Tacos, hiking, and ghosts: What Fresnans were obsessed with in 2017

December 28, 2017 by Jason Farris Leave a Comment

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I grew up in Fresno. Relaxed in its calm breezes, listened with my dad to the crack of the bat at little league baseball games when I was a kid and now take my son to do the same at minor league games. I broadened my mind at its schools (I went to high school right here at San Joaquin Memorial, and to college at Fresno State!) I love that if I drive for two hours in one direction, I can be in the mountains. For two hours in another, luxuriating on a California beach. I can enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still be able to come home to relaxation, calm, and quiet.

I love where I live, and I also love what I do. I'm lucky to be able to work in a profession in which I get to build relationships; one that has me meeting new people each and every day and helping them to build new lives in my beloved city. I'm lucky enough to work in a profession in which I can marry cutting-edge technologies and marketing techniques to good, old-fashioned, nose-to-the-grindstone work. I am lucky enough to work in a profession that allows me to work as an advocate for my clients; to use every tool at my disposal to get a job done well for them, and with as little stress and expense as possible.

I love my city. I love my job. One inspires my excellence for the other.

Fresno? I say FresYES

1. Real estate listings

FresYes is a realty company. Maybe you didn’t know that, but primarily what we do is help clients buy and sell homes, so it makes sense our listings receive the bulk of our traffic.

Read: Real estate listings

2. Most haunted locations in Fresno

In April, our good friend Michael Banti of Weird Fresno gave us a round-up of the purported most haunted locations in the area. Turns out, you guys love ghost stories. This was our number-one community news story—by a lot. Michael’s follow-up, “Have you seen these strange creatures that haunt the Fresno area?”, also was a big hit.

Read: Interested in the supernatural? Here are the top 10 most haunted locations in the Fresno area

3. FresYes Fest FAQs

FresYes Fest, hosted by Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., just gets bigger and better every year, drawing thousands of people to downtown Fresno. This post, explaining what the 2017 event would entail, got a huge amount of traffic. Look for another one in the spring detailing 2018’s event.

Read: Everything you need to know before FresYes Fest 2017

4. Amazing hiking trails

You guys love hiking, there’s just no way around it. Natali Carrera’s 2017 post about nearby hiking trails fit for the whole family was again her number-one post of the year (she had a 2016 version, as well).

Read: 3 amazing hiking trails you’ll want to enjoy this spring

5. Where to get great Mexican food

Early this year when Chevy’s closed its doors in Fresno, it was the end of an era for Mexican food in Fresno. Okay it wasn’t, but that was the tongue-in-cheek angle our friend Mike Oz took when writing this detailed list of where to get actually good Mexican food in Fresno.

Read: 10 places to get great Mexican food in Fresno now that Chevy’s is gone

6. Best burgers in town

We in Fresno love our Mexican food, but we also love a good burger. I got a lot of feedback from readers after posting about the favorite burger places of FresYes.com writers (as you can imagine), so this post was followed up by a second burger post, a super mega list of Fresno’s best burger joints, which you can read here.

Read: Here are the 5 best places to get a burger in Fresno

7. Five tacos to try

Keeping the food theme going, another post from Mike Oz made the list, this one with his suggestions for five somewhat under-the-radar taco places to try. He wrote another a couple of months later, which you can read here.

Read: 5 tacos in Fresno you need to try this month

8. Farmers markets around the city

Luckily for everyone’s health, it wasn’t all tacos and burgers on FresYes.com. This post, a list of farmers markets held across the city, was a huge hit with readers.

Read: Here’s your guide to farmers markets in Fresno and Clovis

9. Exotic pet store and zoo opens

In April, a new pet store opened in Fresno and JoAnn Hallum’s post about it immediately garnered a lot of interest. Lost Realms Pets specialized in reptiles and billed itself as not just a pet store, but “a destination.” With events throughout the year, including opportunities to interact with a sloth, Lost Realms seems to have lived up to its claims.

