July 16, 2023 - Weaver Lake

 

Title: July 16, 2023 - Weaver Lake

Hike Info : Description :  Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Big Meadows

Trail:  Weaver Lake Trail

Destination:  Weaver Lake

Distance: 7.14  miles ¹

Start Time: 10:59

End Time:     5:42

Travel Time: 6:42  (1.07 mph)

Moving Time:  5:39   (1.26 mph)

Elevation Rise:  1,027'

Descent: 1,560‘

Maximum Elevation: 8,721'

GPS Tracks

¹The mileage is a little low as I did not turn on the GPS until we were about a quarter of a mile into the hike. Also the start time is about 10 minutes low. Other figures may be affected as well. AllTrails has this as a 6.8 mile trip.

Description:

Last night we discussed should we go up to the mountains tomorrow?And if so where? The concern is that last week I saw snow in the Weaver Lake area. But then it is to be 112 in Fresno. Seems strange being concerned about snow and heat.

 

 

Big Meadows Creek

I got up at 5:45-no lightning today to report, so I did a few things, including eating breakfast. We were trying to leave by 8am, but settled for 8:20. Then I compounded the lateness by forgetting my hat. Steven gets the car filled up with gas and then we are off. The drive, with me as a passenger, was pretty smooth. We arrived at the Big Meadows trailhead at 10:15.

The “we” in all of this is Andrea, Steven, Korra-the snow dog, Sherri and Gary. We get on our boots, get our packs situated, and our picture taken. I made a comment to Andrea that with it being as warm as it is, this might be a short hike. By the time we leave it is 10:45.

 

Korra, Sherri and Gary crossing an unnamed creek

We have been up this trail many a time-including with backpacks last year. So there are other places where I describe this trip. Going over Big Meadow Creek on its bridge, the greens are splendid and vibrant. We probably hit it at a good time as there are only a few mosquitos. I do OK as long as the trail is level or a bit ascending. But that does not last long. The trail starts to rise. While my legs are doing OK, I am starting to breathe harder. But with the rise, we start to see a bit of the Monarch Divide and beyond and the high mountains to the east. They are pleasant to see and gives me an excuse to stop and gwack.

As we approach the trail coming in from Fox Canyon/Meadow, Andrea finds a nice log to sit on. Since it is 12:15, we all agree it is a good place to stop and time to eat. Andrea, Steven and Korra play catch with some sticks. A good thing about lunch in the Sierra during a hike is that you are content to let the break go on and on. Of course, that is the same attribute which can lead to less fortunate consequences, such as relaxing too long.

 

Andrea Charging up a hill

We did neither. We started walking. There are a few patches of snow across the trail. The snow only makes the walking a bit different, not really a hindrance. Korra is a snow dog. She loves this stuff and rolls and florlicks in it. I wonder if it is the heat or her natural tendency?

Someplace along this trail, we talked with a family who used to be with Sierra National Forest. They indicate that a group is looking for a friend who got separated. So we are on the lookout for Kirk with a lime-green pack.

A short while later, at 1pm. we get to this little unnamed creek. each time we come to it, it seems so refreshing. Maybe it is just because I am tired. Evidently Sherri is more tired as she indicates this is about as far as she wants to go. I guess we have gone up about 500’ with another 700’ to go up, some of it is steeper than what we have gone up already.

After resting a bit-didn’t we just have lunch 25 minutes ago?-I start off because I know I will be the slowest and the most likely to peter out. A short time later, Steven and Korra catch up with me, but there is no sign of Andrea. Steven goes on. I continue to trudge up the trail. The legs are doing OK, but the lungs are another story. Andrea comes up and talks with me for a few minutes. I think she is checking out the old man to make sure he is doing well enough to continue. I must have passed inspection as she goes on.

Gary Crossing a creek

One of the joys of hiking is coming across fellow hikers. One of these had been out for five days-I was amazed with him with all the snow he must have encountered. He had gone to Jennie Lake, then into the Roaring River area, up to Avalanche Pass and then spent last night at Weaver Lake-he said that it was crowded. Fun talking with him. We then went our separate ways.

