July 10, 2026 - Little Boulder Grover

 

Title: July 10, 2026 - Little Boulder Grover
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Little Boulder Grover East Trailhead on 14S02

Trail:  Little Boulder Grove Trail

Destination: Little Boulder Trail

Distance:  2.51 miles

Start Time: 10:22

End Time:    1:10

Travel Time: 2:47  (0.90 mph)

Moving Time:  1:33  (1.42 mph)

Elevation Rise:  463'

Descent: 472‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,632'

Minimum Elevation: 6,365'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Back in 2017, Sherri, Rose and I walked this trail and were in awe of the Sequoias we found. Not that they were the biggest, nor the most beautiful. But because we could enjoy them without the presence of others. Since that time, I have been wanting to go back, but one thing or another prevented me from doing this. In 2024, Sherri, Steven, Korra and I tried. The only one who did not have troubles navigating the downed trees was Korra and we only got about a half mile in. Wednesday when I was at Delilah, I heard that Crew 3 was at the trailhead. So I hope they have worked on the trail.

I did not want to get up at 5, but since I did not have things ready for our hike today. I got up and did my lightning stuff-none. Then I had breakfast and made lunch. By 8, I was already and Steven and Sherri were up. We pile into the car, with Korra and the wheels start rolling at 8:20. I am driving. Most of the trip was uneventful, except for a guy pulling out in front of me. Not close as far as an accident , just aggravating.

Gary and Steven on Trail

We stopped at Big Stump. I talked with some maintenance people, appreciating their work. Then onward. We turn off of the General’s Highway at Quail Flat, going down the Burton Pass Road-I think formally it is called the Buck Rock Road or in Forest Service parlance 14S02. We arrived at the Little Boulder Grove trailhead-the east one-about 10:10. The big question is: Is the trail passable without going through an obstacle course? The preliminary look down the trail is hopeful.

 

 

 

 

 

Big Tree meets a really big tree

A note about the road going in. There are two ways you can look at this road-and probably will do at the same time. It is only 10½ miles from Quail Flat to the trailhead. But it will take about 40-45 minutes to drive it. It is a paved road in decent condition. But it is narrow and about a lane and a half with lots of sharp curves. So you are constantly looking out for cars coming in your direction. On the other hand, I think it is one of the most beautiful roads in the area, if not the Sierra. You get these occasional glimpses of far off mountain ranges. Meadows poke out to provide a sense of freshness. And there are forests all around you. If you are quick, you can see the tops of the various Sequoia groves in this drainage. It was a pleasure to drive it.

Burnt tree from Rough Fire

We were hoping that the over 100 degree temperatures in Fresno will not follow us up here, after all it is in the mid-6000’ range. Also we had hoped starting earlier would be cooler. Well in the shade, the temperature is pleasant, but when we are in direct sunlight, you can feel the warmth of the sun.

We ignore the heat and enjoy the difference in the condition of the trail from September 2024. The logs have all been cleared and it is easy walking. This is good for about half of a mile. The next third of a mile or so leads down the slope. When we successfully hiked this so many years ago, there were switch backs. But it looks like they are overgrown now. The crew which cleared looks like they obeyed the injunction that the shortest distance between two points is a straightline. The cutting was through brush and there were still stumps of brush on the ground. We needed to watch our feet so we did not trip over them.

 

 

Note: I dumped my track from 2017 and the 2017 and 2026 tracks are almost identical. Not sure where I thought there were switchbacks.

 

Tracks from 2017 which look almost the same ass we did in 2026

 

Twin Sequoias

Still, I am not complaining. Once we finish our descent, the trail levels out and we enter the grove. Anytime I am among Sequoias, there is a sense of how majestic they are and how small I am. The trees in Little Boulder Grove are young. There are no gigantic old trees whose base has widened with age. Instead, these are slender. Some of the trees have burned; damage from the Rough Fire back in 2015, at least that is what I suspect. We tried to figure out which tree we sat at in 2017. In retrospect, this was a futile task as I think the brush got burnt away in the 2015 Rough Fire. It now has had nine years of growth.

We are content with crossing a small rivulet and finding a clear space in the shade to have our lunch. We lounged around for a while, content with not going back into the heat. But we know that is counter productive as the longer we wait, the hotter it will become. I decided to walk about ten minutes further up the trail, just to see what is on the other side of the ridge. What is over the ridge? A creek, Buck Rock Creek which feeds into Little Boulder Creek just down the slope from us. But I do not descend down to the creek, only look. By the time I get back, Sherri and Steven are ready to go. We were at the spot for about 40 minutes.

