Good Hikes

[Red Mule]

A few months ago we were talking about hiking trails and I recommended Brown's Ditch for some and not for others. You can see a lot of photo's of the trail at my daughter's facebook page.

Assuming this link works.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/album.php?aid=2014439&id=1514206078&ref=nf

[Kat]

I tried the facebook link, but got nowhere. I want to try that hike, where is it?
Kathryn

[Red Mule]

Maybe you have to be a facebook "friend" for it to work. I'm still new to the whole facebook thing.

I have some pictures on my computer, but I don't know (yet) how to insert them here. I'll figure out how to do that. I also know where you stop and park to start the hike, but I don't know the name of the place. I'll get that too and post it here later.

BTW: I took Willow Creek trail on Sunday, and at certain places I felt like a mountain goat. I don't like trails I need my hands to climb nearly as much. :(

[only1alphafemale]

Maybe you have to be a facebook "friend" for it to work. I'm still new to the whole facebook thing.

I have some pictures on my computer, but I don't know (yet) how to insert them here. I'll figure out how to do that. I also know where you stop and park to start the hike, but I don't know the name of the place. I'll get that too and post it here later.

BTW: I took Willow Creek trail on Sunday, and at certain places I felt like a mountain goat. I don't like trails I need my hands to climb nearly as much. :(

I tried the link and the pictures showed for me, but I am not listed as a friend of your daughters RedMule, but I do have a facebook account, so maybe thats the key?

I love that old flume btw...(I rode along it on horseback for many years!)

Another trail thats excellent to hike is the Lewis Creek trail, and you have two options of which end of the trail you want to start at. In Cedar Valley or farther up north on Hwy 41 ~ We need to get a little farther along in "spring" for this one to be really enjoyable to its fullest (IMO anyway) as I like my hiking trails a little drier....LOL

[Red Mule]

You can go to http://basslakeca.com/trails.html and there is a short description and a picture, along with instructions where to start the hike. That's at Browns Ditch meets Hwy 274 at Central Camp Road in case this link doesn't work for you.

[mountain momma]

I love the hike to the Bull Buck Tree. Its in Nelder Grove. Go past the grove, up the crazy dirt road to the campground, past the old cabins and park at the back of the campground. There is a trail. The Bull Buck is a very special hike to me. You go through what I call the sequoia graveyard, you feel a bit sad and then Boom! You see ol' Buck. I love it. It always gives me strength. I read somewhere that it is the 3 most massive living thing in the world but, that was a few years ago. It is an easy hike, my 5 year old does it.
Another great hike is Fresno Dome. I love that hike too. I know some people who get some good color(gold) out of big creek too. Well here is some info on Nelder.

Nelder Grove is a sequoia grove located in the Sierra National Forest, Madera County, California. It is a 1540 acre (6.2 km²) tract containing over 100 mature Giant Sequoias. It also contains a number of sequoia stumps, left over from when the area was logged prior to its acquisition by the United States Forest Service in 1928. A National Forest campground is also present.


[edit] Noteworthy trees

Bull Buck TreeSome of the trees and trails found in the grove that are worthy of special note are:

Bull Buck Tree: this tree reaches a height of 246 feet (75 m) and has a ground-level circumference of 100 feet (30 m) but only a volume of 27,383 cubic feet (775.4 m3), making it not in the top 40 giant sequoias.
Graveyard of the Giants: an area which contains a number of large sequoias killed by a wildfire, a fate rarely encountered due to the sequoia's protective bark;
Shadow of the Giants National Recreation Trail: a trail constructed in 1965 which was established as a National Recreation Trail in 1978;
Remnants of the area's logging days: including two restored cabins and replicas of cross-log and two-pole log chutes.
Nelder Tree: The largest tree in the grove at 34,993 cubic feet (990.9 m3); it is the 22nd largest giant sequoia in the world

[wings]

Sound awesome directions??????

