5 Days in the Gabriels

| Asia looking into Prairie Fork |

Several great things happen when you travel in the mountains for many days in a row. You get to hear packs of coyote yell at one another in your camp, high canyon walls surround you while drinking cool river water, the Milky Way Galaxy reveals itself to you in a stunning wide stripe across the night sky & you grow closer to yourself & the ones that have labored alongside you for these natural wonders. Each one of these things happened on our trip that forever imprinted the exact reasons to journey to such places.

Myself & Asia both had quite a bit of time off at the moment & worked out a 5 day "Plan A" filled with new areas in the Gabriels we had both had never been before. Throughout the week we planned for more & more friends to come & meet us on our trip. We would be mixing car camping & backpacking on this 5 day trip.

Beginning our adventure with "Plan A" underway, driving out to the dirt road that leads to Guffy Camp. This was the first place I hadn't been yet due to it's odd access. The dirt road rides directly under the Mt. High ski lifts & is covered in snow or unmaintained the rest of the year.

| Guffy camp on the ridge at sunset |

A wonderful drive, quite sheer at times, afforded wonderful views into Praire Fork & further towards Baldy. Eventually being blocked by the locked gate at the junction to Guffy. With six sites build around a loop & one jutting off hanging over a cliff staring at Pine Mt.

| Sunrise on the PCT |

That night Asia & I shared our whole camp with only one other person that had some fun Zen tunes playing through the trees. Exploring the area some that night & enjoying our first fire in the woods. Asia light our fire with magnesium & a flint first try! Waking for sunrise the next day we wandered down the PCT & captured some images overlooking the desert to the east.

After breakfast we packed up our car camping adventure & headed for Vincent Gap to welcome our first "city-escapee" to the woods. Carlos arrived & we all got our packs in order in the parking lot below Mt. Baden Powell. Unfortunately, my DSLR camera battery died at this point in the trip & here on out I was forced to use my cell phone camera.

Alas, we weren't heading up, our goal was the less traveled Vincent Gulch Trail down into the East Fork of the San Gabriels. After the junction from the Big Horn Mine trail we were tucked away in the forest shade on a beautiful mountain trail.

| Pine Mt. with Mt. Baldy peaking over on the right |

Loosing elevation through switchbacks the bugs began to grow intense. Sweaty heavily in the mid day sun wasnt helping. 

Eventually the trail hits the river bed (dry at the time), crosses over & starts to become a bit less maintained. At times along the rocks, but mostly edging along the east side of the slope above the rock bed, eroded & soft in some places, but not terrible.

| Break time while hiking down Vincent Gulch |

What seemed to be about a mile from first meeting the river bed the trail drops a significant amount in a roller coaster fashion to meet a small right hand turn "grotto, water fall area" that you must rock hop. This was an important point, being the first running water we saw it was a good sign for our backapacking mission. It also marks the point where the trail completely changes to what could be called no maintenence & a fun filled class two rock scramble above the creek.

| Asia enjoying the fruits of our labors |

With one trekking pole & a firm hold on the rocks there was no real terrible danger, but this section was slowly putting a damper on our three minds about "Plan A" still being successful for future days. For you see, there is still two more attendees that were due to arrive the next day...... in the dark.

| Looking back up from where we started on the right |

Here is where our trip got a bit more interesting, after passing the grotto, passed the eroded trail over the rock section & now dipping deep into the flowing canyon with it's walls soaring over 50ft on both sides.

| Here is some of the sketchy section after "The Grotto" |

We hung a left & followed the trail (what we would learn is a use trail) up onto a small bluff over a side canyon & a dry side river bed. Climbing over a downed tree (that had worn bark from past travelers, good sign), through a few young pine trees & emerged onto a wonderful hidden trail camp.

| Trail Camp. Didn't see anyone till we got back to the car |

What was curious about this is our original goal required us to hang a right & walk a short distance to our camp. Alas, we had last taken a left & come to three rock made fire pits some 5 minute walk up from the Vincent Gulch Trail. Albeit, we didn't intend to camp the night at this mysterious odd spot, but we couldn't help but drop our packs and call it home.

