Gary-Summer: January 20, 2023

Friday, January 20, 2023

January 20, 2023 - Big Stump

Title: January 20, 2023 - Big Stump
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Big Stump Parking Lot

Trail: Big Stump Trail

Destination: None-only going to go for an hour

Actual Destination: Big Stump Meadow

Distance: 0.85 miles

Start Time: 2:47

End Time: 3:56

Travel Time: 1:08 (0.75 mph)

Moving Time: 0:45 (1.14 mph)

Elevation Rise: 276'

Descent: 194‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,326'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Gary's new snowshoes

I got up at 7 and am hoping that I can go on a brief snowshoe walk sometime today. It will depend on the weather-not so much will there be rain, but how icy will the roads be?. I have not been up this season, so I am interested in doing two things: just getting snow under my feet and getting the snowshoes my children gave me on top of some snow.

Sherri following Gary's tracks

I spent the morning just doing this and that, Then had lunch. By 1pm, Sherri and I are off, I am hoping to go up Millwood Road and meet enough snow to walk on, The drive past Dunlap is uneventful. Millwood is in pretty good condition, even when it turns into a dirt road. But when we come to Mike’s house, the road is covered with snow, but not deep enough to put snowshoes on for. So we turn around and head towards Big Stump.


Gary

The Path

As we get close to the Park, the road is covered in places with snow. There was a sign saying chains required, except if you have 4-Wheel Drive. I hope this included All Wheel Drive, because we continue on without chaining up. When we reach the entry station, the ranger does ask and I say yes to having AWD and he is satisfied. On we go to Big Stump.

I had thought about taking our third trip to Hitchcock Meadow in a year, but there is 4’ of snow to scramble over before we can hit the trail. Instead we decided to go down the Big Stump Trail. A word about my new MSR snowshoes. They are a dream to put on. The straps are easily adjusted and the snowshoe is snug, but comfortable on the boot. It only took a couple of minutes from the time I started to put on the snowshoe till I was ready to go. I think I am going to love these snowshoes.

Snow Covered Stump

When Sherri got ready, we cut over to the trail. It is a trail we have walked many a time but on dirt and a few on snow. But going over with the snow is something magical. While there are footprints, the rest of the snow is untouched. Snow is still on the trees-this leads to the only little bit of unpleasantness. While not warm,, the snow in the trees is melting, splattering down on those of us passing under it. And I forgot my hat!

Sherri and Gary

Still I love this Winter scene. I had us only going for an hour. So at the half an hour mark we turn around. By now, it is 3:30. We made it to the meadow area. There is a nice fog, or cloud enveloping us. It gives the Sequoias a quality of being silent guardians of the forest, loaming dark against the white. It says to me, when do I come back again? And if I have anything to do with it, we will.

We get back to the car about 4 and are able to take off soon afterwards. By 5:15, we are back home. I am pretty satisfied with the day. I love my snowshoes. They are highly maneuverable-I did step on them three times, but did not fall. And as easy as they were putting on, they were even easier to take off.