October 2, 2026 - Buena Vista Peak

 

Title: October 2, 2026 - Buena Vista Peak
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking 

Trail head: Buena Vista Trailhead

Trail: Buena Vista Trail

Destination: Buena Vista Peak

Distance:  2.02 miles

Start Time: 10:37

End Time:   12:56

Travel Time:  2:19 (0.87 mph)

Moving Time:  1:19  (1.53 mph)

Elevation Rise:  532'

Descent: 504‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,639'

Minimum Elevation: 7,611'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Start of trail

This morning did not start off very well. Evidently yesterday while timing some things, I inadvertently set my alarm. So the rooster alarm crowed at 5:45. I apologized to Sherri and I got up. I sort of moseyed around doing things which I had neglected to do for the past couple of days. Rachel came in a little after 8; Steven was up a little before 8; while Sherri got up about 7:40.

By the time we are ready to leave, it is 9:07 on the car’s clock. I am driving. One of the things which we discussed on the way up to the Park is where do we want to go with our Alaska Air companion fare? No definite decision, but I think there was some clarification about desires. We stopped at Big Stump once we passed through the entrance station. We then progressed on to the Buena Vista trailhead, arriving about 10:20.

I can tell that we have not been hiking in awhile. It takes us a while to get ready once we parked, about 20 minutes. We hit the trail about 10:40. There is another clue that I have not been hiking much-The trail starts off going up and I am leading. I immediately go into a deliberate pace. That should be interpreted as being that I was making sure I did not suck air. 

 

We quickly encountered a fallen tree which we walked around. One thing which we noted is that the tree cover was sparse. In October, this should not be too much of a problem. But today is a warm day and we can feel the mid-day sun bearing down on us. That tree is not the only one down. Another tree there was no going around and it is about 3 to 3½ feet in diameter, a bit of an obstacle. But we all got over it.

Kings Canyon Overlook

We stopped several times on the way up, making sure there was shade when we stopped. But we make steady progress. I had chosen this trail for two reasons. First it is only a mile up. The second is that there is a good, but manageable climb. I think I need this just as much as Sherri. At least I stop as my breathing gets labored and my heart beats hard. All manageable, just an indicator that my body is not what it once was.

When we reach the top of the ridge, we do our final rest break. When we head out, Steven goes on ahead and reaches the top about ten minutes before us. Somehow this segment seemed a bit shorter than what I remember-usually it is the other way around. Rachel, Sherri and mine arrival is 11:35.

Either way, we all get to the top. From here we enjoy the view, as you should do from a peak. From here, we view two of our lookouts: Buck Rock and Park Ridge. Usually Park Ridge is hidden behind trees, but there it is. I am wondering when was the last time we were up here? Was it before the KNP Complex fire? The answer when I got home was June of 2022, a year after the KNP fire.

Looking towards Buck Rock, there is what looks like a trail. I am not familiar with a trail in that area, so I called Jessi at Buck Rock to see if she knows of a trail down there. No, but there are a couple of roads. But it does not look like a road. Later on when I got home and blew up a picture, I could see that it could be a road.

Looking to the west, there are three predominant features: Redwood Mountain, Redwood Canyon and Big Baldy. That KNP fire devastated the canyon as well as the south side of Redwood Mountain. But surprisingly the upper part of the canyon still has Sequoias standing.

We looked some more, and had an energy bar before we left. The trip down is a lot easier than coming up. On both ways, there is not much in the way of floral. I see a penstemon or two. Also some of the grasses have turned to their Fall colors. We made it back to the car before 1:00.

I drove us back. The question which always comes up after a hike is where to eat? We talked about Bear Mountain Pizza or Habit Burgers in Fresno. Instead of these places,we decided to go Mexican at a place some friends of ours introduced us to: Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant on Kings Canyon. This means delaying eating for an hour, but I guess I will be off to live off of my fat until we get there. The food is good when we get there and we are content after eating. We get home about 3:30, a bit tired,

Extra Photo's

Gary towards the end of the hike

Rachel on the trail

Park Ridge Loookout

Buck Rock Lookout

Some sort of mello plant, I think

Redwood Canyon and Mountain

January 9, 2026 - Big Meadows Snowshoeing

 

Title: January 9, 2026 - Big Meadows Snowshoeing
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's 

Hike Info:

Type: Snowshowing 

Trail head: Big Meadows Snow Parking Lot

Trail: Big Meadow Road-14S11

Destination:  Big Meadow

Actual Destination:  Overlook area 

Distance:  2.41 miles

Start Time: 1:09

End Time:   3:20

Travel Time:  2:11 (1.10 mph)

Moving Time:  1.34  (1.54 mph)

Elevation Rise:  321'

Descent: 300‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,808'

Minimum Elevation: 7,628’

GPS Tracks

Description:

Snowshoe repair

Clint Eastman said it best, “We have a failure to communicate.” Sherri and I have invited both Steven and Rachel to go up to the snow. In our discussion, it was decided to leave someplace between 9:30 and 10. Rachel texted Sherri and I about 8:40 and said that she was not going to be able to go up. It was a little after 10 when I noticed Rachel’s text. About 20 minutes later I find Sherri and ask her if she is ready. She thinks we are leaving between 10:30 and 11. Steven has not seen the text. So the bottom line is that it is 11 before we leave Fresno.

 

 

Trees and snow

We had an uneventful ride up to Big Meadows, maybe except for a discussion on communicating better. We arrived at 12:40. Upon arrival, we had lunch, then took off about 1:00. There were a couple snowmobilers just starting out. Steven takes off on his skis with Korra tagging along with him. Sherri has some issues with her snowshoes and spends a few minutes initiating repairs. Just as we are about to start moving, a couple who originated from Germany comes up with their dog. They were walking and admired that we had the foresight to be on snowshoes. They also did not like sharing the road with snowmobilers. I for the most part have made my peace that as long as they leave us alone, do not chop up our path, then they can have their fun. I still try to go to places they are not at.

 

 

 

 

We start up the road. Not much to comment on as this is just one of many times we have been up this road. But I do spot one nice view looking towards Redwood Mountain. I am stopping often to regain oxygen into the system; Sherri zooms on ahead. When we get to the junction with the Rabbit Meadow loop, we discuss if Steven has taken the loop or gone on to Big Meadow. To me the ski tracks look old. We will go on towards Big Meadow.

Icicles

Sherri and I have a continued discussion about the conversation on the way up. We get things a bit more straightened out. And then it is onward up the road.

I have set a 2:30 turn around time. We get to an overlook where we can look south about 2:15. The view is awesome. With Shell Mountain to the east, Mt Silliman behind it and then some of the snow covered mountains way to the south. I stay out at the point for a while, soaking it all in.

Sherri on the road 

Now it is time to go back to the car. The return trip is much faster than us going out. We kept looking back to see when Korra and Steven would be passing us. Instead we talked to one skier who was going in to get his evening exercise. We warned him that there were a couple snowmobilers coming. Sure enough, a couple minutes later, they came roaring by.

By 3:30, we were at the car. Steven and Korra were waiting there patiently. How did they get ahead of us? You remember those tracks leading around Rabbit Meadow? They were Steven’s. I guess I need to do better in my track reading.

By 3:45, we were ready to leave. Steven and Sherri had already decided on going to Bear Mountain Pizza for dinner. We ordered pizza when we got to Big Stump. It was ready for us when we arrived at 4:25. Then we head down the hill, stopping at the Clovis Costco for gas. Sherri and Steven went in to pick up some stuff for a potluck Monday night. Then we are home at 6:30, in time to watch Jeopardy.

Extra Photo's

Snow doughnut

Looking toward Big Baldy

Sherri on the road again

September 12 and 13, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout and Dark Sky

 

Title: September 12 and 13, 2025 - Park Ridge Lookout and Dark Sky
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

Clouds above Buck Rock

 

Sept 12

We will not be going into service this afternoon. But we want to get up there and spend the night, so we do not need to get up early Saturday. We get packed at a pretty leisurely pace. Then went out for Mexican food at Fuego Taqueria y Resturante, The food was pretty good and my wet burrito would keep me fed for three dinners-two of which I will eat when we get back. We puttered around until 2pm when we took off for Park Ridge Lookout.

Sherri starts off our trip by driving. Our travel comes to a quick slowdown on highway 180. There is an accident which backs up traffic. But after about 10 minutes we pass the accident and the rest of the drive is uneventful. We get into the park about 4:15, We first visit the Visitor Center to make sure that the Dark Sky events we are interested in will be held-they are.

It is a bit late to go on a full fledged hike, but we can go on a short side trip. Since we need to go up to Panoramic Point anyway, we decided to go up and do the short trail to Pan Point. We walked the loop which takes us to both the Old and New points. We do our gawking, even though it is a bit smokey. After observing, we head back to the car, then drive over to Park Ridge Lookout, arriving at 5:30. Jose has just gone out of service and is waiting for us.

