It's Exercise...That's All

I revert to Ice House Canyon when there is a need to exercise and I don't have a lot of time or I'm not feeling all that swell, today it was both. My intentions were to go 12-miles today, trailwalking to either Cucamonga or Ontario Peaks but I've had sinus problems for the last 10 days, I'm not sure if it a cold or allergies...it depends on the day you ask me. I woke up this morning with a sinus pressure headache after not sleeping all that well. I made the decision that Timber Mountain's 8.45 miles RT would be it for the day.

I leave early enough to have the trail almost to myself on the way up...I saw a total of 2 people on the trail to the summit. Unfortunately, that all changes on the way down when half the known universe is on the trail and it becomes the no fun zone but I was home by 11 AM and able to stuff that I needed to do.

If you are unfamiliar with this part of the world, take a look at my GPS fun stuff.

It's Winter and There is Snow

There is still a lot of snow around but it is getting more difficult to get to but finding it has its rewards.

Yesterday, I did what is one of my favorite SoCal summer hikes, Forsee Creek Trailhead to Anderson Peak. I've never tried in the winter because the 1/2 mile of dirt road to the trailhead is usually covered with snow and the trail approach fully covered with deep soft snow. It was not that way Saturday, we trailwalked to 8,100'  where it became Microspikes time for the next 1,000' or so, where we exited the trail for mostly firm crust and December's still soft, still dry powder. Yesterday, was my best snowshoeing day ever!

I've always loved west end of San Gorgonio Wilderness. The east end may have the higher peaks but the west end has the beauty. By picking a line away from the trail, we got to see area most 3-season trail tracked hikers will never see. To do this you must be strong hiker with intermediate snowshoe skills, able to carry a 20 pound pack, ability to navigate with map, compass and GPS. The off trail climb was not that steep, between 800' to 900' a mile...similar to the Mt. Baden-Powell Trail, not climbing route.

The last three weekend I've played in the snow it was a true wilderness experience. My friends and did not see another hiker on the trail or off trail.

If you are planning on going to Mt. Whitney in April and May this coming year, there is a good chance you will need some snowshoe skills. There are very few places to acquire them this year, Forsee Creek being one of them. However, you have to the stamina to carry a big winter pack for six to 10 hours depending on how far you want to travel.

You can get the GPS track and play with some of the GPS toys at http://connect.garmin.com/activity/149064020

One Down; One to Go

Over the years, whenever friends wanted to do the Skyline Trail or Big Iron, I've been sick, hurt or out of shape. Yesterday, I was not hurt, sick or out of shape so, after 8-miles of hiking and 8,200' of gain I got to scratch former off my list of hiking things I wanted to do.

I am not a big distance day hiker, doing Whitney twice cured me of it. I don't like hurrying up or down a trail. I like to look around and take it all in but I do understand the appeal of big distance, big gain day hikes. They are just not my thing. I'm not a big gain guy either. I like day hikes no more than 16 miles and gains not exceeding 4,600' or so. I've only gain 6,000' three or four times, twice at Whitney. Yesterday, the was no 8,000' down to go along with up.

One of the other things I learned yesterday, this is not a trail to be trifled with in even moderate heat. We started up the trail in the mid forties and finished near freezing in between I don't think the temperature got above fifty and sweated big time. Personally, I would not walk on this trail if the forecast were temperatures in the 70s.

Big Iron is next...someday.

This would be a great hike for Whitney training, unfortunately when you would most want to use it the temperatures are in the 110s.

Third Time Ain't the Charm

For the third time this winter I have not to where I intended to go. This time the weather could not be be better...I'd prefer to be a bit colder but that's me. What stopped me? Thick crusted snow. Or should thick crusted snow that would not support my weight that was thigh deep in too many spots and I had to climb through 1,300' of it after having hiked 6-miles. Oh yeah, I was by myself. There are a lot of things I will do with a group that I will not attempt by myself, one of them being a new climbing route on a mountain I've never climbed before...I've hiked to the summit but that ain't climbing with ice axe and crampons.

Some of you will head up the Main Mount Whitney Trail this coming summer by yourself. To me, this is one of the safest place to hike by yourself since there are a couple hundred folks on a trail that is well marked and easy to follow 99% of its length. However, since you are by yourself and you most likely have someone who will want to hear from by a prescribed time it is best that your follow one rule...stick to your plan, do not vary from it. If your turn around time is noon, turn around at noon, if your plan is to turn around if you hear thunder or see lightning, turn around. You are your only counsel.