A few minutes later I come across a couple of young females. We talked for a few minutes. I make a comment that I will just be happy getting to the Weaver Lake sign. They take pity on an old man and say it is just around the bend. And sure enough it is. I know that Weaver is just about 80’ up from here and less than a quarter mile. I can do this.

And I do make it. The time is 2:54, just a couple of minutes before my 3:00pm turn. Andrea and Steven are right there. It is pleasant looking at the pool of water. I relax for awhile. They have been at the lake about 30 minutes before I showed up and had gone out and cooled themselves in the lake. Right before getting to the lake, I started sucking air out of my bladder. I probably drank at least two liters if not 2½ litters. Andrea gives me half of her water.

 

 

LifeStraw in use

But about 15 minutes after getting to the lake, we left. The trip down is pretty uneventful. I take a lot less water going down than when I was coming up it. We get to the creek and Sherri at 4. A couple of years ago, Steven gave us a LifeStraw to filter water with. Sherri brought hers. I get down on my knees and start sucking water from the creek. Tastes really good. I will need to dig up mine. We rested again for a little while.

The lungs are no longer an issue. The legs are like rubber. But we are mostly going down so it should not be a struggle. I just do not feel very springy. We get down to Big Meadow Creek and the short uphill to the parking area. It is 5:45.

 

 

 

 

Korra on drive home

We load the car up and take care of business. Andrea’s Smart Watch tells her that the temperature ranged between 85 and 90 degrees. No wonder I used up my water. On our way back, with Steven driving, I let our family know we will not be able to attend the Sunday Family Zoom this evening. We make it home by 8, tired and ready for a shower.

Extra Photo's

Daughter and her Father

Steven and Korra setting up for a group shot

Buck Rock Lookout

Andrea in the lake

Steven sunbathing by the lake

Korra, Steven and Andrea by an unnamed creek

Steven and Andrea on trail

Korra

Unnamed Creek

Animals

 
Flowers and Plants

Western Wallflower

Indian Paintbrush

July 9, 2023 - Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title: July 9, 2023 - Park Ridge Lookout
Hike Info : Description :   Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

I woke up at 0515 with the eastern sky turning colors. It is easy just to lay in bed and enjoy the serenity up here. So I do that for a while, reading and enjoying my sleeping bag. When I do get up, I start cleaning up and getting packed. Now it is time to go for my walk.

Trail through yellow

I do the same loop as yesterday in reverse. Only thing is that I put on my boots instead of tennis shoes. With the first stretch being uphill, I wonder about the wisdom of this. But then I started seeing little flowers along the way. As I wander among these colorful, but low lying flowers, I start getting filled with wonder and awe. Not for their greatness, but their humbleness. By lying low, it raises them up. A lesson to learn. The way up is down-I am not the first to discover this.

The reason being is that humility points me to the Creator of these humble flowers. From this I am filled with wonder. Like Jesus once said, that God takes care of these small things, so much more he will take care of us. We truly serve a great God!

Log Creek Meadow

As I was walking, I was wondering if I am feeling this sense of awe because I recognize I am seeing my God at work. What does a person who says there is no God see in all of this? In talking with some of my fellow hikers, I get a sense of beauty, but not attribution. Is that what creates awe?

I get back to the lookout at 0820, about a 70 minute walk. I get my breakfast ready-how much prep does granola need? By 0900, I am ready for the day. So I started cleaning windows. Then take the weather and go into service by 0930-Delilah beats me by a minute.

At 0950, my first visitors come and I get tied up until 1040 when I notice I did not hear the weather and staffing-it is the staffing which I miss as I can get fire weather online. Oh well, I did have a good discussion about Half Dome and Whitney with a couple of visitors. And then there are visitors from Texas and Poland. I feel like the last couple of days I have been to a European convention.

Another Day and More of the Inversion Layer

You may have noticed in yesterday’s sunrise pictures a few drips and streaks in the picture. I had noted that there was some dirt on the windows. There was not enough time, nor energy, to clean the windows. After going in service, I start cleaning. Of course, I got interrupted every once in a while by visitors. But by the end of the day, the windows are cleaner, but they really could do a second going over.

