September 6, 2022 - Delilah

 

Title: September 6, 2022 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description : Background  Animals 

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

Description:

My last day on this stint at Delilah, and what is predicted to be the hottest. I am not sure what it is, maybe heat. maybe old age-i hope it is heat, not old age-but I feel like I want to go home. I guess I am tired. These are long days. I am looking forward to getting off at 1800

I get up at 0520 and start my lightning report. There were six strikes all west of Florence Lake, but several cloud to cloud east of Buck Rock. She heard them last night.

Watts and Burroughs Valley-where the fire was yesterday

I go into service at 0700-for once on time at Delilah, I go in-service when the Forest thought I was going in. I finish up the lightning report on Forest time at 0720. After doing a few scans, I have my breakfast. By 0900, it is 90 degrees inside of the cab and by 1000 it is 91 outside and 94 inside. When I take the weather, the RH is 20%. This catches the Forest’s attention. I now go into my wet T-Shirt and cap mode. Any bets on if and when the cab will reach 100 degrees?

 

 

 

 

By the way, in an earlier blog, I talked about the birds at Delilah. Add sparrows in as well. Usually there are turkey vultures, but so far I have not seen them. Also several times dragonflies have entered into my binoculars field of vision. Talking about objects being closer than they appear. The first time, I wonder what is going to devour me.

Along the lines of birds, I made hummingbird water for the first time. Sherri usually does that. Now to see if the hummingbirds like my attempt.

It must be a rule of mine: there must be at least one fax paus each day I am in a tower. Today’s attempt at mucking up is that I missed the 1100 Sierra lookout check-in. Why you might ask? I am usually pretty regular with that one. While my hand-held radio battery decided it had lost all of its energy. I cannot blame it as with this heat, I have lost a lot of energy myself. Thanks to Buck Rock, I found out that I had been missed. So I called in that I was all safe and sound.

 

 

 

 

Clouds and the Kings River

 

Otherwise, life continues on. I scan and practice placing locations in my range. I have in my notes for the next person: be careful of the railings. They get scorching hot. Also I listen in on conversations. Such as the Forest is getting ready to release water from Hume Lake to do repairs. There is a lot of coordination. First between the contractors and the Forest. Then getting the personnel at Hume Lake to make sure everybody is safe in the Lake and down stream. Then finally to open the valve. Also the Forest personnel try to take care of the visitors. Such as a lady had a flat tire down by Grizzly Falls. Patrol 33 was sent down to assess and try to help. Patrol 33 ended up taking the lady into Cedar Grove to phone for assistance.

Just before 1500, I heard of a smoke being spotted at Redinger Lake. It is outside of where I can see, but I look anyway in case I can see it. Nope-too big of a ridge between Delilah and the San Joaquin River.

Water Gate opened at Hume Lake

Porterville notes that Forest personnel are on from 0730 to 1930 this week. I talk with Buck Rock and she is in agreement that I can still go out of service at 1800. I am thankful for that. The only other thing which happens is Richard calls up. He is coming in tomorrow and wants to know about anything he should be concerned about. Not really. There was a fire, but it was cleared up. But I tell him, be prepared for it to be hot. I then clean up the cab-disinfecting the counter tops, mopping the floor, getting rid of the trash. At 1813 I go out of service with both Sierra and Porterville.

The drive home is uneventful. I got home a few minutes after 2000, tired but feeling good. Particularly after taking a shower and having some ice cream.

I would be remiss in leaving without calling out people who called to check in, or have conversation with me. These people include Kathy, Wendy, Doug, and, of course, Sherri-my wife. Thank you!

Background

Time	Outdoor Temp	Indoor Temp
0600	82	83
0900	87	90
1000	91	94
1100	93	95
1200	91	93
1300	92	93
1400	93	93
1600	93	95

Animals

September 5, 2022 - Delilah

 

Title: September 5, 2022 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Background 

Hike Info:

Type:Lookout

Description:

I woke up around 0500. The stars are still out, shining brightly and there is only the vagist hint of a morning being brought beyond the crest. I drift on and off to sleep for half an hour. By then, the sun has decided to creep over the mountains, highlighting the clouds. I get up and do my lighting report-don’t you get tired of me saying that? There were three strokes, all south of Florence Lake.

