Gary-Summer: Converse Basin

Showing posts with label Converse Basin. Show all posts

Monday, August 10, 2026

August 10, 2026 - Delilah

Title: August 10, 2026 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

I did the lightning report last night so that I could get an earlier start this morning. I got up around 0530. I must have not been as ready as I thought I was as it was almost 0700 before I left. The sky looked like there was some possibility of rain or lightning activity. But there is a beautiful rising of the sun.

Inspection tag

I made it to Delilah about 0830. I got my first load ready to take to the cab, including a full backpack. As I started to climb the stairs, I got the first reason to pause. There is a tag which says that the tower has been inspected by the FAA and has been found wanting. This was in two areas. First the inspection noted there was some rust and corrosion on the tower. But the more serious deficiency was that the grounding system for the tower was inadequate. This last was accompanied by a sign warning people not to go up into the tower because of the risk of an electrical lethal shock in case of lightning.

Even though it gives me pause, I decided to go up into the tower and find out if there are any notes in our logs. I do make another trip down to bring up the rest of my supplies, as well as opening up the cab and letting some cooler air in.

There are notes in the log which indicate a few more things. The issue with the grounding sounds like they wanted a ground on each of the four posts. There are also missing bolts as well. As I ponder this, I think that with our lightning stools, I should be able to stay safe during a thunderstorm. So I will stay.

At 0929 I go into service. Over the weekend there was a fire near Converse Basin. Park Ridge got the first report on this, Turns out it was caused by an unattended fire. The fire is pretty much taken care of at 3-4 acres and in what is called patrol status, meaning that the Incident Commander thinks it is substantially out, but it periodically needs checking on. The hoses are still on the ground in case they are needed.

Richard, one of the Delilah leads, calls me. This is a courteous call to make sure everything is OK. I tell him about the inspection-he has not heard about it. So I text him the tag and Lori’s notes. Later on he calls me and we discuss staying there, particularly during a storm. I tell him my thoughts with the lightning stool. While he reiterates about getting out if there is lightning in the area, he is OK with my rational of staying in the cab on the stool.

I realized that the weather and staffing was not broadcast, so I went on R5 to ask Buck Rock who the Duty Officer is-it is a Battalion 11. He is from out of the district.

The rest of the day is pretty uneventful. I do the scans and listen to the radio and do the tasks of a lookout. At 1800, I go out of service with Sierra. I have a hamburger dinner-Steven had fixed some for me and I just fried one. Tasted pretty good. The Hume Lake Ranger District is on extended hours. I continued to scan for smoke as the shadows deepen. At 2000 I went out of service.

After going down to lookout and take care of things, I get back up around 2030. Sherri calls me and we talk for about an hour or more. After talking, I take a few star shots-not shooting stars-and then go to bed.

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

December 30, 2025 - Snowshoeing along Road 13S77

Title: December 30, 2025 - Snowshoeing along Road 13S77
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Cherry Gap

Trail: Road 13S77

Destination: About an hour in

Actual Destination: actual, about a quarter mile before the top of Hoist Ridge

Distance: 1.98 miles

Start Time: 12:50

End Time: 2:44

Travel Time: 1:53 (1.05 mph)

Moving Time: 1:32 (1.29 mph)

Elevation Rise: 300' ¹

Descent: 261‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,983'

GPS Tracks

¹There is several different readings on the elevation rise. The 651’ from the GPS is certainly wrong as is the Google Earth calculated rise of 503’. The descent of 261’ is much closer to the truth. The elevation rise from a February 24, 2024 snowshoe to the top of the ridge was 541’. Steven’s watch said in the upper 200’s. The net rise from where we began to where we ended was about 160’. So I think the upper 200’s is the correct figure.

Rachel and Sherri at start

Description:

Today will be the first snowshoe this season. I do not think we went last season-a combination of being busy, the storms coming through when we were available and it not being too good of a snow year. Rachel is coming with us, but will be coming over after her 9am yoga class which ends at 10.