It was fairly clear that we were the first visitors this camp had had since the last year, before winter took it's hold on the high country of the Gabriels. The foliage on the ground was a thick carpet to clear for a tent alone, revealing a plethora of some of the largest insects I had seen in my life. This was going to be real solitude, it was obvious.

 

| This is further down the trail on another eroded section. You can barely make out a person sitting in the bottom center. They are filtering water near our use trail turn off |

This gulch's protection allowed the forest to grow large & dense, as well as the bugs to become accustomed to long, long lives. We spent the afternoon relaxing in Asia's new lightweight hammock & just sitting in nature's beautiful splendor.

| Fetching the nights water |

Now resting deep in Vincent Gulch, place number two I had never been, we needed several things to happen before the day's light was lost. First, hanging our food in a bear bag up a tree, we could leave camp safely to filter water for the nights cooking. Our watering hole was dead center among the high rock walls allowing for no possible way to have a bad time. Climbing all over the fallen trees & resting our muscles in the cold mountain water.

Last chore was to gather firewood & begin our transition from day to night. Becoming more stationary near the growing fire & the impending darkness, the mosquito's had a small feast. It was only the second day of summer & the cooler temps in the valley didn't happen till close to 9pm to scare the little buggers off.

| Still in love with my Big Agnes UL 3 person |

A peaceful slumber & a late morning in the outdoor sense, the three of us convened to decide the trips fate. Should we move on to "Plan B"? The three of use were going to hike back up to the parking lot, meet Georgette & Collin around 9:30pm, then assist them to backpack in the dark back to our camp. This was one of those plans made while looking at a black dotted line on a map in the backyard weeks before.

Agreeing that with more confidence, it was quite possible to achieve this night hike, but with too many stories in the back of our minds that confidence & a few miscalculated moves can lead to bad situations.

| Becoming more wild in the canyon of Vincent Gulch |

Getting our packs in order we set out for "Plan B", back up Vincent Gulch with enough time to call our friends & opt for a change to Horse Flats to end out our camping weekend.

| Sweating our butts off |

Let my not get ahead though, the three of us were still in the far reaches of Vincent Gulch, just heading out into what would become a fog of tiny flies within the first minutes of the trail. Until we reaches the lower switch back some 2 miles up hill, we sweated, blistered, swatted & cursed the 30+ that swarmed each one of us. I opted at times to stand in the open hot sections of the trail & rest just to escape areas the flies wouldn't go.

Quite deceiving (as I would read later), the hike out of Vincent Gulch is very strenuous under 30lbs of weight. Others on the blog-o-sphere would attest to the same thing, so be fore warned. What kept us going was the thought of that cooler in the back of the car with cold drinks.

| Looking down into Prairie Fork from outside Guffy |

Much rest & refreshments later, we found ourselves pulling into Horse Flats past the several camps that dot it's entrance. That evening the three of us collected firewood, relaxed in the hammock, & prepared for two more friends to arrive. 

| Mt. Hillyer Trail |

That evening around 9:30pm, Collin and Georgette arrived & our group was complete. They had the biggest smiles on their face, after working all day on a Friday, they were now escapee's in the woods.

| Life is good. Mt. Hillyer Trail |

The next day we took the usual trail up to Mt. Hillyer, taking time to climb on all the necessary rock boulders. This is a very unique trail that contours through huge boulder fields & young kids with crash pads line the endless off trail exploring options.

| Horse Flats Campground |

It was thoroughly enjoyable to be on the summit of Hillyer for the third time. Not particularly impressive, but it was after 4 days of enjoying very different areas of the Gabriels; Guffy & the high alpine terrain, then the deep river gorge of Vincent Gulch & now amongst the house size boulders of Mt. Hillyer.  All the while, adding new dynamics to the group with wonderful friends to share each day with.

