July 10, 2026 - Little Boulder Grover

 

Title: July 10, 2026 - Little Boulder Grover
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Little Boulder Grover East Trailhead on 14S02

Trail:  Little Boulder Grove Trail

Destination: Little Boulder Trail

Distance:  2.51 miles

Start Time: 10:22

End Time:    1:10

Travel Time: 2:47  (0.90 mph)

Moving Time:  1:33  (1.42 mph)

Elevation Rise:  463'

Descent: 472‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,632'

Minimum Elevation: 6,365'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Back in 2017, Sherri, Rose and I walked this trail and were in awe of the Sequoias we found. Not that they were the biggest, nor the most beautiful. But because we could enjoy them without the presence of others. Since that time, I have been wanting to go back, but one thing or another prevented me from doing this. In 2024, Sherri, Steven, Korra and I tried. The only one who did not have troubles navigating the downed trees was Korra and we only got about a half mile in. Wednesday when I was at Delilah, I heard that Crew 3 was at the trailhead. So I hope they have worked on the trail.

I did not want to get up at 5, but since I did not have things ready for our hike today. I got up and did my lightning stuff-none. Then I had breakfast and made lunch. By 8, I was already and Steven and Sherri were up. We pile into the car, with Korra and the wheels start rolling at 8:20. I am driving. Most of the trip was uneventful, except for a guy pulling out in front of me. Not close as far as an accident , just aggravating.

Gary and Steven on Trail

We stopped at Big Stump. I talked with some maintenance people, appreciating their work. Then onward. We turn off of the General’s Highway at Quail Flat, going down the Burton Pass Road-I think formally it is called the Buck Rock Road or in Forest Service parlance 14S02. We arrived at the Little Boulder Grove trailhead-the east one-about 10:10. The big question is: Is the trail passable without going through an obstacle course? The preliminary look down the trail is hopeful.

 

 

 

 

 

Big Tree meets a really big tree

A note about the road going in. There are two ways you can look at this road-and probably will do at the same time. It is only 10½ miles from Quail Flat to the trailhead. But it will take about 40-45 minutes to drive it. It is a paved road in decent condition. But it is narrow and about a lane and a half with lots of sharp curves. So you are constantly looking out for cars coming in your direction. On the other hand, I think it is one of the most beautiful roads in the area, if not the Sierra. You get these occasional glimpses of far off mountain ranges. Meadows poke out to provide a sense of freshness. And there are forests all around you. If you are quick, you can see the tops of the various Sequoia groves in this drainage. It was a pleasure to drive it.

Burnt tree from Rough Fire

We were hoping that the over 100 degree temperatures in Fresno will not follow us up here, after all it is in the mid-6000’ range. Also we had hoped starting earlier would be cooler. Well in the shade, the temperature is pleasant, but when we are in direct sunlight, you can feel the warmth of the sun.

We ignore the heat and enjoy the difference in the condition of the trail from September 2024. The logs have all been cleared and it is easy walking. This is good for about half of a mile. The next third of a mile or so leads down the slope. When we successfully hiked this so many years ago, there were switch backs. But it looks like they are overgrown now. The crew which cleared looks like they obeyed the injunction that the shortest distance between two points is a straightline. The cutting was through brush and there were still stumps of brush on the ground. We needed to watch our feet so we did not trip over them.

 

 

Note: I dumped my track from 2017 and the 2017 and 2026 tracks are almost identical. Not sure where I thought there were switchbacks.

 

Tracks from 2017 which look almost the same ass we did in 2026

 

Twin Sequoias

Still, I am not complaining. Once we finish our descent, the trail levels out and we enter the grove. Anytime I am among Sequoias, there is a sense of how majestic they are and how small I am. The trees in Little Boulder Grove are young. There are no gigantic old trees whose base has widened with age. Instead, these are slender. Some of the trees have burned; damage from the Rough Fire back in 2015, at least that is what I suspect. We tried to figure out which tree we sat at in 2017. In retrospect, this was a futile task as I think the brush got burnt away in the 2015 Rough Fire. It now has had nine years of growth.

We are content with crossing a small rivulet and finding a clear space in the shade to have our lunch. We lounged around for a while, content with not going back into the heat. But we know that is counter productive as the longer we wait, the hotter it will become. I decided to walk about ten minutes further up the trail, just to see what is on the other side of the ridge. What is over the ridge? A creek, Buck Rock Creek which feeds into Little Boulder Creek just down the slope from us. But I do not descend down to the creek, only look. By the time I get back, Sherri and Steven are ready to go. We were at the spot for about 40 minutes.

Almost back to car

At 12:20, we started out, making our return trip. Once again, it is nice walking among the silent Sequoias. But then we have to ascend up to the upper part of the trail. I start lagging behind. This is mostly because my left knee has some pain. This is not the first time. When we were in Minnesota going up stairs, I had the same pain-that was not the first time. I just move slower when I put stress on that knee.

I quickly catch up when we reach the more level upper portion of the trail. I look around and there are impressive views of the mountains on the other side of the Kings-I do need to find openings in the trees to catch the view. Also there are some flowers such as the lupine and indian paintbrush along the way.

We get to the car at 1:30. It certainly is hot inside-and the water bottles will not provide relief and refreshment. Fortunately Steven has an insulated thermos which has kept the water cool. He generously shares it. I start to drive as I want to figure out where a trail is. I did not see it. So Steven drives us home. Shortly after he started driving, I figured out where this trail is, a mile further on. This trail meets the road up to Buck Rock.

Steven asks about stopping at Bear Mtn Pizza. We are all in, until we figure out Korra would be stuck in a hot car. We decided to forgo the pizza. I have Steven stop at the Ranger Station where I tell the information officer that Little Boulder Grove is hikeable now. We get back home about 3:30. I promptly chug some cold sun tea, feeling so much better

Extra Photo's

 

Korra

Sequoia

The one dead Sequoia we saw

Sherri and Steven on trail

The first Sequoia we came to

Buck ROck

Sherri and Korra in car on way to the trailhead

View of across the Kings

Lunch break with a Sequoia

 
Flowers and Plant 

Lupine

Little Princess Pine, I think

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