Gary-Summer: November 24, 2020

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

November 24, 2020 - Balconies

Tittle: November 24, 2020 - Balconies
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail: Old Pinnacles, Balconies Trails
Destination: West Entrance Area
Distance: 7.54 miles
Start Time: 9:42
End Time:  3:06
Travel Time:  5:23 (1.40 mph)
Moving Time:  4:19 (1.75 mph)
Elevation Rise: 1,103'
Descent: 949‘
Maximum Elevation: 1,480'

GPS Tracks

Description:

I reluctantly got up at 7:00am this morning. It is cold, even colder than yesterday. Anyplace where there was a liquid has now a layer of ice. The valves on our water jugs are locked frozen. We have plenty of water from other sources. We could even stoop to going and getting camp water.

Andrea agrees with me about how cold it is. We hurriedly get water heated up for tea for her. Then a pot of almond milk goes on. The warm almond milk and granola gets our interiors warmed up. We clean up and pick up camp. By about 9:30 we leave the Pinnacles Campground for the Old Pinnacle Trailhead. Andrea drives us with the windows open and our masks on-COVID prevention. Fortunately it is starting to warm up.

First look at the Balconies

We picked going over to the West Entrance via the Balconies Trail. Why might you ask? I had suggested on the list of trails we could do the North Chalone Peak Trail, but Andrea pointed out that it is a 2,000’ gain-do I really want to do that? Or how about the North Wilderness Trail? Looks like it is 11 miles or so. I guess I had better get in better shape if I am going to think big. This is “only” about 7½ to 8 miles. I should be able to do it. Sherri and I did it several years ago, so I should be able to walk it, I hope.

We started out on the Old Pinnacle Trail. 50+ years ago in Boy Scouts, we camped close to this trailhead-there used to be a campsite here. Also Sherri, Dennis, Bonnie and I camped here when we were going together and was driven out of the Sierra when a snowstorm hit. So this area has history with me, not only enjoyment.

Gate closed to the Balconies Caves

The trail goes on a gradual incline, following the West Fork of the Chalone Creek. Even though we are starting close to the same elevation as yesterday, the whole character is different. We had read a sign about how the various rifts affect the environment. This is where it becomes evident. After hiking about a mile or so, we come to the junction for the North Wilderness Trail. When I ask the question about routes, Andrea has that look of “Really, Dad?” So we continue on towards the Balconies Caves. But as we suspected, the trail through the caves is closed, I think due to COVID-19 precautions. I suspect it is because of the closed places where there is minimal air flow and very little ways to distance oneself from anybody else. But I also saw a notice-I do not know how recent-that there had been rockslides in the caves. So that means the Balconies Trail, here we come.

Balconies on the right

The trail heads back north and east, and more importantly, up. Andrea moves ahead so that I can take off my mask. I think she hopes that if I can breathe better I might go faster-fat chance. But I do go up at a steady, slow pace. The morning is cool enough that the climb is not too bad. Andrea, well, she is just rocketing up.

Andrea standing tall

As we go up,we see more of the areas around us and where we came from. The “we” is that Andrea is ahead, but waits for me occasionally. There are people on the trail today. I would say above 90% are masked and are pretty courteous allowing for people to pass by off the trail. The thing which is missing today is the parade of color. Today’s form of attractiveness is in rock, sky, shrub, and landscape.

F-Bombing Gary

As we closed in to the top, Andrea came to a rock which had a good view looking east. She climbed out on it. As I came along, she invited me out as well. I did more of a crawl than being elegant. A pleasant enough place to have a snack, in this case a F-Bomb-not that kind of thingy, but an energy squeeze container. To get down off the rock, I went over the side and was able to gently lower myself.

Andrea and Gary

The trail on top is flat and we walk right under the Balconies. Towards the end, the trail goes down a ravine, doing a few zig-zags. It reminds me of a mini Walter’s Wiggles trail in Zion. Down we go -certainly easier this way than going up. But we will go up it again.

Lunch View

Balconies and Trail from West

In my memory, the walk to the west entrance was more of a hop, skip and a jump. My legs must have been longer then as it took me a while to get there, not that I was terribly slow, except compared to Andrea. The trail was a gradual incline through boulders-not the caves and then out into a broader grassy area. After about half of a mile, we come to a picnic area where we have lunch and a rest.

After stopping for about half an hour, enjoying a bit of the sun, we are ready to go back. Once my legs start working again, I make a fairly reasonable effort at faking being a hiker. We retreated down the same trail we came up. Being in a canyon, there are a great many shadows.

Last before the car

Once we reach the Balconies Trail, Andrea scampers ahead while I am more leisurely in my ascent. At one point, I retreated a few steps so a family could safely pass me. As I get up to Andrea, I see that she has found a good way and place to wait for me-reading a book. She does not look up, but knows I have passed her by.

Andrea catches up with me when the Balconies Trail levels off. We stop for another break to observe this fork of the Chalone Creek. A nice view on a good day of hiking. And then down to the trail which goes to the cave. For some reason, I thought that it was only a mile back to the car once we reached the gate blocking us from the caves. But it is more like 2+ miles. So by the time we reached the car, I was dragging. But I still made it and in reasonably good shape.

Cooking by lantern

Once we got back to camp, it was time to get long sleeves on and settle into the good ol’e camp chair and read. Life is good. Dinner is a skillet dish we have at lookout. Andrea conjures up some bread with seasoning on it. really tastes good. Contentment reigns after the meal. The new warmer still does not light. But the one warmer does its job. We play some rounds of Boggle which Andrea whips me at. Then she teaches me a new card game called Archeology. She wins one and I the second round. By this time, cold is settling in and we head towards our tents for our final night. It is late for our camping, but still only 8:00pm.