May 25, 2012 - Blue Oak Trail

Trail head: South Bay Picnic area, Millerton

Hike Info:

Trail: Blue Oak Trail, also called the South Bay Trail

Destination: Winchell Cove

Distance: 3.5 Miles

Travel Time: 2:08

Moving Time: 1:22

Moving MPH: 2.5

Elevation Rise: 188'

Maximum Elevation: 638'

Description:
When I think of the Millerton Lake and Friant Dam area, I imagine a hot dry area with this man-made lake in the middle. Definitely do not think of excitement, coolness and enjoyment. But that is exactly with we got on this trail. The coolness was fortunate, since Fresno temperatures was exceeding 90 degrees a few days earlier and this trail and area can be like an oven on a hot day.

We knew this was going to be a special day from the first few steps on the trail. A small eagle, yes I did say an eagle, swooped down and landed 10 yards in front of us. He stayed there, or close by for a good 25 minutes before flying away. Excitement!

But that was not all. With a front coming through the area, the weather was cooler than we had any right to expect. But also, the front brought in some soaring clouds to march past our trail. This make for a constantly changing view. The lake turned from mundane to magnificent. Instead of hot and dry, it was cool, breezy and comfortable.

Our walk continued along the south shore of Millerton, After about 45 minutes of leisurely walking, we made it to Winchell Cove. The boats were all set for the Memorial Day weekend. While we could go about a quarter mile further on the other side of the boat launch area, we decided, just to turn around and go back the way we came.

Over all, the trail is easy walking, on a hard beaten clay. The grasses give you wide berth and the trail is about as level as you can get—Looking at the trial profile, I have seen more activity on seismographs. Oaks give visual entertainment. This is definitely a Fall, Winter, Spring hike rather than a Summer hike—unless you hit it on a day like today.

May 24, 2012 - Tunnel Monument

Trail head: Pacheco State Park Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Trail: Pig Pond to Tunnel Monument back to Parking Lot

Destination: Tunnel Monument

Distance: 4.0 miles

Travel Time: 1:38

Moving Time: 1:21

Speed: 2.9 mph

Elevation Rise: 771'

Maximum Elevation: 1,1918'

Description:
Sometimes when you go past a place all your life, you realize that you do not know the area. For me, this is true of Pacheco Pass. Even before moving to Fresno, I had gone over this pass as a little boy, being driven by my parents from the Bay Area to the Sierra's. And when we moved to Fresno, we would drive this 152 at least once a month, and a lot of times more often. So last year when we were looking for hikes which we could do for Capture California, We noticed this little state park right on Pacheco Pass, Pacheco State Park. Unfortunately, we had not stopped here until today. This is definitely will change. While not a place to hike during a summer afternoon, it can be picturesque with oak trees, rolling hills, wind turbines and San Luis Reservoir filling the views.



Today, I was coming back from my parents in the Bay Area and hit the pass in the early afternoon. The day was warm, but not hot. So I decided, today is the day to see this area. Turned off of 152 close to the top of the pass and headed down Dinosaur Point Road. Yes there really was a dinosaur remains found in the area, well maybe. I was looking for a trail head off this road, but I did not pay enough attention to my map which said to take a right on Whisky Flat Road—that is the correct spelling of Whisky. So I went all the way down to the boat launch at Dinosaur Point. This was where I was in for a treat.



I was greeted by the boat inspector—for tag-along mussels. After receiving confirmation that I should have turned a ways back, we chatted for awhile, that would be over an hour. Evidently Manny is visited by a number of people who think this area is a great for partying and getting drunk. But he is out there because he enjoys viewing the wildlife-Tule Elk, mountain lion, mule deer, fox, and coyotes. We talked about the trails and the heat. He gave me some park brochures, which looking at them later, I realized I had most of it already. A woman and her mother stopped to ask some questions—looked like a husband in the car as well. They had traveled from Spain to see California. So after talking for a little while, they left. Manny and I talked a bit longer. He has written some books on poetry—The Bridge is Gone and The Elder, not famous yet. Yet it is exciting who you meet in places like this and then find out who they are. By this time, I was on my way to find the trail head—a few minutes before three.



Found the trail head, right next to a pen full of cattle. The Pacheco Family, through Paula Fatijo's bequeath in 1992, gave the State of California the property around Pacheco Pass for a state park. This was to preserve the area for its natural and human history. Consequently, they still do ranching operations, renting out part of the park. Also various wind farm operators also rent out part of the land.

