In the Woods

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We found plenty of trees planted near rushing rivers and creeks on the West Side of the Sierra Nevada range north of Fresno while camped nearby in a small town called Coarsegold. This is where we had left our trailer while we journeyed home for the extended Memorial Day weekend.

When we returned to our Adventures on the Road we stayed for about five days to enjoy the RV Park and explore the surrounding countryside. We enjoyed a day trip to Mariposa Grove at the southern entrance to Yosemite. And we explored some beautiful hikes here in this area, including trails leading to rivers, waterfalls or swinging bridges, giant Sequoias, Oak and Manzanitas trees.

Oakhurst - Lewis Creek Trail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A drive down a winding one lane road led to the trailhead. The path led us through areas impacted by the winter storms. Trees had fallen on the trail and the area was being prepared for prescribed burns with logs, branches and brush in piles all around. After traveling about half a mile we reached the creek and followed it upstream another half mile, arriving at a viewing deck. We would be able to go no further as the deck and trail were covered by a fallen tree. However we still had a spectacular view of Corlieu Falls.

South Fork of the Merced River - Wawona Swinging Bridge Trail

A short hike along the river’s edge brought us to a suspension bridge spanning the fast flowing rapids of the river. We ventured across and enjoyed amazing views in both directions while surrounded by towering redwood, ponderosa pine and cedar trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bass Lake - Angel Falls Trail

A little over a hundred years ago, Bass Lake was just a lush meadow in the Sierra Nevada mountains, as Willow Creek meandered through the serene landscape. In 1901 Willow Creek was first dammed up to create the reservoir that is currently Bass Lake. Today Willow Creek is a popular hiking trail used for recreation and as a welcome respite from the hustle of city life.

A local had recommended the trail to Angels Falls, so after a picnic lunch we set out on the one mile trek out and back. There was significant elevation gain and some rocks to scramble over. The challenge paid off with some pretty spectacular falls. If you still have energy left there is another waterfall another mile up, but we headed back down the trail toward our car. Because the path was now a descent the way back was more relaxing as we enjoyed following the creek.

Yosemite - Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias

“Located in the southern portion of Yosemite, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias. The national park idea is rooted in the Mariposa Grove. In 1864 President Lincoln signed legislation protecting the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley for "public use, resort, and recreation." This landmark legislation holds an important place in our country's history and was enacted at a time when the nation was embroiled in the Civil War. For the first time in our nation's history, the federal government set aside scenic natural areas to be protected for the benefit of future generations. Later added to Yosemite National Park in 1906, the Mariposa Grove is a popular destination within the park.”

• Description from the NPS Website

Washburn Fire of 2022 

“Dates: Jul 7, 2022 – Aug 4, 2022

Cause: Human Start

Burned area: 4,886 acres (20 km2)

"When 911 callers reported a wildfire near the Mariposa Grove on July 7, 2022, a full suppression response was immediately launched. Yosemite’s helicopter 551, multiple wildland fire engines, and firefighters responded to the Washburn Trail near the Mariposa Grove. An immediate evacuation of over 450 visitors in the grove occurred using local shuttle buses. As the fire continued to grow, additional resources including air tankers, helicopters, as well as ground resources including a Type 2 incident management team, hotshot crews, and engines were requested. Over 1,700 responders included federal, state, local and Tribal personnel from across the nation assisted with suppression.”  -internet info

Our two mile hike from the parking lot to the grove revealed the fire’s devastation and just how close to the grove that it burned. Much of the area adjacent to the grove was not accessible to hiking, having been prepared for prescribed burns that would begin that night. Much of the trail led through burn damaged trees. 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so grateful for the scores of people who worked so hard at such great personal risk to protect this special grove of Giant Sequoias!

From the Sierras we will travel toward the coast of Monterey Bay to spend a week in the Santa Cruz redwoods and reconnect with some long time friends and join their annual family camping trip. So more woods and forests, and some ocean to come in the next episode of our Adventures on the Road!