Gary-Summer: June 23, 2022 - Big Meadows to Weaver Lake

Thursday, June 23, 2022

June 23, 2022 - Big Meadows to Weaver Lake

Title: June 23, 2022 - Big Meadows to Weaver Lake
Hike Info : Description : : Menu : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Backpacking

Trailhead: Big Meadows Trailhead

Trail: Weaver Lake Trail

Destination: Weaver Lake

Distance: 3.42 miles

Start Time: 12:16

End Time: 3:38

Travel Time: 3:21 (1.02 mph)

Moving Time: 2:38 (1.38 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,249'

Descent: 166‘

Maximum Elevation: 8,709'

GPS Tracks

Food Preparation at its best-the day before

Description:

Today is a big day for me, and probably for my children. We are going out for the first backpacking trip of the season. I have some questions about how fit I am. Those questions should be answered soon. We will be going out for three days, into the Big Meadows area.

Our Highlander being loaded up

We will not start early. The weather forecast calls for morning showers, but clearing in the afternoon. I still get up pretty early, around 5:40. Last night there was a lot of lightning in our area, but it did not look like there was much going on in the mountains. But this morning, they received some rain and lightning to boot. So my morning lightning report had activity for the first time in two months-go figure. Also there is a possibility of thunderstorms throughout our trip.

Korra eager to get to the trailhead

By 9:45 we are off on our adventure. Sherri’s foot is bothering her, so she is staying home. But I have all three of my children with me: Andrea, Steven and Rachel. Somehow, calling them children when they are all grown up seems so wrong. Yet offspring is impersonal, so I will stick with children until I can come up with something better. This trip should be fun. We stop at Subway for sandwiches to eat before the hike. We get to the Big Meadows Trailhead at 11:45.

We are off: Steven, Korra, Gary, Andrea and Rachel

After eating our sandwiches, we put on our packs and are on our way for the adventure. Our boots touch the trail at 12:30. But first, we get the first of our group shots. A good way to start our trip. We all are happy to be on this trail.

Resting at the Trail Junction

I have been along this path several times, so there is not much new to me. Still it is refreshing to be up here. After dipping down to cross Big Meadow Creek, we start our long steady climb . I am feeling surprisingly well, even though I can feel the climb. After an hour and a half, we came to a creek which comes out of an unnamed lake. It is also the junction between the Jennie and Weaver Lake trails. We talked about what course to take. But everybody but me already thought it was decided.Thankfully, my children are wiser than myself and knew we were going to Weaver Lake.

Mosquito Preperation

Just a word, there are mosquitoes around. They have bit me a few times, but not bad. But Rachel is being attacked, so she puts on her mosquito netting. I think she has the right idea. This is netting she bought in Alaska and it is fully enveloping from the chest to the top of the head.

Looks like Hume Lake has a cell over it

Going on, the trail turns into somewhat of a grind. It is a long, steady up. I am now doing the “well” I was doing earlier. But I am not doing badly either. We talked to a couple who said they saw lightning to the north. There is a cell above Hume Lake which looks like it is giving them a good dowsing. We just have some clouds which are scattered around. (When I got back to Fresno, I saw from my catchup lightning report that there was a lot of activity to the east, along with some to the north and south.)

Arriving at Weaver Lake

There are several groups along the trail. One is from Alaska which sparks both Andrea’s and Rachel’s attention. Andrea has a close friend who lives in Alaska and Rachel recently visited the state. We heard from them that a group of eight students is up ahead of us. It sounds like Weaver has the possibility of being a lively place.

Hammock Haven

By 4:00pm, the lake comes into sight. The first step is to find a campsite. The first one we looked at may have been under a “No Camping” order, The signage is a bit confusing. So we move to the north of the trail and find a very nice looking place to lay our heads. I am the only one with a tent. So I picked a spot to plop it down. Andrea, Steven and Rachel all are in hammocks. They find a spot where all three of them can hook their hanging beds. This hammock haven looks downright cozy. I have agreed that if it does not work out, I would be glad to take in a boarder.

Setting Sun

We rest for a while, then have a filling dinner. Rachel is studying for her CPA exams, so the rest of us go to a ridge to the west of the lake. We can view some of the sunset. We also get a cell signal and call Sherri up. We talked for a while. The group of eight students are spotted. They seem rather peaceful and definitely are quiet. Then, it is time to head back to camp. By 9:00pm, I am in my sleeping bag, reading for a few minutes before falling asleep.