yet. The last little ways, we sort of had a spurt of energy. Maybe to impress-only ourselves I suspect. As we are taking off the snow shoes, a car pulls up and a guy asks about the snow conditions and road and destinations. Then he leaves.

Steven drives us home. We are all hungry, but decide that going to Fresno to eat sounded more appealing than pizza. So we stop at DiCicco’s in Clovis. I have a meat calzone. Tasted really good after a good first day out.