By the time I get done with the report, it is time to make a quick trip down to the base of the tower, to get a few things together to bring back up. Then it is back up into the tower and getting ready for the new day. Ten minutes later I go into service. Despite the cloud cover, it is already getting warm-81 outside and 83 in the cab-I do not think it will get better. Today is slated to be the hottest day of this heat wave. How can something called a wave be so discomforting? I know, there are also tidal waves and the like. But when you are in the middle of something, you think this is the worst thing ever-it is not.

Clouds above Park Ridge

Then I start my routine of scanning, listening to the radio. I do have a dish of granola for breakfast. When taking a look at the weather, there definitely is a layer of smoke, dirt, and smog a little higher than me across the Central Valley. Also Kathy calls me and we talk for about twenty minutes. It is always good to hear from her. She is so positive of a person.

Last night during our family Zoom time, Sherri brought up that Meagan talked about Silence during her sermon-I suspect the “her'' may be not right, after all isn’t a sermon God speaking to us. Is the message then God’s or it should be the congregation’s, through a messenger? I digress. I should also say, I have not heard the sermon and probably will not for a few more days.

That has got me thinking about a book I am using as a source of meditation, Backpacking with the Saints by Weldon C. Lane. There is a chapter in there about Solitude. He also has a great deal to say about the need for Silence. Up here in the lookout, I definitely do not have a lot of direct human contact. But is that Solitude? In the tower, it really is not Silence, at least during working hours, as with the two radios going, there is rarely time where they are silent for more than 15 minutes. And by the time I get done, I am ready for bed. I need to figure out a different routine.

My "Spaceship" cloud

Both Silence and Solitude do not have value in themselves. Such as I can while away my time alone playing games or reading light-weight books during my time. But does that really count as something which anybody would consider a splendid use of that time? And now that I am to write this, I see that I am thinking in utilitarian terms. I suspect that “use” is not the main thrust of either one. It more is: how do I get to know myself better? How do I get to know my God better? That would be where Silence and Solitude should lead me. Both “know’s” are not quantifiable in terms of productivity and so cannot be thought about in their utility. Rather I think times of quiet allows me to understand more of God’s intentions in my life.

Maybe that is why it is so hard to be still. Understanding leads to action and action with understanding can lead to discomfort. Discomfort in that action is change-I learned that early on in Physics. May I need to make my life open to the changes the Father wants.

One of the things with scans is that I am learning to observe. From a lookout, it is just a matter of time before birds come into view. Two red-winged hawks were doing a synchronized dance when I was looking towards Sampson Flat. They were twirling around. I suspect they were looking for game. Last night I was reading how hawks will use their shadow to drive their prey into chaos, making the prey easier to spot. I guess it is not to provide me with a few moments of awe. They quickly disappear. But then a red-headed woodpecker appears on a dead tree to the east. Another way to slow down and enjoy the wonder which I have been given.

Looking up the Kings River

For as hot as the prediction was, it does not seem to be that hot. I am still sweating, but there is a pleasant breeze which gives the illusion of coolness until I step into the sunlight. Then I know it's hot.

Just got through reading Wendy’s staffing e-mail. I just saw that I was to go into service at 0700. Sigh, I should have read it closer. In the past during extended hours it has been 0800 to 2000. I was looking to see what time they had us getting off tonight-2000. Am I getting tired of the heat?

The heat does not feel as bad as it did Sunday, so I am slightly more active. I do stop and lay down occasionally in the afternoon. But those are for 15 minute spurts-governed by my timer. Nothing exciting. There are more clouds. I let Buck Rock know that I am seeing a cell going in her direction on the Earthnetworks map.

Around 1745, I have my dinner: skillet warmed Mexican food. Filling and satisfying. Also I end up eating some crackers, nuts, and cookies.

