2023 Rambler Hikes Page 3

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Rancheria Falls          General Sherman Tree         Hume Lake          Wawona          Eaton Trail

Rancheria Falls

When the Ramblers first visited this waterfall in 2016, we were greatly impressed. One member called it the best falls he'd seen outside of a national park. We've returned several times, sometimes finding the falls a little less dramatic as the flow of the creek diminished with the season. This year, with record rain and snow in the Sierra Nevada, we had high hopes for an impressive outing, even as late as July 5. We were not disappointed.

But first, some introductions. Once again a friend from Wes's elementary school years had reconnected, and joined the hike. So most of us made our first acquaintance with Don Bandoni. We also welcomed back Elsa Sweeney for the first time since 2019. The other "usual suspects" were Wes Thiessen, Sue Wirt, Ardyss Webster, Bruce & Susan Vasquez, and your faithful reporter, Dick Estel.

We drove the nearly 60 miles up Highway 168 past Shaver Lake and on to Huntington Lake (both full to the brim like most lakes and reservoirs in California right now). At the upper end of the lake, where water from two creeks and the Big Creek hydroelectric project flow into Huntington, there is a dirt road, a bit more than a mile, to the trailhead. We parked, got our boots and hats on, and set out on the one mile hike to the falls.

It's been unusually cool lately, but a warm-up is expected. At 7,000 feet we were very comfortable, although the exercise warmed us up. We enjoyed the many flowers along the way, the big red fir trees, and the company.

For Ardyss, Bruce, Susan and Don, it was a first visit, while the rest of us enjoyed seeing the roaring cascade bigger than we had ever seen it. As we got to the closest viewing area, we enjoyed quite a bit of mist cooling us off, but also wetting the lenses of our cameras.

There is a a little unofficial trail that goes down to the creek, well below the falls. Many visitors walk down  this little path, but Sue, Ardyss and I opted to watch from above. Wes has also gone down farther into the creek, closer to the falls, but there was no chance of him trying it this time.

When we had returned to our cars and driven out to the paved road, Sue led us around the north side of the lake and close to the dam. Along the road to this point there was a section that had suffered significant damage from the Creek Fire, with crews cutting and clearing some of the dead trees.

We arrived at a picnic area where we enjoyed the lunch we had brought and watched boats drifting and sailing on the lake. 

Too soon it was time to load up and return to our homes in the low elevation of the San Joaquin Valley. The cool spell was coming to a close, and we would be seeking higher ground again for our August hike.

--Dick Estel, July 2023

More Photos

For our hike in the hot month of August, we made it up to the 6,000 foot elevation of Sequoia National Park, where our destination was the iconic General Sherman Tree, the world's largest. We had an even dozen for this outing, including a couple of mini-Ramblers who join us about once a year, my great grandsons Colton and Jack. We also welcomed Carolyn for the first time since January and Allen who has been dealing with other matters since February. Jeff has been busy elsewhere for a full year, but was not about to miss a chance to visit one of his favorite spots.

The other, mostly regular attendees, were Don B (his second hike with us), Susan and Bruce, Wes, Sue, Jackie and Dick. Since Allen lives in Visalia, his logical route was up Highway 198 into the park from the southern end. Sue picked up Jeff who lives in the far southeast of Fresno, a couple of miles south of CA 180  The rest of us filled up my Honda and Wes's new Subaru. It has three rows of seats, the back one a bit small for adults but perfect for an 8 and 10 year old. It helps that the boys are big fans of Wes, so hopefully they did not get too crazy riding with him.

With a 90-mile drive ahead of us, we left home at 8 a.m. and met at the Big Stump parking area just inside Kings Canyon Park. After making sure that all were present, we drove south on the Generals Highway, which connects the two parks. Most mountain roads suffered some damage in the record rain and snow of the past winter, and there were warnings of delays up to 30 minutes. Most of the work seems to be done, and we had only a couple of very short stops where road work was in progress.

Back in the day, and I mean WAY back in the day, I visited the Sherman Tree several times when you could park very close to it. People finally realized that driving close to these sensitive, shallow-rooted trees was not a good idea, and roads in various sequoia groves were removed or relocated. Access to the Sherman tree is now via a half-mile trail that goes steadily downhill from a parking lot off the Wolverton Road, There were many cars there, but we were able to find open parking spaces for all our caravan, and got started down the trail.

I've only walked this trail once before, with daughter Teri in September 2022. It is asphalt paving all the way, with sections of various length that slope down gently, and short stretches of steps every so often. Of course, the boys ran down the trail, while the "fast hikers" moved along at a good pace Those of us who are not in prime condition carefully placed our hiking poles on each step before stepping down. Usually stairs with no railings are very daunting, but poles made these steps doable.

The first part of the trail is through typical Sierra forest country, with no sequoias visible, although the elevation of the trailhead is slightly below the top of the Sherman Tree. There is one spot where you can just see the dead top of the tree, and farther down, a wide turnout with a good partial view of it. As you approach the bottom of the trail, sequoias of all sizes begin to appear. This the beginning of the Giant Forest, 1,880 acres containing over 8,000 large sequoias. Miles of trails go through the sequoias beyond the Sherman.

The trail loops around the Sherman Tree, offering several top to bottom views, as well as a close look at a number of lesser giants. A small meadow near the Sherman Tree provides floral color, and informational signs are placed in several locations. We spent 45 minutes or so here, taking pictures, enjoying the views, and marveling at the fact that this national treasure that draws so many people from all over the world is an hour and a half away from where we live.

We made the return climb to the parking lot with our group strung out along the trail, but all arriving safely. I was not the last one back, but it was no surprise to find Jack and Colton there and ready for lunch. Everyone had brought their own, and having enjoyed lunch in this area last year, I directed out group out from the parking lot to Wolverton Road and east to the picnic area and trailhead. This is the jumping off spot for a number of trails into the high country, and I'm happy to say I hiked one of them, the 15 mile round trip route to the top of 11,000 Alta Peak, when I was less than half my present age.

Wes quickly found us a pair of tables in the shade and we enjoyed a well-earned meal and the afterglow of an easy hike among California's magnificent sequoia trees.

After lunch Don had a craving for ice cream. We explained that the closest source was Grant Grove Village, 30 miles away, but only a short distance off our return route. I planned to go there with Colton and Jack so they could get their National Park Passports stamped, so Don said he would treat everyone to ice cream. Allen would be going 60 miles out of his way to join us, and Sue and Jeff planned to explore a side road off the Generals Highway, but the rest of us could hardly refuse this generous offer.

Grant Grove Village includes the National Park visitor center, plus a commercial restaurant, post office, souvenir shop, snack bar, and store. The latter had a freezer full of ice cream bars and similar items, and we all made our choices, thanking Don for his kindness.

From the village it is a little over 55 miles back to my house, where everyone dispersed to their own cars. Colton and Jack continued to ride with Wes, but slept all the way home.

Note: Photos from this outing are by Wes, Colton and Dick.

--Dick Estel, August 2023

More Photos

Everything in this report is hearsay. Due to cataract surgery, I (Dick) had to miss this hike, only the second one in over ten years of hiking.  I was not alone in being on the disabled list.

But let Wes tell it:

When Dick first announced the Hume Lake hike, twelve Ramblers expressed a desire to go. But we are people of a "certain age" with unpredictable health challenges. One by one that number was whittled down to four. As John Lennon wrote: "Life is what happens when you're making other plans." And "life" happened to the Ramblers. No worries, the four of us "took it for the team" and had a great time doing it.

The weather was perfect with very few people on the trail. We practically had the lake to ourselves. Allen met us at the Big Stump parking area to balance our group and add his considerable knowledge to the hike. Susan used her "birding" app to identify those winged creatures who inhabit the forest. And Bruce and I entered deep conversation and almost solved the riddle to world peace. In short, it was way too much fun. I've cobbled together 2 minutes of video from the hike so you can enjoy this wonderful day as well. Check it out:

Next month (weather permitting) we hike at Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park to walk among the giant sequoias.  Those ancient trees put life into perspective.  You won't want to miss it.

(Email from Wes):

Second thought: Don't get me wrong. I want everyone to say "yes" to our next hike on October 25th to Mariposa Grove. It's O.K. to say "yes" and then cancel out later even at the last minute. There's a principle in sales and counseling called the "Yes Set." Get the customer to say "yes" three times and they are more likely to buy. And in counseling, get the client to say "yes" three times and it helps relieve the depression. 

So I want all of you to say your first "yes" to our Grove hike. I'll trick you into saying it two more times and then I know you will go (ha)! Seriously, we want all of you to enjoy the giant sequoias. Start today with your first "yes."

Dick again: Wes is a real people person. He provided only one photo of pure scenery. I've included a few links below to scenic photos from our previous hikes at Hume Lake. And I've already given Wes my enthusiastic YES for the Mariposa Grove hike.

