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the Degree Confluence Project
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United States : California

4.3 miles (6.9 km) NE of Madera, Madera, CA, USA
Approx. altitude: 91 m (298 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap topo aerial ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 37°S 60°E

Accuracy: 5 m (16 ft)
Quality:

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: Looking east #3: Looking south; the UPS van is visible in the distance #4: Looking west #5: Zeroes on the GPS! #6: Looking toward Island Drive through some almond trees at the dirt patch where we parked

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  37°N 120°W (visit #11)  

#1: Looking north from the confluence, toward the road

(visited by Michael G and Matthew G)

23-Dec-2024 --

Back in my native San Joaquin Valley for the first time since acquiring a taste for confluence hunting, I hoped to snag at least one point. Falling on the Valley floor not far from Fresno, 37N 120W seemed like a good choice for a quick and easy visit (and we'd be the first DCP visitors in almost 10 years, surprisingly). Like its northwest (38N 121W) and southeast (36N 119W) neighbors, which also land on the east side of the NW-to-SE oriented Central Valley, this confluence is accessible within less than a couple meters by motor vehicle, albeit in this case, on someone's driveway where you'd probably not want to drive your own car. Simple to reach either way, it'd be a pleasant low-caliber spot to document while out and about on Christmas Eve Eve.

We made our approach to the general area from the east along CA 145 (having initially driven north on the 41 freeway out of Fresno). This route passed through subtly rolling grazing land in the transition zone between the eastern side of the Valley and the adjacent foothills. Being December (a bit into the wet season), the grasses out here were an eye-pleasing greenish hue; not as vibrant as they can be during rainier winters, but better than the dried-up tan/yellow of the summer. The confluence itself is a couple miles west of this grassy transition zone, falling on the easternmost edge of the ubiquitous orchards and cropland that comprise the overwhelming majority of non-urban areas in the San Joaquin Valley.

Straight as the crow flies, the highway conveniently brought us within 600 meters of 37N 120W, and it only took a short divergence down Island Drive before we arrived at a patch of dirt near the head of the confluence driveway. If I had to guess, I'd assume said dirt patch holds farm equipment and trucks during harvest season (but that's entirely speculation on my part). In any case, there was plenty of space to park the vehicle before walking the last 130 meters to our target. The driveway is lined by almond trees, a staple of Central Valley agriculture (California's most valuable agricultural export) — the entire United States' almond supply (and much of the world's) comes from orchards like this one. I'm glad the confluence landed on the driveway and not between rows of trees, wouldn't want to be accused of being a nut thief (a very real issue believe it or not)! In actuality the trees were dormant for the winter, so there were no nuts to be had. This spot will probably be very pretty in a couple months' time when the trees blossom; during the early spring these orchards erupt with pinkish-white flowers.

About halfway down the driveway we reached the spot and zeroed out the GPS. A minute or two after that (while starting the directional photos), we heard the sound of a larger vehicle passing by on Island Drive to our north — no big deal, we thought, there are plenty of houses out here. We looked to the north and instead saw a UPS delivery van slowly turning into the confluence driveway: a third visitor! We moved out of the way as the delivery van drove past us to the house, and I'm left to wonder what the driver thought, seeing us looking around with GPS in-hand. Can't say I expected to worry about vehicle traffic on a driveway, but this is now the second confluence where I've witnessed someone else unknowingly zero-meter it during my own visit (the first time being on a proper public road in eastern Oklahoma). While the delivery occurred about 100 meters south, I got the remainder of the directional pictures and we started back to the car shortly thereafter, not wanting to cause undue confusion by lingering much longer (since we were probably visible from the house owing to the leafless trees).

For its part, the weather was unseasonably warm and decidedly unfestive in my view: under mostly sunny skies and calm winds, the early afternoon temperature had climbed into the upper 60s (~20°C). Both Fresno and Madera broke their daily record highs for Dec 23 a couple hours later, reaching 69°F and 70°F respectively (~21°C). Objectively great for being outside but subjectively not reminiscent of a winter wonderland. (For context, on a "good" December day the Central Valley remains socked in low clouds and Tule fog, with a temperature closer to 50°F/10°C.)

Satisfied with our successful mission, we got back on CA 145 and departed eastbound, this time bypassing the 41 and returning toward Fresno via the town of Friant (located at the base of the foothills beside Millerton Lake, one of several local reservoirs used to fill irrigation canals); it was time for post-confluence lunch and last minute Christmas shopping.


 All pictures
#1: Looking north from the confluence, toward the road
#2: Looking east
#3: Looking south; the UPS van is visible in the distance
#4: Looking west
#5: Zeroes on the GPS!
#6: Looking toward Island Drive through some almond trees at the dirt patch where we parked
ALL: All pictures on one page