EISPIRATEN

JMunaretto: If you go on Friday, please post a report on conditions above the saddle - snow, ice, clear, etc. Thanks, and hope you make it!

I hope she doesn't where those during hunting season

As far as large mammals in the San Gabriels, I've seen only deer and only during the mornings before say 10a. But then again a majority of my hikes are finished before noon so this is certainly not conclusive. As far as where I've seen them, anywhere from 1000' elevation to about 8000'. Birds are pl...

Kayaking in the San Gabriels? Ran across this site and figured it would be of interest to you canyoneering types.

AW wrote:Maybe theres a map for them at the west forest trailhead 8)

I knew it! A secret trailhead somewhere in the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Probably leads to the trail that goes up Big Horn Ridge .

Someone's going to get canned for letting this one slip out.

Here's a link to some info on passes.

Self-service Wilderness Permit issuance is available at the West Forest Trailhead.

West Forest Trailhead? I think you can self issue a permit at the East Fork Ranger Station which is the one at the parking lot for Heaton Flat, right?

That certainly is one possible scenario. It's also possible that noobs get invited along by the experienced people on forums. It may be more intimidating and perhaps less likely but it's still possible. The differences are not substantial enough in my mind to quibble over. They both serve a purpose ...

I understand what you're saying as far as providing a means for getting people together and getting people off their duffs. But I don't see much difference between this free forum and clubs such as ODC and OCHBC, except the money. Either way you go, you have no idea what kind of group you will end u...

To beat this dead horse one more time... I don't see the point of ODC. If they issue disclaimer after disclaimer that they aren't responsible for anything, then why does anyone pay them for doing something a free forum like this one can do? If you charge someone then it is reasonable for that person...

Now that it's getting warmer, how crowded is that trail getting? We got to Inspiration Point about 9:45a and no one else was up there and we had seen maybe 2 others above Echo Mt. When we left about 10:45a to go down Castle Canyon trail, there were about 10 people there and we saw another 10 or so ...

What the heck - I need an excuse to post a pic of a great dog. A friend and I hiked up to Echo Mt. and Inspiration Point from Lake Ave. The Castle Canyon Trail is in great shape except for 2 or 3 spots where trees have fallen across plus 1 switchback is washed out. The trail has been in this conditi...

pilot wrote:About the only drawback to a headlamp is that you look like a dork

Way, way, way too late to start worrying about that.

Hikin_Jim wrote:You could bypass the whole hassle if you do the route clockwise.

Assuming I finish before dark ! Don't want to be locked behind the gate.

I'll figure something out. Thanks for the input.

Is overnight camping allowed at Chantry? I know of the nearby trail camps like Hoegees and Spruce Grove, but I'm wondering if you can basically car camp at Chantry.

Why not just use a flashlight? If it is just for emergency use, then a flashlight seems like it would be fine. Certainly would be cheaper than a lot of the headlights on the market. On the other hand, weight, battery life and hands free capabilities make the headlight an attractive option...especia...

Good point Terry. I suspect that the weight of ones pack as a percentage of your body or total weight is the issue when it comes to whether it has an effect on hikes. Most discussions about pack weight that I see involve absolute values (40 lbs, 20 lbs, or whatever) and I wonder if percentage of tot...

The other day from my back yard I saw a lone hiker up near Hastings Peak just before sunset and got to thinking how cool it would be to watch the sunset from up there. Of course you would need a light of some sorts to safely hike back down. Any recommendations for head lamps? My criteria would be: -...

It is an awesome hike - readily accessible and with significant elevation gain and rewarding views. Seemingly endless variations are also possible by continuing on to the Toll Road or going down into Little Santa Anita Canyon. Late Sunday afternoon I was looking up at Hastings Ridge from my back yar...

So true about the flowers - it looks like it will be a good year. That loop hike you mentioned has been on my mind for awhile - sounds perfect for this weekend.

simonov wrote:I have my own theories...

Your turn.

Damnit.

Damn you're fast. I've always wondered why there is some confusion between what is Inspiration Point (the peak, not the shelter with site tubes) and what is Muir Peak. Some maps (the one in your post included) indicate Muir Peak as the high point near the top of Castle Canyon (4714') where as others...

Don't know if this is relevant, but at about 3:20 pm Sunday the Sheriff's Rescue Helicopter flew over Pasadena/Sierra Madre heading from east to west in the general direction of Huntington Hospital. It was in a hurry - never seen that ship move so fast.

Not enough fiber?

Stayed local today for a quick 8 mile round trip, 3000' gain hike. Marine layer was about 4000' thick, so topping out on Hastings Peak at 4030' was a pleasant surprise - sunny, warm with some great views. Started at the Bailey Canyon trail head in Sierra Madre. The trail is in fantastic shape the en...

Experienced snow travelers ripped their sleeping bags open and ran in a blind panic, naked through the snow, dying of hypothermia. Sounds perfectly logical.

Yep...bad mushrooms.

This may seem out of the blue but I've been wondering about it for a while. Is packing ultralight really that necessary for dayhiking (or even an over nighter)? Is worrying about a few ounces here and there really going to make a difference on a dayhike? If so, what difference will it make and is it...

San Diego? Never heard of it. Is that in Mexico somewhere?

Ok. I jest. Duh. Sounds like a cool idea.

Thanks for your input Richard.

Thanks for the info. Can you provide a source/link for this information?