EISPIRATEN

A couple years ago, we popped up on the Islip summit and were surprised to see several mules and horses. The group of people sitting on the lookout footings introduced themselves as USFS and ANF Fire Lookout Association representatives and told us they had just decided that the next lookout to be bu...

I figure water is not certain at a lot of previously reliable spots, so here is the status from the Old Mt Wilson Trail as of July 12. Bear Spring at First Water is very nearly dry and not useful. The main area at First Water is dry. Some unappetizing pools are visible just downstream (below the spl...

What are some decent midrange models these days? Less than half a year til Xmas...

Sean wrote: ↑Rather than attempt the dirt-road drive up 3N31,

Possibly smart. Tried this in the Forest Adventure Prius but couldn't make it to the top. Left it at a turnout and continued up on foot. Saw a Chevy Sonic in there though.

Hi, I got a Scout SG550 a few years ago and set it up in my backyard in Sierra Madre. Recently it seems to take a lot fewer movies, and I don't think it is a decrease in critters because it used to reliably film me coming and going and now it doesn't. Same behavior with fresh batteries with verified...

Is there a closed area at this point? The document linked above only shows closed roads. Is everything except these roads open? I checked the ANF website and only found the same document, no maps or descriptions of a closed area or areas.

Hot tub? I always referred to the little building as a pumphouse. Where is the tub? There was once a fire lookout at Guffy and I figured there had been a pump to fill the tank up by the campground. There's also a concrete slab near the campground signboard that could possibly have been access to sep...

Anyone have any info on water in the area of Spring Camp (near 2N24/Rincon OHV Road & 2N31)? I know the camp is supposedly named for a spring, but haven't found anything on where it is in relation to the camp or whether it's reliable. Thanks!

I didn't take a photo of the register, but I recall remarking about how the previous entry was weeks ago (not months), so perhaps someone visited in between.

Oh yes, forgot to mention that I saw a horned toad, apparently juvenile (small).

Rode the bikes up to this a couple weekends ago. For us this was a hard ride. Knees were rather sore at the top. Rewarding views, though, and interesting geology. No other people, either. Saw this entry in the register!

Teejate wrote: ↑Anyone been up around 3N061, the road to Blue Ridge and Guffy, since the shutdown?
Wondering if it's gated.
Thanks.

Gate at Blue Ridge Rd. is closed:
http://www.wrightwoodcalif.com/forum/in ... #msg292007

parking is very highly regulated in the city of Arcadia; there is no overnight parking. For a day hike, it might work, but for an overnight trip, it would not unless you can work out some kind of parking arrangement. FYI, the Chantry gate is in the city of Sierra Madre, not Arcadia. If one was so p...

Went to Crystal Lake on Sunday. Cafe open. USFS parking lot next to the cafe open. Gates at the roads to the lake and campsites closed. Gate to Coldbrook CG closed, with "No Overnight Camping" sign taped on the gate. Hiked to S. Mt. Hawkins and did not see another soul outside of the immed...

Chantry Flat gate closed.

https://www.facebook.com/cityofsierramadre

FYI, I only went as far as Guffy, but the gate there was open, which is odd because the ranger station was posting just the day before about how it is closed https://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Pine ... 5338620103

Didn't look like it was open due to vandalism, so not sure what's up.

I think that web page may not be current, because when I talked to the ranger station they told me it was closed due to the wind event, but said I could call back later to see if it had been opened.

"Reasonable ground clearance"...hmmm ... I will have to think about that.

Has anyone been on San Sevaine Rd in the last few months? Looking for info on road condition, specifically whether a regular passenger car can get part way down it (e.g. to San Sevaine Flats). Thanks

The book is excellent.

Is there actually a spring at Guffy Camp? I think there is a spring just north of Guffy down the hill a short ways. I was at Guffy last year with Hikin' Jim and others and I think Jim located it - maybe he or others can provide more useful info. Edit: from http://www.4jeffrey.net/pct/a.htm ~275 yar...

According to Big-Pines-Ranger-Station-Angeles-National-Forest the road should be open to Guffy soon, but no go for Lupine.

As of 19 Apr 2013 the east closure was at the gate immediately west of Vincent Gap, so you could approach from the Wrightwood side and park at V. Gap. We went north to Pinyon Ridge, but the folks parked next to us in the lot said the didn't quite get to the top of Baden-Powell due to snow. Said it w...

Good info! Lots of hits on Juniper Hills. Thanks!

I noted in reading Neil Armstrong's obituaries last year that during the time he worked out of Edwards Air Force base, he lived in a cabin in the San Gabriels. It was variously described as "a small shack without indoor plumbing" or "an old ranger's cabin." http://www.latimes.com...

I can answer my own question with a pic of my Prius (!) at Lupine: https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7523315656_361ce1ecac.jpg Prius at Lupine CG by moore91024 , on Flickr Not for the faint of heart, but it can be done by an experienced off-pavement driver. Go slow a...

I saw on wrightwoodcalif.com that it's now open to Lupine. Has anyone been past Guffy -- can a regular passenger car get all the way to Lupine after this year's maintenance? I know in prior years they have recommended high clearance past Guffy. Thanks

One of those confusing names - velvet ants aren't ants, they're wasps :o I had seen the red kind on the Mt Wilson trail and had the same confusion, having heard of "velvet ants" but thinking it clearly couldn't be that because it obviously wasn't an ant. After I saw the dirt-colored one on...

I agree with velvet ant. I saw one like that on Mt Waterman recently.

Hey, thanks for looking! I checked out all the suggestions. He was cute, and conveniently, it looks like he posed so that I'd know he had 4 hind toes! pocket mouse - has 5 hind toes http://sierrafoothillgarden.files.wordp ... rnicus.jpg deer mouse - 5 hind toes http://www.bear-tracker.com/deermous.h...

Hi, long time lurker, first time poster. You know that person who passed you on the trail? That's not me! I'm an enthusiastic, albeit weak-ass, hiker. Biggest accomplishment is up & back on the Old Mt. Wilson Trail. Other stuff includes: Hastings & Jones Peak Echo & Inspiration Pt Baden-...

Any rodentia experts? This little guy was hopping around at Valley Forge CG this Saturday. https://eispiraten.com/images-archived/farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/5995035518_c63b80fd63.jpg kangaroo_rodent by moore91024 , on Flickr It was small, perhaps 2 inches body and a long tail. Its cheeks were stuf...