Gary-Summer: Kings Canyon

Showing posts with label Kings Canyon. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

June 9, 2026 - Park Ridge Trail

Title: June 9, 2026 - Park Ridge Trail
Hike Info : Description

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Panoramic Point

Trail: Park Ridge Trail and Service Road

Destination: Park Ridge Lookout

Distance: 5.48 miles

Start Time: 10:12

End Time: 2:40

Travel Time: 4:28 (1.23 mph)

Moving Time: 2:46 (1.98 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,111 '

Descent: 918‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,696'

Minimum Elevation: 7,206'

GPS Tracks

Description:

When I was at Park Ridge Lookout last week I left behind some stuff in the refrigerator. The food I did not care about, but the container and it turns out my insulin as well was left behind. A normal human bean would have turned around when they discovered this and drove the 20 minutes back to the lookout. But then I think, this sounds like a perfect excuse for a hike. That leads us to today.

I got up at 6:00 and did the lightning stuff-there was none in the California skies yesterday. Since this is a day hike, I was able to get mostly prepared last night. I had wanted to leave someplace between 8:15 and 8:30. We came close, having to return to get my keys to the car, we left at 8:40, The we is Steven and Rachel. I am driving and we make it to Panoramic Point parking area a few minutes after 10.

We started hiking about 10:15 and went to the original Panoramic Point. Always a good view, particularly of what is north of the Kings. I start pointing out the various places which we see from Delilah. After ten or fifteen minutes we start on the Park Ridge Trail. This will take us around and on the spine of some of the ridge. The last time I walked this trail, I pooped out about ⅔rds of the way to the lookout. We will see what we will do today.

The trail rolls along the ridge. Both up and down. I admit, when we climbed up some of the slopes, I did so rather slowly. But I made it up each one, in good order, without feeling like I was not going to make it. We did stop in some places-sometimes to breathe after all we are above 7,000’. But mostly because a view came in which I wanted to enjoy and share.

We made it to the saddle about 11:30 and had lunch there. Sherri and I have found these logs to be restful and they did not disappoint. This spot is about 60% of the way to the lookout. When I did this before, I already knew that it was time to turn back. While not chipper, I think I have enough in me to make it all the way to the lookout and back to the car.

The next part had a prescribed burn, I think two seasons ago. From the saddle, it looks like it is going to be gruesome. But soon, we rise out and above that and see that most of our trail does not go through the burn and the burn only looks bad in places. Once we hit the top of the ridge, I am able to walk pretty good, that is until the next rise. But I know that we will descend soon to the service road and a short rise to the lookout.

We had seen people returning from the lookout and they were pretty jazzed about what they saw and heard up there. It is always good to hear that a fellow lookout has conveyed their love of being up in the tower to other people. Later on when I asked George about it, he said that they just kept asking questions. I know the feeling as I had a family do that to me as well.

We get up to Park Ridge Lookout. We go up and George welcomes us. This is the first time Rachel has been up in a lookout and I think the second time for Steven. They talk with George and he explains the various aspects of being up here. We also talked about the water situation. He has found mineral deposits in the water supply at the lowest place. Indicates either the tank has rust or the water coming in contains sediments. I retrieve my stuff and after 50 minutes we are on our way back.

We had taken the trail in, but decided to take the service road back. After all, we would see a different set of scenery this way. The service road is about the same length as the trail and close to the same elevation gain, but a bit more gentle. I show Steven and Rachel where I saw the bear last week-definitely gone and now sign of him. There is Log Corral Meadow which I just love walking by. We briefly stop for a rest break and I an energy bar at the saddle before continuing on. Today is not dreadfully hot, so the sunny part of the trail is not bad. We are able to peer down into Wilsonia and see some of the cabins.

We got back to the car around 2:40. Rachel, who was a bit concerned about the road, offered to drive and I accepted. We got back home by 4:15. I am tired and glad she drove. The shower did feel good.

Thursday, January 22, 2026

January 22, 2026 - Snowshoe Rabbit Meadow

Title: January 22, 2026 - Snowshoe Rabbit Meadow
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing

Trail head: Big Meadow Winter Parking Lot

Trail: Big Meadow Road (14S11), Rabbit Meadow Trail (13S11B, 14S11E)

Destination: Loop

Distance: 2.37 miles

Start Time: 11:52

End Time: 2:40

Travel Time: 2:47 (0.85 mph)

Moving Time: 1:40 (1.30 mph)

Elevation Rise: 323'

Descent: 335‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,788'

Minimum Elevation: 7,636'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Thin Snow and Bare Spot

The only thing which I am pretty sure about when I got up this morning is that we are planning on going up to the snow. Where and when is an open question as we have not determined that. We have talked about going to Badger Pass. But more than likely we will not be going there as it needs a full day's worth of time. We need to get up and leave pretty close to 8-maybe later on as the days get longer it will be easier to do.

