Sunday 12 August 2018
We had decided to do two shorter hikes today, both leaving from our campground. After breakfast (with our delicious coffee-chocolate chip ice cream coffee) we put up Vincent’s sunscreens and tidy up camp. Then we discover, after consulting the guide book and map, that the Little Baldy hike we had planned to do is twice as far as we thought if we leave from here. Since Vincent is already prepared for a day off, we settle on doing the Muir Grove hike first. We walk around the campground road to the amphitheater. Our guide book shows the trail departing nearby. This is a large campground. We have added more than a half mile (one way) to the day’s hike by walking to the trailhead. Meanwhile, the little sign indicating the Muir Grove trail is nowhere to be found. I reconsult the map which shows the trail taking off due west from the lot. Once on the trail we are immediately supposed to cross a stream on a bridge. We look around. Just off the road we spy what looks like an old trail. The remnants of a bridge are on either side of a small stream so we cross and follow a faint path through the woods. We are walking parallel to the campground road. I see a small sign through the trees and can just barely make out the letters through my binoculars. Muir Grove. We have finally found the proper trail after 45 minutes of searching. Two hikes today is looking less and less likely.
O and I proceed along the now easy to follow path. It winds through peaceful pines and fir trees up onto a granite outcrop. Here there is a cool breeze and the clearest view we’ve had in days. After enjoying the sunshine and the sights we turn back to the woodsy trail. We startle a mule deer buck who looks poised to bound off through the forest. After a few moments of indecision he either decides we are harmless or the browsing here is too good to pass up, or both. I manage some photos as O and I try to walk softly by.
We continue along one ridge and turn onto the next. Soon we cross a stream and follow the trail onward towards the grove. Thus far we have passed only two other hikers, both on their way back. We finally reach the grove and gaze in wonder at these ancient monarchs. There is only one other couple here. The woman offers to take our photo, then O and I are left alone with the sequoias. The only sounds are occasional bird song, insects high above, and the rustle of the breeze. The grove is ours, or perhaps it is more correct to say we belong to the grove – alone and silent for at least 30 minutes, maybe longer. And then we must return down the path. As we are leaving we pass 6 or 8 people heading towards the trees. What a delight to experience those trees in solitude together!
Back at camp we decide it is too late for Little Baldy so we use the bit of extra time to clean up and make ourselves presentable for dinner at Grant Grove Restaurant. Besides the food, this is our choice spot for cell phone reception. Today we get to chat with both G and S. We also have more time to explore the visitor center where we learn just how vast King’s Canyon is. We also learn that there had been plans to dam the river that flows through it in two places and flood the canyon in the 1940’s. The only thing that saved this beautiful place was the people campaigning for the preservation of Kings Canyon, all the more important after the loss of Hetch Hetchy. Thank goodness for forward looking people who want to preserve and protect such places.