EISPIRATEN

A friend and I did a 2 or 3 nighter around the Hurricane Deck area of the Dick Smith Wilderness. It was probably 12 or more years ago, so details are vague and much may have changed since then, but I recall it being a good trip overall. FWIW.

No we didn't make the trip. Aborted at the trailhead when Hiking Buddy got scared (possibly rightly so) by the approaching storm. Did hike up to Little Jimmy a few days after the storm and conditions to there were beautiful...6-8" of fresh powder, trail still navigable, no icy spots. Made the t...

Definitely interested in some skill boosting. No helmet though.

What day did you head up?

Well, as The Beast suggested, once we got to the trailhead on Sunday morning, Hiking Buddy decided that the oncoming storm was a little to rich for his blood, so we dropped down a few thousand feet and camped at Chilao. I went back up on Tuesday to check it out and hike up to Little Jimmy and scope ...

Heading up the 2 this Sunday for a few nights at Little Jimmy Camp out of Islip Saddle. With some snow forecast for Sunday evening, I'm wondering, historically speaking, how much snow does it usually take before Caltrans shuts it down and where? Once it is shut down, is that it for the season, or do...

Hiking Buddy and I are planning an overnighter and day hike next week, heading out from Islip Saddle, camping at Little Jimmy and summiting the next day. Anyone have recent conditions intel? Wondering if there's currently any snow on the ground and if so how much. I'm seeing that this week is fairly...

UPDATE: From my vantage point in Palmdale, there is still snow visible on most of the mountain. What what condition it's in and how much I can't say, but there's still white stuff up there. Happy hiking.

I was up after the last storm two weekends ago. Given the weather last week, that's almost as good as ancient history, but I figure an old report is better than none. We headed up early Saturday 4/9. Road from the 138 was clear all the way to the parking lot, which had about 6" of snow covering...

As the last vestiges of snow fade from our hills and visions of next years winter adventures gather in mind, I wonder: Are you more apt to put your crampons on earlier and trudge through the mix of mud/dirt for the sake of security on intermittent patches of snow; or are you a procrastinator, sallyi...

After many weeks postponement, Hiking Buddy and I finally made it out to BP. Trail was completely clear up until about the 2 mile marker. From there it's mixed for another 1/2 mile or so with intermittent patches of snow. We cramponed up here, though could have either earlier or later depending on y...

Thanks. Trip got postponed till next weekend at least, so we'll keep that in mind. We usually like to try and get an early start, so hopefully we can outrun El Postholio. Do you think snowshoes would be applicable?

Good to know. Mtnfox, what time did you leave the trailhead? I too, am not really in the mood for a posthole fiesta.

Hiking Buddy and I planning on a hike up BP from Vincent Gap this weekend. Anyone been up the trail lately? From my vantage point in the Antelope Valley, it seems as if there's still quite a bit of coverage, but what condition is the snowpack in? Any details appreciated.

Heading up to Crestline this weekend and am looking for a good day hike or mountain to climb. Does anyone have any intel for hikes in the surrounding area? Any info appreciated.

Me likey! Thanks for the effort.

I've got a hankerin' simmerin' for a heaping helping of Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap via the use trail. Anyone been up post storms? Has trail been broken yet? Is the snow consolidated enough to make the trip with crampons only? Is the road open? Avy danger? Usual recon questions. Thanks.

Great post, thanks. Interesting to see the faces of so many placenames: Charlton, Heaton, Lukens, Newcomb...

Scorn!

Dave gets my vote for the Big Cajone Award, pulling a Michael Jordan and playing through the flu...whoa. On the flip side though Dave, you might want to look into a Hikers Anonymous chapter near you.

GRAFFITI! Scorn! That makes my blood boil. Stupid, ignorant, selfish people.

We're gonna have to call a tanker drop on this one, cuz it's gettin' HOT in here.

Might want to check your shorts on that one.

$.02 here MVE: The thin synthetic liner sock is the critical missing link in your sockquation. Combine that with your insulating sock of choice depending on conditions, and they'll take all (or at least most) of the friction that your feet would normally take. Swear by it. Keep the change.

I feel like I've just been Rick Rolled.

I second the Mt Pinos vote. I was just up there for the first time last week and its great. Nice trail (a service road actually), gentle grade up to the summit, plenty of wide open spaces to tromp around in and spectacular views once you're on top make it very rewarding for everyone. I think stated ...

Dave G wrote:More important than crampons though, is an ice axe and the knowledge of how to use it.

I'm in full agreement. Seems to me that owning an ice axe should almost be a prerequisite for purchasing crampons. In an icy desert island situation, if I only had one, I'd find an axe more useful.

It was my first time up, but certainly not the last. And at 8800'+, it's a good option for us North County residents to get some altitude and white stuff.

Ouch babe.

After a fitful (read:shitty) night sleep, I made it to the Mt. Pinos parking lot by 5:20, only an hour before I was supposed to meet Hiking Buddy for a quickie snowshoe up and around Mt. Pinos. Worse yet, my steaming hot thermos of GO-GO juice sat forlornly and forgotten on my counter, at home, leav...