Adventure 005, Hike 067-Yosemite Valley Loop-East

Sherri with Clouds Rest in background-faded out

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 067-Yosemite Valley Loop-East

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 30, 2013

Location: Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Trail: Yosemite Valley Loop-East

Distance: 12.1 miles

Duration: 4:08 Moving

Elevation Rise: _'

Description:
As part of our training for this coming Sunday's half marathon walk, we are trying to get into some kind of shape. So what better way than to spend a day in Yosemite, walking our fool-happy feet off. We decided to do the eastern part of the Valley, since last week we did the west part. So we headed off from the Valley Chapel and went to Happy Isles, Mirror Lake, Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls, past the Swinging Bridges and back to the chapel. See our blog for more. (The blog is incomplete, but there are a couple of pictures which are great, even if I say so myself-much better than the picture above.)

Adventure 005, Hike 066-Lewis Eaton Trail

Sherri at the end of the Lewis Eaton Trail

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 066-Lewis Eaton Trail

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 29, 2013

Location: Woodward Park, Fresno

Hike Info:

Trail: Lewis Eaton Trail

Distance: 5.0 miles

Duration: 1:20 Moving

Elevation Rise: 140'

Description:
It is late, actually almost dark when we start to walk this trail. But it is paved so this is not a problem. Several people, like us, are wrapping up training for this weekend Two Cities Marathon. The trail has small rolling hills with some flat ways. It goes on the bluffs above the San Joaquin River. We walk most of it before turning around.

Adventure 005, Hike 065-Pig Pond

Start of Pig Pond

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 065-Pig Pond

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 28, 2013

Location: Pacheco State Park

Hike Info:

Trail: Pig Pond Trail

Distance: 2,0 miles

Duration: 0:40 Moving

Elevation Rise: 200'

Description:
What kind of trail is something called the Pig Pond Trail? It is pretty much how it sounds. A trail to go to a pond for pigs. And the pond does resemble it. Take a look at our blog for more on the trail.

Adventure 005, Hike 064-Yosemite Valley Loop-West

Gary enjoying the Fall colors

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 064-Yosemite Valley Loop-West

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 22, 2013

Location: Yosemite Valley

Hike Info:

Trail: Yosemite Valley Loop West

Distance: 13.0 miles

Duration: 5:08 Moving

Elevation Rise: 1,291'

Description:
Last year, this hike became our favorite fall hike. The colors were out again this year. We started from the Yosemite Valley Chapel, went down the southside of the Valley—it was a bit cold until we could get walking good. We stopped on the Merced River, right below Bridalveil Falls and had lunch. Then around the Pohono Bridge and headed east on the north side. We pass under El Capitan and head to Yosemite Falls. Then back to the Chapel, across the Sentinel Bridge. Read more, and enjoy the fall colors,  in our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 063-South Shore Trail, Millerton

Gary with Megan B beside him at the start of the trail

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 063-South Shore Trail, Millerton

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 20, 2013

Location: Millerton State Park

Hike Info:

Trail: South Shore Trail

Distance: 6.51 miles

Duration: 2:21 Moving

Elevation Rise: 538'

Description:
We were able to make a rare Sunday hike with a meetup group, lead by our friend Karol. The trail is an in and out trail, rather than a loop. We enjoyed the lake and the company. For more, see our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 062-Monterey Coastal Trail

Konnie and Sherri walking the coast trail

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 062-Monterey Coastal Trail

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 16, 2013

Location: Asilomar State Beach

Hike Info:

Trail Monterey Portion of the Coastal Trail from Monterey Bay Aquarium to Point Pinos

Distance: 5.65 miles

Duration: 2:11 Moving

Elevation Rise: 323'

Description:
While this is not a hike in the mountains, we were able to hike with good people, along the Monterey coast. Fun stuff. See our blog for more.

Adventure 005, Hike 061-Trail of the Lone Oak

Gary at start of Lone Oak Trail

Capture California, the Game-2013

Adventure: 005, Hike 061-Trail of the Lone Oak

Team: YOLT

Date:  October 9, 2013

Location: Los Banos

Trail: Trail of the Lone Oak

Distance: 4.68 miles

Duration: 1:53 Moving

Elevation Rise: 676'

Description:
We missed Pacheco Pass State Park, we we did a walk at San Luis State Recreation Area. Nice way to strech our legs. Read about our hike in our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 059-McWay Falls

Gary and Start of McWay Trail

Pelton Waterwheel

Tunnel View

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 059-McWay Falls

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 28, 2013
Location: Julia Pfieffer Burns State Park

Hike Info:
Trail: McWay Trail
Distance: 0.75 miles
Duration: 0:30 Moving
Elevation Rise: 50'



Description:
This hike is a bit below our standards for length, but well above our standards for beauty. We left our car and walked under a bridge. Over the years, we have enjoyed this hike. Our first stop was to examine the Pelton Waterwheel. This enabled the Burns family to be the first in the area to have electricity. A Pelton Waterwheel has double scoops, which increases the power generated. The ranch foreman did research before deciding to use this type of waterwheel generator. As a note, last year we visited a competitor of the Pelton waterwheel in the gold country.
After seeing the waterwheel, we went through the tunnel, going under Highway One. A great view of the ocean in the late afternoon sun. Then onto the overlook, looking at McWay Falls. We discovered this trail and falls several years ago and have been enjoying it almost every year since. We do remember the falls falling directly into the ocean. But there has been a slide a couple miles north of the falls, causing more dirt and gravel to build up on the beach.
After gawking at the falls, we move on to the former house site of Julia Burns. Then we retrace our steps back to the car.

Adventure 005, Hike 060-Moonstone Beach

Sunset at Moonstone Beach

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 060-Moonstone Beach

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 28, 2013
Location: Cambria

Hike Info:
Trail: Moonstone Beach
Distance: 1.75 miles
Duration: 1:00 Moving
Elevation Rise: None


Description:
This is probably our favorite evening walk. We started our walk at a different place than usually-Shamel Park close to Cambria. Our walk took us among the dunes at sunset—some really exciting sites. Then we crossed a small pool—in some mud—and climbed up to the Moonstone Trail Boardwalk. This goes along the short cliffs. Many people enjoy this walk in the evenings-couples, children, dogs, and the elderly all were out walking. While not getting all the way to the end, we needed to turn around because it was getting dark., and we were without a light. Besides, it was time to head over to Main Street Grill for dinner. So off we went. Instead of returning via the dunes, we came back around the east side of a creek and walked about a third of a mile down a street back to our car.

Adventure 005, Hike 058-Pt Lobos Trails

Sherri on the Trail

Lonely Cypress

 Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 058-Pt Lobos Trails

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 28, 2013
Location: Pt Lobos State Natural Reserve

Hike Info:
Trail: Two trails-Cypress Grove (.8 miles), South Shore Trail (2 miles)
Distance: 2.8 miles
Duration: 1:00 Moving


Description:
After having our picnic lunch, overlooking the ocean, it was time to go and see what we could see. So we started on the South Shore Trail and headed north-we were already at a parking space to the south. The trail followed the coastline, showing fissures into the ocean. From here we spotted cornanents and seals and gulls, and maybe a falcon. The sun on the water gave a magical effect to this walk. The walk was pretty easy with a few stairs along the way. We then hit the Sea Lion Parking Lot.

Sunning sea Lions

From this parking lot, we took the Cypress Grove Trail. As appropriate, we started seeing cypress tress right away. Interesting that the area had splatches of orangest colored lichen—on rocks, on the ground and on the trees. But on this hike, we even stopped to look for whales—see the results in Adventure 037. But the highlight of the trail is the cypress trees. Just how they look against the blue ocean.

Comerants

References:

• Pt Lobos Foundation: Cypress Grove Trail and Trail Guide
  
• Pt Lobos Foundation: South Shore Trail
  

Adventure 221, Event 4 – Day's End Walk

Ritto, Sherri, Flag in park at sunset

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 221, Event 4 – Day's End Walk

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 17, 2013
Location: Fresno


Description:
We almost missed the Day's End Walk. Sort of hard to blame on work or too hurried of a schedule since we are retired. But just more we do a lot of fun stuff and sometimes that crowds out the occasional requirements of life, such as Capture California.

But what we did was to do a walk around our neighborhood to our local park, enjoying the setting sun, walking our dog and talking with our daughter. Of course, something which was enjoyable is the evening air was only in the upper 70's—pretty cool for Fresno at this time of year.

Adventure 005, Hike 057 – Shoreline Park

Flag, Sherri and the Bay

 Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 057 – Shoreline Park

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 11, 2013
Location: Mountain View

Hike Info:
Trail: Various Trails within Shoreline Park
Distance: 4.7 miles, approximately
Duration: 1:20 Moving
Elevation Rise: almost level

Our path in orange

Description:
You know what they say, when in Mountain View, do as the Mountain Viewians do. So we took a hike around Shoreline Park. A nice, pleasant hike it was too. Pretty level. On one side was a golf course, on the other side is the bay. Even part of the hike was along the Bay Trail—a trail which circles around the San Francisco Bay—we only did about a mile and a half of it. Just an enjoyable time.

Heron in Flight

Shoreline Amplitheater

Adventure 005, Hike 055 – General Grant Tree Loop

 Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 055 – General Grant Tree Loop

Team: YOLT
Date:  September 1, 2013
Location: Kings Canyon National Park

Hike Info:
Trail: General Grant Tree Loop
Distance: 1.04 miles
Duration: 0:25 Moving
Elevation Rise: 160'



Description:



We had finished being up at the Buck Rock Lookout for the day, helping out with the open house for the lookout. Sherri and Gary debated about what we wanted to do—go back to Fresno and eat, eat before coming back or hike and eat (notice the operative word here). We decided how can we leave the area without going on at least a short hike. So the question is how long of a hike and should we hike before eating? The answer—General Grant Loop and eat after wards since by this time it was after 5pm.



