Dale Matson
Beginning elevation: 6,500’
Viola Falls elevation: 5,945’
Total elevation gains 784’
Hike total distance
4 miles (2 miles to Viola Falls from trailhead near Grant Grove.
Grant Grove is
about 1.5 hours from Fresno CA on Highway 180.
Hiking time: about
3 hours total taking photographs along the way.
Hike rating: 3 out
of 5 stars.
Click On Photographs To Enlarge
There are different approaches to
this hike but I recommend getting a 4-dollar trail map of this area at the
Grant Grove Visitor’s Center. Viola Falls in not even indicated on my
topographical software maps. It is a simple matter to park in the Grant Grove
parking lot, walk across Highway 180 and pick up the Sunset Trail to Viola
Falls. Additionally, there is a general store at Grant Grove where we bought
treats for ourselves following the hike.
Outbound the trail descends about
800’ to the falls. I prefer a trail that ascends outbound but that is my
personal preference. We had bug spray but did not have to use it. There is a
nice creek crossing beneath a wooden footbridge along the way that can also
provide water for resupply if you have a means to purify it. I suspect that it
may dry up later in the season however. The same maybe true of Viola Falls and
perhaps that is why it is not on my topographical maps. The trail is well
signed and the footing is excellent and pine needle covered except for a few
spots.
Our oldest grandson Jamison hiked
with us. Being fit from playing soccer, the trail was easy for him. He may have
travelled an additional mile “bouldering” on rock outcroppings as we hiked.
Having an enthusiastic “Jamo” along, I was imagining the next generation of
hikers. Kids love the forest and Jamo spotted two deer on our return from the
falls.
When we got to the falls, they were a bit
smaller than I had imagined but a wonderful place for lunch. Of course the
nicest lunch spot and the best spot for photographs was on the other side of
the creek. Jamo had already hopped over a couple of rocks, staked out a spot
and awaited Sharon and me. That was a different story for us however. We both
struggled to climb over the two boulders to cross the stream and got one wet
foot each. I had thrown my daypack over to Jamo so I wouldn’t have to carry it
in addition to my two cameras. The water bottle flew out and into the creek. It
began to float down the creek and Jamo rescued it for me. How did we ever do
these hikes without him before?
After a lunch break, we did the
strenuous hike back up to Grant Grove with the treats in our minds as a
finishing reward.
Head This Way
Sharon And Jamo Across Small Ravine
Sequoia At Center
Small Creek Crossing
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