She gets in about 10:15-I am ready, but Steven and Sherri are still getting things together. We are all in the car with me driving by 10:45-that all includes Korra. Earlier there was some ground fog, but that has dispersed. The drive up is uneventful, except for stopping in Yokut/Squaw Valley for some gas.. We pass the 5000’ elevation sign without signs of snow-this does not look too good.

By the time we get to the Grant Grove entrance station, there is snow. We asked if there was chain control-No.Does he know if there is snow at Princess campground -he thinks so, but has not been there lately. When we pass by McGee Overlook, there is a layer of low overcast above the Central Valley, making it look like an ocean.

At 12:15 we get to Princess Campground. The ground looks pretty patchy for snow and whatever snow is on the ground is thin. We quickly decided that around Cherry Gap there was better snow. We retreat back up 180. We will go up Road 13S77-not the Converse Basin Road-that has a lot of exposure to the sun so there is bare ground there. We parked the car a little before 12:30.

Magic Elf on a tree

The first thing we do is get all of our gear together. Years ago my brother gave me some Sorel snow boots. They seemed a bit stiff, so I could not get them on. I am substituting my hiking boots for the snow boots. After having a bit of lunch-peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches, if you must know-we start on our trip. This would be 12:50 start time. Steven is on his cross-country skis, while the rest of the humans have snowshoes on. Korra, of course, is on four leg drive and does not need any assistance on snow. Then again, the snow is deep enough and hard enough that we can easily snowshoe or ski on top of it without fear of hitting ground, probably averaging a foot or maybe a generous two feet.

At 12:51, the first fall of the season takes place. I manage to have my right foot step on the back of the left snowshoe. I had two choices: try to right myself and risk a face plant or try to fall gracefully. I chose the latter. Nothing hurt, except my pride. Wonder if that will be how this day goes.

There are a few spots along this road where you can look across the Kings and enjoy the view. The first viewpoint is OK, but does not make for a good picture since there are a lot of branches obstructing the view. I turn away, walk a few steps and realize something did not feel right. I looked down and saw one snowshoe. Turning around, I see the missing shoe. It quickly gets put on. It will be that kind of day.

The road is a gradual rise. Not many people have been up the road since the last storm. After a hundred feet we see that those who came without being prepared for snow travel have turned back, leaving the only tracks we see being a few snowshoe marks, two cross country ski tracks-Steven’s is one of them, and Korra’s claw and paw marks.

Snow Dog Korra

I keep looking at the views. Spanish Mountain is the dominant view, with some views up the Middle Fork of the Kings, then looking west we can see Rodgers Ridge, where the Garnet Fire started. It is good to be going along this road, even if we have gone up it many times before.

But there are some things which are new. When we come to a little creek, I look at a tree and see what looks like a couple elves with a snow cap on them. In reality, it is a couple of fungi with the recent snow still covering them. From there, the road goes on its final climb up Hoist Ridge. Rachel says that I was charging right up the slope. That is until I looked back and waited for Rachel and Sherri.

When they caught up to me, I saw Korra coming down the slope towards us. Then there is speck way up at the top of the bend. That speck came barrelling down-the speck is commonly called Steven. He stops before he completely passes us by.

I had set a 1:45 turn around time and that is what time it is. We start back. Steven on his skis is quickly out of sight. For us on snowshoes, going down is a lot easier. We made good time going back down the road. There are some different views across the Kings than when we came up. It gives us a few natural breathing places.

We got back to the car at 2:45. Rachel gets a man to take our picture. Then it is time to go back home. Rachel drives us down. We do stop at the McGee Overview to look at the overcast clouds down in the Valley. I spotted Delilah and tried to take a picture.

We get home at 4:15 and unload the car. We are having the car serviced tomorrow. We have gotten back in time to take the car in. Then it is time to relax, take a shower and partake of leftovers.

