March 23, 2022 - Kaweah Oaks

 

Title: March 23, 2022 - Kaweah Oaks

Hike Info : Description   Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Kaweah Oaks Preserve Parking area

Trails: Wild Rose Trail, Cottonwood Fitness Trail (Partial), Sycamore Trail, Elderberry Trail 

Distance:  3.42 miles

Start Time: 9:41

End Time:   1:51

Travel Time:  3:15  (1.05 mph)

Moving Time: 1:51   (1.85 mph)

Elevation Rise: 214'

Descent: 215‘

Maximum Elevation: 398'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Two things which I have not done for quite awhile: First hiked with the Central Valley Hiking Group, and second, it was pre-pandemic the last time I was at Kaweah Oaks Preserve. I will be glad to hike again with the group.

Line of Hikers

The Sierra between two burnt trees

 

Blackened log

I arrived at Eddie’s Bakery right at 8:15-I meant to get here a few minutes earlier, but we are having tree trimmers and I got delayed a little bit. As soon as I arrived, we took off to go to the Preserve. It is just under an hour drive. I am going alone since COVID may still be present, even though all are vaccinated. I want to lessen the chances of catching it and spreading it to Sherri after her surgery.

We get to Kaweah Oaks Preserve around 9:30, filling up the parking lot. A few of us parked along the road shoulder outside the lot. Once we got all together and greeted each other, John called us to gather together. With the size of our group, John splits us into two groups: John heading up one group and his wife Cathey the other. John calls me over to join his group. So off we go.

Crossing a flow control area

While Cathey’s group goes off on the Buttonwillow trail, we head straight up the road, about a quarter mile. There are some bathrooms there which we stop at briefly. Then we head north to get to the Sycamore Trail. I am towards the back with John leading the charge. Robert and I talk for a while. He spends his summer in Yellowstone working. Sherri and I were there in September, but our paths did not cross.

Back to the trail. The trail loops around. About six years ago, a fire burnt through this area, so there are a collection of blackened trees. While that can be depressing, there is something about the starkness of these trunks against a blue sky or the background of the Sierra Nevada. Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of wildflowers. We at the back, having gotten lapped before we go through the cattle gate, denoting the end of the loop.

 

 

 

 

 

Johnson Slough

But this is where John calls me forward and has me go ahead find the shortcut over to the Cottonwood Fitness Trail. This is a bit of a “well duh” time as the shortcut is more of a lightly used road than a trail. This is a straight shot to the west, Somehow, I end up towards the back again. But this allows me to see a Great Blue Heron flapping across in front of us, about 20; off the ground.

When we get to another gate, John has me go ahead. We pass through more downed trees and see some elderberries away from the trail. We walk beside a creek. The good thing about these loops is each has its own characteristic. Wild Rose’s is how overgrown it is with vines and berry plants. The Sycamore Loop we have talked about already. The Elderberry Trail, which we are about to go on and there are elderberries on it, just coming out with little white blossoms. 

 

 

Vines on trees

And we come to another gate and head east. There is one more loop for us to do-the Wild Rose Loop, mentioned before. There is another loop right by the Wild Rose, the Grapevine, but it appears to be closed today. But back to the Wild Rose loop. We cross over a couple flow control dams and then onto the trail proper. At certain times of the day, earlier than we are walking it today, the area has made me think of how the earth must have looked a few days after it was created. This happens when the early morning sun filters through the hanging vines. But today, we are closing in on noon and there is the brightness and definition which comes with it. But there are also a few berry flowers which grace the floor around our feet.

 

 

Crossing a flow control

We make our way across the couple of locks, which we suppose should be directing the flowing water, but the dry gravel does not seem to be flowing, so there is no action to observe. We just gingerly walk across the tops of them and then back to where the bathrooms are.

Close to the bathrooms are a set of picnic tables. And since the time is closing in on noon, we break out the food and enjoy a bit of after hike companionship. Then as the air is heating up and people have things to do this afternoon, we breakup after having a good hike. Before I go, I talk with Ken from Three Rivers a bit. He used to be a docent here. I think he is a bit like me in that he accumulates tidbits of information. Not only am I interested in hearing a bit more about Kaweah Oaks, but if he has knowledge of the flume which is to the south of Ash Mountain. He has hiked it recently and says the flume is good, but the KNP Complex fire has done a number on anything wood. So there are places to scramble up and down now. The flume itself is filled with mud in spots. But the trail going along the flume is being rebuilt even now. That is good news.

Ken and I are the last to leave the parking area. It is 1pm and I have a 45 minute drive back to Fresno. When I get back around 2pm, our tree trimmers are just finishing up, so I get to talk a bit with Alan. And now to rest for the rest of the day.

 
Flowers and Plants