Paradise Creek Trail

Following my previous week's outing of the Marble Fork Trail, I decided my next day hike would be the Paradise Creek Trail leaving from the Buckeye Flat Campground. However, this early in the year the road to the campground is close. I had to park a mile back at Hospital Rock and walk a few pleasant miles in on the paved road just to reach the campground.

I had been to Hospital Rock many time before. I've always loved the view of the South Face of Moro Rock from Hospital Rock. 

Hospital Rock has some interesting native american petoglyphs along mortar rocks as well. Pretty cool stuff!

 I hiked the paved road from Hospital Rock to Buckeye Campground (1 mile).

The views of Castle Rocks was really impressive! I reached the campground and found the official trail head sign and started down the path. 

Like last week, it was another beautiful sunny day in the Sierra foothills. 

 After about half a mile, the trail reaches the Kaweah River crossing. A really cool bride provides safe passage to the other side.

After crossing the Kaweah  River on the bridge, the trail ascends the side drainage of Paradise Creek.

I'll admit, the trail's shape deteriorated as it climbed uphill. I guess most people don't go past the bridge? With that said, I never lost the trail or was in doubt where it went. As advertised the trail does abruptly come to a stop about 2 miles past the bridge by a pool in Paradise Creek.

A stopped briefly for lunch and turned around. Once again, I still wasn't sure how to fit or load my new backpack!

Only and hour and half after I had left Hospital Rock, I had returned back to my car. Once again, this was a great "second" solo outing.

Marble Fork Trail

Although I've backdated my blog post, this is the first trip report of my outdoor travels.... enjoy!

After living in the Midwest for six years and then Bakersfield for another year, I had moved back to Central California and was eager to go exploring in the Sierra Nevada mountains. One of my first outdoor gear purchased was new backpack. I had bought the Jansport Klamath and decided on a beautiful spring day to go take it for a whirl.

The Sequoia National Park website description of the Marble Fork Trail:

• This trail climbs 3.9 miles (6km) through chaparral to a lovely cascade. Park near site #14 at Potwisha Campground. Follow the dirt road across the concrete ditch. The trail starts along the steep bank to the right. 

This was my first day outing and decided to keep it mellow. I should also note this was my first mountain trip solo. I felt a one way trail with scenic waterfalls in the foothills would be a great first outing. I also took my new backpack (loaded very lightly) with me, 

The drive up to the Ash Mountain entrance of Sequoia National Park go back Lake Kaweah. I stopped at a overlook and snapped this pic of the entire hillside covered in poppy flowers. 

A short drive past the Ash Mountain visitor center is the Potwisha Campground and the Marble Fork trail head. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get on to the trail until close to 2:00pm.

The trail leaves the campground, crosses a water flume, then ascends the hillside quickly gaining altitude.

It was a pleasant spring time day in the foothills, sunny with a light breeze. 

The trail continued to climb in altitude for about 500' then followed the Marble Fork canyon. 

After a few miles the trail views really started to get good. Views back out towards the Middle Fork of the Kaweah and even better views in the Marble Fork.

Massive Yucca Bush

Great views of Milk Ranch Peak

Eventually, the canyon makes a hard bend to the right and the views on some waterfalls can be seen.

Unfortunately, it was getting to be late in the date so I decided to turn around before reaching the end of the trail. Round trip for the day was about 6 miles and 1,000' of elevation gain. Not too shabby for my first outing solo in the mountains. You can see from below, my new back page is still not fitted quite right for me. 

3 hours later I was back to my car in Potwisha campground. This was a great first outing and I couldn't wait to get back out. Next week, I would hike the Paradise Creek Trail!