 

 

 

Night settling in over Delilah

But my reverie of food and contentment at not having anything happen in my area ends. There is a fire called out by Sierra in the Burrough Valley area. Wait, that is just across the lake (Pine Flat) from me, just short of 16 miles. But as much as I look over there, I cannot see the smoke. The haze really blocks any chance of spotting it. Also, I think there is a slight ridge between me and it. I call in that I cannot see any smoke. Then about seven minutes later, there is a plume of white against the dirty gray of the haze. There is the smoke. Right on the mark which I had calculated it would be. I call that in as well. That is about all I can do for this fire. If it starts getting bigger, I will note that with Sierra.

I continued scanning until 2000. Even though as the shadows extend and the ravines get swallowed up in darkness, the benefits of being up here diminish. At 2000 I go out of service. After a trip downstairs, I talked with Sherri for a while. Then it is time to drift off to sleep.

 

 

Trail Lesson:  Read and understand; do not assume.

Background

Time	Outdoors Temp	Inside Temp
0800	81	83
0900	83	86
1000	85	88
1100	88	90
1200	87	89
1400	86	88
1500	78	89
1600	89	92

September 6, 2020 - Delilah

 

Title:  September 6, 2020 - Delilah
Hike Info : Description 

Trail head: Delilah Lookout

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Please note: This is not a record of the Creek Fire. We were at Delilah Lookout, 25-30 miles away from the action. Below is a combination of my recollection, Forest Service radio communications, text and e-mail conversations with those who know fire. Consequently, this blog entry should be read from the perspective of a person who had a narrow, but interesting window into fighting the Creek Fire and the rescues which all the first responders achieved.

 

Description:

A new day. What will it bring? Smoke obviously. But will there be good news from the Creek Fire? Will there be an expansion? How about all of the people who needed to get out at Mammoth Pool or China Peak?

The sun gives a hint about the smoke. It rises right where the moon rose last night, over Converse Mountain. Today it is a fiery red ball with the trees being silhouetted.

Both Shuteye and Mt Tom Lookouts are now endangered. Shuteye has left its lookout and is heading down the mountain. He has not been heard from in a while. Mt Tom is leaving soon. At 0848 there is good news that the Shuteye lookout has been heard from and is safely out of the danger zone. We follow on the radio Mt Tom’s lookout leaving. He stops on the way out and finds a car covered in ash. No trace of the occupants.

We go inservice at 0800. Once again, we have a low RH-17%. Not a good sign. At 1020 we notify Porterville that we only have 2 to 3 miles of visibility. It is hot! Outside, it is 96⁰. But inside it is over 100⁰. and it is going to get warmer. Fortunately, we have been able to cool it down a bit to about 96⁰. Usually the mornings are hot at Delilah followed by breezes going up the Canyon, cooling down the tower. But today those breezes do not come up. And at 1500, we have even less visibility.

 

And then there are the people at Mammoth Pool and China Peak. Mammoth Pool looks like a large helicopter came in and lifted them out-maybe several trips. Not sure. But it sounds like there may still be a few more people down there. If this is true, that has got to be an amazing evacuation. My understanding is that they still cannot get into Mammoth Pool via a land route-the fire is still raging there.

On China Peak, it sounds like they were able to get people out last night with their vehicles. From what we heard is that they brought people up 168 until Tamarack Ridge and then took some of the Dinkey Creek roads down to where Dinkey Creek is. On the other hand, I heard they brought out the Wishon and Courtwright people down Black Rock Road to Balch Camp. When Sherri and I did this in June I was glad we were going up it, not down it. I think the rangers agree with that assessment as it was reported that a group of campers-found some drivers who were soberish to drive down Black Rock Road.

There are also backpackers coming out of the backcountry. Some are congregating at VVR. Also at Florence Lake. We also heard them say that they should stop at Blayney Meadows. I have got to assume they will airlift them out as well.

Fog or Smoke?

 

1530 and we see a blanket of smoke enveloping the tower like a fog bank. Even though it is hot, we have closed all of the windows and the door to keep out the smoke. Our inside temperature climbs from about 94⁰ to over 100 ⁰. We cannot tell how hot-the indoor thermometer only says “Hi”. We have a discussion first between Sherri and I and then with the group about vacating the lookout. We decided that if the conditions are the same at 1600, we will vacate-probably not coming back up tomorrow as we will not have visibility.

