The dirt road to MF trailhead has gotten pretty bad. I don't think a passenger car could make it at this point. Maybe with a really really skilled driver. We left a car there, then drove over to the Icehouse side and started hiking around 7:45am. Very little traffic. Must have been the weather threat.
It was cool, breezy and great. Matt stayed at the saddle and took a nap while I hoofed it (haha) out toward Ontario peak to grab the camera. The trail between the saddle and Kelly's Camp was wet - it had obviously rained pretty good up here. Above camp, it was dry again though.
I got back to the saddle 15 minutes late, so no rest for the weary - we took off down the trail to Commanche Camp right away. The trail here is narrow and steep. It obviously doesn't get much use. Very beautiful place though. About halfway down we met a girl who realized she was not headed toward Cucamonga Peak on this trail, and was pretty bummed to have to turn around and hike back up.
Near Commanche, the trail gets shady and the creek flows well. It feels like San Gorgonio here. Totally gorgeous.
The hike out was uneventful. Less than a mile below the camp is the drop-in for the canyoneering route of Middle Fork, so we have hiked this section of trail many times. It's also very nice, just not "new".
I would love to go back to the Commanche Camp area and set a trailcam in there. Anyone interested in exploring the side canyons around there (just hiking - non technical), let me know.
Top of the trail:
Looking back up canyon:
Gigantic tree!
Ya don't see ferns everyday!
Shady:
Green:
Eeew:
View from Commanche camp:
Storm rolling in:
Talus:
Looking down from the trail:
Toward Lytle Creek:
Brand new sign! No bullet holes (yet)!
I'd like to go over there. Looks like a nice trail.