Read: Grand opening of Lost Realms Pets store and zoo is Saturday in Fresno

10. Blossom Trail for beginners

Every year, the blossoming of fruit and nut trees in the region is a sight many Fresnans like to behold. Jenna Ardaiz-Brown’s guide, a starting kit for those who have never done the Blossom Trail before, was a huge hit last spring.

Read: Blossom Trail for beginners: Here’s how to enjoy the trail if you’ve never done it before

Honorable mention: Fresno Flavor

Although not necessarily reflected in our website traffic, Fresno Flavor—a series of videos exploring food spots in the area—has been huge for us on social media. With five episodes under our belt, we’re looking forward to bringing even more Fresno Flavor to readers in 2018 (look for our next episode to drop on January 11).

Read: Fresno Flavor

We at FresYes.com want to thank you for reading. We promise to being more community news highlighting the good in the Fresno area and beyond to you in the new year.

3 Amazing Hiking Trails You’ll Want to Enjoy this Spring

February 15, 2017 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her teenage son, her husband of 18 years and shopping small & local. She is the founder & CEO of parent support non-profit Success Together, Inc. and has been a freelance content creator for FresYes.com for 7 years. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident, unrelenting cheerleader and Fresno State grad.

Latest posts by Natali Carrera (see all)

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Last year, this was my most viewed and shared article on FresYes.com, and I’m so happy about that. I put a lot of effort into writing it hoping it would be a thorough enough guide to help even people who’ve never hiked before feel like they had enough information to give it a try.

As the sun has come back out to join us this week, I know spring-like weather is just around the bend and Fresno folks will be looking to get outdoors and start exploring the wonder that is all of our extended backyards again.

So, to ensure everyone has a chance to check out these wonderful trails, we’re republishing my guide to spring hikes near Fresno for all to enjoy:

For those of you who’ve yet to discover the joy of hiking beautiful trails just outside of Fresno, I wanted to offer you three fantastic trails to try out this spring. If you do, I think you just may find yourself addicted like I am!

1. The Bridge Trail at River Gorge

Who’s the trail best for?

People of all ages, cyclists, and anyone capable of walking about 2 miles on mostly flat ground.

What’s to see?

Wildflowers, the beautiful San Joaquin River from the San Joaquin River Trail Bridge, Big Sandy Creek, oak forest, and—if you’re lucky—grazing cattle.

In the fall, we also saw tarantulas, but they’re not out in the spring. We only saw one or two each time, and they wanted to get far away from us, so fear not if you’re an arachnophobe. I, too, have a healthy fear of spiders, but tarantulas are so large and move so slowly they are surprisingly less alarming than other spiders.

How to get there:

Take 168 North until it ends and becomes Auberry Road. Remain on Auberry Road for about 18 miles until you can make a left on Powerhouse Road. From Powerhouse, you’ll make another left onto Smalley at the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreational Management Area entrance. Remain on Smalley until you see a parking lot on your right for camping or day use and signs for the Wuh-ki’o/Pa’san Ridge Trails.

Website: http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/san-joaquin-river-gorge-trail

Special Notes & Tips:

The final stretch of Smalley Road is fairly windy, so plan to take your time, especially if you’re traveling with someone who becomes car sick easily. The total trip from Fresno takes just under an hour. The Shell Station at the end of 168 where the road becomes just Auberry Road has great hand-scooped ice cream and mojo potatoes, among other goodies, in case you work up quite an appetite hiking!

The walk to the bridge along the trail is a short walk. The other two trails are significantly longer and more uphill, so don’t feel like you need to go much further than the bridge if you’re just looking for a leisurely day hike or if you have young children in tow.

(By the way, my writing colleague Craig Scharton recently wrote a post highlighting the River Gorge as well. I included it again here because the area is so pretty, I wanted to be sure we nagged you enough into actually going. Is it working?)