Onward to the actual hike. The trail leaves the parking lot/corral area. Going toward the south. It is a gradually rising semi-jeep track—hardly used by jeeps, but used by hikers. Tall, dry, grasses abound, along with little critters. After a half of a mile, you come to a hundred foot ridge, cross it and find an intersection. I aim to come back to the intersection via the trail to the west, but for now, it is the easier trail to the south. We go up another small ridge and then drop down into a dried creek bed, which feeds into Pig Pond. And then the start of a more steep climb to the Tunnel Monument Trail Jct.

I take the Tunnel Monument Trail as that will give me a 3.5+ mile loop back to the car. My little talk with Manny cut short the hiking. But both the talking and the hiking are wonderful. This trail climbs up steeply over the next ¾ of a mile to the top of the ridge. As I reach the top, the wind whip's through rather fiercely, causing me to chase my hat. But the view is good. You see both sides of the coastal range. Westward there is the greener hills, which get the moisture from ocean breezes. Towards the east is San Luis Reservoir. And the windmills, furiously turning, trying to keep up with the wind. Such a far reaching sight.

When Manny and I were talking, we guessed what the Valley was like before modern man came along. The wildlife, the plants we would have seen. John Muir in Yosemite indicated the first time he came over Pacheco Pass he saw a carpet of bright orange flowers stretching from his feet to the feet of the Sierra's. Today, I cannot see Los Banos, let alone Yosemite. Things have changed.

But now it is time to find this Tunnel Monument. I go 50 steps back towards the car and there is a sign saying Tunnel Monument. But where is this monument? Where is this tunnel? Silly. I am standing on top of the tunnel—it is sunk several hundred feet below my toes. And the monument? Well it is a benchmark. This tunnel is the tunnel bore through the coastal range to drive more electric generators from the water coming from San Luis Reservoir. Nothing to see; just things to think about. How we can bore holes through mountains to move water, but not clean up the air we breath?




I start down the trail back to the car. The downward trail is steeper than I came up on. I come to a junction—but a different one than I saw before. But I take it anyway. It goes through part of the Pacheco Ranch and meets a private road. I go another quarter of a mile down the road and find my car. A most satisfying afternoon spent.

May 9, 2012 – Deer Camp and Return Trip, Alder Ck to Wawona

Starting Place: Alder Creek Crossing

Destination: Deer Camp

Actual Destination: Alder Creek Crossing

Miles Traveled: 3.0 miles

Elevation Rise: 770'

Travel Time: 2:30

Moving Time: 1:40

Starting Place: Alder Creek Crossing

Destination: Wawona

Miles Traveled: 7.2 miles

Elevation Rise: 233'

Travel Time: 3:20

Moving Time: 2:50

 

Slept under the stars last night. I was warm and comfy. The ground was at a slant, so you seemed to scoot down. Sherri was scooting around more than I. There was a nice moon out this morning—2am or so—almost full. Before then, the stars were bright until the moon showed up. Enjoyed watching both.

When I got up a dew had fallen, wetting our bags and everything else out in the open. I think Steven was dry in his hammock, between two trees. After walking around, I noticed the packs had a light frosting on them—must have been in the low thirty's.

Breakfast—oatmeal and granola, plus toppings. We sort of moseyed around camp for awhile, trying to make a decision on going on a day trip to Deer Camp or just to return back to the car. After much discussion, we will go on to Deer Camp, about a mile and half, one way.

We take off going up the side of Alder Creek—while the water was down a little, it still looked cold. None of us wanted in. So up the east side of the creek and cross-country for about a third of a mile, till we hit the trail. Lots of brush, lots of downed trees. But after awhile we meet up with the trail to Deer Camp.

It is a lot easier on the trail than the cross-country route we were taking. Even though there was a place where the trail fooled us. It did a switch back, but looked like it was going to go straight. So we took 10 minutes figuring this out and back-tracking to find the trail.

It is onward and upward. The trail goes long the side of the ridges, following the creek. We get to a small creek crossing. This is where Sherri and I could not cross several years ago—then there was lots of snow. But now, it is obvious how to cross it. We wonder what stopped us before—except for the snow.

