September 13, 2013
Lion Point, Madera County
Total distance walked: 5 miles

Driving along the winding Sierra Scenic Byway through Madera County, two friends and I were very near the exact center of California. Our adventure today was to hike up to Lion Point in the Sierra National Forest.

I parked on the forest service road at an elevation of approximately 4,000 feet, where signs indicated that cutting firewood is permissible only with a permit. The Friday gathering of the Sierra Hiking Seniors convened at the trailhead, with eighteen hikers in attendance from the hundreds who are members of the group. I met new people, recognized a few friendly faces from last week’s hike and even remembered some of their names.

We set out as one and remained bunched up until people found their stride hiking up the 600-foot incline. Spur trails branched out in various directions, creating confusion for those trailing behind. The path was covered in dust. The road was littered with rocks and ruts. It promised to be a dusty adventure to Lion Point.

A cattle grid lay across one section of the trail, but no cows were seen. However, several animal tracks and scat of bear, racoon, deer and mountain lion were found in the soft dirt. Manzanita and mountain misery lined the way, the latter giving off a pungent scent.

Oak trees dripping with mistletoe and towering pines blocked the sunlight until we reached a clearing at the top of Lion Point. There, we had a distant view of the Minarets located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

We saw nearby Musick Mountain, and a vast expanse of wilderness towards Fresno County. We didn’t linger long at the top of Lion Point, enough to see the views, then turned around and walked down the slope back to the cars.

Part of the group’s charm is the socializing that takes place when the hike is completed. As usual, the leaders brought out a table full of food and drinks. People set up lawn chairs in the shade and relaxed for a while. My trio had a ninety-minute drive home and things to do, so after having a quick snack and receiving instructions for the next group hike, we bid an early farewell.