[Dodgergirl]

I love the hike to the Bull Buck Tree. Its in Nelder Grove. Go past the grove, up the crazy dirt road to the campground, past the old cabins and park at the back of the campground. There is a trail. The Bull Buck is a very special hike to me. You go through what I call the sequoia graveyard, you feel a bit sad and then Boom! You see ol' Buck. I love it. It always gives me strength. I read somewhere that it is the 3 most massive living thing in the world but, that was a few years ago. It is an easy hike, my 5 year old does it.
Another great hike is Fresno Dome. I love that hike too. I know some people who get some good color(gold) out of big creek too. Well here is some info on Nelder.

Nelder Grove is a sequoia grove located in the Sierra National Forest, Madera County, California. It is a 1540 acre (6.2 km²) tract containing over 100 mature Giant Sequoias. It also contains a number of sequoia stumps, left over from when the area was logged prior to its acquisition by the United States Forest Service in 1928. A National Forest campground is also present.


[edit] Noteworthy trees

Bull Buck TreeSome of the trees and trails found in the grove that are worthy of special note are:

Bull Buck Tree: this tree reaches a height of 246 feet (75 m) and has a ground-level circumference of 100 feet (30 m) but only a volume of 27,383 cubic feet (775.4 m3), making it not in the top 40 giant sequoias.
Graveyard of the Giants: an area which contains a number of large sequoias killed by a wildfire, a fate rarely encountered due to the sequoia's protective bark;
Shadow of the Giants National Recreation Trail: a trail constructed in 1965 which was established as a National Recreation Trail in 1978;
Remnants of the area's logging days: including two restored cabins and replicas of cross-log and two-pole log chutes.
Nelder Tree: The largest tree in the grove at 34,993 cubic feet (990.9 m3); it is the 22nd largest giant sequoia in the world

I was just up there a few months ago and took some great pictures. Awesome hike.

[Myshell]

Do you guys recommend carrying bear spray on the hikes?

[Red Mule]

Nelder Grove is a great place. Redwoods and trails. A lot like the Park, but closer and free.
Well worth the short trip. According to Google Maps:

Driving directions to Nelder Grove
From Oakhurst, CA
15.4 mi – about 27 mins

North on CA-41 toward Rd 425A/Stagecoach Rd. - 8.4 mi
Slight right at Rd 630/Sugar Pine Rd - 0.7 mi
Slight right at Rd 630/Brammer-Purl Rd/Sugar Pine Rd
Continue to follow Brammer-Purl Rd - 0.5 mi
Turn right at Lewis Creek Rd - 4.8 mi
Turn left at 6S47Y - 0.5 mi
Turn right- 0.4 mi

RE: Bear Spray. The bears keep knocking it out of my hand before I get close enough to spray them with it. :)

[only1alphafemale]

We always go to Nelder by going N on 41 to Sierra Sky Ranch and taking that several miles up. Nelder grove is on the L hand side after Camp Redwood ( and Socal -I think) etc...

Its well marked when you do reach the road to turn off on for Nelder.

[Freeweelin]

The Merced Grove is Spectacular, short and sweet!

http://www.yosemitestock.com/category/2/46

[Red Mule]

Past Sierra Sky Ranch! That's the name of the place I was trying to remember. I couldn't, so I posted Google's directions. By all means, use O1AF's directions. So much simpler!

[only1alphafemale]

There is also the very real possibility that maps online are wrong. The reason I say this is I know of one circumstance, where maps continually show a route through a private timber ranch that does NOT grant access through it grounds~ but one of the online map places send people that route! A real headache for the caretaker! rolleyes: Its a dirt road and very impassible for a regular vehicle too!

I also remember (but this was years ago) that Stagecoach road ends at private property (over 400+ acres is what it was then) with a gate at the top. So unless that property's been sold and opened up, you cant get through that way and its really a LONG if not *impossible* route anyway...:lol:

Hope this helps!:)

[Dodgergirl]

Yup, if you ask for directions from my house to most anywhere it will tell you to take the 420, which is completely impassable half of the year.

[Chem101]

I love Nelder Grove and the Bull Buck tree as well. There are some rare orchids along the trail as well. A few years back I found some "Ghost Orchids" along the trail. There are some stands of mountain slipper orchids as well....but I'm not telling where!

[auratus]

Ooh, I want to check out Nelder Grove one of these days. Is this a good time of year for it?