Hiking Rule #1...Don't End Up on the 11 PM News

Saturday a meetup group with 10 hikers and 7 others got stuck when they returned to the tram at 4 PM and found a sign...Go see Ranger. The ranger said the tram had been closed due high winds and everyone was gonzo. The National Weather Service call for 70 MPH gust for the area, a forecaster, whose work product is on the Palm Spring Ariel Tramway's website, called for 100 MPH winds. Judging meetup group's pictures, I can say without a doubt I have been out in lot worst in the Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness Park. The folks in the group looked prepared for the worst that they would see.

The pertinent question here what is the for profit Palm Springs Aerial Tramway's responsibility to these hikers. On Saturday, they punted. They placed the safety of these folks in our hands and we punted, or should I say the sworn wilderness ranger left behind punted. The PSAT closed the tram because of safety concerns...I ain't got a bit of problem with that. However, they closed Mountain Station and put the safety of these folks in the hands of a park ranger, who volunteered to stay behind. However, the ranger would not allow 17 folks in the heated ranger station because he there were weapons inside. I don't know of any law enforcement facility that does not have a place to secure weapons; therefore, I do not buy this line of reasoning. These folks were forced to spend the night in a mule barn, although according the hikers they were provided with a couple of blankets and sleeping bags.

Thank God, these folks came prepared and that the temperatures were relatively mild...near freezing.

Winter is not a 3-season hike only colder. If you get stuck out at overnight for any reason you need to be prepared with clothing that will get you through the night at highest elevation you are traveling to. In this case, 10,834' and mid-twenties. Now for you Whitney noobs who are saying this does not apply to me, I have stood on Mt. Whitney at dawn twice where the temperature was below 10* F, once in August and once in September...think again.

Who Needs No Stinking Plan A

Yesterday was a day of damn, I forgot...the chains, to turn off my GPS when d/l stuff into the computer and the camera memory card. Therefore, we could not make it to our original trailhead safely, have my GPS to track the route or a camera to take pictures on one of the most beautiful days I have spent climbing Mt. Baden-Powell. BTW, only two of the forgot were mine...my hiking partner made the best decision, he forgot the chains.

We got made to about 7,600' on Angeles Crest Hwy. before we decided it was in our best interest to turn around. We had two reasons, we did not want slip and slide from Dawson Saddle to Islip Saddle and with the forecast calling for lower temperatures during the day, we did not want to slip and slide towards Vincent Gulch on the way back. The question was where to we go for our winter hiking fix...Baldy with 300 peeps...NO THANK YOU! The only real choice was the ho-hum Mt. Baden-Powell, ho-hum because we did it two weeks before and it was not really challenging...solid crusted snow, zero wind, clear skies. Yesterday was different...rain, 20-MPH winds with gusts to 60, mixed snow conditions and winter wonderland on the the summit ridge. Thank God, for the mistake that took away from our trail walk to Mts. Williamson and Goodkoontz.

Conditions were such that we made it to the summit ridge with 2 pounds on steel on our feet. The trail snow was soft enough to get purchase the ice could be avoided until we reached 7,600' where we decided the trail was of no stinking use. Then it was postholing, kick stepping, French stepping avoiding ice until just below the ridge where we added a layer and fangs for the ridge walk to the peak. I have never seen this ridge prettier than it was yesterday.

What allowed us to make this drastic of a change is coming prepared. If we had done, Williamson and Goodykoontz, we most likely would not have take the crampons and axe but I thought it prudent have them with us...just in case. When you head up to Lone Pine to do Mt. Whitney, it is wise to bring extra this and that so you have choices.

Preparation

Yesterday, the temperatures remained relative cool in the mountains versus the forecast...this was a good thing. There was just enough of an off shore breeze to enable those on peaks of SoCal to see ships in Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and both Catalina and San Clemente Islands. A simply marvelous day.

The snow is going away slowly but surely. As I thought, Cucamonga Peak is a walk up these days...as long as you have a set of Microspikes and a pair of trekking poles. This was the first time I have been to this peak in January as a walk-up. Just because this peak is trail accessible does not mean all in this class are...read the Roger and Me post. There are places in these mountains where storms funnel and dump an inordinate amount of snow...Mt. Baden-Powell is one of those places.

On our way back from Cucamonga Peak yesterday, we ran into the usual ill prepared for the task at hand. Just because there is no snow on the south face of the mountains doesn't mean there isn't any on the north side. Most continue until they realize getting back is going to be really, really dangerous.

Lastly, I have come to love going down the Lytle Creek Drainage from Cucamonga Peak. Yesterday, we got see where most of most of spots we postholed to a month ago. This is still ice axe terrain and I wish there was some ice and snow on the traverse over to Cucamonga Saddle, that would have made the trip easier and safer.