March 4, 2014 - Dinasour Lake and Pig Pond Trails

Title: March 4, 2014 - Dinosaur Lake and Pig Pond Trails

Trail head: Pacheco State Park Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Dinosaur Lake and Pig Pond Trails

Destination: Salt Creek

Distance: 5.70 miles

Start Time: 11:47

End Time:    2:41

Travel Time: 2.53 (1.98 mph)

Moving Time: 2.25 (2.36  mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,140'

Maximum Elevation: 1,541'

Description:
We are on our way to our parents in the Bay Area. So we stop at Pacheco State Park on the way. I had hiked this trail last week and it was a very pleasant after the rain. So Sherri wanted to do it as well. We will go in the opposite direction of the hike I did last week.

Green Hills, east ward

San Luis Reservoir

We start with the Dinosaur Lake Trail. The first little bit is not promising-we walk about a quarter mile across a cow pasture, till we get to the gate. Then we walk the old road which used to go down to San Luis Reservoir. The asphalt still shows up, making for easy walking, but there is an annoying click of our hiking poles. There are numbered posts along this way, but I have not been able to find out what these numbers refer to.  

The whole State Park is littered with chris-crossing trails, so it is easy to get confused between the trails and the service roads. Fortunately there is trail markers at almost each intersection, or where we walk the dirt service roads.

Walking the ridge

Fremont Peak

After following a few dirt roads, we come to a path. It climbs us to the top of a ridge where we can see east towards San Luis Reservoir and south to what I think is Fremont Peak. Since it rained this weekend, the hills are alive with greenery. The California Golden Poppy's are starting to bloom, sprinkling in the emerald grass with spots of gold. Small yellow and purple flowers pop up beside our trail. So much more refreshing today than when we have hiked this in the Summer or Fall.

Dinosaur Lake

The path drops down after a mile and three-quarters into a pond. This is Dinosaur Lake, from a height, the shape of the pond looks like a dinosaur paw-I think this is the reason for the name of the lake. Rushes surround the lake on many sides. A blackbird with a bright splotch of red on his wings tests the strength of the rush before he fly's off, only to try another rush. The pond mallards enjoy these waters with an occasional attempt at flight, only to land a hundred feet away.

The trail rises to the top of a different ridge and we see the windmills  silhouetting the skyline are no longer just distant figures, but are looming close by. As we approach them, the trail turns away from them, but there is a service road which leads up to them.  I do not see a sign restricting access, so I go on up to the closest one of them. While we know they are large, you see how they tower over you. One of them doing a slow turn, the others silently standing still. I stay only a few moments as Sherri is continuing on the way.

Windmills

From here, it is a steep downhill to Salt Creek. Partly on a dirt road, but then down a steeper path, zig-zagging across the hill side until we get to Salt Creek-which is dry. Here there is an intersection and we start our return trip via the Pig Pond Trail. We take a break here. As steep as the descent was, the ascent has us going up at about the same rate. I am  feeling the climb.  But there is enough eye-candy with the greenness of the hills and the oaks silhouetting the sky that we can fain a break to enjoy our surroundings, rather than a rest break.

Trail back

At the top before descending into Pig Pond, we are at the high point of our hike. We debate about going over to Tunnel Monument, but decide to save it for another day-the Monument is only a marker saying the e tunnel out of San Luis Reservoir lies beneath you. A picnic table is at the top, but we do not stop, even for a look at Pig Pond-mostly empty. The final gap in the hills yields one of my favorite sights of the whole loop. The sight is good not only to see the car, but the expanse of green before us, eventually spreading to highway 152.

From here it is a short mile walk back to the parking lot and our car. A pretty nice day for this walk.

March 3, 2014 - Lewis Creek

Title: March 3, 2014 - Lewis Creek

Trail head: Highway 41, about 7 miles north of Oakhurst

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Lewis Creek Trail

Destination: Red Rock Falls

Distance:  5.11 miles

Start Time: 9:38

End Time: 12:44

Travel Time: 3:05 (1.66 mph)

Moving Time: 2:29 (2.06 mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,075'

Maximum Elevation: 4,414'

Description:
 
This is the second Jerry J hike we have been on, but Lewis Creek, today's trail, is an old friend of ours. There are nine of us, of assorted experiences and personalities. We get to the meetup point in Fresno around 8am and leave. But leave by 20 after. The sky has some high overcast and is blue in some places. Our trail-head is about 7 miles north of Oakhurst, along Highway 41. We will be doing the abbreviated version of this trail, 4 to 5 miles.

