The day started with a drive up the newly opened ACH from La Canada. As others have mentioned, there has been a tremendous amount of work done on the road. It's easy to wonder why the work took so long, until you see the huge new canyons created by rockslides, all the new signage, and appreciate the smooth, fast drive up to Clear Creek.
Of note - as I drove up, it was RAINING. In JUNE.
The Switzer trail is open, but the picnic area is still being worked on, so the gate is closed at the "top" (at ACH). This means a ten minute walk down a paved road, to get to the start of the trail. Not bad. I saw this sign on the way, which seemed to say something about "This may someday be a recreation area, but the amount of brush...".
The canyon bottom looked lush:
There are only scattered remains of fire damage here.
A nice snack!
I've loved this view for the past ten years. What a nice place.
I wanted to check out the view from the Chapel ruins. Because of the regrowth of brush, the use trail is very hard to find. Even knowing where I was going, I ended up about 20' too low, and cliffed out. A little backtracking brought me to the old stone arches.
Looking down canyon from the Chapel:
Back at Switzer Camp, life is good:
The trail has obviously been worked on, and was in excellent shape. I think it was nicer than it was before the fire, actually. Big thanks to the volunteer trail crews!!!
These rappels have been on my list for quite some time:
Tiny baby Taricha Torosa, just starting to work on his neurotoxin production:
The pools are doing alright. Not what they were, but getting there. I'll be real happy when I see fish in here again!
At the Bear Canyon junction, foxtails abound, but the trail is otherwise fine.
The Humboldt Lilies are blooming now!
And, hiking solo, this still warm pile (and the nearby bedding area) became my signal to turn around. Don't want to bother Mr. Yogi.
This is a mountain lion track, also nearby. (distorted by the rain)
The Dudleya is also happy
Ahhhhhh - it doesn't get much nicer:
