Gary-Summer: Circle Meadow

Showing posts with label Circle Meadow. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

November 1, 2023 - Crescent and Other Meadows

Title: November 1, 2023 - Crescent and Other Meadows
Hike Info : Description : T Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Crescent Meadows Parking Area

Trail: Crescent Meadow, Circle Meadow, Trail of the Sequoias, Log Meadow

Destination: Wander

Distance: 5.95 miles

Start Time: 11:05

End Time: 3:43

Travel Time: 4:38 (1.28 mph)

Moving Time: 3:43 (1.60 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,173'

Descent: 1,194‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,344'

GPS Tracks

Sherri on path

Description:

It has been a couple weeks since we went hiking. Also about this time the broadleaf trees should be turning into more autumn coloring. It will be just Sherri and I. Also, it is the first day not doing a lightning report for the fire lookout-we went out of service Monday.

But I still get up before 7. Sherri gets up about half an hour later. We left our house at 8:45 with me driving. Once we get to the foothills, we see smoke and it is getting pretty dense towards the Redwood Mountain area which means it could be either or both the Big Stump prescribed burn or from the Rabbitt Fire. When we got up to the Park's entrance there are signs saying don't report the smoke as these are known fires already. We definitely do not have the car windows rolled down. When we drive by the Buena Vista area, we see small columns of smoke rising from blacked stumps and branches. But as we moved towards Giant Forest, away from the fires, the smoke decreased.

Sequoia at end of Circle Mdw

We talked about doing a loop we have done a couple of times. But the KNP Complex fire a couple of years ago did a number to parts of the trail. So we parked at Crescent Meadow Parking Area at 10:50. Even though it is not smokey, maybe a bit hazy, here, there is a slight acidic smell which I identify as smoke.

At 11:10, our boots hit the dust. Usually we have gone somewhat counter-clockwise. Today we start off the same way the clock does. We head along Crescent Meadow. The meadow is in its seasonal decline. Most of the grasses and ferns have faded to a yellow. But then the Sequoias which ring the meadow just show that much more.

We bump over a low ridge and come into Circle Meadow. We take the trail to the east of it. The trail goes up and down to avoid trampling on the meadow. The meadow is in the same seasonal status as Crescent. But this one is a bit longer, so we look down the length of the meadow, seeing Sequoias showing off.

There are two things which cause us to pause. The first thing we have seen is the burnt remains of a Sequoia. This gets me to wondering how this tree caught fire and burnt so badly. The tree seemed so isolated as there were no other seriously burnt trees close by. It takes a lot to burn a Sequoia. Later on there was a large area where there were many more burnt trees. I think this area was a large and maybe intense spot fire from the KNP Complex.

Chief Sequoyah Tree

The second thing is the number of freshly fallen trees. These are monster size Sequoias, looking like they have fallen within the last six months to a year. Some of them still had greenery on them. I started wondering if a Giant Sequoia fell and if nobody was around, would it still measure on a seismograph? (By the way, the answer is yes.) The thought I really had is if these giants could topple over after standing centuries or a millennium or two, what chance do I have for standing up against time and the elements?

Just before we hit the Congress Group, we stop and have lunch. There was a nice tree to sit on and it was pleasant enough in the area. Before taking off again, I shed the pants legs and hike the rest of the day in shorts and a T-shirt. Not bad for the first day of November.

When we get to The Senate Group, we branch off onto The Trail of the Sequoias. The Chief Sequoyah Tree starts us off. While not the most awesome tree in the forest, it is a tree of significance. Chief Sequoyah is who brought a written language to the Cherokee and was subsequently adopted by other Indian nations. He is also who the Sequoia trees are named after.

The Trail of the Sequoias now ascends up the ridge above the Congress Grove. When we get to the top of the rise, we come across a whole area-several acres-which were burnt during the KNP Complex. It does not feel like this was the main part of the fire, but maybe a spot fire? We met a guy from Los Angeles. He did not think this was a spot fire. Later on looking at some of the fire maps, I think my guess of this being a spot fire is correct.

Gary wandering the paths

Still the area looks so different than the last time we were here. Not only coming up from a different direction, but the extent of the burn. There is a majestic tree right at the top. It had been previously burnt, but now it looks so much more black today. After ten minutes of walking, we leave the burnt area and continue on the Trail

We debated about going on the Eagle View or drop down to Log Meadow and Tharp's Cabin. We decided that we have walked enough for now. So we dropped into Log Meadow. As we descend, we see some color we have been looking for come into view. It looks even more impressive when the background is a giant Sequoia which fell a long time ago.

A short walk away is the cabin where Tharp Summered in the area. I am always impressed with how short Tharp must have been. Now we are less than a mile away-even though the sign says 0.08 miles-it is more. But the walk is pleasant as the sun still provides some warmth for us weary travelers.

When we get back to the car, I see that SEKI Fire is here, particularly BC-3. I met him a couple of months ago as I was going into Park Ridge and he was coming out. He was over at Eagle View to observe the Redwood Fire-it is still going, sending up columns of smoke, but not really much volume.

We take off for Fresno about 4:00. We both are a bit hungry, so we stop in Yokut or Squaw Valley at Bear Mountain Pizza. The pizza was better than the last time we were here. On the way back to Fresno, we join the family Zoom call-a good way to end the day.

Extra Photo's

Giant Sequoia

Burnt remains

Freshly fallen giant

Tree at the end of Circle Meadow

Castle Rocks across the Kaweah from us

Gary on the trail

Another burnt tree

Sherri, Gary and the Chief Sequoyah Tree

Chief Sequoyah Tree

Sherri

Creek into Log Meadow

Gary at Log Meadow

Giant fallen long ago at Log Meadow

Log Meadow

Gary walking through a Giant Sequoia

Flowers and Plants

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

July 28, 2021 - Crescent Meadow

Title: July 28, 2021 - Crescent Meadow
Hike Info : Description : Menu : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Trail Head:Crescent Meadows

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking
Trail: High Sierra, Trail of the Sequoia, Circle Meadow
Destination: Wander
Distance: 5.87 miles 1
Start Time: 11:40
End Time: 5:02
Travel Time: 3:47 (1.29 mph)
Moving Time: 3:16 (1.49 mph)
Elevation Rise: 968'
Descent: 945‘
Maximum Elevation: 7,328'

GPS Tracks
¹I did not turn on the GPS until we had gone a mile. The distance includes a calculated mileage. The Start Time is from my notes. The rest of the data is only from the GPS.

Description:

I get up a few minutes later than yesterday. Instead of making my morning trip to the Grant Grove Visitor Center, I checked to see if there was any lightning yesterday-no. So I just read and wrote this morning until Sherri got up. Breakfast was oatmeal. Then we dilly-dallied around camp for a while. By the time we left, it was 10:30

Sherri drives down to Giant Forest-a decidedly easier drive than yesterdays. We get to the parking lot at 11:20. We get on a shuttle to Crescent Meadow. When we get off, we talk with a couple of Park people who are with SAR. Last week when we were at Park Ridge Lookout, we heard of a couple people who were lost. One of them on the High Sierra Trail. That is what these people are here to make us aware of. A bit more information is that he was with a group. He got sick and decided to head to Crescent Meadow. That was the last heard from him. We will keep our eyes out for him-not that we are traveling very far on the HST.

Clouds over Sawtooth

A few minutes of taking care of ourselves and off we go. The first stop is Eagle View along the High Sierra Trail. It is about a mile away and we have been there several times, so it is nothing new. Except is is a grand view without the crowds of Moro Rock. Along the way up to it, we talk for awhile with a hiker. He is interested in going backpacking, but not sure how to stop. So we fill him in on some of the basics. He seems to be ready to take the next step in his adventure.

When we get to Eagle View, the sun is beating down on us. But on the Kern-Kaweah Divide clouds are gathering-looks like there will be some activity on my lightning report tomorrow. But today, there is just a sense of awe and majesty. You can see why the Psalmist would say that He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.

We go back to the junction where the High Sierra Trail and the Trail of the Sequoias come together. We take one of our favorite trails, The Trail of the Sequoias. This trail is usually a trail less traveled. Today is no different-we will see only one couple over the three miles we travel. This means the trail is quiet. You get to hear birds chirping and the rustle of the breeze. Occasionally, but not today, we will spot a bear. But the main attraction are the Sequoias. You get to look up at them, see them in the middle and look down. There is a sense of peace and majesty everywhere you look.

But there is also a reminder of a falleness, both literally and spiritually. Even the mighty Sequoias do fall and destroy everything in its path. But there is growth as they decay. You find bushes and trees gain nutrients from the monarch of the forest. There are also signs of living in a fallen world. There is hardly a Sequoia not scorched by fire or at least having a bruise by some other living creature. Of course, we humans leave our marks as well-the most visible evidence is litter. We occasionally find small bits of liter, which we try to pick up as we go. Paul states this so well, the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

Chief Sequyah Tree

About half way along the trail, we have lunch. Nice ambiance-quiet, cool with Sequoias in view. Then we continued on. By the time we headed down to the Congress area, my legs were starting to tire. There we met the Chief Sequyah tree. Also there is a bench close by to enjoy the view. It would be dis-courtious not to take advantage of the bench. While there a family comes by and we assist in their tourist persona by taking family pictures. Then Sherri acts as tour guide and shows them the Chief Sequyah tree.

Sherri admiring Circle meadow

We take off through The Senate group to Circle Meadow. It is a pretty walk around the meadow, but the trail does nothing for my tired legs-there is a series of ups and downs. The meadow does offer some solace with several good views, but not that “picture-perfect” one with a Sequoia in the background-too many trees get in the way.

Circle Meadow

We finally drop into Crescent Meadow and hike around it. Also a pleasant sight, even with the body starting to wear-down. When we get back to the tram stop, the SAR people are still there. Still no success. After talking with them-they do back-country maintenance, not trail work, but taking care of the ranger buildings and such, the tram comes and we end up at our car.

Sunset from our campsite

I drive back to camp, an uneventful journey. Sherri gets our dinner ready-a grilled cheese and tri-tip sandwich. Pretty good. During dinner, it is time for our family Zoom call. The normal chit-chat and family enjoyment. By the time it ends, it is starting to get dark. I am tired and I think Sherri is pretty close to that. So off to bed we go.

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks
Oatmeal and add-ins, such as dried peaches, strawberries, nuts, granola. Tang.	Peanut Butter and Nutella Sandwich	Hot grilled tri-tip and cheese sandwich.	Clif Bar, GORP,, Jelly Belly