Korra, the snow dog

Also a contributing factor is the fog. It seems like almost each day in January the fog has been pretty thick until about 10. And it turns out that 10 is the magic time as everybody is ready then. We left the house at 10. Even then there is some fog. Visibility is OK until we get out of Fresno when there are some places it becomes a little dense. But not bad. We made it to Big Stump without knowing where we wanted to go. Steven and Sherri left it to me on where to go. I thought going up to Rabbit Meadow along the Big Meadow Road would be good.

Sherri

One bit of concern is that there is hardly any snow at Big Stump. It is not until we get to the Kings Canyon Overlook does the ground look promising. Even here there is not a complete covering of ground with snow, but it gets better. When we get to the Big Meadow Snow Parking Lot, at least there is mostly snow cover except for around the trees. We get there at 11:35 and get our equipment together.

By 11:55 we start on our way.Sherri and I with snowshoes on; Steven on his skis while Korra can only use her paws-she seems to thrive with them in the snow. The road is the same as what we did two weeks ago. But there is noticeably less snow than then, but more snow than the Pan Pt Road last week.Still there are several bare spots under trees.

When we hit the junction with the Rabbit Meadow Trail, we leave the road. Steven has gone ahead of us. At least we are seeing his ski tracks and Kotta’s paw prints leading the way. This route to Rabbit Meadow is not a stranger to us. There is flagging leading the way as well as the tracks. It is enjoyable being away from the snowmobile tracks. Being courteous snowshoers, we try to keep off of the ski tracks, at least as much as possible. There are places where we come across fallen trees and need to go around the fallen logs. There are also places where the route goes between rocks and we walk on the tracks.

Gary&Sherri crossing the creek

Generally it is a pretty mild route and we are enjoying ourselves. We are close to the far end of the loop when we see Koraa bounding through the woods. Either Korra is playing Lassie and we need to rescue Timmie or Steven is close by. Looking at Korra’s route, we think Steven is just on the other side. So we cut across the mostly snow covered meadow. There is a little bit of runoff cutting down the center of the meadow. I find a place which is snow covered and cross there. I hear a bit of a woof--the snow collapsing under me. Fortunately I sink only a few inches so nothing bad. Still I have Sherri go around that area.

It is closing in on 1 and we have not had lunch. About ten minutes later we spot some logs which look dry. At 1:05 we stop and have our lunch. It would be nice just to spend a few more minutes there, but with the sky being overcast and the temperature in the mid-40’s, I need a bit of movement to keep warm. So we take off after about 15 minutes.

Big Meadows Road with Sherri, Gary and Korra

One thing about being in the snow is that little creeks which you would step across hiking becomes a bit more of an adventure crossing when the ground is level and you only have boots on your feet. But when that little creek cuts through snow banks, there may be a steep V of 2-3’ to descend and climb up without splashing. Steven does it on ski’s. I try to finesse this, but not very gracefully. I do not end up in the drink. Sherri does it better than I did and climbs right up the bank.

Steven continues to follow the route of the Rabbit Meadow loop. But there is some nice unbroken snow which I decide to walk over. That is always fun for me.Sometimes it leads me into trouble. But not today. Just pure, easy pleasure. I notice that Steven has come to another little creek. He crosses and goes over a mound. I noticed that 100’ sooner, there is a nice flat place to cross that creek and I navigate around the logs which make up the mound Steven went over.

On the other side of the logs we meet up the trail, heading back over to the Big Meadows Road. Then it is time to head back. We get to the car at 2:40. We take a few minutes to put everything away. By the time we leave, it is 3pm. Now the question, where and what do we want to eat? We decided to head all the way home and pick up dinner at the Doghouse Grill.Sounds like a good way to end the day.

Extra Photo's

Foggy Valley

Redwood Mountain two weeks apart

Sherri's selfie

Gary

Rabbit Meadow

Gary, Sherri and Steven

Steven and Korra

Gary, Korra and Steven

Valley Fog

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.