We go another quarter of a mile and come to a little bigger crossing-still very crossable. But we have reached our check point time. So it is time to turn back. Wonder when we will be able to see this place, after all it is our fourth attempt. This time we are pretty near. None of the reasons to turn back was technical nor endurance, just we have to contend with other priorities.

The trip back to our camp is not very exciting. We did stop to build a snow man—a small one. Still it is a legit snow man. Sherri also gets a lesson in GPS usage.

When we get back to camp, we have lunch and then set out back to the car. We leave at 12:30—Sherri and Steven about 10 minutes before me. But it took me about an hour to catch up with them and I was going close to 3mph. So they were moving pretty strong.

Once we leave the evergreens with their overhead, the air gets hot. We drink water and lots of it. Sherri's Camel Back bladder goes dry. Steven's is close to empty. My canteen is down to half a cup when we finally reach the car.

On ward to Todd's. Great BBQ—had their special: Cajun Chicken Melt with Garlic Fries. Oh yeah—and lots and lots of ice tea. We get back to Fresno around 6, just very happy.

May 8, 2012 – Alder Creek

Starting Place: Wawona

Destination: Deer Camp

Actual Destination: Alder Creek Crossing

Miles Traveled: 8.2 miles

Elevation Rise: 2,568'

Travel Time: 8:50

Moving Time: 4:25

 

       

Got up a little before 6—must be getting ready for camp life. Sherri gets up at 6:30, while Steve drags himself out of bed at 7:15. We get a few last minute things ready and hit the door by 7:45.

We are going back up to Alder Creek. Hopefully making it past the falls this time. Should be warmer than last time. It has not rained since we last were up in mid-April.

We stop in Oakhurst to get Steven a Carl's Jr, Breakfast Burrito. We then stop at Wawona for a wilderness permit—which as it turns out, I leave in the car. We make it to the trail head around 9:40. Then hit the road a half an hour later. Much better than the last time we were up here.

Same trail, same sun on us. We go a third of mile when Sherri discovers she left her GPS on the hood of the car. Steven goes back to get it. Sherri and I continue on.

Dry heat with little breezes at time to cool us off. When we left the car, it was 70 degrees. At 11, after going 1.2 miles and 700' up, we stop for an elevense's break. After a few minutes, Steven catches up with us.

More uphill. I write a little while longer as Steven and Sherri continue on. I plod after them for about half an hour before catching up with them. We past the fallen log where we lost the GPS last time. At 12:15, we have our lunch, 2.8 miles into the trail-just a tenth of a mile from the Mosquito Creek trail junction. Usual fare of Ritz crackers, Peanut Butter and Nutella. We debate on how healthy can this be? My thinking, who cares? It tastes so good and we are doing so much work, it cannot be too bad.

While reading and resting, we saw a hawk gliding overhead, riding the warm air currents. It looks so graceful as he swoops and pivots and swoops again, free from visible effort. But we get no picture for Capture California.

1pm—we leave our lunch spot and start in. Shortly we come to the trail junction. After this it is a series of rolling hills, gradually going up. We pass our campsite from three weeks ago—completely free of snow. Three Falls is still flowing. After a spurt of up hill, we top out on the old railroad grade. From here, the trail is flat. You see remnants of old railroad ties. We stop at our creek to refill water bottles and take a break.

Then comes the highlight of the trip—Alder Falls. If Alder Falls was along a road or in the Valley, it would compete with Vernal and Nevada Falls. But you need to hike in 5 miles, climb 2,000' to enjoy this view—I like it that way. The effort makes the enjoyment that much better.

We look and gawk at the Falls. Then continue on, up Alder Creek. Then the railroad leaves us above the Falls. The trail is more single file. But gentle. We get to the creek crossing for Alder Creek. The snow runoff is going strong still. So we ponder our options. In the end, we decide to stop before crossing. We have gone 7 miles, with a gain of 2200' in four hours walking. Not bad. Of course, my brother would not let this stop him. (Later in talking with him, he thought that we were there to enjoy, not to show courage.) We have crossed this creek before, just as wet, just as wide. But it is just as cold now as then. I am getting more cautious in my old age.

The campsite has a pretty good tilt to it. We shall see if we roll down the slope tonight in our bags. I am so tired, I am not sure I would wake up. Sherri makes us Beef-Vegetable Wrap. It is always refreshing to have good food on the trail.

Now waiting for it to get dark and then it is to bed we go.

