Gary-Summer: June 25, 2020

Thursday, June 25, 2020

June 25, 2020 - Nelder Grove

Title: June 25, 2020 - Nelder Grove
Hike Info : Description : Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: Road split by gate to Nelder Grove

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail: Bull Buck and Chimney Tree Loops, and the California Tree Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance: 3.04 miles

Start Time: 12:17

End Time: 3:15

Travel Time: 2:57 (1.03 mph)

Moving Time: 1:50 (1.60 mph)

Elevation Rise: 472'

Descent: 427‘

Maximum Elevation: 5,525'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I got up a bit later today and read. Steven and Korra leave on their walk a bit later as well. When everyone gets up we have breakfast. That would be granola for me with the others, a combination of cereal and leftovers made into sort of a breakfast burrito. Not bad.

Lawrence on his slackline

This morning we need to break down our campsite. It has been a good couple of days being with Andrea and Lawrence at Chilkoot Campground. But first, we lounge around the campsite, enjoying each other. Well, not everybody is lounging around. Lawrence is balancing on a slackline.

I do not think anybody wants to leave. But somebody will be in here this evening. But we do not want to just leave. So going on another hike seems to be in order. After yesterday, not at Bass Lake. We talked about various places and decided that Nelder Grove would be good.

Steven and Kurro hammocking

We take down and pack everything in. I was a little bit concerned about packing our car. Usually when we go someplace, I can pack it pretty efficiently. But coming back, it is more chaotic. I am pleasantly surprised that there was more space in the car than when we came up. Did we really eat that much food?

Closed Campgorund sign

Onward to Nelder Grove. We turn off of Road 10. onto 6S47. Usually the gate is open all the way into the Grove. But the campground is not open, so we get to walk another half of a mile. The campground host was coming out when we came in and we greeted him, then walked up to the exhibits. Also an element of play sprouts up.

There is a short trail which I have not been on before. It goes to the Big Ed Tree and the California waterfall. As waterfalls go, not too impressive. Still nice. Big Ed is something to gander. I do notice it will be another hot one today along this path.

US-Lawrence, Gary, Steven, Sherri and Andrea

Bull Buck Tree

We get back to the road and head up towards the trailhead area. We continue on and go through the campground area and hit the Bull Buck Tree Trail. Here we have a discussion-go clockwise and take about a quarter mile to get to the Bull Buck Tree or go half of a mile counter-clockwise and get to the same place. So which do you think we did? You are right, counter-clockwise. Which is good, it is an enjoyable walk. We meet a few people, some without masks. We step off the trail aways so as not to breath their exhaust-we do have masks on.

Hikers by a Sequoia

One stump from late 1800's

The Bull Buck Tree always provides your money’s worth. One of the grand trees of the Sierra, even though it is not listed as one of the biggest. We have lunch at the viewing area. Andrea’s comment warms my heart when she notes this is the second day in a row which I have picked out an excellent lunch spot.

We go a little more down the loop then take off on the Chimney Tree Loop. The dogwoods are just starting to fade, but they still show their beauty. While still warm, this trail is well shaded. I mosey along at my new, slow pace, not cleverly disguised by taking pictures. But there is a lot to appreciate from the flowers to the trees.

Korra, Lawrence and Andrea at Chimney Tree

The Chimney Tree lives up to its name and a series of pictures are taken. Now it is a short ways back to the road. While the road has some shade, it definitely is not cooler. I feel the heat and it wears me down a bit. But it is not a long walk back to the car. Also it is downhill.

Once back at the car we have a short goodbyes-short because we will meet again in Oakhurst to gas up. It has been a good 48 hours-seems short, and long. But definitely something I am glad we did.

When we get to Oakhurst, there is a question about how the Fresno group will pay for the gas? We think some of our wallets are packed away. I do find my credit card. We say bye to Andrea and Lawrence and head back to Fresno. When we get back to Fresno, We get a call from our bank. Our wallet had been found and is at Bass Lake. Too late to go up tonight-sounds like a tomorrow trip to recover the wallet. Life is rough, isn’t it?

Background

Big Ed Tree: This tree is named after Ed Zerlang, a Soquel Mill foreman and was Ed's favorite giant sequoia, From Wikipedia. Also see the Hikespeak blog.

Bull Buck Tree.During the logging in the 1800s, the felling foreman or woods boss was called the “Bull Buck.” The woods boss told the crew to preserve the magnificent tree for posterity. The Bull Buck Tree was so named because its size made it boss of the woods. From the Friends of Nelder Grove.

Chimney Tree. This tree has a burned out center, but the outer shell of the tree is still living. From the Friends of Nelder Grove.

Extra Photo's