1600 rolls around and no improvement. We notify our group of plans. Wendy says that BC32 is in agreement. When I talk with him to confirm our decision, he also says to let Div 3 know when we go out of service. We go out of service a few minutes after 1700.

We made it back home by about 1930 with no problems. Wonder if we will be back up at Delilah this year?

===========

I thought I might venture a trip back to Delilah on Labor Day, Monday, Sept 7th. Looking at Delilah’s webcams, there would be no value as it was very much all smoked over and no visibility.

July 31, 2012 – Overlook to Florence Lake

Title: July 31, 2012 – Overlook to Florence Lake

Trail head: Overlook

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Ranch

Destination: Florence lake

Distance: 2.3

Travel Time: 0:33

Moving Time: 0:31

Elevation Rise: 157'

Maximum Elevation: 7,465'

Description:
My morning meditation: Can a Christian ever be alone in this world? For two plus days, we did not see any human besides ourselves and there was hardly a trace of anyone either, except for an occasional duck or if we were fortunate, a little path for a 100 yards. Saw a broken stem of a flower and a couple of foot prints. But you, O Lord, were with us as we wandered. You left signs for us in the beauty we saw. We felt caring in that when we might despair, you should show us the way. Thank you.



Last night read the first chapters of Ephesians. How that makes the heart soar. This morning woke up thinking how hiking is like life. In the cities, we clean up to go to the theater or art museum, which imitates life. But hiking for several days , it is hard work. You sweat, get dirty, strain your muscles. But you see the sights of heaven. Even these are imitations of that which is above. Same way with our walk. We go to church. But it is our life outside of church which is where the real herorics happen. How we live out our lives with others, helping our neighbor on their way to heaven.



Got up around 6. This is a slow day. Just need to make it to the dock by 9—about a mile or a mile and ahlaf. Or we can hike around the lake. Right now, nobody feels strongly about doing the later hike. So down we go. Sherri is leading the way. The trail gets a bit confusing and so we go off on ways unexpected, but still fun. We make it down in plenty of time.



An enjoyable ride across the lake. This is the driver's first time taking the boat, so he is getting directions from his boss—the owner. The lake is low, so the submerged rocks do provide some real challenge to navigation. But we make it cross safe. We get a few drinks from the store and pay the boat fee. And then it is time to make it back to Fresno and the Red Robin hamburger awaiting us.

July 30, 2012 – Goddard Canyon to Florence Lak

Title: July 30, 2012 – Goddard Canyon to Florence Lake

Trail head: Goddard Canyon

Hike Info:

Trail: Goddard Canyon, JMT, John Muir Ranch

Destination: Florence Lake

Actual Destination: About a mile before the lake

Distance: 16.1 miles

Travel Time: 11:20

Moving Time: 7:09

Elevation Rise: 1,191'

Maximum Elevation: 9,933'

Description:
Got up and went for a short walk with Andrea. First we went up and saw the falls I remember as being spectacular—it was not. What I remember was a deep gorge with a water fall of 50' or so dropping straight down. What we saw was the river cascading down. We then went down stream a ways to where a creek fed into the San Joaquin. This was closer to the falls I remembered—the vertical drop. Really nice. This was just a prelude to what we would see today.

 



We were talking about do we want to try to make it to Florence by 5 when the last ferry leaves our end of the lake? Or take the first ferry out. We decided that the 17-18 miles was a bit of a stretch for us right now, even though almost all of it would be downhill. So we did not get an early start—about 8:30 or so.



As we go down Goddard Canyon, we follow the San Joaquin River. It has cut through the stone, leaving a series of small but heart-refreshing waterfalls along the way. It seemed like ever half mile or so, there was a fall which we had to stop and take a picture of. Just downright drop-dead-gorgeous.



We are making faster time than we anticipated. So about 10 we are wondering can we make it to Florence in time. Will our stamina give out? We are also making comments like, we are glad we are going down this rather than up. But looking at the topo map, it is not as bad as the climb into Evolution Valley.



A little bit after noon, we reach the intersection with the JMT/Evolution Valley. We are making good time, but we need to stop for lunch and water. It is starting to get hot again and we will be going down the hot section of the trail—see the notes from July 25^th and 26^th. But we still are in relatively good humor and feeling strong. So on we go.



