October 22, 2024 - Lewis Creek

 

Title: October 22, 2024 - Lewis Creek
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head:  Cedar Valley

Trail: Lewis Creek

Destination:  As fast as we can go

Actual Destination: Lewis Creek/Midway between Lewis Creek and Red Rock Falls

Distance:  3.05 miles

Start Time: 1:20

End Time:  4:46

Travel Time: 3:25  (0.89 mph)

Moving Time:  2:18  (1.33 mph)

Elevation Rise:  723'

Descent: 795‘

Maximum Elevation: 3,957'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri at beginning

Several days ago we were going to go to Yosemite, but were thwarted by a wind event. We decided to go hiking this week, but Friday was the only day we had available. But today, we have an afternoon free, so we decided to hike. Steven and Sherri decided the Lewis Creek would be good. It has the advantage of Korra can go with us.

Corlieu Falls

I got up first, about 6:15. I sort of puttered around for most of the morning, doing things which needed to be done but which I have been putting off. At 10:00, I have my appointment with Erica. She is with Kaiser and is working with me to reduce my weight and manage my diabetes better. Today it is to work on my carb intake.

Afterwards we have about an hour before we want to take off. We have our lunch and Sherri shampoos some of the carpet. By the time we are set to leave, it is a bit more than an hour, 12:15. I drive while we converse about what we want to do. The thought is we want to be back at the car before dark.Sherri suggests 5:00 would be a good time. We think we will get to the trailhead about 1:15, so that gets us 3 hours and 45 minutes to go about 7 miles. We decided that if we can make Corlieu Falls by 2:15, we would be on track to make Red Rock Falls and back by 5:00pm.

We made it to Cedar Valley. Our boots get dusty starting at 1:25. It is a bit warm, about 80 degrees. But the good news is that it does not get much warmer and actually cools down as we travel up the trail. The coolness makes the trail pretty pleasant. We have traveled this trail many a time. If you want to know about the trail, look for Lewis Creek on this blog.

Gary at rest

Steven and Korra have gone ahead of us-they definitely are faster. At 2:20 Sherri and I get to the bottom of Corlieu Falls. We look up at it for a few minutes, until we see Korra bounding down. We travel about 30 yards up to an overlook. We discuss what we want to do.Steven and Korra will go on ahead and maybe make Red Rock Falls. Sherri and I will turn around at 3:00. Steven takes off and we rest for a few minutes with a Clif Bar and Jelly Bellys.

Then it is time to climb up to the top of Corlieu Falls. The climb is steep, which is not bad. While the trail was redone a while back, there has been a couple of years of hard rains, which has deteriorated the trail.Some steps are over two feet high. In other places parts of the trail has been washed out. Also various shortcuts have caused even more deterioration.

But we managed to reach the top and walk to the place where the trail crosses Lewis Creek. There are signs which say that the Bridge is Out. We know this. But at the crossing, logs and sticks have been placed across the Creek providing a way. But we have reached our turn around time. We rest for about 15 minutes and start back

 

 

Bottom of Corlieu Falls

That means going down the deteriorated trail. To me, going down is worse than going up. But taking things one step at a time we get down. I take a look at the pool at the bottom of the Falls. About that time Korra comes bounding towards me. That means that Steven must be close by. A minute later, Steven comes in.

Lewis Creek

After giving Steven the car keys, we take off again. Steven and Korra go on ahead. Sherri and I walk contently along the trail. Not too exciting. But it is a lot cooler than when we came in. We arrive at the car about 4:45.

Once situated, Steven drove us down to El Cid. Sherri and I shared an Enchi-Burrito while Steven had a fajita. Both Sherri and Steven enjoyed a margarita. Afterwards we walk over to Reimers where we each have a scoop of ice cream. I drove back to Fresno. We get back right before Jeopardy.

Extra Photo's

Gary at bottom of Corlieu Falls

Pool at bottom of Corlieu Falls

Corlieu Falls

Gary at Rest