Almost back to car

At 12:20, we started out, making our return trip. Once again, it is nice walking among the silent Sequoias. But then we have to ascend up to the upper part of the trail. I start lagging behind. This is mostly because my left knee has some pain. This is not the first time. When we were in Minnesota going up stairs, I had the same pain-that was not the first time. I just move slower when I put stress on that knee.

I quickly catch up when we reach the more level upper portion of the trail. I look around and there are impressive views of the mountains on the other side of the Kings-I do need to find openings in the trees to catch the view. Also there are some flowers such as the lupine and indian paintbrush along the way.

We get to the car at 1:30. It certainly is hot inside-and the water bottles will not provide relief and refreshment. Fortunately Steven has an insulated thermos which has kept the water cool. He generously shares it. I start to drive as I want to figure out where a trail is. I did not see it. So Steven drives us home. Shortly after he started driving, I figured out where this trail is, a mile further on. This trail meets the road up to Buck Rock.

Steven asks about stopping at Bear Mtn Pizza. We are all in, until we figure out Korra would be stuck in a hot car. We decided to forgo the pizza. I have Steven stop at the Ranger Station where I tell the information officer that Little Boulder Grove is hikeable now. We get back home about 3:30. I promptly chug some cold sun tea, feeling so much better

Extra Photo's

 

Korra

Sequoia

The one dead Sequoia we saw

Sherri and Steven on trail

The first Sequoia we came to

Buck ROck

Sherri and Korra in car on way to the trailhead

View of across the Kings

Lunch break with a Sequoia

 
Flowers and Plant 

Lupine

Little Princess Pine, I think

June 16, 2024 - Bearskin Grove, Not quite

 

Title: June 16, 2024 - Bearskin Grove, Not quite

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

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Junction of 13S02 and 13S45

Trail: 13S45

Destination:  Bearskin Grove

Actual Destination:  On top of a ridge on a different road

Distance:  2.25 miles

Start Time: 2:26

End Time:  4:17

Travel Time: 1:51  (1.22 mph)

Moving Time: 1:17   (1.76 mph)

Elevation Rise:  558'

Descent: 514‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,630'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sequoia in Bearskin

Today is Father’s Day. As my Father’s Day wish it was to go hiking, particularly to a place I have not been before, Bearskin Grove. I have seen it on the map and heard it on the radio-but more in connection with the campground than the grove. Plus a couple Facebook friends went there a couple of weeks ago, so it is fresh in my mind.

We decided to go after church. But first we need to load up the car. The car had been in for a facelift after its encounter with a deer last month. We just got it back Friday. We reload it with the necessities of life: hiking boots and poles and a few other things. Then have lunch and are off by 12:30.

The drive up is without incident. It is slow though as it seems like a good many people have the same idea of going to the mountains. Also it is Sunday and Hume Lake Christian Camps are getting a new load of their campers. But we make it up to Quail Flat and then down Ten Mile Road about five miles until we see road 13S02. Surprise! A forest service road which is paved and seemingly paved to nowhere. Where it stops being paved, the Redwood Hikes website says to park. But Hume Lake has established a drop off site there for something called Wildwood. After asking about parking there, we decided to move a little ways further down 13S02.

Steven

So I lightly blame Hume Lake for my confusion which exhibited itself when I parked. The confusion you might ask? Is road 13S45 the right road? What is the right one? The right one is road 13S98 and 13S98A. This road is 13S45. Rather than go back, I decide that we can do Bearskin another day and we will see where 13S45 leads us. It looks like on the map that we will be looking across to Bearskin.

We take off at 2:30. It is amazing how late things can be if we get a late start, have slow traffic and am confused at the start. The start of the road is steep, and exposed, and steep. It feels like around a 20% grade. We shall see how long we go, but at the latest, I am looking at a 3:30 turn around time.

The good thing about climbing up steeply is that you get to see things. First, there are the Sequoias of Bearskin Grove. The next best thing to being among them, is being able to gaze at them completely. Almost all of the Sequoias which I have seen are majestic and are worthy of our admiration.

