On Sunday I met up with Alice, who I met through the Kern River Hiking Club, and her husband Chris and son Matthew, at Potwisha Campground in Sequoia National Park. Snow had fallen down to about 2,000 feet Saturday night and chains were required above Potwisha. The fresh fallen snow had coated every bush and tree and rock with white and everything was absolutely beautiful in the early morning light. We geared up and started out on the snow-covered trail not sure if we’d make it all the way to Marble Falls, but we were enthralled by the beauty of our surroundings which egged us on.
The trail to Marble Falls is about 3.5 miles long (7 miles round trip) and gains 2,000 feet. The trip starts by following an old road beside a flume but soon enough becomes a single track trail that begins by switch backing steeply up the sides of the Marble Fork Canyon. Soon enough the grade becomes gentler and you find yourself winding up the canyon’s southwest facing slope. Along the trail you’ll find typical foothill oak and chaparral vegetation along with California Sycamores, ferns, and moss in shady canyons, and, much to my delight, California Torreya trees. We saw lots of fresh animal tracks in the snow that we guessed were rabbit, raccoon, and coyote. It was a bit of a slog hiking through the snow but in the end we did make it all the way to the falls without too much trouble. There we ate lunch and admired the scenery at the head of this picturesque canyon.
The Marble Fork is one of five forks of the Kaweah River. It is so named because it runs through a band of marble, the same band where Crystal Cave is located. The falls cascade in a series of falls over polished white marble. They are glorious! I have a special affinity for the Marble Fork as I lived beside it for two summers when I worked for the park. It is the same fork that runs through Lodgepole and up there is another beautiful waterfall called Tokopah Falls. I have hiked to Tokopah Falls dozens of times but had never hiked to Marble Falls, mostly because in the summer when I worked in the park it is hot in the foothills and more desirable to hike in the higher elevations. But obviously it makes for a great hike in the winter, spring, and fall.
Shortly after lunch we turned homeward. The way down was a bit more treacherous than the way up, as the snow was melting and the slush and mud made for a slick hike. I was thankful for my hiking poles which helped me keep upright, but I did end up slipping and falling a few times, so did Alice and Matthew. Chris claimed he never once fell! Thankfully we were no worse for the experience and I decided that the Marble Falls Trail would make for an excellent luge or bobsled run. I think I’ll call the Park Service to make that suggestion ;)
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