Closing on day four we lost Asia to the city. Gathering wood once again, we set in for a comfortable night of chatting around the fire. I know I've said interesting things happened on this trip, but our last night's events took the cake for unexpected. While tucking into the my tent for the night, literally half in half out, Collin calls out that he hears a girl calling my name softly off in the distance, but growing closer. My girlfriend was sitting right in front of me in her sleeping bag so I had no idea who else knew my name out here. Standing up, in our now dark camp, a girl in her early 20's walks out of the blackness, with no acknowledgement to me or the 2 foot distance between us, keeps walking past as I ask if everything is ok, a bit startled. Not a single word came out of her mouth or even a head turn. She walked on out of our camp, hearing the bushes rustle I was a bit in shock. Did that just happen? It was like everything was invisible and she didnt see anything or anyone. I turned to get back in my tent & I heard the bushes rustle some more. Coming back is the same girl now & I address her a bit more aggressively & she very drunkenly admits she is lost. Fortunately, it was someone I had seen in there camp before while strolling so I helped her to the road & told her to just follow the asphalt sound & stay on the road, her camp was the next one over. Well, ten steps later she was off the road, heading in the woods away from the entire campground in a drunken stooper. Now realizing how serious she needed help, I took her arm & walked with head lamp back to her camp. A bit on edge I might be walking into some sort of ambush (after all we are outside LA). Speaking with her I found out her camping partner was also named Jeremy & the puzzle pieces began to fall into place. She eventually recognized the car & her camp was all pitch black, there was no chance for her to go pee, while drunk & find her way back w/o a flashlight. Dropping her off w/o entering the camp for my safety, I checked over my shoulder on the way back to my tent. She literally would have walked off in a western direction out of the campground into the woods if she hadn't crossed our path, the only & last people she would have seen. Fortunately, I wasn't in my sleeping back either. To think...

Let's get back to the fun, opening on day five (for myself at least) we sat around the fire & packed up slowly. Only thinking of what amazing food establishment to first bombard with our disgusting smell. The Blue Dog Tavern was the culprit & garlic fries w/ beers only added to the wonderful stench.

Hollywood Sign Hike w/ Londoners

Isn't it fun when people come to visit? My long lost 'across the pond' friend Peyman, who hosted myself while traveling Europe, & his good friend were visiting from London for a few days. We had seen Venice, had drinks & done other various bits and pieces through the city. In an attempt to get out of the hustle, while still right in the middle of it, we made a trip up the trail to the famous Hollywood Sign.

We set out at the teramis of Beachwood Dr amongst the gnarliest cluster of cars I have had to navigate just to hike. After a good ten minutes spinning my car 360 degrees a couple times, we were off at the pace of any person that is not from America.I joke, but travel anywhere else & we are a slow bunch on foot.

 

This was a short 45 minute walk, consistently uphill on dirt fire roads. I would most certainly say to check out directions on the internet b/c the trail does change course a few times onto different fire roads. We jokingly laughed about tourist who would be hiking all through hills and never find the sign in the mid summer heat w/ no water planning on an easy jaunt.

 

Then sure enough, while coming back down the trail, the day was getting warmer & without fail, hoards of tourists in jeans, polo shirts and sandals slowly making their way around the first steep sections of the trail. Smiling and knowing what they were in for, we just kept on.

Hopefully the time my friends spent in Los Angeles was a good one, however after SLO & San Francisco I know it's hard to live up to it in just 3 days. However, they really got to see all the corners of the city and look down on it from the ceiling. Best wishes and say travels to you two!

 

PS. No trip to LA is complete for me w/o a picnic at the Hollyhock house, looking out over Hollywood and the greater LA.