2. Lewis Creek Trail

Who’s the trail best for?

People of all ages capable of walking about 4 miles with some considerable uphill walking on the return trip.

What’s to see?

Wildflowers, pine trees, a babbling creek, waterfalls, and possibly large groups of butterflies sunning near the water.

How to get there:

Take 41 North toward Bass Lake. Continue past Coarsegold and Oakhurst, and into the area just after the Bass Lake turnoffs. Watch for the large Lewis Creek Trailhead parking area, which will be on your right hand side about 50 minutes from Fresno.

Website: http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lewis-creek-national-scenic-trail-to-corlley-falls-and-red-rock-falls

Special Notes & Tips:

This trail is well-traveled and you’re unlikely to be the only group hiking in the area. It is beautiful and offers a spectacular view of a waterfall that you can enjoy watching from a redwood observation deck and bench built into the trail.

The trail can get a bit tricky in a few places if it’s muddy or if tree limbs are hanging low, and sometimes these tricky places can be in a narrower or steeper spot, so you’ll definitely want to keep a close eye on young children to ensure they have steady footing. Also, the return hike can be steep for someone who doesn’t get regular cardio exercise, so prepare to return more slowly than you hiked out and take breaks if needed.

This is one of the most beautiful trails I’ve experienced and I’ve gone back multiple times and taken others with me so they could experience it. For a tasty bite after your hike, swing by Robert’s Frosty Restaurant—a great, old-fashioned shake and burger place with delicious onion rings, soft serve cones, and thick milkshakes with all the best mix-ins.

3. Willow Creek Trail

Who’s the trail best for?

Adults and older children/teens capable of walking 4+ miles with some mildly tricky footwork.

What’s to see?

Beautiful wooded mountains, Manzanita trees, a flowing creek, and best of all, gorgeous waterfalls pooling in a multitude of places.

How to get there:

Take 41 North to Road 222/Bass Lake turnoff and stay on 222 until it becomes 274. Look for the Willow Creek/Angel Falls Trailhead parking area on your left-hand side. It will seem like you can turn either left or right to park—you want to go to the right.

Website: http://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/willow-creek-trail

Special Notes & Tips:

This trail offers beautiful sights and waterfalls that are absolutely breathtaking. It also can be a little tricky, as there are a few places where the trail itself is less than obvious and you may find yourself wondering if you’re still on it. You’ll have a good sense of where you are regardless, thanks to the creek running alongside you.

It’s very important to note that the rock where the creek flows is much, much more slippery than it may appear—even in areas where no water is flowing, as the water has smoothed the stone face significantly, making it difficult to keep steady footing unless you have VERY grippy shoes. At one point in one of our walks, our dog slid several feet down the rock face and gave us a good little scare, so this is not a good trail for young children or children who are unlikely to stay on the trail or near adults.

After visiting Willow Creek Trail, my appreciation for the beauty that is practically in our own backyard (this trail is less than one hour from Fresno) grew immensely. Robert’s Frosty Restaurant is also on your way back home from this trail, and you burned the calories, so you deserve a milkshake or some crinkle fries, right?

General Hiking Tips:

• Check out the All Trails app or website for additional information and reviews from other hikers on these trails and others. I use this app all the time to help me plan hikes!

• Always assume the hikes and drives will take longer than you think. Give yourself plenty of time before sunset to complete your hikes.

• All three of these hikes allow dogs on leashes. Many trails do not, like those in national parks, so be cognizant of that.

• Pack plenty of snacks and more water than you think you’ll need, and dress in layers. Be sure your backpack has padded straps.

• As dorky as they may seem, bring a selfie-stick. The sights can be amazing and capturing them with just your arm and the reverse camera mode can be tricky, and you’ll likely want a photo of yourself and your crew in front of the beautiful sites on these trails!

• Respect the trails. Never leave trash behind, take it all back with you, and throw it out properly—and teach children to do the same.