After stopping at Starbucks in Oakhurst, a place which seems to recognize hiking groups, we get to the parking lot at 9:30. The first order of business is to visit Corkeu Falls. With the temperatures in the 40's, it is brisk, but nice weather for hiking. Also with the recent rains, the trees still have drops on them, with a certain clean feel to the air. At the top of Corlieu, you can tell the rain has had a positive effect of making the Falls into it's refreshing self. We go to the bottom of the falls and stop at the platform. There are the appropriate oohs and aahs. 

At Corileau Falls

But now the hike up it starts. Sherri and I lag behind, talking with a couple from Bass Lake. Here we can see the different levels of experience in our group. Some charge up the 100' rise; to others, it is a challenge. All make it to the top, but in varying thoughts on the viability of doing the trail. But this a good thing of hiking with a group. We all need encouragement and in the right group, that happens. Sort of like the wisdom of Solomon in Proverbs saying that if a person goes it alone and they fall, there is no one to pick him up. But if you have a companion,they will help you. This is what happened today. Those who can, encouraged; those who struggled, overcame.

Lewis Creek

Now heading north toward Sugar Pine, the trail settles into a rhythm of rolling strides. Some down, mostly up, but pretty gradual. Sherri and I tag along at the rear and have conversations with Jody and Kathy, a couple of people whom we just met today. Fun talking and walking. We stop several times to admire the creek and the emerging colors. Lewis Creek each time we have walked it, brings something new to us. Maybe that is why we do not tire of walking this trail. Today, it is the pre-Spring colors, still with a deadness of winter, but some tinges of red and brown, with the greens from our evergreens. The creek is there to have us gaze upon it.

Red Rock Falls

Right before we get to Red Rock Falls, the trail starts to climb a ways. But not too bad and not too long. There are a couple holes where tree root systems have been.  The depth is impressive. Red Rock Falls is about  50 yards off the trail. I debate about going the rest of the way to SugarPine and when I hear that Kate and Dana have already gone down that trail, I take off after them. I am going at a pretty good pace, but I do not catchup to them; only meet them as they return. I turn around after meeting them, about a hundred yards from the Sugar Pine road, where I walk  and talk with them back to Red Rock Falls. What do we talk about? Food, of course! What else do hikers talk about, except for hiking gear.

Red Rock Falls is going pretty good and puts on a good display. But all things come to an end, so we head on back to the cars. When we get to Oakhurst, we go to El Cid for lunch. Then Sherri and I indulge ourselves. This is a long wanted indulgence. We walk over to Reimers for ice cream. Well worth the waiting and lusting for it. Still licking my lips, enjoying the mint chocolate chip. Great way to end the day.

Break on Top of Red Rock

Little Creek off of Lewis

February 23, 2014 - South Shore Trail

Title: February 23, 2014 - South Shore Trail

Trail head: Bay Oak Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail:  South Shore Trail

Destination: Winchell Cove

Distance:  6.81 miles¹

Start Time: 12:16

End Time:  3:17

Travel Time: 3:01 (2.26 mph)

Moving Time: 2:24 (2.84 mph)

Elevation Rise: 626'

Maximum Elevation: 611'

Friant Dam and low water

Description:
This is an unmeetup hike. Jerry J is doing an alternative, unofficial hike with people who just want to meet informally. Today's hike is at Millerton, the South Shore Trail. We have done this several times before and have enjoyed it each time.

We meet the Temperance Park and Ride at 11:30, then take off to Millerton State Park. There are seven of us, including Sonny, a six month old grandson of Jerry J. The others are Pacifica-Jerry's daughter, Liz, Keith, Jerry J, Sherri and myself. The cars get parked at the Bay Oak Parking Area, and we start out.