May 6, 2012 - General's Highway to Panorama Pt

Hike Info:

Trail: General's Highway to Panorama Point

Distance: 3.0 miles

Duration: 1 hour, 25 minutes

Elevation Rise: 800'

Description:

Today we decided to do a short hike after church and mowing the lawn. So we left Fresno around 1:30, for the Grant Grove Area. We got there after 2:30. There was snow—old snow to be sure of—but snow just the same, around the visitor center.

We are doing a trail from the General's Highway to Panorama Point. It is technically a segment of the North Boundary Trail in Grant Grove portion of Kings Canyon National Park. But we have hiked this on its own just to enjoy the pleasure of the early season. It is a short hike, maybe three miles round trip with about an 800' elevation rise.

We pull in; get our REI Flash Packs ready, along with our hiking poles; put on the old boots, and then,a burning truck pulls into the turn-out where we are parked.

A man and two kids jump out and scoot away from the truck. Lots of smoke—Steven sees some flame—and there definitely are some popping sounds. Good thing he stopped.

Sherri and Steven went ahead, up the trail. I took the man and his children back to the Visitor Center. A ranger called for fire engines. It looks like I will need to find another place to park and meet Sherri and Steven.

So I drove up to the Panorama Pt parking lot and walked down the trail, expecting to meet Sherri and Steven on the way up. No sign of them, except for some footprints which looked like the tracks were going in the wrong direction.

Got close to the highway and saw foam, an ambulance, a fire truck and a tow truck. Exciting, as long as it was not my vehicle.

Coming back up the trail, I saw the reason why I missed them. There is an older, gentler trail, which I took down. But then, there is a newer, shorter, but steeper trail, following some power lines. Sherri and Steven had gone up the short trail. Looking at the GPS logs, I missed them by three minutes.

We caught up with each other at Panorama Point. On a clear day, you can see much of Kings Canyon's back-country. Such as North Palisades and Kersarge Pinnacles. Both of which Sherri and I will be passing by later on this summer when we do our JMT adventure in July. So it is a wonderful thing to see all the handiwork from this Point.

We came back to the car, 300 yards from the Point. And then headed back. Spring is in the air and the deer are scattered everywhere.

We ate Pizza in Squaw Valley—Bear Mountain Pizza and was back in Fresno by 7:15.

April 19, 2012 – Return Trip, Alder Ck to Wawona

Starting Place: A Spot on the Alder Creek Trail

Destination: Wawona

Miles Traveled: 3.8 miles

Gary's Additional: 5.0 miles

Woke up and it was already light. Not much of a reason to hurry, so I laid in bed for awhile. Then read. Finally, the bladder was begging for relief.

Not as cold as I feared. Comfortable. Took a stroll about 3/8 of mile back up the trail, past Three Falls. I think one of the things I like best in backpacking, is the sense of solitude in the mornings. When you can sense your surroundings—the chirping of the birds, the gurgling of a little creek, and the smell of the pine trees. The last I did not experience this morning, mostly because of a stuffed-up nose.

When I get back to camp, Sherri was just emerging from the tent. Oatmeal and granola for breakfast. Breaking camp. We will walk back to Three Falls. It is 9:30. Then head back and the Valley. By the time we look at Three Falls, take pictures and wander about, and then return to camp, which we then finish breaking down, it is around 10:30.

A Note For the Future: There is a small flat spot above where we camped. Better scenery. But not as much flat space.

Coming back is mostly the same as going up. We are just returning on the same trail. Nothing exciting happens—I did find a wonderful bathroom spot though. It is a lot hotter coming back even though we are going down hill.

Nothing exciting, that is until we got within .6 miles of the car. We stopped for lunch by a little creek. At this point we noticed Sherri's Garmin was missing. We try to remember where we saw the Garmin and decide it was at the bathroom break, almost all the way back to the trail junction. We examine the options and decide it would be best if I go on up and look for it.

I make a slow, but steady progress, looking under brush, grass beside the trail, and around fallen logs. Nothing. I must have gone past it and not seen it as I made it to the Mosquito Creek trail junction—even missed the bathroom spot. Some kind of sleuth am I!

Tired, I start back again. Looking, but discouraged. Shortly after the bathroom stop, I find it under a log, fallen across the trail. Feeling a lot better, I make it back to Sherri, as my water runs out. We get back to the car and have dinner at Todd's.