As we continue down the canyon, we retrace our steps from four days ago. It is still rocky, it is still hot. But we make it to Piute Creek, the border of the National park and the National Forest. There is a pack train, stretched across the train—not along the trail and the pack leader does nothing to move the beasts. So we need to go around through the manzanita—getting pretty scratched up along the way—still think pretty bad thoughts about the pack master. Also the pack master gave out some very bad information about the last ferry and distances—information we knew was wrong. We stop at the creek and evaluate—we do know, even without the pack master mis-information—that we will not make it to the ferry. It is 3pm. So we slow down a little.



As we come down, I need to take a leak and go off the trail a little way. I find a cabin marked as the John Muir Cabin—this is different than the John Muir Hut on top of Muir Pass. The cabin looks a bit run down, some of the floorboards are missing and there is trash in the cabin. But I suppose if you needed shelter in a storm, this would work.



We continue on down the trail. I thought we had decided to stop for a break when we rejoined the San Joaquin—but Sherri and Andrea had other ideas and were pretty upset at me when I stopped. We pass by the John Muir Ranch and Blaney Meadow. We stop and have dinner at ___ Creek. Nice affair. We decide to continue on for a ways, but filling up our water.



We get a little ways from the trail junction where you go down to the ferry or hike around the lake. There is a campsite, up on the ridge, overlooking the San Joaquin. We decide that we have enough water on us and we only need to do breakfast, that we would do a dry camp up here. Very nice view and we need the rest.

July 27, 2012 – Evolution Meadow to Sapphire Lake

 Title: July 27, 2012 – Evolution Meadow to Sapphire Lake

Trail head: Evolution Meadow

Hike Info:

Trail: John Muir Trail

Destination: Wanda Lake

Actual Destination: Sapphire Lake

Distance: 8.9 miles

Travel Time: 10:00

Moving Time: 4:52

Elevation Rise: 2,307'

Maximum Elevation: 10,992'

Description:
After yesterday morning, I stayed in my bag until Sherri moved—probably 6 or 6:30. But I could not outlast Andrea who rose up at 7:30. We discuss this some—Andrea thinks we should have woke her up sooner, and that is probably true.



We have breakfast and Sherri hits the trail at 9:20. Andrea and I follow shortly. We pass through Evolution Meadow, the least of the three meadows in Evolution Valley. Making good time. But we start climbing up a ridge and get to McClure Meadow.



This meadow is just so pretty. You get the idea of a perfect Valley It is some place which you can spend time just admiring. We do not do it justice. Just before Colby Meadow, we catch up with Sherri and take a break.



This starts our leap frogging of a Japanese man00older with limited English. We would pass him several times. Very courteous. Later it looks like he was hobbling and we offer moleskin, but he says he does not have blisters.



The JMT book sad we might need to wade one creek. But it was pretty low so we crossed o a log. Then the start of our steep 800' climb. Coming up the Valley, we already rose up 900'.



We spot a couple of waterfalls and head over there. I borrow Sherri's Teva's and go under the falls—cold--not shocking cold. But it did get the heart racing. Andrea did the same thing after I was through.



We are hot and slow. But there is enough eye candy, mostly The Hermit, to keep us going. The U-Shape of the Valley gives a peaceful feeling. The altitude is also working against us. We are about 10,000' now. Well that is except the energizer bunny—Andrea--who still has a bounce in her step.



By the time we get to Evolution Lake, it is 4. Sherri is still good for Sapphire Lake. So we start the 2 mile, 200' trek there. Andrea goes ahead to find a camp site. In contrast with the warmth of the day, the falling evening shadows send a chill through us. Then with the breeze, it is getting downright cold.

The site Andrea has found is by the Lake, smooth enough to pitch our tent. So Andrea will sleep with us tonight. Good thing she bought us a 3 person tent. While dinner is being made, Andrea and I go fly a kite—at 11,000' for our capture California points. We eat, clean up and watch the sun set—or more accurately, we see the light leave the surrounding mountains.



Trail Lesson: Waterfalls are a great source of refreshment—both visual and when you personally plunge in.