September 22, 2023 - Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title:  September 22, 2023 - Park Ridge Lookout
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

Morning is breaking in the Sierra

It was cold last night. I did manage to keep warm enough, but I kept warm enough, as long as I did not turn over or have to put my arms out. I slept through this, but my phone said I got a call at 0522 from Progressive Insurance. This was about an accident last June where I got rear-ended. But I did wake up shortly afterwards and checked to see if there was any lightning in my reporting area. There was none, so I kept in my warm sleeping bag and slept a bit more.

 

 

Redwood Fire Smoke around Big Baldy

I finally got up around 0645 and got things organized for the day. I checked a thermometer which said it was 42^o inside of the cab. I guess it could be colder. After getting dressed, I went down and put on my hiking boots. Ever since being up here last July and seeing the two hotshots charge up the side of the slope on the west side of the tower, I have wondered about “is this something which mere mortals could do?” So I went down the ridge which leads up to Park Ridge Lookout. While it is doable, as I did it, it is nothing I would want to scamper down in a hurry. It slopes down rather sharply. I got to a rock outcropping and decided that was far enough. Going up seemed safer, but I was definitely huffing and puffing.

Delilah Lookout

I then went over to the south side and went to the flat area there. I visited the old outhouse-there is several reasons why it is unused. The smoke from the Redwood Fire was filling the area behind Big Baldy, making it really a tranquil view-not sure that you can breath tranquility though. I saw a couple of young deer across a ravine and made my way in that direction, well after the deer was gone. That brought me to the service road where the Park Ridge Trail comes in and I headed back. I got into the cab about 0840.

I had my breakfast, changed into a fresher shirt and then took the weather. After yesterday being in a cloud, I was bit shocked. The relative humidity (RH) was 14%-that is low. I looked at the RAWS station next to the lookout and it had 8%. It looked like for the past couple of hours the humidity had been decreasing. At 0903, SEKI Dispatch issued another Bolo-I now know what that was and paid attention. I was not sure if it was the same as last night or not.

I go into service after Delilah at 0929 with an RH 14 and smoke south of Big Baldy. And then it is the normal business of being a fire lookout. I am actually able to do scans today. By 1000 I have done more than I did all day yesterday. The smoke from the Redwood Fire is starting to drift my way more as I am seeing hints of it in Redwood Canyon.

I have visitors from Washington, Wisconsin and Texas today. Each are interested in various aspects of lookouts, particularly the smoke we are seeing. Not much more is unusual. So I have my lunch at 1230.

While doing a scan around 1300, I start hearing a helicopter. At first I cannot locate it, but then I see it west of me, circling what looks like the Happy Gap area, above Sequoia Lake. The Park radio starts to talk about a car which drove through and I thought on the way out of the Park. Law Enforcement is sent there. Then the radio channel we use to communicate on goes to restricted to emergency use only. A few minutes later the restriction is taken off and the person who they were looking for is apprehended. Apparently this is connected with the Bolo from this morning. I had alerted Delilah and Wendy to what was going on.

For the next two hours I am just doing lookout stuff. The smoke is mostly below me, so it hampers me seeing anything. I get one lady from New York who is just thrilled to see all which the Parks have to offer. She sounds like she is not letting the smoke or the road being closed to Cedar Grove stop her enjoyment. She says it just gives her a reason to come back again. I like that way of thinking. But at least I am not breathing too much of it. As 1800 rolls around, Delilah goes out of service, then I do. Buck Rock is last. The radios get shut off and I enjoy a bit of quiet.

Also I enjoy my dinner. It is the second night of quiche and a biscuit. Then I go out for a walk. The outside is getting cool and a little bit of a wind. The sunset is really good. Lots of oranges with the darkness of clouds. It is good. Jeff at Delilah and I have a text discussion on it and a few other items. I guess he is up there by himself like I am.

 

And now it is 2000. Time for my evening talk with Sherri now that she has finished watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Then it is time for me to go to bed.

