EISPIRATEN

If you are used to steep hiking - a big loop involving Mt. Baldy is spectacular. Start and finish at Manker Flats - up to Baldy's summit via the Ski Hut trail, descend via the Devil's Backbone and the Notch (Ski lodge). Take the utility truck trail back to Manker & the car. Some water is availab...

Microspikes don't have an ABS mechanism to shed slushy snow - plus the points are smaller than crampons. Just need to use a bit more care with the footplant.

BTW - a couple of years ago, I hiked Iron Mt with AlanK & his son Eric. Well, Eric, Alan and I started together - Eric decided to see just how fast he could make it to the summit, largely due to Rick's numerous posts. Eric made it in 2 hours 15 minutes - probably had a quick nap waiting for Alan...

According to the news article, he fell off the Backbone trail on the north side. That is seriously steep - not sure an ice axe would be able to help stop your slide there.

Did you create a trip report of your Grand Canyon adventure? If so, where can it be found?

Maybe it's time to consider getting yourself a "Road ID" bracelet - with emergency info on it. That way you could leave your "wallet" in the car where it would be safe!

I was up there today & saw your note in the summit register. I looked around the rocks on top, but no luck. I took the standard was down, so crawling under heavy growth was not on my agenda. Sorry, that's a bummer.

Cocktail rock is adjacent to Sugarloaf - just where the New San Juan trail & Old San juan trails converge. Quite a view of the OC from there.

Try this loop - from the bottom, go up Los Pinos ridge to the summit. Then continue over to Main Divide & head down toward Blue Jay campground. Take the Falcon trail, it is a pretty little shortcut, then continue down the San Juan trail to Cocktail Rock. Take a picture, have a drink, then finish...

Los Pinos is a beautiful ridge hike when taken from the bottom - start at the San Juan trail parking area just off the Ortega Hwy, then head out the road to the Lazy W & veer left. 8+ miles of up, up & up.

Should have kept going - Sitton Peak was not that much further. Outstanding views from there, including a fun little scramble up to it.

Welcome to Orange County, Jim. Lots of good day hikes in the Santa Anas and surrounding areas. Some opportunities for overnighting. I'll trade you some local trail knowledge for some camping expertise.

Numbers 4 & 6 are very enjoyable warmups for number 3. C2C2T and Whitney are both long days, as many can attest to - get as much mileage and altitude prep as possible for both these.

Why not serve both masters? Take the essentials, be prepared for what you are facing out on the trails - and just lose 5 pounds of body weight? That way you will carry what you need & be more efficient as well.

Btw, I don't mean any disrespect to Michelle with any of the speculation. It's just when this stuff happens, your mind just starts analyzing everything, partly to try to learn from it and partly to understand her circumstances. It's really sad when this happens because as corny as it sounds, I thin...

Did that same hike last weekend - did you come down the backside of Bighorn to the Cucamonga saddle? That way is kinda fun

If you are still headed for Cucamonga, try going out to Etiwanda as well - the view from out there is pretty cool...

Agreed, Salomons are great trail shoes

Well, my friend Jim & I went up the Ski Hut trail Saturday AM, saw Shin & Jeff on their way down on trip #1, saw the San Clemente HS team and San Clemente Island - but MISSED meeting AnnK!! Maybe next time - right Ann?

The rattler transport came in handy for me yesterday as well. I was running down the trail from Sitton Peak off the Ortega Hwy and jumped over a brown stick - which indeed was a 3-4 foot brown rattlesnake.

Thank you Shin for being such a good ambassador to hiking throughout the years. It is a pleasure to have hiked up Mt. Whitney with you, twice! Keep up the good work.

Alan, where is Eric these days? Maybe running track instead of hiking with his "old man".

Did the MicroSpikes give way to the crampons fairly early in the hike?

Alan - Where's Eric? Thought since cross country season was over, you might be able to convince him to come along for the company. I always enjoy tagging along behind my kid up the mountain!

Shin - I would also like to say thanks for all of us who frequent Baldy & Icehouse trails - you've stepped up in a positive manner. Let's hope we can all just get along out there. A little education and a little ettiquette sprinkled in with some kindness will hopefully go a long way. I look forw...

My son, hiking buddy & I hiked Ontario, Bighorn and down to the Cucamonga saddle on Saturday, returning to Icehouse Saddle via the usual trail - I think we passed you, Dave. We got lucky on the way to Ontario & saw a male Bighorn sheep - watched him run off in full flight. Awesome! The beaut...

Simonov & Hvydrt - It was nice talking with you guys on Saturday. My son & I had an excellent day going out to Cucamonga & Etiwanda. We finished up by jogging down from the Icehouse Saddle via the Chapman trail. My legs are still tired! We are hopefully ready for Whitney next Tuesday!! H...

Alan - If your son's cross country season goes on much longer, they will probably have the trail paved all the way up to the Ski Hut by the next time you get out for a hike!

I love reading your trip reports and viewing the pictures you take. Congratulations on another successful adventure - I admire your drive. Sometimes, however, I wish you could leave out the personal fast time stuff and "one liter of water" comments - if you want to compete, there are plent...

Did you get a permit or just wing it?

Are you still thinking of doing the 5 peak loop someday?

How was the climb up Falling Rock?

Here is a link to a well done trip report of the same 5 peak adventure:

http://www.summitpost.org/trip-report/2 ... -hike.html

Do you think the air quality will be good enough by Saturday to spend ~9 hours out on the trail?