January 22, 2026 - Snowshoe Rabbit Meadow

 

Title: January 22, 2026 - Snowshoe Rabbit Meadow
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing 

Trail head: Big Meadow Winter Parking Lot

Trail:  Big Meadow Road (14S11), Rabbit Meadow Trail (13S11B, 14S11E)

Destination:  Loop

Distance:  2.37 miles 

Start Time: 11:52

End Time:     2:40

Travel Time:  2:47 (0.85 mph)

Moving Time: 1:40   (1.30 mph)

Elevation Rise:  323'

Descent: 335‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,788'

Minimum Elevation: 7,636'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Thin Snow and Bare Spot

The only thing which I am pretty sure about when I got up this morning is that we are planning on going up to the snow. Where and when is an open question as we have not determined that. We have talked about going to Badger Pass. But more than likely we will not be going there as it needs a full day's worth of time. We need to get up and leave pretty close to 8-maybe later on as the days get longer it will be easier to do.

Korra, the snow dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also a contributing factor is the fog. It seems like almost each day in January the fog has been pretty thick until about 10. And it turns out that 10 is the magic time as everybody is ready then. We left the house at 10. Even then there is some fog. Visibility is OK until we get out of Fresno when there are some places it becomes a little dense. But not bad. We made it to Big Stump without knowing where we wanted to go. Steven and Sherri left it to me on where to go. I thought going up to Rabbit Meadow along the Big Meadow Road would be good.

 

Sherri

 One bit of concern is that there is hardly any snow at Big Stump. It is not until we get to the Kings Canyon Overlook does the ground look promising. Even here there is not a complete covering of ground with snow, but it gets better. When we get to the Big Meadow Snow Parking Lot, at least there is mostly snow cover except for around the trees. We get there at 11:35 and get our equipment together.

By 11:55 we start on our way.Sherri and I with snowshoes on; Steven on his skis while Korra can only use her paws-she seems to thrive with them in the snow. The road is the same as what we did two weeks ago. But there is noticeably less snow than then, but more snow than the Pan Pt Road last week.Still there are several bare spots under trees.

When we hit the junction with the Rabbit Meadow Trail, we leave the road. Steven has gone ahead of us. At least we are seeing his ski tracks and Kotta’s paw prints leading the way. This route to Rabbit Meadow is not a stranger to us. There is flagging leading the way as well as the tracks. It is enjoyable being away from the snowmobile tracks. Being courteous snowshoers, we try to keep off of the ski tracks, at least as much as possible. There are places where we come across fallen trees and need to go around the fallen logs. There are also places where the route goes between rocks and we walk on the tracks.

Gary&Sherri crossing the creek

Generally it is a pretty mild route and we are enjoying ourselves. We are close to the far end of the loop when we see Koraa bounding through the woods. Either Korra is playing Lassie and we need to rescue Timmie or Steven is close by. Looking at Korra’s route, we think Steven is just on the other side. So we cut across the mostly snow covered meadow. There is a little bit of runoff cutting down the center of the meadow. I find a place which is snow covered and cross there. I hear a bit of a woof--the snow collapsing under me. Fortunately I sink only a few inches so nothing bad. Still I have Sherri go around that area.

It is closing in on 1 and we have not had lunch. About ten minutes later we spot some logs which look dry. At 1:05 we stop and have our lunch. It would be nice just to spend a few more minutes there, but with the sky being overcast and the temperature in the mid-40’s, I need a bit of movement to keep warm. So we take off after about 15 minutes.

 

Big Meadows Road with Sherri, Gary and Korra

One thing about being in the snow is that little creeks which you would step across hiking becomes a bit more of an adventure crossing when the ground is level and you only have boots on your feet. But when that little creek cuts through snow banks, there may be a steep V of 2-3’ to descend and climb up without splashing. Steven does it on ski’s. I try to finesse this, but not very gracefully. I do not end up in the drink. Sherri does it better than I did and climbs right up the bank.

Steven continues to follow the route of the Rabbit Meadow loop. But there is some nice unbroken snow which I decide to walk over. That is always fun for me.Sometimes it leads me into trouble. But not today. Just pure, easy pleasure. I notice that Steven has come to another little creek. He crosses and goes over a mound. I noticed that 100’ sooner, there is a nice flat place to cross that creek and I navigate around the logs which make up the mound Steven went over.

On the other side of the logs we meet up the trail, heading back over to the Big Meadows Road. Then it is time to head back. We get to the car at 2:40. We take a few minutes to put everything away. By the time we leave, it is 3pm. Now the question, where and what do we want to eat? We decided to head all the way home and pick up dinner at the Doghouse Grill.Sounds like a good way to end the day.