Hershey Kiss, Mt Brewer and North Guard

One set of visitors, a father and son, comes in after lunch. They are from Ohio, but he works out of Lancaster. What interests me is that he is part of a team which flies planes which look for fires. I have heard them on the radio before and everybody seems to be in awe of the abilities of this plane to find what we are looking for in the lookout: fires. We talked a bit about this. His son also seems pretty attentive to this conversation but also inquisitive about the lookout as well.

The afternoon is coming to an end and so is my time at Park Ridge. No smokes seen. But between the 19 people today, 65 people have passed through the lookout.I think I have done my job. At 1800 I went out of service. It takes a couple of trips down the stairs to load everything in the Ranger. I also let Wendy know the status of how I am leaving the lookout.

Mitchell and Maddox Peaks

 

 

 

I drove the same road I walked this morning. But when I get to a place where I look over Wilsonia, there is a column of smoke beyond that. Of course I stopped. But at that point I did not have any reception.. I am suspecting this is from the Needle Dump. But I do not have a good idea where the Needle Dump is from this area. Then the column disappears. I look for a while longer and it does not reappear.

Besides getting behind a slow vehicle going down 180, it is an easy drive back. There was a truck which was impatient to pass me in the Park. He did at the entrance station, rather vigorously. But he also got stuck behind the slow vehicle. Sort of a karma situation. I also joined in on our family’s Zoom call on the way down. Got back home about 2000. Glad to take a shower.

 

 
Flowers and Plants

July 8, 2023 - Park Ridge Lookout

 

Title: July 8, 2023 - Park Ridge Lookout
Hike Info : Description :  Background : Extra Photo's : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Lookout

Description:

There is something wonderful about waking up to a couple junko’s flying by, chasing each other or the sound of birds calling to each other or the light before the sun rising gracing the skies. Life in a lookout can be amazing. And then there is the rude awakening of, what do I smell? A whiff of smoke! Is there a fire close by? I get up and look around. Nothing obvious.

It is 0600. So I looked to see if there was lightning yesterday-nothing, as expected. I get up, get dressed and tidy up a bit. I did sleep pretty well last night. Well there was the instance where the moon came shining its bright face through the window. But I just turned over and went back to sleep.

Sunlight through trees

I go downstairs taking down some things. Then I go on my morning walk. The flowers are coming out and water is running through places which I never expected to flow. The air is pretty cool-refreshing. Even though I understand it is cooler than usual in Fresno. I walk down to the saddle where the Azalea Trail meets the road. I can tell that I am not ready for backpacking yet. Feeling pretty winded on uphills. 

 

 

Log Creek Meadow

The decision: which way to return? I decided to come back via the trail. Not a bad choice. I take my time, look around. At one point I see Delilah LO. Then I take a few more steps and there is Buck Rock. A wonderful walk. Well mostly wonderful. I hear my phone dialing and see it is trying to reach 911. I hang up to try to stop it from going through. But the Fresno County Emergency Services gives me a call back to make sure I am OK. That is good. I get back to the lookout around 0820. Then have my breakfast and finish tidying up. After such a great start of a morning, I realize I forgot some of my medicine. Now to monitor how I am doing the rest of the time up here. If things go a bit wobbly, I will need to return home.

Buck Rock and its Lookout

And now it is time to be a lookout. This includes doing the weather and a scan. By 0929, I went into service with both Porterville and Ash Mountain Fire. And then I do one of my scans for the day. As I am scanning, a hummingbird lands about two feet from me. We stare at each other and talk with each other. I am sure she was saying, where is my sugar water? And I was saying, I do not have any. If the rest of the day is like this, it will be great.

I then start working on the batteries. The radio is working fine with the rechargeable, but the two clam shells which hold the AA batteries have a lot of corrosion in them. I clean out the clam shells with baking soda and put back the usable one.