• Due to uneven terrain and/or narrow pathways, none of the trails above are suitable for strollers or wheelchairs (sorry).

• None of the trails mentioned require special 4×4s or SUVs to get to. All can be reached by regular vehicles. These locations should not require snow chains either.

• Have fun!

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Looking For a Great Winter Hike? San Joaquin River Gorge is Well Worth the Short Drive

February 3, 2017 by Craig Scharton Leave a Comment

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Craig Scharton

I’m a weirdo. I’m a downtown revitalization, old neighborhood, old houses weirdo.

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In the summertime, you can point your car east and find hundreds of places to hike. In the winter, unless you’re willing to put on cross country skis or snow shoes, there are fewer options. On the other hand, the nearby foothills turn green and then wildflowers follow.

I’ve been walking in the morning to get back into hiking shape. The San Joaquin River Gorge is a recreation area located about an hour outside Fresno that offers a variety of hikes. The Bridge Trail takes you to the bridge spanning the gorge, and is about one mile from the parking lot. If that’s all that you have time or energy for, it’s well worth it. This year, the extra rain has filled dry creek beds and created waterfalls. I could stand on the bridge for an hour, just watching the water flow.

The Bridge Trail takes you to this narrow bridge that spans the gorge

Looking at the bridge from the other side

The San Joaquin River Gorge

The Pa’San Ridge Trail is what I’ve been doing the last few months, which is a 7.8-mile loop. It rises about 1,000 feet in elevation and pretty much gives me a beating. But I can do it and I know that as I keep it up, I’ll be ready for some backpacking in the back country this summer. Plus, I now have two grandsons, so I know I need to get into tip-top shape or they’ll run me over.

It always makes me happy to see people getting out into the beauty that surrounds our Central Valley. I’ve seen trail runners who are at least 10 years older than me. There are mountain bikers who somehow make it up the steep, rutted trails. Everyone on the trail has a similar smile and a twinkle in their eyes that seem to say, “We’re all doing something really good for ourselves today.”

There are cows and their calves who form a protective circle as we walk past. We’ve seen deer and also signs of wild pigs. There are pines and oaks. There are hawks and turkey vultures and crows. In the fall, I’ve seen some tarantulas crossing the trail. (Fall is mating season for the big spiders and they can be spotted on trails throughout California.)

Being in our nearby countryside always stirs up thoughts about the Native People and how they lived in this place. The acorns and pines provided food along with the salmon and other game. They moved up and down the mountains with the seasons.

The foothills are a great place filled with abundant life in the winter, just above the fog and just below the snow. They are filled with water, green grass, and life. While much of our country endures a dark winter, I shed my jacket at 9:30 this morning and finished the hike in a t-shirt. Just one more thing to love about living where we do.

Getting to the San Joaquin River Gorge

To get to the San Joaquin River Gorge, take Highway 168 east from Fresno/Clovis. Turn left toward Auberry, just past the Intermountain Nursery (this place is incredible—stop by after your hike!).

After you drive through Auberry, you’ll see the signs to the gorge. Park at the Ya-Gub-Weh-Tuh trailhead and campground. You’ll see a bathroom and the trailhead with some directional info. You’ll pass a couple of gates in the first mile; please close them after you pass through.

Final Tips For a Great Day Hike

• Things are wet (thank God!) this year. There are a few places where your shoes might get damp. I have waterproof hiking shoes and have stayed dry so far.

• It is $5 to park in the lot. Bring exact change and put your money in an envelope then tear off the receipt and put it on your dashboard.

• Another place to visit after the hike is Basilwood Farms. Go see the goats and get some of their wonderful soap (you’ll need to wash the trail off of you).

Three Unique, Lesser Known Hiking Trails to Explore

April 6, 2016 by Natali Carrera Leave a Comment

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Natali Carrera

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Last week, I shared with you three beautiful hiking trails that are sure to delight your senses (while providing you with some great exercise!) this Spring. This week – since many of you have been asking that we at FresYes continue to share hiking trail recommendations and ideas with you, I thought I’d share my three “must try” hikes for the season ahead.

These three hikes are trails I’ve read about online but have yet to discover personally, but seeing as your schedule may be different than mine – if there’s a chance you can explore them before I do, I wanted to give you the ideas now. If you do go, please let me know about your experience, as I am truly beyond excited to plan upcoming hikes to these three locations and would love to have your tips and advice!

My Unique Trail “Bucket List” for Spring/Summer:

Brown’s Ditch Trail – Bass Lake, CA

This trail isn’t a true “trail” in that it’s not recognized by the parks service and maintained as a trail, however it is said to be easily accessible, relatively level ground and easy hiking and a truly unique experience. This trail is partially a well-marked, dirt foot path meandering along the ground in the mountains above Bass Lake, the other part is made up of a 2-foot metal walkway that travels along the flume that carries snow melt down the mountain! Yup – that’s right, if you’re hiking this trail between February and June, you’ll be walking directly above flowing water!

photo courtesy of Jonathan Cook

There are a number of flume bridges you’ll traverse on this out-and-back trail that stretches a little over two miles and ends with a waterfall. I’d be hesitant to bring children or anyone who is easily dizzy on this hike, as the trail is above the ground and only 2 feet wide above rushing water about half of the time. But, if you’re sure footed, I think this trail is bound to offer a truly exceptional trek and view of the Valley. For more information on this trail, check out this Examiner article, written by Fresno Day Trips writer, Jonathon Cook.

photo courtesy of Jonathan Cook

This awesome video of a portion of Brown’s Ditch Trail was taken by hikers Bob and Julie, and shared on YouTube:

Natural Bridges Trail – Vallecito, CA

This trail is a bit further drive from the Fresno Area, but it looks SO cool! I would like to take on this trek during the summer, hopefully on a weekday when it’s less crowded. Essentially, the highlight of this trail, located in Vallecito, CA just above Sonora is a swim/float through CAVE mid-trail! In fact, there’s even a second cave that’s supposedly even prettier (and less crowded) but a little more difficult to get to. This trail is a known swimming hole for people living nearer, so it can get busy so plan your visit accordingly.

Tokopah Valley Trail to Tokopah Falls – Sequoia National Park

Tokopah Falls is the highest waterfall in the Sequoia National Park, located South East of Fresno. One of the things that really intrigues me about the trail is not just the falls, but also the many reports made within the hiker comment section on All Trails (website/app for discovering hiking trails) about the marmots and black bears that live in the area. I would love the chance to see wildlife while hiking (though I’d definitely brush up on my bear safety tips again before going on this hike) and I have never seen a marmot, and supposedly there are TONS of them on the way to the falls.

Apparently, this is a marmot.

This is a bear probably daydreaming about eating a marmot. 😉

So, there you have it – my three trail “bucket list” for the Spring and Summer, at least when it comes to trails I’ve not yet hit. Do any intrigue you? Which one is most interesting to you? If you go, please do share about your experience!

Any suggested trails I’ve not yet mentioned that you’d recommend? Please do tell!

3 Must-See Hiking Trails to Enjoy This Spring

March 30, 2016 by Natali Carrera 3 Comments

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Natali Carrera

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Spring has officially sprung in Fresno, and along with the allergies and pollen-covered cars comes the beauty of fields covered in wild flowers, budding leaves on trees and the type of weather that makes you grateful for more hours of sunlight, even if it means you have to lose an hour of sleep.

Spring and warmer weather also brings forth the start of a new season of hiking! Last fall, my family and I discovered a shared love of hiking (well, hubby and I did, kiddo argues he doesn’t want to go each time, but immediately expresses how much fun he had after we go on each hike, but we think it’s mainly because there are no screens when we’re hiking. *Insert “evil” parent laughter here*). Now that it’s less likely to be cold and snowy on many of the hiking trails we’re interested in seeing this Spring, we’re eager to pack our backpacks and hit the road. You can also Purchase AR15 rifles to hunt.