Looking eastward to what is left of the lake

The first mile and a half follows the road, just along the park's property line. It is warm, enough to have some sweat trickling down my neck. The lake is really low with the drought.but boats still tow some skiers-and this is February. There are some large houses which is by the boundary. A few dogs are protective of their owner's properties, some barking, some guarding. But we move along at a nice pace.

Hikers on trail

Many of our group are working on getting their hiking legs going. So we have a nice and relaxed pace. Just past the end of the road, we see a couple of large birds, maybe they are eagles. Before I can get a good look, they wheel-off on some hot air current and go back to the top of the hill and beyond, where they are just specks in the sky. Always good to see these large birds, so graceful.

Pacifica, Sonny, and Jerry J

We get to an overlook of Winchell Cove, maybe about an eighth of a mile from the restroom at the end of the trail. The group decides this is the end of the line for us. I go and confirm the distance. So we then have lunch. The group heads back, but Sherri and I go on to the outhouse. From there we play catchup for the three plus miles back to the car. We come in just as the group arrives. It felt good to stretch the legs a bit.

Nice little flower

The after hike eating place was Sandals in Friant. Sherri and I had Fresno State ice cream-good choice.

We have hiked this trail before. To see our hikes, take a look at these entries:

• October 20, 2013
• May 25, 2012

¹The mileage, time and speed are what I did, not necessarily what the group did. I traveled about a half mile more than the group. Also several times I stopped and took pictures or admired a bird in flight and would walk fast to catch up with the group.

Colorado Winter Trip 2014

Denver-February 2014

This is our somewhat annual trip to Denver, to visit my brother David. This year all of my children came out as well as Sherri. The hook is to have fun in the snow. But the real reason is to enjoy some time with David. Having the kids with us just multiplied the fun.

We spent several days skiing or snowshoeing. But we also went bowling, saw a movie and hiked around Red Rocks. Most of the dates below have links to individual blog pages-just click on them.

Day	Place	Description	Type	Distance
Feb 15, 2014	Echo Lake	Easy walk in the snow  around a lake at 10,000'	Cross-Country Skiing Snowshoeing	2.03 miles
Feb 16, 2014	Butler Gulch	All out on the snow. We g above Henderson Mine enjoy the country under the Continental Divide.	Cross-Country Skiing Snowshoeing	4.03 miles
Feb 17, 2014		Stayed around Denver. Went bowling and ate at DiCiccio's. Then dropped Steven off at the airport.
Feb 18, 2014	Grizzly Gulch	Skiing towards the Continental Divide on the south side of I-70. Fun day. Lots of falls for me.	Cross-Country Skiing	3.76 miles
Feb 19, 2014	Moffat Tunnel	Nice afternoon snowshoe around a railroad tunnel-sort of like heaven.	Snowshoeing	2.57 miles
Feb 20, 2014	Old Squaw Pass Rd	Just a a short, cold walk up a road.	Snowshoeing	0.96 mile
Feb 21, 2014	Red Rocks	Just a nice time with my brother while we walk around the Red Rocks area.	Walking	Unknown

Clark's Nuthatch

Family Bowling

Rachel climbs

Family Munchies

Rachel, Andrea, Steven

February 21, 2014 - Around Red Rocks

Title: February 21, 2014 - Around Red Rocks

Trail head:

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking/Walking

Trail: Dinosaur Ridge

No mileages or time because I did not bring our GPS. But this was more of a ramble than a destination.

Description:

Red Rocks

Today is our last day in Denver. We leave on a 5pm flight back to Fresno. But before we do, David makes sure we are fed well starting with pancakes in the morning. Then it is off to to Morrison and Red Rocks. We came here for the first time last Monday. Today, we park at the bottom of the amphitheater and walk all the way up to the top. This will get you huffing and puffing for a while. But the view of both the plains beyond-looking towards Denver and the actual surrounding area is pretty nice. We watch various people running the stairs and others just enjoying the stroll. After a bit, we stroll the museum which shows the performers who have played Red Rocks.

Afterwards, David takes us on a short trip over to Dinosaur Ridge. We walk  walk the paved road--which has been closed to thru traffic. David gives explanations of what we are seeing-dinosaur tracks. I would think without David as a guide, I would not see the tracks. in some places, I think that someone just has a good imagination. But some of the rock indentations do looks like tracks, other places has the fossilized bone in them. Cool.

