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

February 18, 2023 - Ten Mile Road - Snowshoeing

 

Title: February 18, 2023 - Ten Mile Road - Snowshoeing

Hike Info : Description :  Background :  Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing 

Trail head: Quail Flat

Trail: Ten Mile Road, Road 13S45

Destination:  None-turn around at 2:30

Actual Destination:  End of improved section of 13S45

Distance:  3.28 miles

Start Time:  1:06

End Time:   3:44

Travel Time: 2:37  (1.35 mph)

Moving Time:  1:59  (1.65 mph)

Elevation Rise:  516'

Descent: 499‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,024'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri

Several days ago we discussed going snowshoeing. It was too cold last Wednesday for us valley dwellers and Steven wanted to go up. Saturday looked like a good day. But what had changed in the four days or so since we made this plan? I am not sure that is still the plan. Either way, I walk over to a friend's house to retrieve my wheelbarrow. When I return, we decide it is a “go” to go up to the mountains today. It does not take us long to get ready.

Ten Mile Road

By 11:30, we are on the road. The fiddlenecks and a smattering of poppies are coming out as we approach Yokut (Squaw) Valley. Spring is getting closer. When we reach Big Stump, the parking lot is filled. So we do not even get the opportunity to use the restrooms. Onward to Quail Flat. The road past Quail Flat has not been completely plowed yet. So the parking area instead of being its usual occasional car is packed. Do we go up to Princess I think or go someplace else? Fortunately we do not need to make that decision as we spot a place to park. 

 

 

 

We have lunch and then get our gear on. Usually we go down Burton Road, but today Steven and Sherri head down Ten Mile Road. I am wondering is this a mistake? But the indication is they want to do something different. Steven is on skis and Korra takes off with him. That is the last we see of them for a couple of hours. I convey that I am looking at a 2:30 turnaround time. I do not have a destination objective, but even if I did, a turnaround time is good because we do not always make an objective at a reasonable time.

Gary

We watch Steven and Korra go off down the road, even though Korra keeps returning to check on us slow ones until Steven gets too far ahead. There are a couple large ruts going down Ten Mile Road. They do not look like snowmobile tracks, but I do not know what else it is. It does make snowshoeing more interesting picking our way in and out of these ruts.

We get about a half mile down and see a road going up the ridge. Steven has continued down Ten Mile Road. My thinking is going up this road is preferable, as I like going down coming back rather than slogging up a grade. Sherri and I go up, but first I leave a message in the snow for Steven in case he comes back up before we get back.

The road is Forest Service 13S45. Later on I look at a topo map and see that this is also designated as a Nordic Skiing route. The ruts not only go down Ten Mile Road, but start up 13S45.But then there is another puzzle: the tracks stop just a hundred feet in and from there on is virgin snow. Looks wonderful.

Spanish Mountain

Both from Ten Mile Road and from 13S45 we see across the Kings as well as Buck Rock. But the views for the most part have trees framing the scene or intertwined in it. Still, there is something which is appealing looking out over this section of the Sierra (actually there are very few sections of the Sierra which I feel are not worth looking at.)

We go up about a half mile up 13S45. It has good solid snow, which has been settling for a couple weeks. So walking on it is a pleasure. Even I am able to feel good going up the slope. One drawback: there are no dramatic views. “Only” trees and snow are what can be viewed.

It is getting close to our turnaround time. Sherri is ready to go back, but I would like to go on up a short way to a horseshoe turn. So I leave Sherri and continue on up. I get there in a couple minutes. The road starts to level out and since I have about seven minutes to turnaround, I continue on. I quickly came to the top of the ridge. And lo and behold, there is my view! I can see across the Kings to Spanish Mountain and the Obelisk. Looking more westward, there is the Patterson area. Then closer to me, there is he basin where Hume Lake is. And by Hume is a smoke cloud. Wait Smoke! I remember that the Forest Service was doing some burning in the area. This must be it.

Indian Basin Smoke

After taking a few pictures, I head back down. I got to the place where I left Sherri. I see her tracks heading back. I just follow these tracks down. And about a quarter mile later I caught up with Sherri. Down we go. Sherri and I both think this is a trail we will be doing again.

We get to the junction with Ten Mile Road. I check the ski tracks to see if Steven has been by. I only see his tracks going down. So I erased my message. Sherri goes on ahead while I lag behind to see if Steven will come around the bend. By my calculations he is anywhere between right behind us to 45 minutes.

There is a reason why I wanted to go UP 13S45 rather than further down Ten Mile Road. From the junction we back up to the car. I stop every so often to look behind, but no Steven=it also gives me a chance just to take a small break. After a while I hear a mechanical sound. A minute later, a Toyota ForeRunner comes into view. This is an ah ha moment. Now I understand the mystery of the tracks. They are vehicle tracks, not snowmobiles. They pass by and I go on. Shortly before the parking lot, I caught up with Sherri.

We get to the car around 3:45 and start putting away our equipment. Steven gets in as we put stuff away. And then it is off to go back to Fresno. It is a pretty easy drive back and we get back home at 5:20. Another good day.

Background

Smoke. The smoke was from a pile burn in the Indian Basin area which Sequoia National Forest had set. This was part of an effort to clear fuels from around Sequoia groves throughout all forest lands. Indian Basin close to Princess Campground. We would have been right in the middle of the smoke if we had gone there.

Extra Photo's

Snow and Pine Cones

Patterson and Spanish Mountains

Stack of rocks by Ten Mile Road

Buck Rock and its lookout

Looking to the northeast

September 25, 2022 - Princess Campground and Big Stump

 

Title: September 25, 2022 - Princess Campground and Big Stump
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Princess Campground

Trail: Indian Basin Interpretive Trail

Destination: Loop

Distance:  1.0 miles ¹

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Big Stump Parking Area

Trail: Big Stump

Destination:  Loop

Distance: 1.52 miles ²

Start Time:  2:10

End Time:    3:19

Travel Time:  1:08 (1.34 mph)

Moving Time:  0:56  (1.63 mph)

Elevation Rise:  503'

Descent: 203‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,381'

GPS Tracks

 ¹No GPS track. Just an estimate 

 ²The GPS got turned on about an eighth of a mile along the trail after descending a ways. So the proper distance is about 1.67 miles

Description:

Gary getting ready for breakfast

It is our 46th anniversary! What better way to spend it but by doing something which both Sherri and love-camping! Well maybe backpacking might top it.

Last night was cold. Sherri was up a lot last night-I only got up once to relieve myself. But my mattress had deflated. I got up at 7:30 while Sherri got up at 8:15. I read and had my quiet time. It is pancakes for breakfast. We discovered that the eggs were left behind. That may put a damper on french toast tomorrow. But the mix can be used without eggs, just a bit more satisfying. I mixed up the batter and discovered I had put too much, way too much, mixture in. We will be substituting pancakes for bread at lunch and probably have enough for breakfast tomorrow. It could be worse.

 

 

Clouds rising above a ridge

In August we took John and Cathey on the Indian Basin Interpretive Trail by the campground-we have also snowshoed this a couple of times as well. We did this walk just to get our legs stretched out and to enjoy the morning without much of a strain on us. We heard a couple of gunshots to the northeast of us-we are on Forest Service land and deer hunting season started this weekend. While we feel pretty safe here, the pop’s can be a bit disconcerting.

As mentioned, Sherri was up last night, so our mile walk was enough for her. When we got back to camp, she was OK sitting in a camp chair, then taking a short nap in the tent. I had some hammock time. I do not have it set up right. I am missing a carabiner, so I have improvised. My butt is rubbing against the ground. We had our pancake, peanut butter and Nutella lunch. Now to decide what to do.

Gary crossing a downed Sequoia

I am not terribly energetic and Sherri is even less so. We will save doing the North Boundary trail up to Panoramic Point for another day. The Big Stump loop sounds like a good walk and just about what we need to do. We go back to the Big Stump Parking area where the Dark Sky viewing was held last night.. We grumble about a van with high school students who decide to park in a red zone next to the bathroom-you would think they would have more ability to walk a few steps than a couple who are a year from seventy.

Enough grumbling. It is a good day and we start down the trail. We notice that a new trail is being put in. Maybe next year it will be usable. We quickly get to the reason for the name of this area. We wander around, coming to Big Stump Meadow. Even get to walk across a fallen Sequoia. We come to the far end of the area and see the Mark Twain Stump. This stump is huge. I wonder what it looked like before the loggers got to it (just saw from the link, it was not the logger, but the US Army which wanted to prove how big these trees were.).

Sequoia

 

 

We cross the highway to continue on with the loop. This takes us above the area, where we can catch glimpses of the grove. Once the trail does its short rise, we more or less follow the mountain contour. It is a bit more sunny and a bit more warmer, but pleasant. We stop and sit on a pine stump to enjoy and relax a bit. A short way further, we descend to go under the highway, through a tunnel. This leads us back to the parking area.

 

 

 

 

Mark Twain Stump

Instead of just going back, we took a drive down Burton Road. I was hoping to make Little Boulder Creek and see if the trailhead is now open-it is not and will be closed at least until August 2023. But it is a long drive and when I see a sign saying 5 miles further, we decide to turn around. I had forgotten how long of a drive it was. Still this is a very pretty drive with to die for views of Kings Canyon and beyond. When we got back to Quail Flat, we returned via 10 Mile Road. This will be closed until next year starting tomorrow. We descended and drove by Hume Lake. Then onto Princess Campground.

 

Night sky-with false coloring, from Indian Basin

We got back to our site just before 5. I start off by blowing up my air mattress. After 45 minutes, it still is not firm. Sherri makes us dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches and soup. Hits the spot. We wait until it gets almost dark and then take Celeste down to the Meadow. She is decent at seeing things a bit closer. While last night, we were spotting far away clusters and galaxies, tonight we are into planets and stars in general. Saturn is already up. Then Jupiter rises above a ridge in the east. We enjoy the night sky for 45 minutes before we head back to our little cloth abode.

 

 

 

 

Our 5 star room

We manage to climb into bed by 9. My mattress is already deflated. I read until 9:30 and then close my eyes for the night.

Extra Photo's

Night Sky

Did Jupiter really move that much in 20 seconds?

Gary on the Big Stump Loop

Big Stump Meadow

More of Gary walking the Big Stump Loop