A little late, but here's some pics from my trek to Brown Mountain last Sunday. I started at Eaton Saddle, followed the Mt. Lowe fire road to the junction with trail 12W08, followed that west to Tom Sloane saddle, and then ascended the visible use trail up the east ridge to the summit. I used Augie's very useful Summit Post page as my guide.
I almost didn't go. When I woke up Sunday, the morning was gray and dreary and I didn't feel much like going into the mountains, but I forced myself out the door anyway. Driving up the ACH, the heavens suddenly opened up around Clear Creek to reveal a stunningly gorgeous sunny and clear day. If you were lucky enough to be out, you know what I'm talking about. It ended up being my best day in the San Gabes so far this year.
Fog creeping up Eaton Canyon
PDB still pretty thick along the Mt. Lowe Road (Btw, that is not snow. I have no idea what my camera is doing here)
Mt. Lukens above the clouds
Disappointment and San Gabriel Peak
Saddleback above the clouds
Brown Mountain from 12W08
Trail Conditions
More trail conditions
Bear Canyon from 12W08
Brown Mountain from 12W08
Use trail up Brown's east ridge
Looking back to Eaton Saddle
Brown's false summit
False summit again
Brown Mountain from false summit
Summit view south
Cairn atop Brown's summit
Puff Daddy was here
Disappointment, San Gabriel Peak, Eaton Saddle, Markham, and Lowe from Brown's summit
Fog receding from Millard Canyon
Greenery along the trail
Bear Canyon
Baldy from Mt. Lowe Road near Markham Saddle
Clouds receding from Eaton Canyon
The old trail along the south face of San Gabriel Peak. Holy shizzle.
The old trail, another view. The Mueller tunnel is out of frame immediately to the right.
Baldy from the Mt. Wilson Road