The second thing we see is Buck Rock

Buck Rock Lookout

standing guard over the area of the forest. It is really prominent above us.-about 2,000’ higher than we are. The one thing which is lacking on our trip is a view of Hume Lake. It is out there but not visible.

Once we get close to the top of the ridge, the elevation gain starts to level out. Also we enter into an area where the trees provide shade. The walking becomes a lot more pleasant. It is amazing how the road can be the same, and yet the surroundings change, making such a difference in my outlook. Something to remember that as I continue on this road of life, there will be dry spots, but be sure to have those areas of refreshment.

At the end of the ridge, the road doubles back with a horseshoe bend. We stop here and rest and enjoy the sight. We look across the Kings with a good view of Spanish Mountain. But no view of the closer Hume Lake. There are trees blocking my view of the Mt Goddard area, so we just have to be content with some of the other snow-covered mountains to the east.

We decided that since it is close to 3:30, which is my turn around time, we will turn around now. Going down has a lot less strain on my muscles. But it is a lot more jarring to my bones. The first part back gives me many stops to take pictures of the flowers, but when we reach the section which is exposed to the sun, I am ready to get down the slope a bit quicker-not fast, just quicker than to lally-gagg around.

Sherri on the trail

But Korra has other ideas than a speedy time to the car. She catches the whiff of something, which turns out to be a deer. She gives chase and runs after it. After a minute or two, Steven calls her back, but she is not responsive. We have not heard a yelp so we think she is OK, but the concern is where is she? After ten minutes she comes back to Steven. I wonder what she would do if she actually caught the deer?

We get in the car and leave at 4:30. I drive us back to Big Stump, passing the WildWood people on the way out. At Big Stump, Sherri calls in the order to Bear Mountain Pizza and then Steven takes over driving. When we get to Bear Mountain, and I am getting out of the car, I hear the shout, Gary! Looking around, there is Brianna from Snapps, our car mechanic’s receptionist. We talked for a few minutes. She warns us that it is an hour wait, but we have ordered ahead, so it is only a ten minute wait.

After being fed, Steven takes us home. Road 13S45 is definitely not a must see. Still it was a good enough walk, particularly with the flowers and seeing Buck Rock. Looking at the roads which connect with it, I think there is a connection to some of the Forest areas behind Park Ridge Lookout where we cannot see. Maybe another day when I have more energy.

 

 

Trail Lesson:

Know where you are going before you get going.

On the road of life, there will be dry spots; that is part of the journey. Appreciate those areas of refreshment.

Background

The actual directions to Bearskin Grove is: Park on paved road 13S02; there’s a pullout just a few yards past road 13S98.

Two old logging roads run through the grove. Road 13S98A climbs through the best part of the grove. The short road is open to vehicles and is in drivable condition, although it’s a little rough. The road climbs past about 10 or 12 massive sequoias, including two especially large giants on the left that have very little taper. A lot of logs are scattered around from the 2022 fuel reduction program. From Redwood Hikes

Extra Photo's

Garlic Meadow

Sequoia in Bearskin Grove

Spanish Mountain on the right

 
Flowers and Plants

Snow Plant

Mountain Misery

Penstomen

Hartweg Lily

Mariposa Lily

February 18, 2023 - Ten Mile Road - Snowshoeing

 

Title: February 18, 2023 - Ten Mile Road - Snowshoeing

Hike Info : Description :  Background :  Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshoeing 

Trail head: Quail Flat

Trail: Ten Mile Road, Road 13S45

Destination:  None-turn around at 2:30

Actual Destination:  End of improved section of 13S45

Distance:  3.28 miles

Start Time:  1:06

End Time:   3:44

Travel Time: 2:37  (1.35 mph)

Moving Time:  1:59  (1.65 mph)

Elevation Rise:  516'

Descent: 499‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,024'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Sherri

Several days ago we discussed going snowshoeing. It was too cold last Wednesday for us valley dwellers and Steven wanted to go up. Saturday looked like a good day. But what had changed in the four days or so since we made this plan? I am not sure that is still the plan. Either way, I walk over to a friend's house to retrieve my wheelbarrow. When I return, we decide it is a “go” to go up to the mountains today. It does not take us long to get ready.

