We arrived at the trailhead (Condor Peak Trail in the Big Tujunga) and were stomping dirt by 8am. From talking with other hikers, and scrutinizing my map, I knew the trail was somewhat long and meandering-ish. So after merely a quarter-mile or so, where the trail begins counter-intuitively descending back toward the highway, instead of continuing generally upward, we decided to abandon it in favor of an interesting and unknown steep ridgeline path complete with fixed ropes in place for safety.
I assumed this route was an established shortcut option for like-minded folks who don't like going down when they should be going up on a trail. And looking at my map, I realized that this ridge would eventually reconnect us with the trail further up. Unfortunately, I did not know that the good use path would turn into a sort of bushwhack along a dangerously narrow spine, from which we were nearly blown by the wind gusts.
Also, this "shortcut" was slow-going and had some up and down, which probably did not save us much time as opposed to sticking with the trail. Still, it was more exciting than a real trail and Cecelia found a county flood control marker.
About an hour after starting we reconnected with the trail and looked back at the ridge we just took.
Then we began the long trek on the trail, periodically making guesses as to which distant peak was our objective.
Eventually the trail begins a long crossing of Fusier Canyon, dipping in and out of several gullies where the trail needs some work. In two gullies water was flowing and there was a little poison oak to be avoided, and a couple down trees to be crawled through.
While crossing Fusier, there was a particularly neat section of white rocks, through which the trail has been blasted. Cecelia found a boulder that had to be climbed here.
And I found a couple unused blasting holes that simply needed their picture taken.
From here the trail climbed out of the canyon up to the opposite ridge, and we suddenly had amazing views of Josephine and Strawberry to the east.
At last Fox Peak came into view.
And after seeing nobody else for hours, a lone man came down the trail. He had a look of omniscience in his eyes, and obviously he was sent to this faraway place for the sole purpose of explaining to us the best way to ascend Fox.
Using the stranger's advice, we left the trail and went straight up a steep, loose, rock-filled gully on the southeast slope of Fox.
We then cut over to the east ridge
which conveyed us gently to the summit, and a nice boulder for sitting and enjoying lunch.
It was 11:45am. Nearly four hours to the summit. Both of us had absorbed blows from yucca spines and various thorny objects. But it was worth it to bag Fox Peak and enjoy the beautiful day in the wilderness.
I think maybe suckers trail is a proper name for it.