Started at Three Points at 530am just before sunrise. Headed north on PCT and to my surprise crews had been cutting brush for about first 100 yards of the trail. This is awesome as it's much needed. But what I couldn't see in the dim light was they had not yet collected what they had cut. 100 yard obstacle course in the dark over, I was on my way!
Before long I was at Sulfur Springs camp and no campers in sight. Nice area and campsites, probably doesn't see much use. Back on track I followed the camp service road west and where it tees into the Little Rock fireroad, I took a right turn. I made good time by 930am I was at my next turn. I headed east up Little Rock creek.
Ominous sign?
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1nwaHF4hrKw5qVP4MK4ZKl5nsOyuO2zg1/preview
3/4 mile in the canyon narrows.
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1lhW7V0LYNtzj7QoqpjTDXuYywzuuSIex/preview
This canyon is 10' to 40' wide with 20' to 200' walls for 7 miles. Where the canyon floor meets the wall is poison oak. Between the meandering creek, meandering poison oak, thick brush, alder, dead fall, and house size boulders travel is slow. I think 1/2 mile per hour for most of the way. I didn't see any sign of man for the next 7 hours. It was easy to find the path of least resistance through the canyon, just look for bear scat!
Did find slimy wiggly's
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1n17hpmji94fAS4IVdSQOTAWXXtOfoaGG/preview
Fall color and clear pools
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1XTmJwKxM9tD-sHxIrH7_A6UyOjYnGVBT/preview
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1LN4NwbVMYuewe77kyMcknzPCp3_aEgi1/preview
It was getting late and I needed to find a place to camp. By surprise and dumb luck I found myself at what is the best campsite along this stretch of Little Rock creek.
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1HXXXQ8J1bQ3EzcoiAAiBWirJ674Sj8I9/preview
At first light I made a quick breakfast and got back to the grind upstream
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1gRfmiNuz6XU8dV3ZS1lMvpnyvppDq-I4/preview
More of this
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1qmVUI1059Csjq7yMJU40QI0Eg_Z69Zgw/preview
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1LbZRZQ-b7fawtlPOMQLbwbhKSfAS4NKD/preview
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZrgovn1mgzdnDyOwBM8hGmREY8_L9MU/preview
After a few more miles of complicated travel things start to open up.
http://drive.google.com/file/d/1qlmV8X_ogJOxVBLYNLkB6apRqdb6eq70/preview
At some point I could hear voices and knew that trails were close. I hopped on Burkhart trail and then PCT, a few of ACH crossings and I was back to the car. What a nice stroll through the San Gabriel mountains!
Three points loop
- Uncle Rico
- Posts: 1439
- Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:48 pm
Nice! Were you able to stay dry the whole way, or was the water and poison oak unavoidable?
I was able to stay dry. Every time I came to a new pool there was a different challenge to get past it. And yes I did end up with some PO! This section of LRC is untouched. Something that is unique anywhere, but especially given the proximity to 10 million people.