Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [377]
Marble Fork Trail
6 miles RT. Strenuous. Access: Dirt road at upper end of Potwisha Campground, which is 3½ miles east of the Ash Mountain Entrance. A small parking area is past campsite no. 16.
This is one of the most scenic hikes in the Foothills area. The walk leads to a deep gorge where the roaring Marble Falls spill in a cascade over multicolored boulders. From the parking area, begin hiking north up the Southern California Edison flume. After crossing the flume on a wooden bridge, watch for a sign to the trail and head east (uphill). The trail crosses some steep switchbacks and near some large poison oak bushes with stems 3 inches wide. Watch out for these bare sticks in late fall and winter.
The trail will begin to flatten out and settle into a slight slope for the rest of the hike up to the waterfalls. Look for large yuccas and California bay along the way. After 2 miles, you can see the waterfalls as the hike cuts through white and gray marble, a belt of the rock that is responsible for seven caves in the park, including Crystal Cave near Giant Forest. Once you reach the falls, it's almost impossible to hike any farther; only very experienced hikers should attempt a walk downstream. The marble slabs break very easily, and the boulders in the area can get very slick. Be extra careful when the water is high. This is a good hike year-round, but it can be very hot during summer afternoons.
Potwisha & River's Edge
.5 mile RT. Easy. Access: From Ash Mountain Entrance, take highway to Potwisha Campground. At campground entrance (on the left), turn right down a paved road toward an RV dump station. Take paved road until it dead-ends at a parking area. Continue toward river on a footpath to open bedrock.
This was once the site of an American Indian village known as Potwisha, home to the Monache tribe. The main village was just about where the dump station is now, and on the bedrock are mortar holes where the women ground acorns into meal. From here the trail continues above the river to a sandy beach and a good swimming hole. The trail turns east upstream before the suspension bridge, then north up a short but steep hill. Near the top of the hill you'll run into Middle Fork Trail. Turn west (left) and hike the short distance back to the parking area.
Wildman Meadow
14 miles RT. Strenuous. Access: Trailhead for Deer Cove Trail, with which this trail connects, is in the Monarch Wilderness, on Calif. 180, about 2¾ miles west of the Cedar Grove Village turnoff. Parking area is on north side of road.
This hike through the Monarch Wilderness mirrors the first 2 miles of the hike to Deer Cove (described above). After reaching Deer Cove, it's a steep ascent to 7,500 feet—a 1,900-foot gain in 5 miles. From Deer Cove, hike 3.5 miles to a sandy knoll that has a good view into the rugged canyon drainage area of Grizzly Creek. At 6.5 miles, you'll top the ridge and cross over to the north-facing slope. A quick drop lands you in Wildman Meadow, where a large stock camp occupies the edge of the clearing.
Exploring the Backcountry
Be aware of bears that frequent these regions, and in the summer take insect repellent for protection against mosquitoes. Stay off high peaks during thunderstorms, and don't attempt any climb if it looks as if a storm is rolling in; exposed peaks are often struck by lightning. In winter, snow buries many of these routes.