Icehouse Canyon - Backpack Training

| CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE |

The gusts of wind came continually down the canyon with an icy freshness that both invigorated me & had me in total wonder of the new region of the San Gabriels I was exploring. Icehouse Canyon had been living up to it's name without question.

| Backpack Training Mt. Baldy in background |

 A local favorite among pretty much ever hiking book & website, I figured it was my time to give it a try. Short history of the canyon, in the 20's it was a major ice production area due to it's location, along with timber cutting pulled by oxen from upper reaches of the side canyons. I was in awe that anyone made this possible.

 

 This trip was the beginning of endurance building for longer backpacking trips planned over the next few months. Carrying a fair amount of weight up the 2,700 ft of elevation change & 4 miles of trail was an excellent first test back. The rock strew trail winded up to a mountain spring that I missed on my way up, but thoroughly enjoyed on my way down (video w/ new sterilization techniques to come).

While part way up the trail I passed into the Cucamonga Wilderness, a sub-alpine protected area little over 12,000 sq. ft. The snow was plentiful & pristine all along the north facing ridges. One could even make out animals tracks coming down from the denser upper forests to the creek side.

| Lunch off the ridge below Timber Peak |

 

 At the top my body had eaten through all the energy my breakfast had provided & was ready for a remote lunch. I spent close to 2 hours reading, shooting photos, & randomly sending the most remote text message I have had the chance to. The above photo shows base camp, looking out into the Cucamonga Wilderness.

| Natural Icebox at 7800 ft |

Another great thing I found out over the day about this trail was it was the more adult cousin to Chantry Flats area. Though somewhat populated, I found that all the hikers seemed to be in training mode, trail camping or out for the features of the snow country. No families, no teens, no trash, and almost no graffiti. Hiking solo on this journey allowed for me to stop and talk to almost 15 different people. Some eventually heading all the way to the Grand Canyon & Yellowstone. However, later in the day on my way down the trail, it was strew ever so often with late afternoon families enjoying the lower creek area.

| Switchback on Icehouse Canyon Trail w Mt. Baldy in background |

The upper reaches of this canyon allow for almost six different routes & I only made it a bit above the 7,555 saddle. This allows for more adventures down the road. Along with great beauty, one of the funniest wilderness moments happened while I was having lunch looking out into the hills, ponder something profound, a deep voice called from miles across the canyon, "Vote for Donnelly!" I laughed, replied the same, & never stopped smiling the rest of the day.

| Video of the Days Adventures - Two minutes |

Ansel Adams & A Look at Downtown

 This Saturday we didn't Run To The Hills to get outdoors, we actually hopped the metro with our skateboards & headed for downtown Los Angeles. The Red Line is a beautiful thing, endless forays into Hollywood, Silver Lake, & downtown at every stop. There is also lots of good tourist watching along this route.

 

Choosing a metro stop close to a scenic part of downtown & allowing for a proper skate to the exhibit, the three of us set off through the streets. Navigating all those enjoying the wonderful March weather in sunny so cal. Managing a few stops along the way to snap a few silver gelatin stills of our own.

Finding the next watering hole above. Eventually Carlos would order the most exotic mixed drink I've ever tried. Something with chili peppers in it...

The exhibit at Drkrm Gallery was quite interesting. A collection of 30 some odd photos from a FORTUNE Magazine commission in 1940. Ranging from Lockheed Martin Plant photos in Burbank, to locations along Venice beach. It was neat to see these photos together & to take in the gallery in such a way that Ansel would be experiencing these photos... somewhat on a weeks stay with another photographer friend. We see photos of that family, the Lockheed plant in their neighborhood. Then groups of day trips to other regions of LA, just planned out to get certain shots for a magazine spread. Just my take on viewing the photos as a larger collection. Almost a city vacation for the photographer from the Sierras and the desolate landscapes that were Adams legacy.

A little bruised with a fair amount of road rash, but still smiling above. I didn't get any shots inside the gallery, but the first photo in this post is a shot from the outside, looking in, with many reflections, if you click to enlarge the photo it may be interesting to see the levels.