Ship Rock

On the way back around, we go up a trail to the top of the ridge-this is the Hogback. Not a bad huff and puff. Here we can look across to Red Rocks and see what is called Ship Rock. A bit windy, but not a bad way to end our trip.

Sherri, David and Gary

But wait, there is more. When we get back to the car, David takes us to a restaurant which he has wanted to try, El Senor Sol. Pretty decent Mexican food. Nice way to get fed up for a flight. David drops us off at DIA and after a 45 minute delay because of high winds, we are in the air and officially closing out our trip.

February 20, 2014 - Old Squaw Pass Road

Title: February 20, 2014 - Old Squaw Pass Road

Trail head:

Hike Info:

Type: Snow Shoeing

Trail: Old Squaw Pass Road

Destination:

Actual Destination:

Distance:  0.96 miles

Start Time: 9:59

End Time:  10:44

Travel Time: 0:56 (1.03 mph)

Moving Time: 0:32 (1.80  mph)

Elevation Rise: 270'

Maximum Elevation: 10,464'

Description:
It has gotten cold. At least by California wimpy standards. Where I thought we might be going today, maybe Peru Gulch,  around Breckenridge is 9 degrees, plus a wind chill. So the discussion is how to accommodate us. We decided to go up towards Evergreen area and see what we can find, rather than make a long drive and not leave the car.

David and Gary

Cold Californian's

Well, we got to Elk Meadow Preserve and there was cold,there was wind, but no snow. So David drives on and up. That up would be towards Mt Evans. So up we go. This is the same road as we went on Saturday up to Echo Lake. But instead of coming from Idaho Springs, we come from the Evergreen side. 

Now we not only get cold and wind, but we have snow. David finds the trail-head for the Old Squaw Pass Trail. It is around 10 degrees, and there is the wind chill which goes along with the 20-30 mph wind.  It looked like it was an old access road, as it followed a power line. We did pretty good. But after about 30 minutes, and a half of a mile, we decided that we were a bit cold. So we turned around. We were mostly in trees, just enjoying the time. But we did hear reports that further on there were great views of the Arapahoe Basin.

We returned to the car the same way we came up, only in about 20 minutes time. We drove on, past Echo Lake. The snow was swirling around, creating ghost spirit dancing along the road.fun being the passenger and David driving. As we descended, the temperature warmed up-both outside and in David's Subaru. We welcome the warmer inside. In Idaho Springs, we decide to get a bite to eat at Tommyknockers-a bar and grill. Good food, but service is slow. But we are not in much of a rush. Then to top off a relaxing day, it is off to the movies-Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

February 19, 2014 - Moffitt Tunnel

Title: February 19, 2014 - Moffat Tunnel

Trail head: East Portal

Hike Info:

Type:  Snow Shoeing

Trail:  Moffat Tunnel/South Boulder Creek, No 900

Destination: None

Distance:  2.57 miles

Start Time:  12:24

End Time:   15:01

Travel Time: 2:37 (0.98 mph)

Moving Time: 1:44 (1.49 mph)

Elevation Rise:  302'

Maximum Elevation: 9,636'

Moffat Tunnel enterance

Description:
Today we lost Andrea and Rachel. Lost as in they left on a jet plane, don't know when they will be back again. But definitely not for this trip. So David, Sherri and I went out to Nederland area and snowshoe'd around Moffat Tunnel. I have been up here several times. With my fascination with trains, it is always exciting, at least for me, to see a train going under the Continental Divide. We eat our lunch before starting out.

We started from the east part of the Tunnel. This is the a East Portal Trail head. Started going up the South Boulder Trail, which goes on the north side of the tunnel entrance. Snow is pretty nice. Packed, just a little wind with a bright blue sky and only a few clouds. Probably the best weather for snow play which I have seen up here, ever.

Snow jumping-snowshoe style

Once we get around to the backside of the tunnel entrance, we stop to put on gaiters. But that also gives time for David and I to explore the creek beside us. With gaiters on, we shanghai Sherri and take off from the packed trail to the creek bottom. There is some tracks down there, so we follow them. These tracks meander from one side of the creek to the other, going up into the trees and shrubs, back to the more open, but rocky creek bottom. Great fun. So silent, except for the crunching of our snowshoes. Snow not trodden, so virgin, unspoiled.