We hiked Willow Creek back in January but I was wanting to go again soon as the waterfalls should be bigger. Does anyone know if there's a way to get all the way to Devil's Slide? The trail isn't marked and it seemed to just sort of end before we could get all the way there!

And though I am concerned with bears like one of the other posters mentioned, I'm more concerned about mountain lions, since I know they are up there and you don't usually see them before they pounce. We walk along and I bring keys to jingle and the dog's tags jingle, so hopefully that's enough of a warning to a wild animal that we don't surprise it.

[Red Mule]

My daughter is a Forest Service volunteer that often gives guided hikes throuh Nelder Grove. I'll PM her name and phone number to you.

[MtnEagle]

One of the things I miss the most was the ability to drive 15 miles up Beasore Rd. off of Bass Lake up to Cold Springs Summit where the year round Bathroom is (the point where the road begins to head down into Beasore Meadows), make a right turn going East on the forest road for about a mile and the vere to the right on the 4x4 trail and park at the base of the Granite domes.

I'd then hike the short road/trail up to Chilkoot Lake which is nestled between the granite domes and spend the day fiddling around among the Red Fir and Mountain Hemlock's.

Camping next to the lake was fun too. In the summertime it is unbelieveable how many stars you can see, and the Milky Way. The frogs might keep you awake though... :D

More than anything, the smell of the forest at night, after a warm summer day.

*sigh*

[only1alphafemale]

One of the things I miss the most was the ability to drive 15 miles up Beasore Rd. off of Bass Lake up to Cold Springs Summit where the year round Bathroom is (the point where the road begins to head down into Beasore Meadows), make a right turn going East on the forest road for about a mile and the vere to the right on the 4x4 trail and park at the base of the Granite domes.

I'd then hike the short road/trail up to Chilkoot Lake which is nestled between the granite domes and spend the day fiddling around among the Red Fir and Mountain Hemlock's.

Camping next to the lake was fun too. In the summertime it is unbelieveable how many stars you can see, and the Milky Way. The frogs might keep you awake though... :D

More than anything, the smell of the forest at night, after a warm summer day.

*sigh*

That really is a beautiful area MtnEagle. I love it all up around that area also. I've never camped though, just went for the day.

[Chem101]

Ooh, I want to check out Nelder Grove one of these days. Is this a good time of year for it?

We hiked Willow Creek back in January but I was wanting to go again soon as the waterfalls should be bigger. Does anyone know if there's a way to get all the way to Devil's Slide? The trail isn't marked and it seemed to just sort of end before we could get all the way there!

And though I am concerned with bears like one of the other posters mentioned, I'm more concerned about mountain lions, since I know they are up there and you don't usually see them before they pounce. We walk along and I bring keys to jingle and the dog's tags jingle, so hopefully that's enough of a warning to a wild animal that we don't surprise it.

Auratus.... To get to Devil's Slide during high water, there is a trail on the right side of the creek (Looking up stream).It's the main trail that goes past the pools at the top of Angel Falls. Just stay on that trail and you'll get to Devils Slide. Figure about 30 minutes past Angel Falls at a brisk hike.

[auratus]

Thanks, Chem. I think that's what we did but we didn't get all the way to the rocks (which is what I thought Devil's Slide is?). It seemed that there should be a trail along the creek. I wonder if we just missed it?

I'm hoping to get up there again one of these weekends. I have some friends who want to get into hiking but I think we'll start with Nelder, not Willow Creek for them. :)

[Chem101]

Nope. The trail breaks away from the creek to the right and starts climbing well above the creek. It doesn't join back up with the creek until you make it to the top of Devil's slide. You will know you made it to Devils Slide when you see the safety fence

[auratus]

OK, that's what we did wrong, then! It was late in the day so we just kind of stopped and had a picnic where we were. I'll see if I can get all the way there the next time. (I'm watching my slideshow of photos we took there!) I can't wait to get out on a trail again.

[Chem101]

OK..... Something new.... I was doing my usual hike up Willow Creek and ran into a guy gold panning..... butt naked! Somehow I just can't see the 49's doing it this way.

[only1alphafemale]

OK..... Something new.... I was doing my usual hike up Willow Creek and ran into a guy gold panning..... butt naked! Somehow I just can't see the 49's doing it this way.