For those of you who’ve yet to discover the joy of hiking beautiful trails just outside of Fresno, I wanted to offer you three fantastic trails to try out this Spring. If you do, I think you just may find yourself addicted like we are!

Trail #1: The Bridge Trail @ River Gorge

Who’s the trail best for?

People of all ages, cyclists and anyone capable of walking about 2 miles on mostly flat ground.

What’s to see?

Wildflowers, the beautiful San Joaquin River from the San Joaquin River Trail Bridge, Big Sandy Creek, oak forest and if you’re lucky, grazing cattle. (In the fall, we also saw tarantulas! But, they are not out in the Spring, and we only saw one or two each time and they wanted to get far away from us – so fear not if you’re an arachnaphobe. I too, have a healthy fear of spiders, but tarantulas are so large and move so slowly they are surprisingly less alarming than other spiders when you see them in the wild.)

How to get there:

Special Notes & Tips:

Unlike most trails, there are bathrooms at the trailhead (the type that are essentially permanent outhouses, but not incredibly dirty or awful, thankfully) and running water. There is a $5 per vehicle day use fee, so bring $5 cash with you. The final stretch of Smalley Road is fairly windy, so plan to take your time, especially if you’re traveling with someone who becomes car sick easily. The total trip from Fresno takes just under an hour. The Shell Station at the end of 168 where the road becomes just Auberry Road has great hand scooped ice cream and mojo potatoes among other goodies, if you work up quite an appetite hiking! Also, the walk to the Bridge along the trail is a short walk. The other two trails are significantly longer and more uphill, so don’t feel like you need to go much further than the Bridge if you’re just looking for a leisurely day-hike or if you have young children in tow.

Trail #2: Lewis Creek Trail

Who’s the trail best for?

People of all ages capable of walking about 4 miles with some considerable uphill walking on the return trip.

What’s to see?

Wildflowers, pine trees, a bubbling, babbling creek, waterfalls and possibly large groups of butterflies, sunning near the water.

How to get there:

Special Notes & Tips:

This trail is well-travelled and you’re unlikely to be the only group hiking in the area. The trail is beautiful and offers a spectacular view of a waterfall that you can enjoy watching from a redwood observation deck and bench built into the trail. This trail can get a bit tricky in a few places if it’s muddy or if tree limbs are hanging low, and sometimes these tricky places can be in a narrower or steeper spot, so you’ll definitely want to keep a close eye on young children to ensure they have steady footing. The return hike can be steep for someone who doesn’t get regular cardio exercise, so prepare to return more slowly than you hiked out and take breaks if needed.

This is one of the most beautiful trails I’ve experienced and I’ve gone back multiple times already and taken others with me each time so they could experience it. For a tasty bite after your hike, swing by Robert’s Frosty Restaurant – a great, old-fashioned shake and burger place with delicious onion rings, soft serve cones, and thick milkshakes with all the best mix-ins.

Trail #3: Willow Creek Trail

Who’s the trail best for?

Adults and older children/teens capable of walking 4+ miles with some mildly tricky footwork.

What’s to see?

Beautiful wooded mountains, Manzanita trees, a flowing creek and best of all, gorgeous waterfalls pooling in a multitude of places.

How to get there:

Take 41 North to Road 222/Bake Lake Turnoff and stay on 222 until it becomes 274. Look for the Willow Creek/Angel Falls Trailhead Parking area on your left hand side. It will seem like you can turn either left or right to park – you want to go to the right.

