With Southland temperatures headed for the nineties, I thought the eastern end of Pleasant View Ridge would offer some relief, or at least a breeze. No such luck. A great day of hiking was had nonetheless. Mine was the only car in the Punchbowl County Park lot at 0600. Incidentally, this is the wrong hike to try and break-in a new pair of half-size-too-small Asolos on. Before the descent to Cruther's Creek I heard rustling up-slope; this was my closest encounter to date with an adult Ursus Americanus. Damn those bears are big. I made Burkhart Saddle by a leisurely 0930 and was on top of Pallett at 1035. At 1230 I was relaxing on Williamson summit, treating my bleeding feet and chatting on the radio (via repeater) with a gentleman in Huntington Beach. The east PCT descent to Islip Saddle was a welcome downhill stroll. The South Fork Trail is as gorgeous as ever, despite rockfalls and slides in spots where falling would be perilous at best. There were people frolicking in Big Rock Creek, which made me very squeamish about drawing needed water, but that's what sterilization protocols are for, I guess. After my usual, unnecessary brush bash back to the Devils Chair trail, the hike was uneventful though seemingly endless. The pitch-roofed cistern near the Burkhart trailhead was a welcome landmark. I was back on the road home just before 1900.
Devils Punchbowl in the beautiful High Desert morning light.
The brown blob in the center is sadly the best shot I got of this bear.
Looking west on Pallett Mountain summit
The final climb up to Mt. Williamson summit
Looking north towards Pinyon Ridge (?) from the South Fork Trail
A welcome Punchbowl view from the High Desert NRT
Track of the day's hike
