Gary-Summer: March 12, 2024 - Big Meadows Snowshoe

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024 - Big Meadows Snowshoe

Title: March 12, 2024 - Big Meadows Snowshoe

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Big Meadows Winter Trailhead

Trail: Big Meadows Road

Destination: Big Meadows

Distance: 4.90 miles ¹

Start Time: 12:33

End Time: 4:12

Travel Time: 3:38 (1.35 mph)

Moving Time: 2:39 (1.85 mph)

Elevation Rise: 586'

Descent: 545‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,827'

GPS Tracks

¹There seems to be some discrepancies between this figure and some signposts. A sign says 2¼ miles to Highway 180 from Big Meadows and the trailhead is about a quarter mile from the highway. So we should have gone a total of 4 miles. Also Steven’s Strava is less than five miles and he went all the way to the main Big Meadows Trailhead for Weaver Lake.

Description:

The Mist of being in a cloud

Depending on the weather, today may be the last day we will be able to go up and play in the snow. The reason? First, Sherri and I are going to visit Andrea for a two week trip. Next, the promised snow in the mountains has been less than exciting. As a clue, today the snow was maybe 2-3’ deep at 7,000’. With daily temps being in to 40-55 degrees, that snow will not last long.

I slept in a bit until 7:30, of course last weekend I lost an hour, so this is really 6:30. Sherri has a doctor’s appointment, so we will leave after she gets back. She gets back home around 10, we load the car and leave around 10:45. Even though the drive is uneventful, I am eyeballing the continuous layer of gray clouds stretching in front of us. We travel through a layer of clouds and end up at the entrance station by Grant Grove.

Burnt Trees from the Rabbit Fire

Sherri on the Big Meadow Road

We, or should I say I, talk with the entrance station lady, Jessica. I think she must not have been very busy today as we gabbed for five minutes. But that is not why we traveled up here. We moved on and get to Big Meadows around noon. Our first order of action when we get there is to eat lunch. Then get our gear together and are off.

Steven got a five minute head start-even though being on skis he did not need any advantage. Sherri and I take off at 12:45. The road is freshly groomed with only Steven’s ski tracks, Korra’s paw prints and a snowmobile print. The sky is cloudy with only an occasional peeping out of blue and even less of the sun. At times a mist floats by-wwe must be in a cloud. Even though when we left the car said we were in the 42-44 degree range, it was a cold temperature. I have my warmer gloves on.

Sherri and I make our way along the road, doing pretty decently. About every third of a mile we take a break to breathe, we are at 7,500’ after all. Really not much to see except for the gray of the clouds and the trees lining the road.

At the junction with the Rabbit Meadow road, we decide to just go on to Big Meadow, following Steven’s tracks. We start to see signs of the Rabbit Fire from last year. This was a lightning cause fire which the Forest Services decided to manage to burn some of the excess duff, so they needed the fire into areas which they wanted burnt. But there are stands of burnt trees which must have been in the path of the fire before it was brought under control. In the distance I have been hearing a bird chirp, but I could not see it. It is a reminder that even in a dead forest, there is still life.

Shortly afterwards, we see the warming hut at Big Meadows. It is the end of the line for Sherri and I. Steven’s tracks go further on. But not for long as we see a snow cat coming down. When they stop at the hut and start unloading, I know who one of the people is, Dutch. He is a recipient of my lightning report and I see many of his pictures though Wendy. I introduce myself and we talk for a few minutes and then rejoin Sherri.

Redwood Canyon in the clouds

We got to the hut right at our turn around time of 2:15. Steven comes back, with Korra. We compare our mileages. I have 2.6 miles, Steven has less even though he has traveled at least a mile and more like a mile and a half further. There is a sign saying the highway is 2¼ miles away. A continuation of the discussion from last Friday.

Big Meadows Road

And we all start our return journey. Steven and Korraa quickly are out of sight, followed by Dutch and his friend on a snowmobile. While the clouds are not getting less, there are breaks in them which allows us to see windows into the surrounding mountains. This is an awesome view. Clouds have that way with me. Not sure if it is because they hide and reveal, similar to how God is hidden, but gets revealed.

About halfway back I can start to feel that I have not gone this far on snowshoes this season. Another way to say that I am starting to tire. But maybe it is the uphill which I am going up-not a long one. Once we get back to the Rabbit Meadow junction, I start to feel a bit rejuvenated. Maybe because it is downhill from here? Or maybe it is like a nag who can smell the oats in the barn ahead.

We make it back to the car at 4:10 with Steven and Korra waiting for us. When I sit down to take off my boots, I can feel how tired I am. Steven is driving back-I am grateful for this. We stopped at the overlook at Redwood Canyon. I am tired enough that I left Sherri and Steven to snap their pictures while I sti in the car. We decided that Bear Mountain Pizza is a good place to get refreshed. We make it home by 6:15. I promptly lay down for half an hour-feels sooo good.