Extra Photo's

Foggy Valley

Redwood Mountain two weeks apart

Sherri's selfie

Gary

Rabbit Meadow

Gary, Sherri and Steven

Steven and Korra

Gary, Korra and Steven

Valley Fog

January 9, 2026 - Big Meadows Snowshoeing

 

Title: January 9, 2026 - Big Meadows Snowshoeing
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshowing 

Trail head: Big Meadows Snow Parking Lot

Trail: Big Meadow Road-14S11

Destination:  Big Meadow

Actual Destination:  Overlook area 

Distance:  2.41 miles

Start Time: 1:09

End Time:   3:20

Travel Time:  2:11 (1.10 mph)

Moving Time:  1.34  (1.54 mph)

Elevation Rise:  321'

Descent: 300‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,808'

Minimum Elevation: 7,628’

GPS Tracks

Description:

Snowshoe repair

Clint Eastman said it best, “We have a failure to communicate.” Sherri and I have invited both Steven and Rachel to go up to the snow. In our discussion, it was decided to leave someplace between 9:30 and 10. Rachel texted Sherri and I about 8:40 and said that she was not going to be able to go up. It was a little after 10 when I noticed Rachel’s text. About 20 minutes later I find Sherri and ask her if she is ready. She thinks we are leaving between 10:30 and 11. Steven has not seen the text. So the bottom line is that it is 11 before we leave Fresno.

 

 

Trees and snow

We had an uneventful ride up to Big Meadows, maybe except for a discussion on communicating better. We arrived at 12:40. Upon arrival, we had lunch, then took off about 1:00. There were a couple snowmobilers just starting out. Steven takes off on his skis with Korra tagging along with him. Sherri has some issues with her snowshoes and spends a few minutes initiating repairs. Just as we are about to start moving, a couple who originated from Germany comes up with their dog. They were walking and admired that we had the foresight to be on snowshoes. They also did not like sharing the road with snowmobilers. I for the most part have made my peace that as long as they leave us alone, do not chop up our path, then they can have their fun. I still try to go to places they are not at.

 

 

 

 

We start up the road. Not much to comment on as this is just one of many times we have been up this road. But I do spot one nice view looking towards Redwood Mountain. I am stopping often to regain oxygen into the system; Sherri zooms on ahead. When we get to the junction with the Rabbit Meadow loop, we discuss if Steven has taken the loop or gone on to Big Meadow. To me the ski tracks look old. We will go on towards Big Meadow.

Icicles

Sherri and I have a continued discussion about the conversation on the way up. We get things a bit more straightened out. And then it is onward up the road.

I have set a 2:30 turn around time. We get to an overlook where we can look south about 2:15. The view is awesome. With Shell Mountain to the east, Mt Silliman behind it and then some of the snow covered mountains way to the south. I stay out at the point for a while, soaking it all in.

Sherri on the road 

Now it is time to go back to the car. The return trip is much faster than us going out. We kept looking back to see when Korra and Steven would be passing us. Instead we talked to one skier who was going in to get his evening exercise. We warned him that there were a couple snowmobilers coming. Sure enough, a couple minutes later, they came roaring by.

By 3:30, we were at the car. Steven and Korra were waiting there patiently. How did they get ahead of us? You remember those tracks leading around Rabbit Meadow? They were Steven’s. I guess I need to do better in my track reading.

By 3:45, we were ready to leave. Steven and Sherri had already decided on going to Bear Mountain Pizza for dinner. We ordered pizza when we got to Big Stump. It was ready for us when we arrived at 4:25. Then we head down the hill, stopping at the Clovis Costco for gas. Sherri and Steven went in to pick up some stuff for a potluck Monday night. Then we are home at 6:30, in time to watch Jeopardy.

Extra Photo's

Snow doughnut

Looking toward Big Baldy

Sherri on the road again

August 31, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout

 

 Title: August 31, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

 

 

 

 Description:

The Masked Lookout

I woke up at 0500 with the skies still dark. In the middle of the night, I noticed I was tasting smoke, so I put on my mask. By the time the light showed enough, there was significant gray from smoke around me. At 0515 I interrogated the lightning database and saw that there was no activity in any of my areas. Looks like there may be possibilities starting Tuesday-I guess I get only smoke, no fun. By 0545 I am out of bed and puttering around. Today is much more relaxed than yesterday morning. I guess I am feeling more rested. I have my granola breakfast, wash up, go downstairs and now I am ready to meet the new day.

I did have time to have my quiet time before going in service. I looked at 1 Corinthians 11. There are several things which seem so old fashion in there about husbands and wives. But Paul also talks about how both were made for each other. It is a good thing to remember that it is a symbiotic relationship, not hierarchical.

 

Smoke down at Grant Grove

 At 0731 I go inservice.I notice that many of the Forest units are on their way to Big Meadows and Buck Rock.Our annual Labor Day weekend event is happening there and the Forest likes to show their support. It is a fun time for all. That is one of the reasons why I volunteer for Labor Day weekends, it gives others a chance to participate and I being the stick in the mud that I am, get to be productive.

Garnet Smoke

By the time I went into service, the smoke had dissipated to a great extent. I am starting to see areas which I need to look over. And this is a good thing. Also the smoke smell has left. Actually by this evening, almost all areas are clear, except to the west, and of course right at the fire.

