Stockton Flat Icehouse Saddle, July 4th

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:02 pm

I've been ruminating over this hike since Mike P posted his report on May 16th. Getting tired of bouncing around on my street tires, I parked around 0700 at the 3N06A/B Split. All told, there were about 10 vehicles further ahead; some dirt-biking, some camping, and a couple of good-sized parties. It was a bit hazy in the morning, clearing up as the day progressed. Temperatures across the Notch and the 'Ts' were perfect, maybe a little on the warm side, but offset by great breezes over the saddles. All trails were in great shape. Traffic across Three T's was light, I think I passed seven hikers over the entire out and back, excepting the folks hanging out at the Baldy Notch and Icehouse Saddle. I hate to be greedy, but does this hike qualify me for two holes punched out on my NHPS card, having successfully avoided summiting Telegraph and Timber? I accidentally stumbled across the top of Thunder while approaching the Trailhead. I don't think I was close enough to Baldy, Harwood, Cucamonga or Bighorn to qualify for NHPS. FYI: there was a bona fide ranger doing enforcement activities on the flat as I returned to my car.

The car and an indication of the adjacent "road" condition

Stockton Flat from the road, looking west-ish

The road to Baldy Notch, complete with requisite tagging

Baldy Bowl and some of next season's snow in the reservoir

A view of Devil's Backbone, from Thunder Mtn.

Those black diamonds don't seem so scary now

Glendora Ridge and points south from 8200' saddle

Middle Fork, Lytle Creek, San G, San J, etc.

The way back up Telegraph from down Timber

Proximity of Cedar Glen (Chapman Trail) and Bear Flat seen from saddle 7750'

Baldy Village from Telegraph. Buckhorn Lodge roof almost discernible.

North Fork, Lytle Creek Looking towards Coldwater Campground (1996 USGS Topo) site.

Peak 8540', I think, N.E. of Telegraph Peak.

My wife and I hiked down to Tar Creek in Los Padres N.F. Yesterday. Here's Topatopa from the creek.

Saturday's stats

Post by **Taco** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:17 pm

That last shot of Telegraph is actually Telegraph's main summit at 8985. The south summit of Tele is the broad one you see from Ontario and Icehouse. 8821 or so, I believe. Great views on both.

Sespe Wilderness is great. Did a lot of stuff there a while ago.

406 · Post by **406** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:26 pm

looks fun

Mike P · Post by **Mike P** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:32 pm

Thanks for the TR, Elwood!
That is a very nice area, for sure. The picture with your car looked like the 'smooth' section of road

EnFuego · Post by **EnFuego** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:39 pm

Nice TR and nice pictures. A fellow SGMDF'r and I were in Sespe Creek area a couple weeks ago. Pretty nice up there. I also jsut did the Three T's on Saturday night under a full moon. That was a really nice hike.

How many miles total did you do on this last hike? And what does NHPS stand for?

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:46 pm

EnFuego wrote:What does NHPS stand for?

NHPS = Near Hundred Peaks Section. It's sort of an inside SGMDF joke re the Sierra Club's HPS section. It's for people who go by peaks but don't actually summit.

Elwood · Post by **Elwood** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:17 pm

GPS recorded the track at 22 miles. I was on the hoof for just short of nine hours, not working very hard. Incremental climb was around 10,500 ft.

Post by **Taco** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:40 pm

Someone start a thread for NHPS! 8)

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 5:53 pm

Elwood wrote:

The hole punches kill me.

Taco!, give that man a sub title ("Mr. NHPS" or something)

cougarmagic · Post by **cougarmagic** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:56 pm

Elwood wrote: I don't think I was close enough to Baldy, Harwood, Cucamonga or Bighorn to qualify for NHPS.

Hey, you didn't summit them - that's all you need to (not) do!

Beautiful photos. Great TR. Thanks!

Ze Hiker · Post by **Ze Hiker** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:07 pm

Elwood wrote:GPS recorded the track at 22 miles. I was on the hoof for just short of nine hours, not working very hard. Incremental climb was around 10,500 ft.

gotta be tons of error in that measurement, can't be close to 10,500 gain...

Post by **Taco** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:16 pm

So how close must someone be to a summit to qualify for NHPS?

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 7:53 pm

I'd say something really close, like 100 ft, to inflict as much psychological trauma as possible. Ze would go insane by the time he hits his 5th non-summit after doing all that climbing!

Ze Hiker · Post by **Ze Hiker** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 8:42 pm

indeed! Olancha (600 ft) was painful.

I stared at my wrist for a while when I realized I passed up Mt Hawkins the first time (few hundred feet).

5 would just ....be....too...much...