 

Extra Photo's

Park Ridge Lookout at Dusk

Setting Sun

Sunset reflection on Big Baldy

 

July 21. 2023 Azalea Trail

 

Title: July 21. 2023 Azalea Trail
Hike Info : Description :  Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Highway 180

Trail: Azalea Trail, Park Ridge Trail

Destination:  Park Ridge Lookout

Actual Destination: Top of Park Ridge 

Distance:  3.92 miles

Start Time:  8:15

End Time:  12:00

Travel Time: 3:45  (1.04 mph)

Moving Time:  2:51  (1.37 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,149'

Descent: 1,169‘

Maximum Elevation: 7,537'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Trail over Sequoia Creek

Today I will be confirming if last Sunday was just a fluke with the heat and that I can do mountains without breathing hard. For this, I will be setting off by myself. Sherri likes to sleep a bit later than me. I get up at 5:30, do my lightning report-no lightning. Then I am out of the door by 6:40-I was hoping for more like a 6:00am exit time. Still this is pretty good.

There are a few cars going my way. One a little slower, but not too bad. I get into the park and stop at Big Stump at 7:50. The park is doing construction-fixing worn spots and pot holes before the Wye. So we are held up there, but not too badly. I get to the entrance of the Needle Dump, which is across the highway from the Azalea trailhead.

It does not take me long to get ready-just put on boots, get the hiking poles set up, and throw on my pack. The intention is to hike two hours up and an hour back. If I am really good, I will make the lookout. I leave my Ford Ranger at 8:10.

The trail starts climbing almost immediately. And this answers the question of the day: it was not just the heat nor the altitude, it is the lungs and conditioning. But it is still a wonderful day to hike and this trail is a good one to be on.

Buck Rock

Why you might ask? About a quarter mile up, there is a little meadow. There is a bit of freshness of green with some flowers and a bit of water in it. Afterwards, I start running into some rather pretty wild flowers. This includes mountain strawberries, leopard lilies, manzanita blossoms and then, of course, azaleas. These are not only pretty to look at but are also very fragrant. They line Sequoia Creek and I walk right through them as they line the trail on both sides. Most of the blossoms are in full bloom, but there are those which have had their time in the sin and are now fading.

I stop and rest-this huffing and puffing really gets to me. I see there has been a Facebook post from Park Ridge Lookout. So I responded with a picture of an azalea. A few minutes later there is a text conversation with Jeff, who is at Park Ridge Lookout, and Wendy trying to make sense out of a situation. I add confusion with greetings from the Azalea Trail.

There is a good climb up to a saddle on Park Ridge. I take the opportunity to rest and call Sherri. It is 10:15 and I am debating about going on. I phone up Sherri more to let her know that I am not sticking to the two hours, but adding in a bit more. She is encouraging.

Spanish Mountain

After resting a few more minutes, I start up the trail. I see both Delilah and Buck Rock. I walk on for about 15-20 minutes to 10:45. This is going to be my real turn around place. I am thinking that I will be back at the pickup by noon. I also set off my Zoleo, checking in. I had let my family know I was going to do that at my turn around place.

Returning back, going down this trail is a lot easier. I met a couple of women walking towards the lookout. We talked for a few minutes before continuing on. I enjoy thishike, even though there is one small rise towards the end which my legs decided they have had enough. Theu get a little rubbery.

Trail back to road

With the Ranger in sight, I get a call. It is from Caliber Collision. Our Highlander has been in the shop for a month after we got rear ended. Francisco says that they found an issue and need to keep it until probably Tuesday. Disappointing, but I would rather have it fixed right than get it back sooner. I tell Sherri the news.

As I get to the Ranger, a dump truck is coming out of the Needle Dump area. We exchange greetings. I then get my lunch out and enjoy it there. I also do a Zoleo check-in to let people know I made it back to the car.

By 12:30, I am gone. The drive back is warm-my Ranger does not have air conditioning. But it has not reached 100^o yet, so I am counting my blessings. I get home before 2. It has been a pretty satisfying morning, except for the disappointment that my body is not in better shape.

Animals

Common Buckeye

Tiger Swallowtail

 
Flowers and Plants

 

Pine Drops

Manzanita Blossoms

Leopard Lilly

Leopard Lilly

Leopard Lilly

Azalea

Mountain Strawberry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 26, 2022 - Hitchcock Meadows

 

Title: November 26, 2022 - Hitchcock Meadows
Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Big Stump Parking Lot

Trail: Hitchcock Meadow Trail, Sunset Trail

Destination: Hitchcock Meadow

Actual Destination:  Beyond to a ridge above Sequoia Creek

Distance:  2.53 miles

Start Time:  9:55

End Time:    1:10

Travel Time: 3:14  (0.78 mph)

Moving Time:  2:25  (1.05 mph)

