Gary-Summer: November 1, 2023 - Crescent and Other Meadows

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

November 1, 2023 - Crescent and Other Meadows

Title: November 1, 2023 - Crescent and Other Meadows
Hike Info : Description : T Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Crescent Meadows Parking Area

Trail: Crescent Meadow, Circle Meadow, Trail of the Sequoias, Log Meadow

Destination: Wander

Distance: 5.95 miles

Start Time: 11:05

End Time: 3:43

Travel Time: 4:38 (1.28 mph)

Moving Time: 3:43 (1.60 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,173'

Descent: 1,194‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,344'

GPS Tracks

Sherri on path

Description:

It has been a couple weeks since we went hiking. Also about this time the broadleaf trees should be turning into more autumn coloring. It will be just Sherri and I. Also, it is the first day not doing a lightning report for the fire lookout-we went out of service Monday.

But I still get up before 7. Sherri gets up about half an hour later. We left our house at 8:45 with me driving. Once we get to the foothills, we see smoke and it is getting pretty dense towards the Redwood Mountain area which means it could be either or both the Big Stump prescribed burn or from the Rabbitt Fire. When we got up to the Park's entrance there are signs saying don't report the smoke as these are known fires already. We definitely do not have the car windows rolled down. When we drive by the Buena Vista area, we see small columns of smoke rising from blacked stumps and branches. But as we moved towards Giant Forest, away from the fires, the smoke decreased.

Sequoia at end of Circle Mdw

We talked about doing a loop we have done a couple of times. But the KNP Complex fire a couple of years ago did a number to parts of the trail. So we parked at Crescent Meadow Parking Area at 10:50. Even though it is not smokey, maybe a bit hazy, here, there is a slight acidic smell which I identify as smoke.

At 11:10, our boots hit the dust. Usually we have gone somewhat counter-clockwise. Today we start off the same way the clock does. We head along Crescent Meadow. The meadow is in its seasonal decline. Most of the grasses and ferns have faded to a yellow. But then the Sequoias which ring the meadow just show that much more.

We bump over a low ridge and come into Circle Meadow. We take the trail to the east of it. The trail goes up and down to avoid trampling on the meadow. The meadow is in the same seasonal status as Crescent. But this one is a bit longer, so we look down the length of the meadow, seeing Sequoias showing off.

There are two things which cause us to pause. The first thing we have seen is the burnt remains of a Sequoia. This gets me to wondering how this tree caught fire and burnt so badly. The tree seemed so isolated as there were no other seriously burnt trees close by. It takes a lot to burn a Sequoia. Later on there was a large area where there were many more burnt trees. I think this area was a large and maybe intense spot fire from the KNP Complex.

Chief Sequoyah Tree

The second thing is the number of freshly fallen trees. These are monster size Sequoias, looking like they have fallen within the last six months to a year. Some of them still had greenery on them. I started wondering if a Giant Sequoia fell and if nobody was around, would it still measure on a seismograph? (By the way, the answer is yes.) The thought I really had is if these giants could topple over after standing centuries or a millennium or two, what chance do I have for standing up against time and the elements?

Just before we hit the Congress Group, we stop and have lunch. There was a nice tree to sit on and it was pleasant enough in the area. Before taking off again, I shed the pants legs and hike the rest of the day in shorts and a T-shirt. Not bad for the first day of November.

When we get to The Senate Group, we branch off onto The Trail of the Sequoias. The Chief Sequoyah Tree starts us off. While not the most awesome tree in the forest, it is a tree of significance. Chief Sequoyah is who brought a written language to the Cherokee and was subsequently adopted by other Indian nations. He is also who the Sequoia trees are named after.

The Trail of the Sequoias now ascends up the ridge above the Congress Grove. When we get to the top of the rise, we come across a whole area-several acres-which were burnt during the KNP Complex. It does not feel like this was the main part of the fire, but maybe a spot fire? We met a guy from Los Angeles. He did not think this was a spot fire. Later on looking at some of the fire maps, I think my guess of this being a spot fire is correct.

Gary wandering the paths

Still the area looks so different than the last time we were here. Not only coming up from a different direction, but the extent of the burn. There is a majestic tree right at the top. It had been previously burnt, but now it looks so much more black today. After ten minutes of walking, we leave the burnt area and continue on the Trail

We debated about going on the Eagle View or drop down to Log Meadow and Tharp's Cabin. We decided that we have walked enough for now. So we dropped into Log Meadow. As we descend, we see some color we have been looking for come into view. It looks even more impressive when the background is a giant Sequoia which fell a long time ago.

A short walk away is the cabin where Tharp Summered in the area. I am always impressed with how short Tharp must have been. Now we are less than a mile away-even though the sign says 0.08 miles-it is more. But the walk is pleasant as the sun still provides some warmth for us weary travelers.

When we get back to the car, I see that SEKI Fire is here, particularly BC-3. I met him a couple of months ago as I was going into Park Ridge and he was coming out. He was over at Eagle View to observe the Redwood Fire-it is still going, sending up columns of smoke, but not really much volume.

We take off for Fresno about 4:00. We both are a bit hungry, so we stop in Yokut or Squaw Valley at Bear Mountain Pizza. The pizza was better than the last time we were here. On the way back to Fresno, we join the family Zoom call-a good way to end the day.