Stockton Flat Icehouse Saddle, July 4th

TRs for the San Gabriel Mountains.
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Elwood
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Post by Elwood »

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.

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

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Stockton Flat from the road, looking west-ish

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The road to Baldy Notch, complete with requisite tagging

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

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

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Those black diamonds don't seem so scary now

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Glendora Ridge and points south from 8200' saddle

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

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The way back up Telegraph from down Timber

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

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Baldy Village from Telegraph. Buckhorn Lodge roof almost discernible.

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

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

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

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Saturday's stats
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Taco
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Post by Taco »

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.
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406
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Post by 406 »

looks fun
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Mike P
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Post by Mike P »

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 :)
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EnFuego
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Post by EnFuego »

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?
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Hikin_Jim
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Post by Hikin_Jim »

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.
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Elwood
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Post by Elwood »

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.

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Taco
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Post by Taco »

Someone start a thread for NHPS! 8)
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Hikin_Jim
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Post by Hikin_Jim »

Elwood wrote:Image
:lol: :lol: :lol: The hole punches kill me.

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

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!
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Ze Hiker
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Post by Ze Hiker »

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.

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gotta be tons of error in that measurement, can't be close to 10,500 gain... :?:
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Taco
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Post by Taco »

So how close must someone be to a summit to qualify for NHPS?
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Tim
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Post by Tim »

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!
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Ze Hiker
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Post by Ze Hiker »

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...
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