--Dick Estel, October 2023 (hiking in spirit only)

By Wes Thiessen: When I arrive to hike with the Ramblers, I always remind myself to "expect the unexpected." Our leader, Dick Estel, didn't show as he was still in recovery from a nasty head cold. And we appreciate him not spreading those germs to his friends. But others did show and brought friends boosting our number to 11. It was such a beautiful day to walk through a forest of multicolored plants and trees. I noticed friends talking to friends or meeting new ones. And there were smiles and smiles to go. We had the unique experience of having four Susan's on the hike. We quipped, if you can't remember a name, just call out: "Hey Susan!" You have a good chance to be right on the money (ha!).

Let's face it, across the globe there are tensions and conflicts. There is every reason to be anxious and worried about the future. For the lucky eleven who traveled to Wawona yesterday, we left it all behind, paying no attention to the news cycle. Instead we found ourselves forest bathing, laughing and enjoying each other's company. As I watched new and old friends chatting with each other, I was reminded of Dionne Warrick's song, "That's What Friends Are For". Walk with us in this short video while listening to that beautiful song:

Dick: Yes, it's true, after missing only one or two of over 100 hikes, I missed two in a row. My biggest regret was not getting to hike with daughter Teri, who had a day off from work. But she got to hike with her mom at a place they both love, and chat with old friends and new. And I did earn my friends' gratitude for not coughing on them in the confines of a vehicle for a total of three hours. I'll be back in November, better than ever!

I asked Wes about two hikers who were new to most of us.

Wes: The fourth Susan was Sue Wirt's friend, Susan Kinney. She knows her from her bluegrass and folklore connections. Her son is a musician of renown who plays all kind of stringed instruments. Andy and Susan Crandall brought their friend, David. Long story about their connection. Suffice to say both David and Andy are engineers. Susan can tell you the back story.

Dick: I am familiar with Jack Kinney, whose musical career I have observed since he was about 14. I'd guess he's now 25 or so, and indeed is very accomplished on all the standard bluegrass instruments. I'll have to wait to learn about David. 

There's not much more I can say about a hike I did not attend, so I'll finish up with a few "thousand-word" photos, courtesy of Susan, Andy, Teri and Wes.

This was the hike that almost wasn't. A week or so earlier, the weather news was that a huge winter storm was headed for California - could be widespread rain most of the week. We were prepared to cancel. As the time for the hike grew closer, the amount of rain expected became less and less. It rained the day before our hike, but the forecast for November 16 was for a small chance of rain in the afternoon, and we went ahead with our plans.

We met at the Eaton Trailhead at Friant Road and Copper Avenue, on the northern edge of the city and just a short distance from the mile-wide river channel. After crossing the road, the trail goes down the cliff to an upper flood plane, then parallels the river for about a mile, always out of sight of the stream.

It crosses Old Friant Road, and offers a couple of routes that both go around a now-dry pond that in the past has had ducks, egrets, turtles and herons. This leads to the Hallowell Center for River Studies, which boasts a nicely restored old farmhouse from about 1910, two barns (now restored), a gift shop and restrooms, and best of all for my old bones, benches to rest on.

Our hiking group included Sue Wirt, Bruce and Susan Vasquez, Keith Sohm (a rare but welcome addition to our group) and myself, Dick Estel. I had to kid Los Vasquez about being overly ambitious, since they walked to the trailhead. On the other hand, they live only two blocks away.

We had excellent weather, warm enough that we removed or wished we had removed our outer shirts, and with enough clouds over the Sierra to make for good scenery and to remind us that rain was still a possibility (a small amount fell in the evening).

At the River Center we met some people Sue knew from her involvement with the Fresno Folklore Society, Bill Johnson and Claudia Readright, riding power assisted three wheel bikes. Keith was intrigued by them and accepted an offer to try one out. The power kicks in when you start peddling, and he was soon going down the road at an impressive speed.

After a good rest and informative conversation with Bill and Claudia, Bruce and Susan started off. They are youthful and speedy hikers, and knew quite well that the rest of us were not. We followed a bit later, with many stops on the uphill part of the trail. At one point where the trial looked down on Old Friant Road, we observed a place where jackass jerks had created tire track doughnuts in the lightly traveled road. At least they were not doing it in a major intersection, which happens frequently.

We took a final rest at a bench by the trial, barely a hundred yards from our cars, but necessary as we completed our total hike of 2.86 miles.

I took very few photos, so I have linked some from previous hikes throughout the text, as well as a few repeats below.

--Dick Estel, November 2023