April 18, 2012 – Alder Creek

Starting Place: Wawona

Destination: Deer Camp

Actual Destination: A Spot on the Alder Creek Trail

Miles Traveled: 7.3 miles

Elevation Rise: 2,233'

Travel Time: 6:41

Moving Time: 4:26

Yesterday afternoon we decided to go on an overnight trip up to Alder Creek, close to Wawona. While we went up to Point Reyes last month, this feels like the first trip of the season. So our equipment is still in a bit of disorder. Food is still to be thought of. Consequently we got to bed at 11:30 last night.

It is up again at 6:40. Did a bit of last minute checks. Had a shower, breakfast of granola. Then loaded the car. By the time the engine started, it was 8:45. Go the the ranger ration in Wawona around 10 and did a self registration for our wilderness permit. Hit the trail at 10:45.

We expect to go to Deer Camp, 8.5 miles, 2000' rise. But judging by the snow on the way up, we may be stopping before then. It is a good rise, in chaparral. The day is warm, but not oppressive. So it is a good time to go through this—definitely not a summer trip.

We do pretty well and about the time we get out of the chaparral, our stomachs remind us that in order for the body to move, they must be fed. For those who have been with us, they will recognize what we pass off as lunch, which is really a modified candy bar in disguise. It is Peanut Butter, Nutella and a Ritz cracker. Love it. We finish around 1:15 and continue on.

Our travel is slower. At two, we meet up with the trail from Hwy 41. But we are tired and still have 5 miles more to get to Deer Camp.

We start to hit snow in small patches around 5400'-signs of more to come. Lots of down branches and small trees. We come to a creek with three small, but pretty falls. Most of the year, this will be dry. The snow gets longer in stretches, but still is not deep, only a couple of inches.

But then we break out onto the old railroad grade. It is flat. But now there is snow and the snow has accumulated on this piece of level ground. In places it is 2-3' deep. We are tiring and when we come to a creek, about half a mile from the falls, we make a decision. The snow is getting deeper, with being tired and there is no dry place to camp, we decided to head back to find a flat, dry place with water. Sounds sort of funny with all the snow around wanting water. Actually, we have a new three gallon gravity filter, so as long as we are a quarter or mile or so from water, we should be good.

We have traveled 5 3/8 miles, rose 1,800', trudged through snow. We are beat. But we have done good.

Flat places are not too available—covered with snow. We pass three falls creek and find a place about an 1.8 of a mile further.

Sherri pitches the tent. I cook Mountain House Freeze Dried Chicken Tetrazzini. Actually a pretty decent meal. I had the arduous task of finding and filtering the water. Did I say that we now have a gravity filter? What heaven will be like!

We are the only ones around. So we hit the sack at sunset. Reading The Help on my Nook.

November 2, 2011 – Alder Creek Falls

10.3 miles
4:04 time
2.5 mph
1,400' elevation rise, one way

We left Fresno at 10 and got to the Mosquito Creek trail-head around 11:30. Then got on the trail just short of noon.

The first part of the trail is pretty steep. For the first ¾ of a mile it rises 630', or about 15% slope. The first time we hiked this trail, it was with backpacks and the trees were all green. Now a lot of dead, burnt trees stand as stark reminders of times past. But there is brush taking root and starting to encroach upon the trail. A reminder that this trail is not heavily used.

We get to the trail junction from Wawona. Steven is ahead of us. The junction can be a bit confusing and I signal to him to take a left. But it gets misconstrued to mean he cannot take the 30' of trail north, but must descend and go back up the two sides of a triangle.

We do not see Steven again for the 3.2 miles to Alder Falls. The trail from the junction flattens out and we go up some gentle rises. Even though this is halfway through Fall, the little streamlets are still going well. Still the Fall colors are out—lots of reds and yellows play against the evergreens.

The final 1.3 miles is flat as we travel on the old railroad bed. The ties lay around, some even still embedded in the trail. By the falls, there is an old piece of iron rail. But I have not been able to come across anything talking about the railroad. I assume it was an undertaking of the Washburns in connection with the Wawona hotel.

One of the truly amazing parts of this trail is that you are walking along, with an occasional flow of water pleasantly trickling down past the trail. But you round a corner and you are greeted with the sound of falls. Then after a few more steps, Alder Falls is in full view. To me, Alder Falls ranks right up there with Vernal and Nevada Falls. If it was located close to the Valley, you would hear about it. But since you need a four mile hike with 1,200' rise, you are left pretty much alone with your senses to enjoy the sight and sound.