So we went up to the General Grant area of Kings Canyon Nation Park. This is a paved loop trail or just short of a mile. But in that mile, it goes through some of the biggest living things in the world, including the General Grant Tree. There is also a bit of historicity to the place as it is the site of the Gamlin Cabin. Even though it was Labor Day weekend, we did not see a great crowd of people. All in all, it was an enjoyable walk for us. Relaxing.






And in case you were wondering, we did eat afterward. There is a small pizza place in Grant Grove which we stopped at. On the way out, we saw Fritz and Ethel. We meet them on the JMT this summer. They live in Southern California, but were up at Grant Grove, celebrating their anniversary. Life is full of amazing coincidences.

Adventure 005, Hike 054-Weaver Lake

Sherri at the start of Weaver Lake Trail

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 054-Weaver Lake

Team: YOLT
Date:  August 28, 2013
Location: Sequoia National Forest

Hike Info:
Trail: Big Meadow to Weaver Lake
Distance: 6.58 miles
Duration: 3:38 Moving
Elevation Rise: 1,608'



Description:
Its Wednesday, so it is time to hike with our meetup group. The hike started off with some excitement with talking with the Tulare SAR. But then settled down into a pleasant hike up to Weaver Lake. To read more, see our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 053, Lower Lewis Creek

Sherri and Gary completed the Lower Lewis Creek Trail section

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 053, Lower Lewis Creek

Team: YOLT
Date:  August 20, 2013
Location: Oakhurst

Hike Info:
Trail: Lower Lewis Creek
Distance: 4.12 miles
Duration: 2:08 Moving
Elevation Rise: 967'



Description:
It was a hot hike—or stroll, depending on your definition. But definitely worth it. As we walked up a creek which we had not seen before and found a warm spring. Read about our hike in our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 051 – Zumwalt Meadow

Peter J and Gary

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 051 – Zumwalt Meadow

Team: YOLT
Date:  August 17, 2013
Location: Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon

Hike Info:
Trail: Zumwalt Meadow Loop
Distance: 2.08 miles
Duration: 1:08 Moving
Elevation Rise: 210'



Description:
Our house church went on a camping trip to Cedar Grove. On one of our hikes, we went around Zumwalt Meadows. To see a bit more of our hike, look at our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 052 -Roads End to Sheep Creek Campground

Steven J and Gary

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 052 -Roads End to Sheep Creek Campground

Team: YOLT
Date:  August 17, 2013
Location: Cedar Grove, Kings Canyon

Hike Info:
Trail: North of Kings River
Distance: 7.08 miles
Duration: 2:26 Moving
Elevation Rise: 500'



Description:
In the afternoon, four of us took a walk from Roads End in Kings Canyon back to the Sheep Creek Campground. For a description of this hike, see our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 050 – Hobler Lake

Meetup group with Lee F next to Gary

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 050 – Hobler Lake

Team: YOLT

Date: August 14, 2013
Location: Courtright Reservoir

Hike Info:
Trail: Maxson Trail Head to Hobler Lake
Distance: 10.37 miles
Duration: 4:58 Moving
Elevation Rise: 1,536'



Description:
It was good to rejoin our meetup group again. This time for a hike new to us from Courtright Reservoir in the Sierra National Forest to Hobler Lake. A bit dry, but a good hike. For more, see our blog.

Adventure 005, Hike 049 – Ostrander Lake to Ostrander Trail Head

Steven, our son and Sherri leaving Ostrander Lake

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 049 – Ostrander Lake to Ostrander Trail Head

Team: YOLT
Date:  August 13, 2013
Location: Yosemite

Hike Info:
Trail: Ostrander Lake to Ostrander Trail Head (Different trail than August 11st)
Distance: 6.34 miles
Duration: 2:28 Moving
Elevation Rise: 350'



Description:
After our two night stay at Ostrander Lake, which was wonderful. The return trip was half on the trail which we used coming up. But the other half, about three miles, was to the main Ostrander Lake Trail Head. For more information, see our blog.



The iPad shows our flag since we forgot the flag.

Adventure 005, Hike 048 – Hart Lake

Hart Lake

Capture California, the Game-2013
Adventure: 005, Hike 048 – Hart Lake

Team: YOLT
Date:  August 12, 2013
Location: Yosemite

Hike Info:
Trail: Cross-Country
Distance: 3.29 miles
Duration: 2:47 Moving
Elevation Rise: 770'



Description:
Hart Lake is only a short distance from Ostrander Lake. But there is no trail to it. So the four of us enjoyed a nice little cross country hike over to the lake and back. For more, see our blog.

Once again, the iPad has the flag on it. But in this picture, there is a lot of glare. Sorry about that.