Hockett Plateau, Sequoia National Park, May 2007

Trailhead sign at South Fork trailhead, Sequoia National Park. Self-issue wilderness permits from this trailhead, no charge. Starting altitude about 3500 feet. Photo a bit fuzzy but I didn't ...

2009-01-15T00:44:25Z

bryanlallen
Trailhead sign at South Fork trailhead, Sequoia National Park. Self-issue wilderness permits from this trailhead, no charge. Starting altitude about 3500 feet. Photo a bit fuzzy but I didn't ...

Lots of lupine and other flowers. The trail is on a north-facing slope and thus is shady, leafy, green, and well-watered.

2009-01-15T00:44:39Z

bryanlallen
Lots of lupine and other flowers. The trail is on a north-facing slope and thus is shady, leafy, green, and well-watered.

Portions of the lower trail were/are a bit overgrown. Some of that greenness is poison oak, so long pants are advised...

2009-01-15T00:43:21Z

bryanlallen
Portions of the lower trail were/are a bit overgrown. Some of that greenness is poison oak, so long pants are advised...

The green leafiness of the trail, bearing steadily upwards.

2009-01-15T00:38:34Z

bryanlallen
The green leafiness of the trail, bearing steadily upwards.

Within three or four miles the trail intersects the western edge of the Garfield Grove of Giant Sequoias.

2009-01-15T00:42:21Z

bryanlallen
Within three or four miles the trail intersects the western edge of the Garfield Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Base of a Giant Sequoia.

2009-01-15T00:44:26Z

bryanlallen
Base of a Giant Sequoia.

Cones of Sugar Pine. They're big!

2009-01-15T00:38:09Z

bryanlallen
Cones of Sugar Pine. They're big!

Giant Sequoia cone; rather compact.

2009-01-15T00:46:01Z

bryanlallen
Giant Sequoia cone; rather compact.

Another Giant Sequoia cone, this one freshly cut off by a rodent in the treetops hundreds of feet above.

2009-01-15T00:40:33Z

bryanlallen
Another Giant Sequoia cone, this one freshly cut off by a rodent in the treetops hundreds of feet above.

The dogwood trees (Cornus nuttallii) were in bloom along the trail.

2009-01-15T00:43:41Z

bryanlallen
The dogwood trees (Cornus nuttallii) were in bloom along the trail.

Snowslide Canyon, with dogwoods.

2009-01-15T00:46:05Z

bryanlallen
Snowslide Canyon, with dogwoods.

Snowslide Canyon, using a different exposure setting.

2009-01-15T00:44:50Z

bryanlallen
Snowslide Canyon, using a different exposure setting.

Looking north across the South Fork Kaweah River Canyon to Homer's Nose.

2009-01-15T00:40:08Z

bryanlallen
Looking north across the South Fork Kaweah River Canyon to Homer's Nose.

Another view of Homer's Nose.

2009-01-15T00:44:42Z

bryanlallen
Another view of Homer's Nose.

Dogwood blossoms.

2009-01-15T00:47:04Z

bryanlallen
Dogwood blossoms.

Cone of a Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana.) You do NOT want to park your car underneath one of these trees when it's shedding cones!

2009-01-15T00:38:14Z

bryanlallen
Cone of a Sugar Pine (Pinus lambertiana.) You do NOT want to park your car underneath one of these trees when it's shedding cones!

Redwood & dogwood. A very verdant area.

2009-01-15T00:39:09Z

bryanlallen
Redwood & dogwood. A very verdant area.

Tried and tried to get a photo of a Junco (Junco oreganus) but this was the best I could do. A common Sierra bird, always in motion.

2009-01-15T00:45:26Z

bryanlallen
Tried and tried to get a photo of a Junco (Junco oreganus) but this was the best I could do. A common Sierra bird, always in motion.

One of several little watercourses along the trail. Stroll a ways, take a drink; stroll a ways further, another stream and another drink.

2009-01-15T00:39:26Z

bryanlallen
One of several little watercourses along the trail. Stroll a ways, take a drink; stroll a ways further, another stream and another drink.

Mossy decorations along the small freshets.

2009-01-15T00:39:13Z

bryanlallen
Mossy decorations along the small freshets.

More streamside gardens.

2009-01-15T00:39:40Z

bryanlallen
More streamside gardens.

Redwoods and pines along the shaded trail.

2009-01-15T00:43:34Z

bryanlallen
Redwoods and pines along the shaded trail.

The bases of the redwoods attest to the ongoing action of fires throughout many centuries.

2009-01-15T00:37:44Z

bryanlallen
The bases of the redwoods attest to the ongoing action of fires throughout many centuries.

A first patch of snow along the trail, at about 8000 feet altitude.

2009-01-15T00:42:50Z

bryanlallen
A first patch of snow along the trail, at about 8000 feet altitude.

Wading the South Fork Kaweah River. A fairly benign crossing, though having a walking stick was welcome. Kinda cold water!

2009-01-15T00:39:51Z

bryanlallen
Wading the South Fork Kaweah River. A fairly benign crossing, though having a walking stick was welcome. Kinda cold water!

Once you ford the river the terrain flattens out and there are a number of trails across the plateau.

2009-01-15T00:38:16Z

bryanlallen
Once you ford the river the terrain flattens out and there are a number of trails across the plateau.

Panorama of Lower Hockett Lake, just off the trail a few dozen yards to the north. All of the Hockett Lakes are very shallow and marshy: good for frogs, bad for fish.

2009-01-15T00:47:21Z

bryanlallen
Panorama of Lower Hockett Lake, just off the trail a few dozen yards to the north. All of the Hockett Lakes are very shallow and marshy: good for frogs, bad for fish.

Another trail junction further east.

2009-01-15T00:42:26Z

bryanlallen
Another trail junction further east.

Strolling across the Hockett plateau. I only saw two other hikers earlier in the day by the Garfield Grove area.

2009-01-15T00:45:34Z

bryanlallen
Strolling across the Hockett plateau. I only saw two other hikers earlier in the day by the Garfield Grove area.

Meadows along the trail.

2009-01-15T00:43:15Z

bryanlallen
Meadows along the trail.

Panorama of South Fork Meadows. I had last visited here in 1970.

2009-01-15T00:46:35Z

bryanlallen
Panorama of South Fork Meadows. I had last visited here in 1970.

There are several carbonated springs and iron springs like the one above in the region of South Fork Meadows. The flavor is distinctive.

2009-01-15T00:42:51Z

bryanlallen
There are several carbonated springs and iron springs like the one above in the region of South Fork Meadows. The flavor is distinctive.

A large tree which had suffered some sort of major insult earlier in its life.

2009-01-15T00:37:58Z

bryanlallen
A large tree which had suffered some sort of major insult earlier in its life.

Quite an insult, eh? :-)

2009-01-15T00:38:59Z

bryanlallen
Quite an insult, eh? :-)

Miles and miles of shaded trail across Hockett Plateau, heading east towards Wet Meadows.

2009-01-15T00:42:20Z

bryanlallen
Miles and miles of shaded trail across Hockett Plateau, heading east towards Wet Meadows.

Another trail junction. My goal was Blossom Lakes.

2009-01-15T00:40:47Z

bryanlallen
Another trail junction. My goal was Blossom Lakes.

Walking stick is just under four feet high at its top, giving scale for the large bear-claw marks on this tree. I did see a bear ambling away from me close to this area the next morning; the ...

2009-01-15T00:41:21Z

bryanlallen
Walking stick is just under four feet high at its top, giving scale for the large bear-claw marks on this tree. I did see a bear ambling away from me close to this area the next morning; the ...

The trail goes ever on. The soil across much of the Hockett Plateau is quite sandy.

2009-01-15T00:42:20Z

bryanlallen
The trail goes ever on. The soil across much of the Hockett Plateau is quite sandy.

Near trail junction to Blossom Lakes. Wet Meadow Entrance is an eastern boundary of this part of Sequoia National Park.

2009-01-15T00:42:08Z

bryanlallen
Near trail junction to Blossom Lakes. Wet Meadow Entrance is an eastern boundary of this part of Sequoia National Park.

A sign next to the previous sign; guess they don't want anyone to miss the turnoff to Blossom Lakes.

2009-01-15T00:39:42Z

bryanlallen
A sign next to the previous sign; guess they don't want anyone to miss the turnoff to Blossom Lakes.

Daylight was dwindling; this is a view to the east across the drainage of the Little Kern River, with the Great Western Divide in the distance.