Because you are on the level with the falls, you do not get a good sighting of the base and there is not an easy way down the 250' slope to the base. So we just enjoyed the sight, had lunch, which is what we did and return. Well with the slight addition of walking a bit further up the trail to retrieve Steven.

On the way back, I took a few pictures while Steven and Sherri went ahead. Probably got about 10-15 minutes behind them in all. Also tried to see when the trail left the railroad. But there is a lot of manzanita brush preventing easy passage that way. So it remains a secret to me.

When we get to the trail junction—yes I do catch up—I am thinking I would like to go on to Wawona—about 2 additional miles. Steven seals that decision with a comment. So on I go. Within 30 yards, I do a belly flop –tripping over a small rock. Not a good way to start off. I am not hurt, except for my pride. But this little faux pas was not observed, except by the animals. Onward I go. I really need to learn how to walk without Sherri. I am rushing too much, feeling clumsy and ungraceful. When I stop to take a picture, I get caught up in my hiking poles—not going down. But I am having a good time walking alone. I am going at a 3 mph pace and enjoying it. When I get close to the trail-head, I see the Rav4 go towards the end of the trail. Then a couple of minutes later, I see it go back down the road. Am I being abandoned? No-I see the Rav4 come again. This time they stop and I am there within a couple of minutes. We go on and eat at Todd's in Oakhurst and then back to Fresno.

Oct 25, 2011 - Dewey Point

It is my Birthday!!! I got up at 6:45. Then went to a teeth cleaning at 9. After an hour, got home to take off to the mountains. McGurk Meadow in Yosemite is our destination. If we are energetic, we will make it to Dewey Point.

We go to the trailhead at 1:00. The trail starts at McGurk Meadow, or more precisely, about three-quarters of a mile before the meadow on the Glacier Point road. It is a pretty level trail. We quickly walk the three-quarter of a mile to McGurk Meadow, and his cabin. The man must have been small because I am taller than the cabin and the door way was about three feet tall. We eat a little after the meadow.

Onward we go. A little bit of downhill and we reach the Pohono Trial junction—1.9 miles into our trip. It is pretty quiet—except for a couple of female hikes coming out, we do not see much animal life. The two miles to Dewey Point is uneventful. We exchanged greetings with a father/son team. The son works as the Camp4 host. He also chases bears in the Valley. He noted that these was a lot of fresh bear scat around Dewey Point.

Coming in, it looked like most of the forest was getting ready for Winter. There was only a few wildflowers left in bloom. The ferns were turning brown. But there was an abundance of mushrooms and fungi. I guess I need to figure out what these things are.

We made it to Dewey Point, right about my turn around time, 3:30pm. The Point gives great sights all the way around. El Capitan is right in front of us. You can look up the Valley to Half Dome and Senteniel Dome. But the closest scenic beauty, Bridalveil Falls, you could not see. It is just below us, out of sight.

We spent around half an hour there. While we were there, a peregrine falcon a lighted in a tree, thirty yards away. We got several good shots of the bird.

We got back to the car at dusk, 6:00pm. On the way back down the Glacier Point Road, we got to see a pretty good, prescribed burn, enhanced sunset.

June 19, 2009 –Illilouette Creek to Mono Meadows Trailhead, (11.9 miles GPS)

We all got up a bit early—around 6, even Sherri. Our goal is to get going by 8:00. I did not sleep well last night. Not because of being uncomfortable, but more from the anxiety of getting an early start. Sherri had said she would get up when I did this morning. I suspect that is the reason why I woke about a bit after midnight and the again at 4am. But even then, I slept for at least 8 hours.

We eat, get packed—the tent top is wet with our perspiration. Its amazing how much you sweat at night. And we leave at the miraculous time of a quarter past seven. I am in the lead setting the pace. I am hoping that we can keep a pace of a little more than two miles per hour. For the first hour we go down some rocky slopes. Sometimes the path is bare granite; sometimes its boulders on the path and then sometimes the trail builders have inlaid stones to make a nice even path. It is pretty good. We make slightly more than 2 mph. All along we are treated with some very good sights looking down the valley or across at the river.

Then we hit wooded area. The path is dirt and well marked. We make good time going pretty close to 3 mph. I think this is the fastest Sherri has done for a long period of time with a pack. She is doing pretty good. We see more flowers today than we have in the past five days. Of course we are at a lower altitude now than we have been since the first day. Also it is warmer than it has been all week.