Night Sky above Pan Pt

We talked for a while with him. Being a lookout usually means we do not see anybody for long periods of time. Most of us are good with that, but we also welcome interactions with our fellow lookouts when the opportunity presents itself. So we find out a bit more about Jose before he drives off.

We lounge around for a while until 7:30. There is a Dark Sky event at Pan Point. We drive back, but do not even try to go into the parking area; we just park behind the locked gate. We walked to the gathering point, the start of the trail to the Point. We realize that we did not have red lights, but we will make do. We end up towards the last of the group, and it is a pretty good size group. The program is presented by a SEKI ranger. But this puts us into the presence of the Sequoia Conservancy person, Chora. I am not sure if she took pity on us or what, but she gave us a private tour of the skies. Chora is going to Spain next week. We talked about various things including trails in the area and our various backgrounds. We walked back to the car and drove back to the lookout. We arrive around 10 and go to bed shortly afterwards.

Sept 13

Morning Star

I slept well, but not long, having woken up at 0520. Why? Well, I knew there was lightning which needed reporting. It is the first time this year which I am reporting off of my laptop and it shows. I stumble and fumble through it all. There were 79 strikes, mostly in the Evolution Valley area. I got it mostly out by 0730.

This gives plenty of time to get ready to go into service. We were able to get most of our stuff down to the car. It is pretty smokey this morning. I think we have a visual of about three miles, barely able to see Redwood Mountain; Big Baldy is only a bit of an outline. At 0930 we went into service with both Porterville and Ash Mountain Fire. With such limited visibility, the scans are pretty quick.

Not really an interesting day. It is nice having Sherri up here-it is her first time this season. While I do most of the scans-Sherri does some of them as well-she does pay attention to the radio, particularly when I am out of the cab doing the scans. It is also nice just having someone there with me.

 

Sherri's Breakfast

 

 Two weeks ago I discovered the ease of making omelettes for dinner in the lookout. So I am back at it. As I was making it, two men came up, so Sherri talked with them while I cooked her meal. Once done, we change places while we have visitors. Once done, I go back and cook my omelette. Well before I did, I noticed that there was a bee in the egg batter doing a backstroke. The omelette has an acceptable taste sans the bee.

Park Ridge Lookout

 

After taking the weather I laid down for a few minutes. When I woke up, I found that Sherri had been keeping the lookout stable for over an hour. I am grateful. I feel much more refreshed after my nap.

 

 

 

By now, the smoke has cleared up some. I can now see about 6-7 miles without straining. A couple more visitors come through and we do our shtick about the lookout. I talked with Delilah about a BC31 we have been hearing, but there is no resolution there. We know that BC32 is the duty officer. But we cannot figure out who BC31 is. Turns out Wendy had sent out an email saying that BC32 would be the Duty Officer, but he would be driving the truck for BC31. I guess I was not paying good enough attention.

The skies keep clearing and by the time 1700 comes along, we can see in most directions pretty well. But we are also cleaning up for our departure. Almost all of our stuff is down in the car now.

Tomorrow’s lookout sounded like he was coming in tonight, but we have not heard from him. So at 1800, we go out of service and lock up the lookout. Then we are off. Normally we would go straight home, or at least stop to eat. Tonight, we do stop to eat, but at Big Stump. We have a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich and enjoy a somewhat peaceful time.

Night Sky at Big Stump

But what makes this a more imperative stop is that there is a Dark Sky event here at 2000. I see Chora here, but she is pretty busy to talk with, so after a couple of minutes, I leave her alone. The event tonight has the Central Valley Astronomers coming up and sharing their telescopes with the general public. We stay here and enjoy the evening until it opens. There are at least a dozen telescopes set up. The first several we visited were still trying to locate their celestial objects in the fading light. In this case, light is a hindrance. But we do find several telescopes which we can look through. About half are pointed at stars. But the really interesting ones are the ones with clusters of stars. We see a globular star cluster-I do not remember which one-and the Andronmena system. Spectacular! Displays of this beauty always makes me wonder about the parts of Creation which have been hidden until now, whether it is the stellar activities 22,000 light years away or that which is so small, only powerful microscopes can see. Like Paul would say, all creation displays his glory, Romans 1:20.

By 2045, we think we should be going. This will make room for others to enjoy. Off we go and arrive home at 2200. It takes a few minutes to unpack the car. Then into the shower we go. Then to bed by 2300.

Extra Photo's

Friday's night view of the Valley

Moon

Night Sky from Pan Point

Friday Evening Sky

Morning View to the West

Sherri relaxing before going into service

Park Helicopter on its way north to a rescue on Temple Crag

Night Sky from Big Stump