As a lookout, I should be listening to the radio in case there is something I should take action on. But truthfully about 98% of the chatter are things which are not relevant to us. It is that 2% which I listen for. But today Division 3 is giving someone a tour of the Hume Lake area. Interesting hearing them on the R5 channel. Turns out Division 3 will be going to Angeles NF to spend a week there in their Air Attack group.The other person is his sub-also on the division level.

Pronounced Inversion Layer

 Delilah is doing some training. Got a call asking for who the duty officer is on R5 I responded back on the cell phone. Later on Delilah called Buck Rock on R5 and asked him to call. Buck Rock could not get through, so he gave the burn information over R5. I called Buck Rock to find out where he got the info. Buck Rock got it from the 0700 check in which Porterville does. I learned something new today. Then Delilah does a radio check with me-loud and clear.

Then the visitors started coming in. And they kept on coming. I do a pretty good job of explaining our function, over and over again. At least no one acts bored and there are questions asked in response to what I say. Maybe they are thinking this is a good resting place, after all in order to be up in the lookout, they have had to walk 2 ¾ miles to get here and then there is the walk back. It is interesting all the places people come from to visit this lookout: the Netherlands, Belgium, Palestine, and France today. Of course, there are people from all over the United States. Even from California.

And even from Fresno. You remember when I went to Yosemite in May I met a guy who I worked with? Well he and his wife walked to Park Ridge. I was surprised to see him and I think he was surprised to see I was doing a lookout gig. We talked for a while.

During this time, Battalion 1 comes up. He came to the lookout to bring up replacement AA batteries. Also a spare rechargeable as well-even though he sheepishly said, the latch is broken and we will need to figure out a way to hold it in. He also listens to my babbling to the visitor for about five minutes before he takes off. That is something which I have seen in almost all of the fire fighters I have met. There is a sense of courtesy and dedication each has. Going into this gig several years ago, my impression was more along the lines of gruff, super-heroes. Instead, they are heroes and also real people.

And then it is back to the visitors again. Wendy and I talk as well about the battery situation and status of the lookout. By the time I get done with all of that, it is about 1420. I have not done the weather yet-I am over an hour late. Oh well, what are they going to do, fire me? After all, I am a volunteer.

Sunset

In the later part of the afternoon the number of visitors decreased and I got a more regular schedule. But I am tiring out and waiting for the 1800 going out of service time. By that time, I counted up the visitors in the log book-46 of them. While this is not up to Buck Rock standards, it is pretty good for us.

I heated up some lasagna I had made over the Winter and some of Sherri’s home made bread. It is good to have this kind of good meal up here. At Park Ridge, we have a microwave unlike Delilah where we have to figure out how to heat things like this.

After resting a bit, I go for a stroll to an area south of the lookout-not far. But there are some nice views looking east from there. The hills may not have music, but they certainly seem to be alive in their reflective beauty. To my surprise, there are also a couple fields of flowers; one yellow and one white. Annie Dillard talks about the extravagance of the Creation. I think this is one of the things she is talking about. When humans create things of beauty, we like to show it off, but when God does it, there is a tendency to hide the beauty and reveal it only to those who seek it.

If the landscape reveals one certainty, it is that the extravagant
gesture is the very stuff of creation. After the one extravagant
gesture of creation in the first place, the universe has continued
to deal exclusively in extravagances, flinging intricacies and
colossi down aeons of emptiness, heaping profligacies with ever
fresh vigor.

                        Annie Dillard, Pilgram at Tinker Creek, pg 287
                        (The Annie Dillard Reader)

And with this in mind, I go back to the lookout, and talk with Sherri for the next hour and a half. Then lay down to a sound night’s sleep.

 

 

 

Background

911. Why did my phone cal 911?Evidently on Android phones, there was an update this Spring which if the power button is pressed five times in a row, it will automatically call 911. I think this was a pocket dial. Fortunately there is an option which will turn off this feature.

R5. Our radios are pre-programmed to certain frequencies. These discrete settings are called channels. There are some channels which are dedicated to strictly business. R5 is a channel where discussions pertaining to tasks can take place with less restrictions on usage. In this case, the lead person was giving a tour of the District for his sub, also there was training on how to use the radio at another lookout.

Extra Photo's

 
Flowers and Plants