August 22, 2022 - Indian Basin Grove Loop

 

Title: August 22, 2022 - Indian Basin Grove Loop

Hike Info : Description :   Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Princess Campground

Trail: Indian Basin Grove Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance:  1.1 miles 1

Start Time: 10:20

End Time:  11:10   

Elevation Rise:  145'

Descent: 144‘ 

Maximum Elevation: 5,938'

 ¹Distance and elevation are from Google Earth. The Start and End Times are the approximate times based upon my phone time.

Description:

Beginning of our walk

I got up around 5:30, which seems around the normal time lately. I just mosey around, doing odds and ends until it is time to go. Today I am not anticipating an epic journey, just one of pleasure. I say just not to deride that but more to narrow my focus. John and Cathey are going with us to Indian Basin, where Sherri and I went three weeks ago. It should be about a mile walk on an easy surface with little elevation gain. This is one of those classic situations: do you get your pleasure from the journey or destination? In this case it will be both with our surroundings and the people.

We pick up John and Cathey at 8:30 and are on our way. The conversation is mostly catch-up talk, which is good. We get to Princess campground a little after 10am, after an uneventful ride.Our trail comes out of the campground. The parking area even has its own outhouse-I am noting the important points, you will notice.

Reading a sign: John, Sherri and Cathey

 

 

Over a hundred years ago, this area was logged. Before 180 came through, the Sequoia grove descended from a ridge on the north, down a creek and into the Indian Creek area. But logging left the stumps from many trees close to Indian Creek. Along this part of Indian Creek is a long meadow which goes almost up to Cherry Gap. It is at the western edge of this meadow is where our trail will take us. The basin part of Indian Basin Grove is this whole bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary, the explainer

Our starting temperature is a little above 75, warm but not too warm, yet. The trail starts off paved. It is meant to be an accessible trail for everyone. We just enjoy the smoothness. We are impressed with how much green there is, not only in the trees. but the meadow and even the flowers surrounding us. There are exclamations of wonder at this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stump and flowers

We wander down the path till we reach the first interpretive sign. This would be the first of many. Some of the signs talk about the trees which were lumbered: hence the many giant stumps. There is also who resided here, as well as what animals inhabit the area. And of course, what plant life. While educational, they are places to stop and enjoy the scenery. The trail is easy enough to walk, so there is not much need to rest.

 

 

 

Young Sequoia

There is a shorter loop, which is a half of a mile. We go for the longer loop which changes to a dirt path, not that it makes any difference to us. There is some preference for a dirt path anyway on my part. This dirt path takes us southward, to the end of the main meadow, then it turns into the forest. 

 

The forest gives us a bit of protection from the sun. Not that it is terrible, just at 7,000’ or so, the sun can make its presence known. Also it is a change of green. We are now walking among some Sequoia. Not the old gigantic ones, but the towering young 100 year old. I suspect these came after the loggers left. Even the young ones exude a majesty in the making. They have a symmetry which leaves you in awe. They stand in contrast with the stumps which litter the area. I wonder if they can feel anything. If they can, I do not feel condemnation. But maybe a sorrow that humans with all of our brilliance did not recognize the destruction we were reeking on the creation which God gave us. As Cathey asked, and which I wonder at times, “what are we doing now which in a hundred years my children’s children may say, what were they thinking?”

John, Gary and Cathey on trail

This pretty much brings us back to the parking lot. Even though it is shortly after 11, we break for lunch. A relaxing day with some good friends. By the time noon comes around, we are packed into the car and ready to take off.

 John and Cathey have not been up here this year, so I wander five minutes down the General’s Highway. You start seeing the devastation of the KNP fire from last year. There is a overlook which allows us to view straight into Redwood Canyon. As I park the car, I see smoke.

My lookout senses kick in and start determining where the smoke is and what the description of it is. Sherri tries to reach one of our lookouts, but we are not able to because of lack of cell service. So we drove to Big Stump and contacted Buck Rock. She tells us that Park Ridge reported it this morning. 

 

Smoke in Redwood Canyon

I am thinking that the smoke we are seeing is from last year’s fire-my guess. There have been several smokes spotted this summer in the area. What happens is that embers may get caught in the canopy, just smoldering for a long time. When the heat hits something combustible, we will see the smoke. People just assume that when a fire is out, tht is the end of it. The agency may need to close off an area for several years, both from these smokes, but also that when a fire comes through many trees are standing, but damaged. With the right wind and time, they will fall without warning. It is bad form to have a visitor knocked in the head by a falling tree.

We have now done our duty and can head home. We get back into Fresno by 2:00pm/ John and Cathey are content to have gone and been on a short hike this year. I am content to get back home where I take a nap for a couple of hours. A good day.

Animals

 
Flowers and Plants

Sierra Daisy

Incense Cedar