Joshua Tree - Black Rock & Indian Cove Camping

The stark coldness that blew in over the desert that first night sent all searching for our next warmer layer, but returning thankfully to our most highly attended fire pit to date. Don't let the beauty of the above photo fool your, this was taken at dawn, hovering around 28 degrees in long johns and a snow jacket.

Black Rock campground was our first nights destination with a large contingent of new friends that had come to celebrate our friend Stephanie's 25h birthday. After a wonderful sunset hike to a great view of the desert valley, we set in to make dinner and keep warm amongst the gusty winds that had plagued that day.

 

| Georgette is in the green one sleeping! Never cold again |

 This was the first trip where Georgette & I got to use most of our new gear, down mummy sleeping bags, ultralight tents & fleece layers, camping for the 21st century! The luxury of the new sleeping bags may have sealed the deal and spoiled me for the rest of my camping days. I will never buy anything else.

| Black Rock, Joshua Tree |

 The group had collectively spent about 10 days total in Joshua Tree from what I gathered. I myself only spending about 3 days, I think, more than a decade ago. Therefore, Carlos was the captain of this trip. He led us on a wonderful scenic drive through a portion of the park to a wonderful peak in the middle of the high desert with 360 degree views.

| View out of the tent, second night |

In my opinion the hike up the mountain and down was almost more exciting than the actual summit. On a nice 2 mile uphill trek, we cross snow and ice while looking out over the rock ruins amongst the cacti. Curving into a wind blown canyon amongst my favorite section of craggy cliff hanging boulders.

 

| Loving two doors on new tent | 

| Mom's Tibetan prayer flags always hanging in the tent now |

After reaching the summit of Ryan Mountain, we said farewell to some of the group that heading back for Los Angeles, while the other took to a new campsite in a different region of the park. One thing I learned on this trip is how vast Joshua Tree National Park is. There really is endless sights & really wilderness danger. God forbid anyone who vacations here in the Summer.

 

| ABOVE: 28 Minute Exposure / F22 |

The photo above & below was our site for the second night. A STUNNINGLY secluded spot on the edge of a campground looking out into the vast desert, blocked by a wind carved stone. Our whole group, the six that were left, were in total awe at our site for the night. Carlos had scored big time, thanks trip leader.

| Campsite 18, Indian Cove, Joshua Tree |

Not only was the campground stupendous, Carlos had chosen this spot due to it's proximity to a great caving location. Hidden amongst the boulders in the picture below is a wonderful cavern that will take you from crawling like a lizard, to standing tall in a open rock crevasses.

After only a few days in the desert, our normally mountain bound troupe, had been won over by the inland landscape of our wonderful state. There really is endless bounty of sights & sounds within a few hundred miles of the city we call home.

| Pre-Dawn, Joshua Tree |

"One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind." - Dorothea Lange

 

Strawberry Peak Hike

Carlos & I tackled one of the more strenuous hikes in the San Gabriel's that we have trekked. It was straight out of my newest gift from my girlfriend, Trails of The Angeles (100 Hikes).

Following many unmarked, rock-slide, & snow covered paths we found our way from Red Box up and around Mt. Lawlor to it's north side, crossing to the saddle.

At the saddle just below Strawberry Peak, there is a junction to follow below the ridge-line to the right you wind down to Strawberry Meadow. Carlos & I chose the faint climber's trail to the left that followed up the ridge-line for a solid uphill mile long scramble.

Greeted at the summit with wonderful views deep into the Angeles & far out into the Pacific. Truly the best view from the front range I have had since moving to LA almost a decade ago.

After lingering for some time on the peak & really capturing the moment in my head, there was the traverse down to think about.  Closing in on about a mile left in the trail you can seen in the photo below the sun setting while we are still on the trail. A wonderful glow came over the whole Angeles forest that eve.