We come to Red Creek (N37.67684 W119.49832). It is log walking time again. Not too bad. But we stop for the first lunch there for the Sherri recovery time after log walking experience. Then we go about a quarter mile to Clark Creek (N37.67960 W119.50138). David and Steven decide that they don’t want to get their feet wet, so they go across some logs. I follow Sherri’s lead and take off my shoes. The crossing is not bad. We get across it without incident.

We have met a couple people. So we now know we are getting close to coming out of the backcountry. The third hour we slow a bit, but are still traveling well for us. A little under 3 mph. We come to a trail junction (N37.68443 W119.52091)—going to Little Yosemite Valley or down to Illilouette Creek. Its down we go. This part is a bit of a difference than what we have been travelling through previously. Its dry, sandy and a bit exposed to the sun. Plus, this area was badly burnt in a fire over ten years ago.

Now maybe Sherri slowed down a little to play a game called pinecone soccer. Steven and David, with a few assists by yours truly, would kick a pinecone down the trail. Sometimes a score would be made by having the pinecone going through Sherri’s legs. What a wonderful game. Sometimes I thought Sherri did not quite appreciate it.

When we get to the second junction (N37.68815 W119.54561), there is a sign on the mileage markers. The sign warns us that Illilouette Creek is running full and can be dangerous. After coming 50 miles, crossing snow, cross logs, walking down creeks disguised as trails, do we let a little sign turn us back now? No! So on we go! After a couple hundred yards we drop to the creek (N37.68720 W119.54536). Where is the log? Where are the rocks to cross with? After looking up and down, we decide its time to take off our shoes. David goes wading in the water first. He takes along the rope. After a bit of a tenuous crossing—at least tenuous for him—he makes it across, to the very end of the rope. Steven goes across well. Then its Sherri’s turn. Not much problem there. She is cautious, but the important thing is she made it. I am the last, and I untie the rope end and tie it around my waist—not a good knot. Then it’s the journey across the creek. Rocks are slippery, water is cold, but I find some places where there is sand on the bottom. While running pretty swiftly and the water come mid-thigh in the deep places, it is not bad. Make it across with both mine and Sherri’s packs.

So it is time for a Cliff bar celebration. Now it is time for the final 2+ mile leg of our trip. This time, it is up about 900’ to David’s car. We start up this grade. David and Steven will go ahead to the car. They will then go back and pick up Sherri’s car. They start going in a hurry. But Sherri must be moving pretty good since we keep them in sight for awhile.

The scenery is nothing but burnt forests. But even here in the destruction, there is an eerie sense of wonderment. As Sherri and I huff and puff up to the top of the 600’ ridge, we are glad for a brief reprieve from the climb and the scenery. The fire had stopped at the top. We now descend into Mono Creek (N37.67704 W119.56795). But as Sherri notes, every step down is a step back up again.

We come to the last creek crossing. But this one is even relatively easy, even for Sherri. There are four logs laid across the creek, we can just walk right across. For a short ways it is pretty level. Then we start our final upward trek. I have to say, the trail makers never must have known about grades or switchbacks. They could have lengthened the trail or created switchbacks. Instead, they took a shorter, pretty steep incline. This left me thinking, Sherri, when will be stopping to make one of your famous every 100’ breaks. Finally she stops and I can breath.

We make it to the top (N37.67153 W119.58496) around 2:30pm. David and Steven already have the car and have busted out the JoeJoe’s, think Oreo’s. We all enjoy a time of celebration of out successful trip. We drive down Glacier Point Road until it T’s. From here, David leaves us and heads over Tioga Pass.

We head down to Oakhusrt and Todd’s Cookhouse. Oh heaven it is for hungry backpackers. We order and enjoy real food for the first time in close to a week. After a suitable eats, its time to make our way back to Fresno. It is good to be back at home.

Now for the brutal stats. My pack weighed about the same as when I started. This is sort of phenomenal since I had dinner. But I suppose adding Steven’s food canister after his pack broken. Then this morning taking some of Sherri’s pack to get some speed, I guess I should be lucky I was able to come out even. My eight you might ask? Well, on initially the scale said I was down 10 pounds, but I think most of it was water loss. By Monday morning I had lost a pound. But I ate well and enjoyed things.