2009-01-15T00:41:28Z

bryanlallen
Daylight was dwindling; this is a view to the east across the drainage of the Little Kern River, with the Great Western Divide in the distance.

Lower Blossom Lake, with my shoes and socks soaking up the last few drying rays of the sun.

2009-01-15T00:45:35Z

bryanlallen
Lower Blossom Lake, with my shoes and socks soaking up the last few drying rays of the sun.

Campsite at Lower Blossom Lake. I may have been the first to camp at the lake that season, but there was evidence that the area gets fairly heavy use in the summertime, especially from packs ...

2009-01-15T00:41:13Z

bryanlallen
Campsite at Lower Blossom Lake. I may have been the first to camp at the lake that season, but there was evidence that the area gets fairly heavy use in the summertime, especially from packs ...

Dinner preparation. My stove burns small twigs; it's a carbon-neutral solution! No fuel weight to carry either!

2009-01-15T00:42:21Z

bryanlallen
Dinner preparation. My stove burns small twigs; it's a carbon-neutral solution! No fuel weight to carry either!

Sunset clouds reflected in Lower Blossom Lake.

2009-01-15T00:43:12Z

bryanlallen
Sunset clouds reflected in Lower Blossom Lake.

Sunset at Lower Blossom Lake; many frogs calling, and some small fish were rising.

2009-01-15T00:44:42Z

bryanlallen
Sunset at Lower Blossom Lake; many frogs calling, and some small fish were rising.

Looking northwards along the eastern shore of Lower Blossom Lake. This lake lies just below 10,000 feet elevation, so my altitude gain for the day was about 6500 feet.

2009-01-15T00:40:11Z

bryanlallen
Looking northwards along the eastern shore of Lower Blossom Lake. This lake lies just below 10,000 feet elevation, so my altitude gain for the day was about 6500 feet.

Mirror-smooth surface of Lower Blossom Lake in early morning.

2009-01-15T00:36:47Z

bryanlallen
Mirror-smooth surface of Lower Blossom Lake in early morning.

Calm early-morning reflections on Lower Blossom Lake; temperature was about 38 degrees F.

2009-01-15T00:46:58Z

bryanlallen
Calm early-morning reflections on Lower Blossom Lake; temperature was about 38 degrees F.

A small conclave of mushrooms along the trail.

2009-01-15T00:40:56Z

bryanlallen
A small conclave of mushrooms along the trail.

Mushrooms, with pocketknife for scale (Leatherman Micra, 2.5 inches long in this configuration)

2009-01-15T00:41:36Z

bryanlallen
Mushrooms, with pocketknife for scale (Leatherman Micra, 2.5 inches long in this configuration)

South Fork Kaweah River passing through South Fork Meadows area. Trout were numerous and are visible here.

2009-01-15T00:40:42Z

bryanlallen
South Fork Kaweah River passing through South Fork Meadows area. Trout were numerous and are visible here.

Trout.

2009-01-15T00:46:32Z

bryanlallen
Trout.

A broader view of South Fork Meadows, looking southeast. Numerous carbonated springs lie along the northern edge of this meadow area, as well as some iron springs too.

2009-01-15T00:40:58Z

bryanlallen
A broader view of South Fork Meadows, looking southeast. Numerous carbonated springs lie along the northern edge of this meadow area, as well as some iron springs too.

Butterfly, blending in well with dead pine fronds.

2009-01-15T00:36:30Z

bryanlallen
Butterfly, blending in well with dead pine fronds.

California Tortoise-shell butterfly (Nymphalis californica) warming itself in a sunbeam.

2009-01-15T00:45:49Z

bryanlallen
California Tortoise-shell butterfly (Nymphalis californica) warming itself in a sunbeam.

Burrow castings, probably from moles, left behind after the winter snow melted.

2009-01-15T00:51:39Z

bryanlallen
Burrow castings, probably from moles, left behind after the winter snow melted.

Hockett Meadows panorama; you can get a feel for the large relatively-level area of the Hockett Plateau in this view. Roof of Hockett Ranger Station is visible to far left.

2009-01-15T00:48:48Z

bryanlallen
Hockett Meadows panorama; you can get a feel for the large relatively-level area of the Hockett Plateau in this view. Roof of Hockett Ranger Station is visible to far left.

View east towards Hockett Meadows from small footbridge which crosses Whitman Creek.

