From Walker Pass, I drove through Kernville (the river was really low), over Greenhorn Summit (good thing I don't get carsick), through Porterville (I liked about two blocks of Main Street downtown) and Three Rivers (see below) into Sequoia National Park (yay!).
Three Rivers has grown a good bit since I was last there. They have a pretty nice little museum and lots of motels/bed & breakfasts/resorts compared to what I remember from way back in the 20th century. I stopped to check out the museum grounds, but I didn't go inside. I was preoccupied by some fun nature art.
 |
| I think this looks like a raccoon. My friend thinks it's a cat. A sign says it's a bear. What do you think? |
I am not really sure that Paul Bunyan was ever actually in the these parts, much less Babe the Blue Ox. I always thought he was a rainy cold weather Pacific Northwest type or maybe Maine or Michigan. I like wood carvings, though, so whatever. The museum needs to step up their Native American game a LOT.
I used my Senior Pass to enter Sequoia National Park for free at the Ash Mountain station. I love that pass, especially now that it costs Juniors and their cute little rug rats $35 to get into the parks. I paid ten bucks for mine when I turned 62 and it's good til the day I die. Recently they upped the fee to eighty bucks, but it is still the best deal for Seniors on Earth.
I lucked into a campsite at Buckeye Flats, surprised by how many campers there were after Labor Day, especially European visitors. The fee for the campsite was $22, but my righteous Senior Pass let me pay half price. Right on. It sucks to get old. We should get all kinds of perks if you ask me. Paradise Creek runs right past the back of Buckeye Flats Campground. Even though this time of year the flow is not great, it's still pretty and it sounds nice, especially when it's time for bed.
The next morning I got up early to be the first hiker on the Paradise Creek Trail. The first mile or two is nice, then it gets narrow and poison oak infested. I practiced dodging the three-leaf buggers for a while before turning around and re-tracing my steps. From one spot just off the trail, I had a sweet view of Moro Rock, one that I imagine most people don't get unless they hike this trail.
Doing these little day hikes is growing on me. I guess that is how I first started hiking - I don't really know why I became so enamored with distance hikes. These one and two and three hour walks I have been taking on this trip have been terrific. I may have found a way to keep going in my twilight years after all. Day hikes and car camping! Who'd a thunk it?
I used my Senior Pass to enter Sequoia National Park for free at the Ash Mountain station. I love that pass, especially now that it costs Juniors and their cute little rug rats $35 to get into the parks. I paid ten bucks for mine when I turned 62 and it's good til the day I die. Recently they upped the fee to eighty bucks, but it is still the best deal for Seniors on Earth.
I lucked into a campsite at Buckeye Flats, surprised by how many campers there were after Labor Day, especially European visitors. The fee for the campsite was $22, but my righteous Senior Pass let me pay half price. Right on. It sucks to get old. We should get all kinds of perks if you ask me. Paradise Creek runs right past the back of Buckeye Flats Campground. Even though this time of year the flow is not great, it's still pretty and it sounds nice, especially when it's time for bed.
The next morning I got up early to be the first hiker on the Paradise Creek Trail. The first mile or two is nice, then it gets narrow and poison oak infested. I practiced dodging the three-leaf buggers for a while before turning around and re-tracing my steps. From one spot just off the trail, I had a sweet view of Moro Rock, one that I imagine most people don't get unless they hike this trail.
Doing these little day hikes is growing on me. I guess that is how I first started hiking - I don't really know why I became so enamored with distance hikes. These one and two and three hour walks I have been taking on this trip have been terrific. I may have found a way to keep going in my twilight years after all. Day hikes and car camping! Who'd a thunk it?
.
Maybe I will just try to do all the little trails I can think of until I can't think of any more.
Peace, Love, and Adaptation,
Jim
TBC
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.