Special Notes & Tips:

This trail offers beautiful sights and waterfalls that are absolutely breathtaking. This trail also can be a little tricky, as there are a few places where the trail itself is less than obvious and you may find yourself wondering if you’re still on it. You’ll have a good sense of where you are regardless, thanks to the creek running alongside you. It’s very important to note that the rock where the creek flows is much, much more slippery that it may appear – even in areas where no water is flowing, as the water has smoothed the stone face significantly, making it difficult to keep steady footing unless you have VERY grippy shoes. At one point, our dog slid several feet down the rock face and gave us a good little scare – so this is not a good trail for young children or children who are unlikely to stay on the trail or near adults. After visiting this trail, my appreciation for the beauty that is practically in our own backyard (this trail is less than one hour from Fresno) grew immensely. Robert’s Frosty Restaurant is also on your way back home from this trail – hint, hint. 😉

General Tips:

Check out the All Trails app or website for additional information and reviews from other hikers on these trails and others. I use this app all the time to help me plan hikes!
Always assume the hikes and drives will take longer than you think. Give yourself plenty of time before sunset to complete your hikes.
All three of these hikes allow dogs on leashes. Many trails do not, like those in National Park, so be cognizant of that.
Pack plenty of snacks and more water than you think you’ll need and dress in layers. Be sure your backpack has padded straps.
As dorky as they may seem, bring a selfie-stick – the sights can be amazing and capturing them with just your arm and the reverse camera mode can be tricky, and you’ll likely want a photo of yourself and your crew in front of the beautiful sites on these trails!
Respect the trails – never leave trash behind, take it all back with you and throw it out properly and teach children to do the same.
Due to uneven terrain and/or narrow pathways, none of the trails above are suitable for strollers or wheelchairs (sorry).
None of the trails mentioned require special 4×4 or SUVs to get to. All can be driven to by regular vehicles. These locations should not require snow chains either.

So, now that I’ve given you all the details you need – which trail will you be hitting first?

Fresno Fitness: Winchell Cove 10k/10mile Trail Run

January 12, 2016 by Francesca 2 Comments

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Francesca

Fitness Blogger at FresYes

Francesca is a former NCAA Divison I tennis player who decided to become a fitness renaissance woman after college. In her free time she like to Crossfit, swim, run and bike, participate in Spartan races and do anything that requires her heart rate to spike way up.
She lives in Fresno with her husband and two Boston Terriers, Babushka and Bambino who like to run after soccer balls just like their dad.

Outdoor Workout: Pincushion Peak Trail

November 15, 2015 by Francesca 2 Comments

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Francesca

Fitness Blogger at FresYes

San Joaquin River Gorge: A fun hiking adventure (for the whole family!)

October 7, 2015 by FresYes Writing Team 4 Comments

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FresYes Writing Team

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Confession: Until this past weekend, I’d never really gone on a hike. (I walked to Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite, and then toured a Blue Spiny Lizard Care, but I feel like that doesn’t really count.) I take walks all the time (almost every day) and whenever possible walk to places near my home and up to a couple miles away vs. drive, but hiking out in the wilderness? Not so much.

Last weekend, I suggested we try something new and go on a family hike. My husband has hiked Fresno Dome many times with his family, and has been telling me I should try it since, oh… well… when we met. (So only 15 years ago. Whoops.) Our plan was to head there, make our way to Fresno Dome and enjoy a picnic lunch with our son, his friend and our dog, Rocco. However, when Sunday morning brought with it the unexpected (though quite welcome) thunderstorm, we figured perhaps being on top of a dome in the mountains wasn’t the best idea.

Back in the Spring, FresYes reader Amanda Walton-Woods suggested families would enjoy hiking the San Joaquin River Gorge, and the bridge from the photo she shared stuck in my mind. The image came back to me as I was trying to come up with a hiking plan B on Sunday morning, and a quick search online showed that the trail head was just under an hour from home and in an area where the weather looked stable. So, our family of three, plus bonus “daughter” and furry pal hopped in the car with jackets, waters and a picnic lunch and headed toward Auberry, CA.

