Title: February 21, 2018 - Hite Cove
Hike Info : Description : Trail Lessons : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants
Hike
Info:
Type:
Hiking
Trail:
Hie Cove
Destination:
Hite Cove
Actual
Destination: About 3 miles in, a mile short
Distance:
6.30
miles
Start
Time: 9:50
End
Time: 2:29
Travel
Time: 4:39
(1.31
mph)
Moving
Time: 3:43 (1.69
mph)
Elevation
Rise: 1,495'
Descent: 1,436‘
Maximum
Elevation: 1,798'
Description:
 |
| Meetup on the go |
If you have been a faithful
reader of this blog, you know that over the past two months, I have
moaned and complained that I have not gotten my strength back from
last summer. But lately, things are getting better. But I did miss a
hike a week ago because I was starting to come down with the flu.
Sherri has been battling the flu for two weeks now. So the question
for today is, how much has the flu weakened us?
This is a meetup hike, so we
meet in Fresno and take off from there. Seeing as Sherri and I are
still coughing, but not as much lately, we will drive separately.
Also this gives us a route of escape if we need to cut the hike
short. The sixteen of us meet up with Jim in Mariposa at the Burger
King there. Then it is onward to The
Savage Trading Post,
or now known as the Redbud Lodge. There is a California
Historical marker
around there, #527. Which has a lot to do with this hike, as it was
Savage’s widow, which one I wonder, who showed Hite where there
might be gold.
 |
| Merced River |
We get to the parking area,
across the highway from the Redbud Lodge-do not park in their parking
area, around 9:40. And then we hit the trail at 9:50. The first part
of the trail is steep. It goes up a driveway, then a path in back of
the Lodge. After passing a couple of water tanks, we then go along
the hillside, well about the South Fork of the Merced
River.
The River will be by our side throughout the trip.
 |
| Gary on the trail |
The Merced is down from its
levels of last year. Of course last year was a high rain year-this
year is a really low rain year. Still the river is really beautiful.
Instead of the white water of last year, there is the slow moving
current which allows you to see the blues and greens of the pools.
Many places look so refreshing, there is the urge to just dive in.
But right now, the water is about a hundred feet below the trail-so
we will have to forego that pleasure-fortunately because that water
is cold!
I am hiking someplace in the
middle of the group. This is somewhat what I am hoping/expecting.
Even with a 15-20lbs pack on I think I am doing good. I am trying to
keep a little ways away from people, just in case I start coughing.
But with this trail and its narrowness, you cannot really step off of
it. But I manage to put a bit of area around me. Sometimes it is nice
hiking alone, just to enjoy what is around you.
 |
| Gary |
After awhile, Art joins me and
we walk for another mile or so, enjoying each other’s company. That
early bit of “feel good” walking has worn off of me. The legs are
starting to feel more strain. Still walking good, but I wonder for
how long. Fortunately there are places to stop and take pictures.
 |
| Hikers along the Merced |
 |
| Our Stopping Point |
One disappointing thing is
that we are a bit early for the massive flower fields this trail is
known for. But when we dip down to the river, there are some rock
swirls which have always infatuated me. I stop take some pictures,
and then tell Art I will be waiting for Sherri to come along to make
sure she is doing OK. As you can tell it is both a concern for her,
but also hoping I get a bit more rest for the legs. Besides, the
river flowing past is nice.
 |
| Gary on the march |
 |
| Sherri on return trip |
 |
| South Fork of Merced |
Sherri is hiking with Rebecca,
Cathey and John. She looks a bit tired, but not ready to turn in yet.
After resting for a few minutes, we continue on. Rebecca and Cathey
go on at a good pace and I sort of am like an accordian-catching up
with them and then slowing down. We keep this up for awhile. The
walking is pretty level, but the path is broken. I am realizing that
my legs are not going to make it all the way to Hite
Cove.
When Sherri catches up with us, we have a quick conference and decide
we will stop here, at the three mile mark.
We had a relaxed lunch, just
the two of us and then we started off back towards the car. Maybe it
was the rest, or just the thought that we did not need to walk
another mile in, but the legs seem to be able to walk a bit better.
Whatever it is, I will take it.
The trail is just the reverse
of what we came in with. But because the sun is out, warming the
hillside, we are seeing more flowers. Sherri is trying her hand at
taking flower shots. Some look pretty good, others, well that is the
reason why you practice. We do take more landscape shots as well.
 |
| Sherri on the final scramble |
When see a house across the
river, we know that our walk is almost done. There is still one up we
need to do. It is a bit of a scramble of it, but we do it without
incident. Now it is just the final downhill-letting gravity do its
work and helping me down. We make it down to the car around 2:30-a
bit earlier than I thought. After resting a few minutes, then writing
a note to John and Cathey, we take off. Sherri is sleeping on our way
through Mariposa, so we do not stop to eat. But there was a couple
vista points Sherri wanted to see. The first is a bust. The second,
we thought was a bust also, but then at a certain location, we can
see Miami Mountain. Score! Now it is to Carl’s Jr-we are going
high class today-in Oakhurst and back to Fresno. The shower felt real
good this night.
Trail Lesson: There
are times when you will
be the weak link of a group. Just accept it and be thankful for
helpful friends.
Extra Photo's
 |
| South Fork of Merced |
 |
| South Fork of Merced |
 |
| Sun lit Trees |
 |
| Interesting Rocks |
 |
| South Fork of Merced |
 |
| South Fork of Merced |
 |
| Trail on cliff |
Flowers and Plants
 |
| California Golden Poppy |
 |
| California Golden Poppy |
 |
| Maybe part of Borage Family |
 |
| Baby Blue Eyes |