2009-01-15T00:43:28Z

bryanlallen
View east towards Hockett Meadows from small footbridge which crosses Whitman Creek.

Whitman Creek and Hockett Meadows beyond.

2009-01-15T00:44:37Z

bryanlallen
Whitman Creek and Hockett Meadows beyond.

Hockett Meadows Ranger station; it had not yet been opened up for the summer. The flagpole lies along the foundation on the left.

2009-01-15T00:51:38Z

bryanlallen
Hockett Meadows Ranger station; it had not yet been opened up for the summer. The flagpole lies along the foundation on the left.

Trail junction in Hockett Meadows; I was walking north towards Atwell Mill.

2009-01-15T00:46:48Z

bryanlallen
Trail junction in Hockett Meadows; I was walking north towards Atwell Mill.

Boisterous Horse Creek and snowbanks; the log provided a welcome crossing point.

2009-01-15T00:50:40Z

bryanlallen
Boisterous Horse Creek and snowbanks; the log provided a welcome crossing point.

Another trail junction; I continued on towards Mineral King on this day for four miles or so, putting on miles. The portion of the trail from here towards Mineral King I walked along was som ...

2009-01-15T00:42:07Z

bryanlallen
Another trail junction; I continued on towards Mineral King on this day for four miles or so, putting on miles. The portion of the trail from here towards Mineral King I walked along was som ...

Freshly-emerging snowplant.

2009-01-15T00:45:41Z

bryanlallen
Freshly-emerging snowplant.

Though the snow cover had just recently melted in the main, with scattered patches still under some of the shady areas, some wildflowers were already in bloom. Perhaps a species of violet; d ...

2009-01-15T00:45:20Z

bryanlallen
Though the snow cover had just recently melted in the main, with scattered patches still under some of the shady areas, some wildflowers were already in bloom. Perhaps a species of violet; d ...

Another streamside flower shot w/ different exposure; my eye tends to favor slight underexposures for subjects like this.

2009-01-15T00:41:44Z

bryanlallen
Another streamside flower shot w/ different exposure; my eye tends to favor slight underexposures for subjects like this.

Sand Meadows just south of Hockett Meadows, so-named as the distant whitish feature on the far side of the meadow is a sand dune. The mosquitoes were quite insistent here!

2009-01-15T00:38:30Z

bryanlallen
Sand Meadows just south of Hockett Meadows, so-named as the distant whitish feature on the far side of the meadow is a sand dune. The mosquitoes were quite insistent here!

Small Lodgepole pine being "bonsai'ed" at the edge of Sand Meadows.

2009-01-15T00:46:24Z

bryanlallen
Small Lodgepole pine being "bonsai'ed" at the edge of Sand Meadows.

The trail from Sand Meadows to Hockett Lakes is marked with these old license plates high up on the trees, I'm sure to show the trail during the winter with snow covering the ground. This pl ...

2009-01-15T00:39:23Z

bryanlallen
The trail from Sand Meadows to Hockett Lakes is marked with these old license plates high up on the trees, I'm sure to show the trail during the winter with snow covering the ground. This pl ...

Evening camp on the western shore of the southernmost of the Hockett Lakes. One other small group was camped nearby. Walked about 22 miles this day.

2009-01-15T00:44:37Z

bryanlallen
Evening camp on the western shore of the southernmost of the Hockett Lakes. One other small group was camped nearby. Walked about 22 miles this day.

View to east from my campsite. A serenade of frogs was underway.

2009-01-15T00:37:51Z

bryanlallen
View to east from my campsite. A serenade of frogs was underway.

I walked around the southernmost Hockett Lake after dinner; it is scenic while also being quite marshy around the edges. Mosquitoes were frequent. I did not see any fish rising and suspect t ...

2009-01-15T00:38:05Z

bryanlallen
I walked around the southernmost Hockett Lake after dinner; it is scenic while also being quite marshy around the edges. Mosquitoes were frequent. I did not see any fish rising and suspect t ...

Breaking camp the next morning. Bring one of these if you visit here! The mosquitoes in the morning were intense! I'm wearing my raingear and gloves as "armor."

2009-01-15T00:41:26Z

bryanlallen
Breaking camp the next morning. Bring one of these if you visit here! The mosquitoes in the morning were intense! I'm wearing my raingear and gloves as "armor."

