Gary-Summer: March 31, 2021 - Azalea Trail Snowshoe

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

March 31, 2021 - Azalea Trail Snowshoe

Title: March 31, 2021 - Azalea Trail Snowshoe
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Trail head: South Boundary Trailhead

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing
Trail: Azalea and Park Ridge Trails
Destination: Park Ridge Lookout
Distance: 5.83 miles
Start Time: 9:33
End Time: 5:02
Travel Time: 7:28 (0.78 mph)
Moving Time: 6:04 (0.96 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,465 '
Descent: 1,503‘
Maximum Elevation: 7,550'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Start of Azalea Trail

Betty and Rose have commitments this Wednesday. Sherri and I got our second vaccine Sunday. I ended up with just a sore arm, but it has taken a lot out of Sherri. So I am the sole remaining hiker for this Wednesday’s hike. So what do I want to do? I figure there might be three places depending on what I find:

Buena Vista Peak-the one we did earlier
Road up to Panorama Point
Azalea Trail-This is my preference as I am pretty confident I will be the only one on it.

I leave a bit later than I was hoping at 8:15. It is a clear day without much issues going up. Above Dunlap there is a prescribed burn going on McKenzie Ridge

Waterfall on log

, but I do not see smoke. I get into the park at 9:00. The beginning of the Azalea Trail is the entrance into the South Boundary Trail/Needle Dump road. There is a wide area to park, so I stop here to see about walking it. It looks like the first part is mostly dirt with patches of snow. So this is what I will do today.

Snow covered trail above the creek

The first part of the trail is about half and half dirt and snow. But the snow is set up pretty well, so no need to put on the snow shoes. I go up pretty well and my lungs can feel it. After about ⅜ th of a mile, the snow becomes more continuous, so I put on my snowshoes. Shortly afterwards, I come to a tributary of Sequoia Creek-the one Ella Falls is on. There has always been a nice little creek here. A log has fallen across it a long time past so the water trickles underneath it, creating a peaceful waterfall-one which you might like in your garden.

Final Hill

The trail crosses the creek, with a nice little platform bridge. On the other side of the creek, I come across some coyote tracks-I think they are a bit smallish, but then again, I am no judge. It does remind me that even though I am hiking by myself, I may not be alone.

About ten minutes later, I hear a single bark, maybe hundred yards away. That really means I am not alone, am I? But that was the last definite sign that something else besides the birds were around me. I kept imagining I heard something throughout the hike, but when I would stop, I would only hear the sound of my breathing.

Park Ridge Lookout

It has been a pretty easy path to follow, even if the route is covered by snow. Of course, I have been up this trail several times, and I look for signs which I know, such as a fallen tree or notches in the ground. I do feel the grade and stop to take in breath.

Shell Mountain

Eventually the trail leaves the creek and starts climbing the ridge. I know that it will be a pretty good rise from here to the saddle. It is a pretty continuous climb, some of it is exposed so I wonder if I will be taking off my snowshoes again. In the meantime, it is really nice walking up this slope, enjoying the view over the trees, not seeing distance yet.

Bald and Bear Mountains

When I come to the long switch back up to the saddle, there is a large tree across the path-both sides of trail has bush or is pretty steep. I am not sure I can easily get under the tree either. I decide to go around and down the log. While doable, it did drain a lot of energy out of me. But I continue on. Shortly afterwards, there is a long stretch of dirt. So off comes the snowshoes. I walk the last quarter of a mile up to the saddle this way.

It is time for lunch-my peanut butter sandwich. I noticed that I have pretty good cell service-wonder if it is from Wilsonia? I give Sherri a call and I discuss the situation. I am feeling pretty tired, but not sure how I will be after I have lunch. If I do, then I will not make it back to Fresno like I said by 4pm. It has been a lot harder than I expected.

Patterson Bluffs

After resting up for twenty minutes, talking with Sherri, I decide to continue on. After I have done the climb right? And how far away is it? Well in retrospect, my mind may have been clouded by optimism! I decided that going via the road would be easier than trying to follow the trail. I am not so sure now. A little ways up the road, I come across another fallen tree. Not an issue going over this one. Just noted it as I think SEKI might want to know, particularly if service people need to come up here.

Buena Vista Peak-left lower, Mt Silliman

There are thoughts of, Should I turn around? I am feeling the energy draining from me. My steps are getting heavy which means I am more plodding instead of stepping. On the other hand, I am really close. Fortunately there is some eye candy of the ranges to the east and north. A couple of familiar curves and I know I am really close. one last hill to climb. I do note a nice field of snow-maybe coming back that would be a shortcut back to the trail.

North Guard, Mt Brewer-Thunder Mt on Right

Finally, the last pull up the hill to Park Ridge Lookout. The destination does not disappoint. During the summer, our field of view is mostly down into the foothill communities with some views of the mountains to the east and south. But usually there is a haze to dampen our enjoyment in these directions. But today, the air is clear in those directions and the view is magnificent! Even though it is warm, the air is not hazy, the mountains have snow on them, and everything is in sharp relief. So glad I made it all the way up here. I tried to call Sherri-no answer. But in the message I left, I was wondering about being stationed up here during the winter-it is that good.

I rest awhile. It will be a long trip back. Either way, it will be some uphill which I am not looking forward to. That is what makes that long snow field I passed on the way up so inviting. But after checking the topo map, I decided that I could also run into considerable trouble as parts of it look pretty steep. So instead of taking the road back, I will take the trail back to the saddle. Even though there is an initial rise, once there, it is mostly close to level until I drop into the saddle.

Buck Rock Lookout

I thought I would be smart and go up a ways and contour the hill and save a few feet of climb. But I am too smart for myself and now get to circumnavigate fallen logs. I decide it is better to climb up the trail. It is better up there, but being the top I need to pick my way to maximize the snow and avoid rock. It may have been better to trudge along the road. Still it is good to go over different terrain. Just wish I was less tired so I could really enjoy the wonder and wander of being up here alone. Finally the hill drops off and I go down into the saddle.

I stop to rest a few minutes and find out I have lost my Moleskine with my notes. Oh well. I call Sherri and discuss what I am going to do. I have decided to go down the Manzanita Trail a little way-boots on, snowshoes off. There is a ridge which drops down to the Azalea Trail, if I work it right. Sherri says she trusts me. The one thing I do not like about this plan, is that these are my snow boots, not hiking boots, so I am not sure how the traction will be or if I will tear up the soles of the boots. Still I am not wild about either the extra distance of going to the Visitor Center which is where the Manzanita Trail leads, or navigating around the fallen log on the Azalea Trail. So I go with this plan.

Park Ridge where the Azalea Trail climbs up

This is an exposed ridge so it is a dry, well at least without snow on it. The slope is not bad and I make pretty fast time down it. Also feeling surprisingly refreshed. Maybe going without trail is my fountain of youth? Towards the end of the ridge, it will drop off steeply so I start looking for the trail to my left. Before long, I think I see a few markings of where I think the trail should be-no visual on the trail. There is a nice gradient here, so I head down. When I get to the creek, no immediate visual, but after a few minutes, I see it across the trail-success! I put on my snowshoes again.

I make pretty good time down the rest of the trail. About ⅜’s of a mile before the end, I take off the snowshoes-about the same place I put them on coming up. Even though the feeling of tiredness has returned, I make good time back to the car. It is 5pm. I guess I have totally blown my 4:00pm return to Fresno. I text Sherri and am off, arriving back to Fresno at 6:30, tired-obviously, and hungry. I eat during the family Zoom call. Then take a shower. Good to be back home.