After taking a break, we go up a bank. David scares up a couple young ladies-they let out a shriek. But we had known they were up there both from their voices and seeing movement. Friendly enough once they recover from being startled.

Gary

Gary and Sherri

David and Sherri

Snow pond

Onward we go. We come to this one snow covered rock, where there are rabbit tracks on top of it. About 15' down it are more tracks, where the rabbit jumped. Amazing. We get to this one constrained place, where the creek has cut through and we are forced to ascend up a steep 15' bank. David cuts some steps. But Sherri has a bit of a go with it. After talking a bit, we decide to continue up the bank and we shortly hit the trail.

Sky and Snow

After hitting the trail, go about a third of a mile before hitting a trail junction. It is after 3:00pm. So we decide to turn around and head back. Travel is much faster coming down on a packed path. We get to the tunnel, where we take off a little from the trail. Sherri breaks trail for fifteen minutes or so, then we return to the trail. Shortly afterwards, we reach the car.

The Brothers

Aspen

A man talks with David and tells us there is an old railroad bed someplace around here, bug not sure where. We go off to Broomfield and celebrate our day with a stop at Buca di Beppo. The rest of the evening is watching pictures and talking.

February 18, 2014 - Grizzly Gultch

 Title: February 18, 2014 - Grizzly Gulch

Trail head:

Hike Info:

Type:  Cross-Country Skiing

Trail: Grizzly Gulch

Destination:  Grizzly Gulch

Distance:  3.76 miles

Start Time: 9:44am

End Time: 12:47

Travel Time: 3:03 (1.23 mph)

Moving Time: 1:49 (2.07 mph)

Elevation Rise: 975'

Maximum Elevation: 10,684'

Description:
Rachel and Sherri are staying at David's place today while the rest of us go skiing at Peru Gulch. On our way up to Eisenhower Tunnel, we started seeing high winds warnings. So we discussed if we really wanted to go there or not. Peru Gulch has a tendency to be windy on the best of days. So we decided to go to Grizzly Gulch, a little bit west of Silver Plum.

Andrea and David on trail

Torrey's Peak

First bit of excitement is a van stuck in the snow when we drove up. It shortly got pulled out. There is some wind, which is driving down the temperature some. But the sun is shining, making the 39 degrees feeling good. Andrea and I use skins-which will cause me some grief later, but David goes with bare bottoms on his skis.
We go up a snow covered road. For the first quarter of mile, it is pretty mild rise. But then, the skins really become useful. Besides a bit of huffing and puffing, we enjoy the sights, including Grays Peak, Torreys Peak and Mount Edwards. The road gets steeper, but pretty doable. A little after a mile in, we come to a split. To the left is the trail to Grays Peak; to the right goes up to Grizzly Gulch.

Dad is down

We decide on the right, up Grizzly Gulch. There is a road, but it is under a series of drifts. Instead of a broad trail, it is just a couple ski tracks. In here my skins came off, again-I had tripped a couple times already. So off they come. Let's see if I can do the climb David is talking about. We cross a creek and then start up towards the Gulch. Pretty steep, at least for me.

Grizzly Gulch

We follow the trail, past a cabin-who goes here? Does not look like it gets habituated in the winter. We move beyond this, rising up. Sort of fun. We stop for lunch. After talking, we decided to turn around and go back.

David

Andrea

Instead of having to trudge up, doing a reverse snowplow or side-stepping up, we go down the tracks, which some what resembles a luge run, at least to me.  Down I go, but only down to one knee and only  once in this stretch. Amazing. Even take the down to cross the creek without falling.  But the fun does not end there. We hit the road and go down it. As David says, it us like a series of escalators. We go down, and then level out. I sort of snowplow down, then  hit the side of the rode where the snow is a bit thicker and I go slower. But I still fall down twice.  But not badly.  

Return Trip

What a wonderful trip today. Lots of eye candy. It was a good day. Enjoyed being with my daughter and brother.