January 22, 2013 - Giant Forest

Title: January 22, 2013 - Giant Forest
Trail head: Giant Forest Museum

 Hike Info:
Trail: Crescent Meadow Road
Destination: Crescent Meadow
Actual Destination: Moro Rock, Tunnel Log
Distance: 5.7
Travel Time: 4:18 (1.33 mph)
Moving Time: 2:55 (1.95 mph)
Elevation Rise: 819'
Maximum Elevation: 6,628'










Description:
Since the weather has been so good, the General's Highway between Grant Grove and Giant Forest is open. So we decided to go snowshoeing up the Crescent Meadow road. This is the same place which Steven and I took David and Rachel a couple of years ago. Steven got a new pair of snowshoes from Costco. So this is there first use.

We left Fresno at 8:40 and got to Giant Forest around 10:40 and left the car at 11:00. There was a short amount of icy pavement on the road, until we left behind the ranger's residence. Then there was snow and the walking was easier. But it had been well walked-some of packed, some of post-holed. But doable with our snowshoes.












The day is pleasant, not overly warm-Steven is in a T-shirt and I shed a layer of clothes. Our first stop is the Auto Log where we take pictures. Then we head back to the road and continue up towards the junction with the Moro Rock Loop. Instead of going around the loop, we head up a trail towards Moro Rock. We did the same thing a couple of years ago, except this time, instead of bearing right and hitting some cliffs, we go left and hit part of the Soldiers Trail. We take this eastward, going past the Roosevelt Tree and hit the road a short ways from the Moro Rock parking lot.










At the parking lot, we stop and have lunch-peanut butter and Nutella, of course. We take about half an hour. During this time, a family of five from Australia come down the stairs. After lunch, Steven decides to go up the stairs to Moro Rock for about 15 minutes. He made it up high enough to enjoy a view, but with the snow and ice, it was better not to go to the top. Looking at him come down, he was making sure that he did not slip-slow and steady. He does make it down safely.

On top of the Auto Log

Looking towards Mineral King

Moro Rock

We go eastward around the loop. We come across another segment of the Soldier Trail. I go over the side and follow it, while Steven and Sherri follows the road. The trail, even though it is close to the road, it seems like it is in a different world. The snow is mostly unbroken, except for another set of snowshoe tracks. The Sequioa's standing around me are just awesome. But after going a ways I decide to work my way back to the road. My way was shorter, but more strenuous, breaking fresh snow. They are about 10 minutes behind me.

Steven's Friend

Tunnel Log

We decide to continue on to the Tunnel Log, only about half a mile further. We find a snow bear there, smiling at us. It is turn around time and we head back at a pretty reasonable pace. The car finds us round 3:00. We then have dinner at Bear Mountain Pizza, well satisfied.