A few blood-sucking insects trying to find a way through my hiking pants; it was easy to kill a half-dozen at once with a single swat, though somewhat pointless as there were so many to repl ...

2009-01-15T00:44:00Z

bryanlallen
A few blood-sucking insects trying to find a way through my hiking pants; it was easy to kill a half-dozen at once with a single swat, though somewhat pointless as there were so many to repl ...

Looking up the trunk of a Giant Redwood on the hike out.

2009-01-15T00:47:25Z

bryanlallen
Looking up the trunk of a Giant Redwood on the hike out.

Giant Redwood trunk; the lowest branches are many stories above the ground.

2009-01-15T00:48:59Z

bryanlallen
Giant Redwood trunk; the lowest branches are many stories above the ground.

A group of Giant Sequoias.

2009-01-15T00:37:55Z

bryanlallen
A group of Giant Sequoias.

The only good way to take a picture of an entire Giant Sequoia is to stitch together a panorama -- they're big. This is one of many examples of the species in the Garfield Grove.

2009-01-15T00:44:55Z

bryanlallen
The only good way to take a picture of an entire Giant Sequoia is to stitch together a panorama -- they're big. This is one of many examples of the species in the Garfield Grove.

Another Garfield Grove giant sequoia.

2009-01-15T00:51:14Z

bryanlallen
Another Garfield Grove giant sequoia.

I came upon a large gathering of Echo Blue butterflies (Celastrina argiolus) which were obviously attracted to these particular plants.

2009-01-15T00:42:10Z

bryanlallen
I came upon a large gathering of Echo Blue butterflies (Celastrina argiolus) which were obviously attracted to these particular plants.

My guidebook indicates this is probably a female Echo Blue, due to the dark wing margins.

2009-01-15T00:38:11Z

bryanlallen
My guidebook indicates this is probably a female Echo Blue, due to the dark wing margins.

Note that the leaves here have been munched on, I suspect by the larvae of these Echo Blues. It was quite a treat to see so many (hundreds) of these little butterflies all in one place; I us ...

2009-01-15T00:38:29Z

bryanlallen
Note that the leaves here have been munched on, I suspect by the larvae of these Echo Blues. It was quite a treat to see so many (hundreds) of these little butterflies all in one place; I us ...

Echo Blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus.)

2009-01-15T00:46:23Z

bryanlallen
Echo Blue butterfly (Celastrina argiolus.)

Pretty watercourse with moss-covered rocks.

2009-01-15T00:42:11Z

bryanlallen
Pretty watercourse with moss-covered rocks.

Bark texture.

2009-01-15T00:45:38Z

bryanlallen
Bark texture.

Dogwoods in bloom.

2009-01-15T00:42:39Z

bryanlallen
Dogwoods in bloom.

The leafy-green shaded trail, only a few miles from the South Fork trailhead.

2009-01-15T00:41:06Z

bryanlallen
The leafy-green shaded trail, only a few miles from the South Fork trailhead.

With such enormous leaves I thought it'd be easy to ID this flower, but I'm still trying to figure it out. Big leaves!

2009-01-15T00:38:00Z

bryanlallen
With such enormous leaves I thought it'd be easy to ID this flower, but I'm still trying to figure it out. Big leaves!

A little trailside still-life, with fern. flower, and moss.

2009-01-15T00:42:50Z

bryanlallen
A little trailside still-life, with fern. flower, and moss.

Wild rose (Genus Rosa)

2009-01-15T00:38:24Z

bryanlallen
Wild rose (Genus Rosa)

This oak had sprouted right next to this rock and over the years as its trunk swelled it began to engulf it. I suspect the rock will win this battle...

2009-01-15T00:39:42Z

bryanlallen
This oak had sprouted right next to this rock and over the years as its trunk swelled it began to engulf it. I suspect the rock will win this battle...

"Leaves of three, let it be" (poison oak.)

2009-01-15T00:43:18Z

bryanlallen
"Leaves of three, let it be" (poison oak.)

Parking under a large oak at the traihead kept the Fit cool but also got it covered in oak pollen and catkins! A great little hike, about 50 miles total in three days.

2009-01-15T00:48:43Z

bryanlallen
Parking under a large oak at the traihead kept the Fit cool but also got it covered in oak pollen and catkins! A great little hike, about 50 miles total in three days.