February 14, 2024 - Indian Basin

 

Title: February 14, 2024 - Indian Basin
Hike Info : Description  : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Princess Campground

Trail:  Indian Basin Interpretive Loop

Destination:  Loop

Distance: 1.71 miles

Start Time:  11:23

End Time:     1:28

Travel Time:  2:04 (0.83 mph)

Moving Time:   1:30 (1.14 mph)

Elevation Rise:  373'

Descent: 275‘

Maximum Elevation: 5,958'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri at the start

I got up a bit earlier than I anticipated, around 6:30. But I made up for this by lounging around until everybody else got up. After that I make myself useful by putting away dishes and folding clothes until everybody is ready. We left our house at 9:40 and drove to Kings Canyon National Park.

When we came into the Park, the ranger at the entrance station recognized us as being frequent visitors. It is good to be noticed. Then stopping at Big Stump around 10:50, Nancy, who is a fire lookout, was there and getting ready to snowshoe down to Viola Falls. We talk for a few minutes and then each of us took off,

 

 

 

Traditional outhouse view

We see the large CLOSED sign for Princess campground when we arrive a few minutes after 11. It takes us about 15 minutes to get our gear before we hit the snow. Steven has his cross-country skis, Sherri and I on snowshoes, while Korra had to be content with her paws.

We have snowshoed this route in Indian Basiinseveral times and have enjoyed it each time. It has young Sequoias and Sequoia stumps. There is a large meadow which has Wren Peak framing the end of it. Plus it is a gentle trail to walk in either dry ground or on top of snow.

The snow has come late, starting in late January. More is forecasted to come tonight. So the snow is well set up, but maybe a foot to 18”. For us, this was a good first outing. The temperature was in the mid-40’s and with the sky partly cloudy, a good day to be out. Steven was even in short sleeves? Me? I was layered with a T-shirt and long sleeved shirt and gloves. Guess it may be an age thing,

While short, it was fun. We ended up around 1:30. We packed up and left, but stopped at Big Stump again. Usually there is phone service there. My phone did. So we ordered pizza from Bear Mountain Pizza. 35 minutes later we pull in to the parking lot, Our pizza is waiting for us when we enter the place. We get to Fresno in time to pick up Stevens car out of the garage. Another good day out.

 

 

 

 Extra Photo's

Indian Basin Meadow

Snow Fed Rivelet

Korra to the rescue

Gary among the stumps