I am doing my scans when I look over in the direction of the Garnet and I see one of the Erickson tankers. It is flying west down the Kings from behind the area I cannot see. These planes are enough to have a lookout just stop and watch their activity. I watched as a second one emerged from the same area. I think they are trying to protect an area from going over the Kings.

About an hour later, I hear a jet to the south, and there is another Erickson tanker flying north over Buck Rock. But this one did not look like the others-it has more red. But when I get on FlightAware, it says it is another Erickson plane. There must be some really strong concern about what is happening to this fire.

Tanker

 

I fall into a rhythm of scanning, then reading or working on a spreadsheet trying to match fires with lightning strikes. I heard Buck Rock trying to get a hold of Delilah, but there is no answer. I talk with Buck Rock, but he says that Delilah had gone in service this morning. Around noon, Delilah radios me and we talk.. He is getting some visibility. Buck Rock also chimes in and tells Delilah if things get too bad, to go on home. He does stay till the end of his shift.

Air Traffic over Garnet Fire

While I am talking to Delilah, I have visitors-the first time Park Ridge has had visitors in four days. This is a couple from Minnesota. As they leave, another set of visitors comes up. It turns out this is a group of about 20 people from Los Angeles. When it rains it pours.

I have lunch, then do a scan. I notice that there are some people down at the picnic table who are eating. I invite them up. They are four men who are from the Bay Area who are of Indian origin. They listen and are interested in all that I have to say. It helps to have the Garnet Fire as a backdrop to my rambling. They even want to have a picture with me.

When the men leave, four young females who are staying in Fresno, but are from LA come up. Another time to talk. One of the ladies looks like she is dehydrated. I give her one of my bottles of water. I have enough for my needs through tomorrow.

Most of the rest of the afternoon is spent doing lookout things. There were no more visitors. I did sneak in a 5 minute nap. There are reports from the various units which indicate that the fires in the area which I am concerned about are being well taken care of. Some are being called out, others are continuing being in patrol status. Except for the Garnet Fire which continues to be the dominant visual to the north, things are pretty calm around me.

Lots of smoke

 

While the Garnet Fire is the main show, there were 38 other fires from the storms last week. The area is from Kaiser Peak in the north down to the southern border of Sequoia National Park. Most of these we do not have any special concern about as they are well out of my viewing area. Both Eshom and TUU-Look were discovered by Park Ridge. There is another which is on Big Baldy which E42 checks up on-I would think we would have found this one too. Also there are the Fox and Stony fires which are behind Big Baldy’s ridge. The Big fire is in the Big Meadow area and also is warranting attention. Then there is one which we know where it is on Verplank Ridge, but really do not have a visual. We hear Cobra 4 and Yosemite 33 checking up on this a lot. This might be of bigger concern than the rest. All of these we hear about, except for the Look fire which belongs to CalFire.

How Park Ridge Lookout sees the Garnet Fire

Well that is except for the other types of traffic on the radio. There are medical, traffic stops, missing people and leaky pipes. It is enough to keep my ears busy. But it may be from more of a morbid curiosity than involvement by me. In those cases it is better to make sure I keep out of the way than anything else.

Garnet Fire Pyrocumulus

 

I also keep an eye on the Garnet Fire. Not because I can contribute, even though if I did notice something terribly out of place, I would say something. But with my frontal view and all of the smoke, I could not tell too much. Delilah would have a much better view than I would. I just am in awe of the immenseness of the fire. Even this fire is not that large by large fire standards-about 18,000 acres. A 100,000 acre fire I could only imagine-the last three in this general area where this fire is. (By the time I post this entry it is over 30,000 acres).

Today, the Buck Rock Foundation has their annual Labor Day weekend event at Buck Rock. Buck Rock is staffed with volunteers until later on in the day when Mich comes in. When she does, she tries to get a hold of Delilah to see how the lookout over there is doing-it is the closest lookout to the fire and has been enveloped in the smoke. But there is no answer. A bit later, I hear him on the Park’s General Use channel. I let Buck Rock know and she contacts Delilah to straighten out the situation.

Fire and Glow from Garnet Fire

I wedged in my dinner which is just my leftover from Friday. It is filling enough.

Later on I hear Porterville talking with Buck Rock about a smoke being reported at about 21 degrees from her. She spots it at 19 degrees, but across the River in the Park. They do not know if this smoke is an issue or not. This sounds familiar and I look up a few things and let Buck Rock know that it is the Kettle fire which got reported last week. I also give her the coordinates.

The shadows deepen, but I continue to do my scans until I go out of service at 1930 along with Delilah and Buck Rock. After going out of service, I go downstairs, bringing down things which I will not need. It is a bit late for a walk, so I go back up. After getting ready for bed, I talk with Sherri for about an hour and then get to sleep at 2200.

Extra Photo's

Clear view looking southeast towards Silliman

Evening glow on clouds over the Garnet Fire

Mountains outlines against evening sky