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

November 5, 2025 - Search for the Muir Snag

Title: November 5, 2025 - Search for the Muir Snag

Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Gate on road 13S50

Trail: SQF Road 13S50 and a segment of 13S31

Destination: Junction with 13S07

Actual Destination: Beyond the junction and onto 13S31

Distance: 3.43 miles

Start Time: 11:37

End Time: 2:48

Travel Time: 3:10 (1.08 mph)

Moving Time: 2:09 (1.59 mph)

Elevation Rise: 516'

Descent: 551‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,277'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sequoia and Gary

I get up at 6:30, not knowing what we will be doing today. We had talked about hiking a couple of days ago, but there was no decision. Also there was nothing about going with dogs or no dogs. When Sherri gets up, that is the question. After talking, we decided to go hiking. With the last minute decision, Rachel cannot go, but Steven can. Korra also agrees to go.

When we pile into the car, we have no idea where we are going, we just want to go. Going north is out because of the rain which is going to occur just north of Fresno. So we head east. Three weeks ago, we wanted to look for the Muir Snag, but were stymied by it being hunters being in season. But today there should be little which stops us.

I start driving at 10. We only stop at Big Stump. Then off to the road to the Muir Snag area. We get there about 11:25 and start walking at 11:45. We will be walking along road 13S50 which is just east of Converse Mtn.

I had not found a definitive location for the Snag, but from the description, I am thinking it is about ¾ of a mile up this road. Even if we do not find it, this is a pleasant day to walk this road. The storm to the north has us with clouds overhead, but not much of a breeze. So while not hot, the day is not cold. Just right for walking.

The road goes up, but for the most part, the grade is not bad. I suspect Sherri and I are just out of shape. There are a few divots to allow water runoff which runs across the road. They are easy to cross on foot, but I am sure our Highlander would scrape bottom on some of them.

Steven and I trade leads, as we look high and low for the large, dead Sequoia which Muir found. We see many young living Sequoias, some stumps, but no snag. I made it to the junction with Forest Service road 13S07-Sherri and I hiked that road a couple of years ago, through the Indian Basin Grove.

I wait there for about 10 minutes.Sherri and Steven do not show up, but Korra comes along to check on me. So I head back. I find Steven looking down into where a dry unnamed creek is. When I get to Steven, I see the object of his interest-his Mom. She is about 50’ below the road. She is exploring, looking for the Snag. Steven goes down to join her and I follow a few minutes later. We searched in the area, but no success.

We wander our way back up, with me about five minutes behind. Once we get to the road, we travel on to the junction. I noted that it looked like if we went around the bend in the road, we might be able to have a better view and that is what we do. While there is a good view, there are some trees which hamper it from being a great view.

We find a log and have our lunch at 1:10. I am thinking if I follow this road a little ways further, I might have a better view of Kings Canyon and across the way to Spanish Mountain.. But the road starts to go more on the south side of the ridge instead of the north. I realize that I am walking on road 13S31 which will eventually bring me back to Highway 180. When the road started to drop sharply, I decided I would turn back. Korra has been racing back and forth. I did notice a place which looked like an old road, but it was pretty dug up with logs having fallen across it. Still no great view.

So I make my way back to where Steven and Sherri are waiting. Sherri has noticed a mound beyond Rodgers Ridge. I think it is part of Patterson Mountain. We started back and I noticed a different peak behind the upper part of the ridge. At first I thought it was Kaiser Peak, but after consulting PeakFinder, it looks like it is Eagle Peak.

We walk back down the road, eyeballing everyplace where Sequoias are, but there is no sign of a massive dead Sequoia. Steven goes down one place, but no joy.Either we are blind or the Muir Snag is someplace else. Still it is a good walk.

A couple of things which we did see. First there was a puffball fungus. These are always interesting. Then there is a little vole right in the middle of the road. A pretty cute little thing.

By 2:45 we got back to the car. Steven takes over the driving responsibility. We all are in agreement that stopping at Bear Mountain Pizza is a good idea. We get home at 4:30.