Ten Mile Road

By 11:30, we are on the road. The fiddlenecks and a smattering of poppies are coming out as we approach Yokut (Squaw) Valley. Spring is getting closer. When we reach Big Stump, the parking lot is filled. So we do not even get the opportunity to use the restrooms. Onward to Quail Flat. The road past Quail Flat has not been completely plowed yet. So the parking area instead of being its usual occasional car is packed. Do we go up to Princess I think or go someplace else? Fortunately we do not need to make that decision as we spot a place to park. 

 

 

 

We have lunch and then get our gear on. Usually we go down Burton Road, but today Steven and Sherri head down Ten Mile Road. I am wondering is this a mistake? But the indication is they want to do something different. Steven is on skis and Korra takes off with him. That is the last we see of them for a couple of hours. I convey that I am looking at a 2:30 turnaround time. I do not have a destination objective, but even if I did, a turnaround time is good because we do not always make an objective at a reasonable time.

Gary

We watch Steven and Korra go off down the road, even though Korra keeps returning to check on us slow ones until Steven gets too far ahead. There are a couple large ruts going down Ten Mile Road. They do not look like snowmobile tracks, but I do not know what else it is. It does make snowshoeing more interesting picking our way in and out of these ruts.

We get about a half mile down and see a road going up the ridge. Steven has continued down Ten Mile Road. My thinking is going up this road is preferable, as I like going down coming back rather than slogging up a grade. Sherri and I go up, but first I leave a message in the snow for Steven in case he comes back up before we get back.

The road is Forest Service 13S45. Later on I look at a topo map and see that this is also designated as a Nordic Skiing route. The ruts not only go down Ten Mile Road, but start up 13S45.But then there is another puzzle: the tracks stop just a hundred feet in and from there on is virgin snow. Looks wonderful.

Spanish Mountain

Both from Ten Mile Road and from 13S45 we see across the Kings as well as Buck Rock. But the views for the most part have trees framing the scene or intertwined in it. Still, there is something which is appealing looking out over this section of the Sierra (actually there are very few sections of the Sierra which I feel are not worth looking at.)

We go up about a half mile up 13S45. It has good solid snow, which has been settling for a couple weeks. So walking on it is a pleasure. Even I am able to feel good going up the slope. One drawback: there are no dramatic views. “Only” trees and snow are what can be viewed.

It is getting close to our turnaround time. Sherri is ready to go back, but I would like to go on up a short way to a horseshoe turn. So I leave Sherri and continue on up. I get there in a couple minutes. The road starts to level out and since I have about seven minutes to turnaround, I continue on. I quickly came to the top of the ridge. And lo and behold, there is my view! I can see across the Kings to Spanish Mountain and the Obelisk. Looking more westward, there is the Patterson area. Then closer to me, there is he basin where Hume Lake is. And by Hume is a smoke cloud. Wait Smoke! I remember that the Forest Service was doing some burning in the area. This must be it.

Indian Basin Smoke

After taking a few pictures, I head back down. I got to the place where I left Sherri. I see her tracks heading back. I just follow these tracks down. And about a quarter mile later I caught up with Sherri. Down we go. Sherri and I both think this is a trail we will be doing again.

We get to the junction with Ten Mile Road. I check the ski tracks to see if Steven has been by. I only see his tracks going down. So I erased my message. Sherri goes on ahead while I lag behind to see if Steven will come around the bend. By my calculations he is anywhere between right behind us to 45 minutes.

There is a reason why I wanted to go UP 13S45 rather than further down Ten Mile Road. From the junction we back up to the car. I stop every so often to look behind, but no Steven=it also gives me a chance just to take a small break. After a while I hear a mechanical sound. A minute later, a Toyota ForeRunner comes into view. This is an ah ha moment. Now I understand the mystery of the tracks. They are vehicle tracks, not snowmobiles. They pass by and I go on. Shortly before the parking lot, I caught up with Sherri.

We get to the car around 3:45 and start putting away our equipment. Steven gets in as we put stuff away. And then it is off to go back to Fresno. It is a pretty easy drive back and we get back home at 5:20. Another good day.

Background

Smoke. The smoke was from a pile burn in the Indian Basin area which Sequoia National Forest had set. This was part of an effort to clear fuels from around Sequoia groves throughout all forest lands. Indian Basin close to Princess Campground. We would have been right in the middle of the smoke if we had gone there.

Extra Photo's

Snow and Pine Cones

Patterson and Spanish Mountains

Stack of rocks by Ten Mile Road

Buck Rock and its lookout

Looking to the northeast