EISPIRATEN

Very nice and informative trip report and hike David. Last time I was up in that area ITT-Gilfillan was operating that facility as an antenna test range of some sort. The magazines and launchers for that LA-94 Nike facility were just south east of you.

I barely outran this in the Verdugos yesterday. Lightning and thunder in Brand Canyon was kind of exciting though.

Kudos for attempting this Winter ascent, and thanks for posting about it. I've got a few years on you. I hike a good 13 to 20 miles per week on two or three afternoons. I ascend a couple of thousand feet each of these days. I find an amazing amount of variability in my stamina, thus speed and ...

Strangely close to where Monica went missing.

Congratulations gentlemen! Well done, and well reported. I truly wish I could have joined Y'all.

Bridge Fire Closure Lifted

I just stumbled across this on the Angeles National Forest website:

"The Bridge Fire Area Closure (Forest Order No. 05-01-25-12) that was in effect from June 5, 2025 through May 22, 2026 has been terminated starting June 20, 2025."

You guys are badasses regardless. Never forget that a bad day hiking is STILL better than a good day at work.

I saw this cutie slowly making its way across the road above Brand Park yesterday. I gently placed it roadside to keep the e-cycles from squashing it.

In the Verdugos, Brand Motorway (fire road) is nice. It's just short of four miles to the Verdugo Motorway and much less steep and abused than Wildwood. Between Brand and Wildwood, is the underrated Skyline "Motorway", a single track / degraded fire road. About 2.5 Miles to the top. I'm usually on ...

It's was a giveaway that was part of an old David Letterman Late Show gag that has made its way into Forum Lore. Oh, youth!

Beautiful new picture guys and gals. Thank you!

Not entirely sure I've got the viewpoint right, but based on Nate's recent travels:

FYI, those are not Nike silos on Magic Mountain. The mountain site was an IFC (Integrated Fire Control) for the LA-98 battery. The underground magazines and (Lang) launch facility was located just to the north, south of Lang Station Road. Nikes didn’t launch from silos.

Sean wrote: Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:08 pm Thanks for the report. Caliente Hot Springs is twice as hot as a regular hot springs.

That's very funny Sean.

Thanks for all the hard work preserving the old site, the wrestling it into 'tapatalk' and managing to preserve it once again through another re-hosting. You guys ROCK!

Elevation gained and lost?

MAKE THE SAN GABRIELS GREAT AGAIN: MSGGA

At risk of asking the obvious this late in the game, has the old connector trail from Clamshell Road to East Fork , Santa Anita Canyon (and beyond) been checked? This would be an obvious trail bash for me if Jake or I were exploring here.

This is great! It also finally explains why we don't have to climb over the remnants of the truck, Mule skeletons, and the 60-inch telescope tube when we hike up to Mt. Wilson (and visit the 60-inch Hale Telescope).

A few years ago, the observatory had its hundredth anniversary of 'first light' on the beautiful 100-inch Hooker telescope. I was sitting in my house in Ventura County that evening and realized that I had forgotten all about the event. I ran to the car and made the mad dash to Mount Wilson. Less ...

Let's not forget the brilliant idea of ice cream afterwards! I had a great time with Y'all and will post the few pictures I took in a day or so.

3657

Topo

Foreground has to be Bear Divide. Point 3200 perhaps?

for your consideration

Interesting point HikeUp. I've seen Lupine packed during deer season. The road conditions might provide some relief, but some of our urban hunting friends drive seriously offroad-capable rigs.

I seem to recall some suicidal... I mean hardy forum member descending the toe of Pine Ridge to Mine Gulch and taking the connector trail back to Prairie Fork/Cabin Flat. I've done the latter many times. I wussed out and turned back though once I reached the steep part of the former.

Sounds great. Calendar is clear for the moment.

Outstanding trip report Uncle Rico!

On first reading I missed the part about the '80 year old gentleman' and thought you were talking about Sean. My bad.