Elevation Rise:  516'

Descent: 500‘

Maximum Elevation: 6,349'

GPS Tracks

Description:

Carol, Emily and Sherri on trail

In October I was talking with Carol at a potluck. She mentioned she and Emily liked to go for a hike around Thanksgiving day. I indicated I would like to tag along. When Sherri talked with her in November, they planned to go out on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We went to Hitchcock Meadow in September. Evidently this trip stuck with Sherri,because that is where the women planned on going

 

 

 

 

 

 

More of Emily, Carol and Sherri

Sherri and I left our house at 8 and picked up Emily and Carol about 8:30. Then it is off to Big Stump. I asked if anybody wanted to stop at Clingman’s Junction for coffee. Evidently that was not a winner of a suggestion. But right after we pass by, I see Micah running along 180. Micah is one of our fellow fire lookouts.

 Surprisingly the Big Stump Parking Lott is not very full. But there is something which I did not think about: snow covers our trail. I asked if anybody is concerned about this? Not unless the snow is deep. I love these women! We get ready and start walking a few minutes before 10.

Our first obstacle is right after we leave the parking lot. The trail drops by ten feet on very packed snow/ice, making things potentially slippery. We all make it down and start our walk. I am not sure why, but I start us off down the trail. It is relatively easy to see where we are going-people have already trampled down the trail. The operative word here is down. The trail leads us down. We stop occasionally just to admire what we are walking through. Big Stump does not have a monopoly on large stumps. We pass by some, too many when you consider how majestic they must have been 150 years ago.

Gary and Emily

I do watch my step. Even though the footing is solid I know it would be easy to slip. We come to Hitchcock Meadow, which is also covered by snow. There is a sense of plainness to this view, which is also pleasant to the eye. There is a pool and a stump, along with a few Sequoias scattered around. We gaze at this view for a while before deciding what to do next. We have three choices. First, just go back to the car. Second, continue on with this trail, and lastly cross the meadow and pick up the Forest Service road on the other side of the meadow. We decided to continue on this trail since we are energetic.

 

 

Bearing Sign

This is the Sunset Trail and eventually it would end up at Grant Grove. I do not think we will be traveling that far today. But the sun is out, the trail is obvious and the company is enjoyable-at least I enjoy them.

 

 

Reflection in pool: Hitchcock Mdw

We follow the trail, sometimes snow covered, other times we walk on bare ground. The trail rolls along with the terrain. One of our stops is a trail back up to the General’s Highway. It will meet with a road to the Needle Dump and then continue up to Park Ridge as the Azalea Trail. A fragrant trail in late June, early July.

When we stop for a few minutes, we spot a sign in the distance. Too far away to read, but too close to ignore.I satisfy my curiosity by taking off to figure out why they posted this sign so far off the trail. What does the sign say? Do not disturb the bearing tree I look around, wondering what they were taking a bearing off of. And there it is, about 20 yards away. What is it? Just an old style legal marking. I go around and meet the trail up there.

On our return

After circling around and meeting the trail, I consult with my fellow travelers. I saw a rock outcropping along the ridge we are on. Looks like a good place to eat lunch. From here, we can look west and northward. It is a good view. We see where the trail would descend down into Sequoia Creek and Ella Falls, but we do not see the water from the creek, nor the white tumbling of foam from a fall.

After a satisfying lunch break, we decided to head back. It is pretty much the same going as well as coming. I can tell my boots are getting a bit old, and maybe I am as well. I can definitely feel the cold of the snow and am wondering if the wetness from the snow is seeping through-it wasn’t, at least when we got back to the car my socks were dry.

We stopped by Hitchcock Meadow. I noticed the pool was very reflective. I tried to get some reflections of a big stump and some Sequoias. I was only moderately successful.

And then it was back to the car. An enjoyable hike with enjoyable people, even though there was more snow on the ground than what I expected. I am glad we came up today, even though it meant a day away from slaving away on our front yard. We dropped Carol and Emily off and made it home a little after 3.

  Extra Photo's

Hitchcock Meadow

Hitchcock Meadow

Interesting Sequoia

Gawking at the Interesting Sequoia

One of the many stumps in the area

Eye candy for our lunch time

Returning to the car: Gary, Emily, and Carol

Sherri and Carol

Sherri

Gary

Our trail down to Hitchcock Meadow

Nice looking Sequoia