:rotflmao: but was he finding any gold !! :grin:

[Chem101]

Yes D*** it!!! Now I'm going to have to break out the old pan myself.....However I think I'll keep my pants on.....unless of course I find more gold the other way. ;)

[Chem101]

Hiked the Willow Creek trail this afternoon. I always shake my head when I see trash left by thoughtless vacationers. Today I was irritated by a small mound of toilet paper left just off the trail. It was not without a certain level of satisfaction that I noted it was in the center of a large patch of poison oak

[BooBooBear]

It was not without a certain level of satisfaction that I noted it was in the center of a large patch of poison oak

OMG...the visual that created in my mind of the person who will be introduced to said poision oak soon is just hilarious!! Maybe they'll think twice about peeing in the woods again. Can you imagine that Dr. Appt :D

[dancingqueen]

I am wondering how our forum member from NY enjoyed his 2 week vacation hiking in Yosemite, we haven't heard a word from him have we? or did I miss his postings?

[monkey]

I hiked Lewis Creek this morning. Alot of beautiful golden trees right now and a bit of flow to the creek. I was happily suprised to see alot of improvements made to the trail, some new bridges and better pathways in a few areas.

[BooBooBear]

I hiked Lewis Creek this morning. Alot of beautiful golden trees right now and a bit of flow to the creek. I was happily suprised to see alot of improvements made to the trail, some new bridges and better pathways in a few areas.

How long is this hike?? Is it relatively easy? Can my dogs go with me?

[monkey]

The total hike from Sugar Pine to Cedar Valley is something like 8 miles. I park at the big turn out and usually go for 45 minutes to an hour one way, then turn around and come back for a total of 1 1/2-2 hours. Walking the way that I do, there is some up hill on the first half of the hike and then it is down hill coming back. The trail is fairly easy with some short, steep areas, but it is very do-able. I almost always have a dog with me and during the week, don't run into alot of other people. Today, I didn't see another person, it was great! It is one of my favorite hikes because it is so close and beautiful. You should definately check it out!

[only1alphafemale]

How long is this hike?? Is it relatively easy? Can my dogs go with me?

I didnt think it was a hard hike at all, but that was a couple of years ago. A lot of people take it, especially in the early spring. You can start from up on top on Hwy 41, or down at the bottom in Cedar Valley. Parking for both ends. I have heard of a few incidents where cars have been broken in to, so make sure you dont have anything someone might want, showing inside of your vehicle, just to be sure. (These are pretty random when they do happen).

I think the hike is no more than 2 - 3 miles? but Monkey says its closer to 8?? Never realized that! I never really asked! LOL and yes, you can take your dogs, but they have to be on a leash. I wouldnt want to take more than one the first time however, until you have checked it out for yourself.

Its also one of my favorite places to hike! But I always start at the other end in Cedar Valley. Monkey have you ever started from that direction? Its very pretty where it eventually out, not too far up, along side of the creek. During the summer its so lush and green :)

[monkey]

I must have thought 6-8 miles because I go round trip. Here is more info for you:
http://www.yosemitehikes.com/not-yosemite/lewis-creek/lewis-creek.htm

[Bob Cat]

I like the upper half best - between Sugar Pine and the parking lot on 41 (Corlieu Falls). If you walk the lower half (between Cedar Valley and the parking lot on 41), watch out for the poison oak!

[Screen Porch Girl]

You can go to http://basslakeca.com/trails.html and there is a short description and a picture, along with instructions where to start the hike. That's at Browns Ditch meets Hwy 274 at Central Camp Road in case this link doesn't work for you.

Red Mule, a friend and I are thinking of trying the Brown's Ditch hike tomorrow - we were going to park there at the dam and just walk in. But I'm curious - does it actually come out somewhere after "2.5" miles where we might be able to park a second car, (assuming we went the full stretch) and not have to go out and back?
Any info is appreciated!

[Red Mule]

Just so nobody thinks I am ignoring this "open" question, I already answered an IM before I saw this.

But, very quickly...

It's an in and out trail, not a loop. Unless you happen to have keys to the gates that are in the area.