To get to the San Joaquin River Gorge, we took Friant north to Copper, and then Copper east to Auberry Road/168. (Depending on your starting point, you may just want to take 168 until the freeway ends and it becomes Auberry Road/168.) We stayed on Auberry Road for about 18 miles, then made a left at Power House Road, and another left two miles later at Smalley Road. At this point, our cell phone signals became spotty and we lost our Google Map use, so we made a guess as to where we thought we were supposed to be, and ended up walking a good ways in a wrong direction. So, if you plan to take this hike, regardless of what your phones do or do not say, just stay on Smalley for about 3 miles until you see a parking lot for campsites and trail heads on your right. Had we just continued on about 1/4 mile past where we thought we should have stopped, we would have been there and saved a lot of energy not walking the wrong way for an hour first. (Eek!) Don’t learn the hard way, just learn from us learning the hard way. You’re welcome.

There is a $5 day-use fee for the trail area and campsites, which you pay via envelope through an unmanned box. You’ll tear off a proof of payment slip that goes in your car before depositing the $5. There are two bathrooms (mountain style, but better than nothing!) and a few water faucets in the parking/campsite area. I didn’t see any signs that said the water wasn’t for drinking, but seeing as I wasn’t certain, we didn’t use it for filling our water bottles (upon our return, further research revealed that yes, it was safe to drink).

The trail head leads to the Bridge Trail (easy, approximately 30 minutes to the bridge), the Pa’san Ridge Trail (7.8 miles of moderately difficult hiking) and Wuh-ki’o Trail (4-5 miles long, but if you factor in the walk to the actual start of this trail, it’s 9 miles each way, therefore it’s also rated moderate, despite the trail itself not being particularly difficult).

For families with children, inexperienced hikers or older relatives, the hike to the bridge is a perfect length. The trail is well-forged and travels along through some brush and trees until you find yourself alongside the edge of the river gorge. The foot path is well supported and mostly downhill (though not steep) on the way to the bridge, though it isn’t very wide (if you need to cross paths with other hikers or mountain bikers, one party will need to “pull over”). It was easy to tell where to go, with the exception of one point, when we figured we must be getting close to the bridge (but still couldn’t see it) about 25 minutes into the hike. It will seem like you can continue on the path to your right, or to your left and slightly downhill. If you reach this place, though your instincts may tell you to go right, you actually turn left and as soon as you round the next bend you’ll see the bridge and be just a few hundred feet from it. Seeing the bridge was an exciting moment for all of us.

The bridge gives a great view of the San Joaquin River and the rocky gorge. Across the bridge are boulders and flatter rocky areas, many shaded, that served as a good lunch/break area for us. (Be sure to take all of your trash back with you when you leave.) The kids had a lot of fun climbing on the rocks trying to get closer to the river (there’s no real safe river access though, so do use caution) and running up and down the bridge. The bridge offers an awesome breeze, too, perfect after a long walk.

Heading back is a little bit more tiring, as there is significantly more uphill walking (though nothing incredibly steep) so prepare to go back a bit slower than you came. I would advise you bring more cold drinking water than you think you’ll need, too, because we all got quite thirsty and warm even on the 75 degree day we visited on. This trail isn’t far from Fresno, so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather if you decide to go, wear sunscreen and long pants. Rattlesnakes and poison oak can both be found in the area (though we didn’t see any) and the more you stay on the trail, the safer you’ll be.

This was my first real hike, and I really enjoyed it. The kids also exclaimed repeatedly how much fun they had on their adventure and how much cooler it was than they’d expected it to be. Rocco the dog slept happily the whole way home and my husband said he was so glad we did that, and even gave me credit for having a great idea for how to spend a Sunday. Not bad for a person who this card typically describes most accurately:

I’m actually really looking forward to our next hike! And, I highly recommend you consider taking advantage of the fall weather ahead and plan your own family hike to San Joaquin River Gorge soon! (Thank you for the recommendation Amanda Walton-Woods! It was a great one.)