High Desert Trail to Devil's Chair

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Sun Jan 31, 2016 4:39 pm

Made my way out to the Devil's Punchbowl last weekend. Took the trail from the parking area out to the Devil's Chair and back (with a couple of distractions along the way). Round trip is approximately 8 easy miles. Pretty neat place to spend a day.

http://wildsouthland.blogspot.com/2016/ ... hrone.html

RichardK · Post by **RichardK** » Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:30 am

We made it to the Devil's Chair only once 10 years ago. It's a very pleasant hike. Thanks for the pictures.

AW~ · Post by **AW~** » Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:22 pm

Cool...Ive gone to that area each of the last 3 years during late fall season. Quite a number of different angles to view the faults. Last year from South Fork campground....which is a more strenuous hike, but nice.

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:10 pm

Last year from South Fork campground

Hey, have you (or anyone else reading this) stayed the night at South Fork? Is it like the Monte Cristo of the north side of the range? There's loop opportunities involving South Fork but don't know if it's gang-banger/tweaker territory.

AW~ · Post by **AW~** » Mon Feb 01, 2016 9:16 pm

Uncle Rico wrote: ↑
Last year from South Fork campground
Hey, have you (or anyone else reading this) stayed the night at South Fork? Is it like the Monte Cristo of the north side of the range? There's loop opportunities involving South Fork but don't know if it's gang-banger/tweaker territory.

LOL...not like Monte Cristo. Is Monte Cristo even open LOL? Its like the second someone spots Monte Cristo, the commuters along AFH speed up to your bumper in a "dont even think about it" style. Ya keep it gas to the max or they will run you off the road...excuse me, expressway.

SF is pretty much empty by fall since it gets kind of cold. Summertime looks to be when its crazy busy and edgy. I stay at Sycamore Flat since its free and easy to get into at night(open 24 hours)....no frills whatsoever at dusty Sycamore..pretty much just a unpaved parking lot with a bathroom. There might be one other party brave enough to park there overnight LOL.

SF attracts a camping crowd since its a off the road on a dirt road and is not as desert. Water is a big plus. You'll likely have company. I dont know of any easy loops though. Its more suited to split day hike....such as doing the Chair(with a tiny bit of Holcomb canyon thrown in) and then returning and doing something else. I would recommend travelling by car along Pallet Creek road at least one direction from The San Andreas Fault sign(for a selfie and earthquake lottery) to St Andrews Abbey(cool trees).
http://www.skepticblog.org/2013/04/24/p ... ett-creek/

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Tue Feb 02, 2016 6:17 am

Thanks for the info AW. 8)

I dont know of any easy loops though.

The one loop that looks viable, at least on paper, is from Vincent Gap to Islip Saddle down South Fork and then back up the Manzanita Trail. It could be done as a 3 day outing with nights at Little Jimmy and South Fork. And if they ever re-open the PCT in the Williamson Rock Area you could loop from Islip to the Burkhart Trail to the High Desert Trail over the South Fork and then back up to Islip (or do it in the other direction).

Just a thought.

VermillionPearlGirl · Post by **VermillionPearlGirl** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:51 am

I like this hike. So many of the hikes in Angeles include serious elevation and therefore are quite challenging and every once in a while you just want to go for a long walk in the wilderness without all the sweat and exertion

Also, it's got a pretty unique reward at the end!