Lower South Fork, Big Rock Creek, looking back toward the trailhead:
The trail is a nice gradual ascent above the creek for 5 miles. There were no steep inclines but there were some cliffy sections and scree across the trail in the first couple of miles. If you get vertigo easily (like my wife) you should not do this trail.
Some cliffy sections of the trail early in the hike:
You can see Islip Saddle, a notch on the horizon, early in the hike:
About 3 miles in a pleasant alpine breeze gave relief from the desert heat. Lots of Big Cone Douglas Firs at first, then mixed pines and white firs in the second half of the hike. Snow dusted ridges to our left were visible throughout most of the ascent. No ice or snow anywhere on the trail.
About four miles in we hit a couple of side canyons with good water. I believe the second one was Reed Spring (as marked on map). Good thing too because we both finished our Camelbacks at the top! There were a few downed trees right across the trail, all passable enough.
Reed Spring (I think)
The last mile of trail is most pleasant, with more shade and cool breezes:
Getting close to the top:
There is a little picnic area at Islip Saddle where we talked to a couple of PCTers. The noise on Hwy 2 was light as the gate was closed as Islip Saddle. I thought it was closed at Red Box too but a group of (loud) motorcycles showed up and some cars too.
Nice desert views from the saddle:
We had lunch then departed. Stopped at Reed Spring to filter water, refill our bladders. Had a nice cloud cover all the way back down.
Heading back:
