06-APR-2024
Plan A: I tried again, and was thwarted again, to do the Warm Springs Mtn loop north of Castaic Lake. Water is still too high. My prior fail was a safety concern (water was really bad), but yesterday the river level was 'you can probably wade that' and I'd have to repeat 4 times, and remain soaked in 10C/50F with a stiff breeze all day, with a final swim in the evening if I managed to complete the loop.
Plan B: I heard something about Whittaker Lookout, vaguely recall it was below Pyramid Lake, and I'm already off the freeway at that locale. I managed to pass the road to Whittaker thinking it looked very private ranch. I did the short road ride to the dam, and obtained the only interesting pic of the day, returned to the gate and got to watch USFS hassle subsistence fishermen over the $5 to park at a campground they can't use (Frencmens Flat, closed), hike on a road that was built by the state before we were born, and fish for possibly polluted trout to feed their starving families...ugh! (Sorry, Taco, not trying to edge in on your schtick!)
Cool seasonal waterfall and bridge at the foot of Pyramid Dam
Plan C: OK, Liebre, I guess. Shoulda done that in the first place. But it's nice. So nice. Oh, so so so nice! I really enjoy the break point from desert SoCal to gentle, forested, ranchable CentCal. The road up Liebre is currently being graded and very easy going. I hit some snow melt up on the top, and some mushy sections. It's been about a decade since my last visit, and I think there's supposed to be a radio tower up there? Gone. I stopped for turn-around at what I supposed was Liebre summit. Chowed some oatmeal-cherry-walnut cookies my wife made (YAYAYA), turned around to look at a pile of rocks...hmmm... Yep, that's the summit can. And whaddaya know! Eis Piraten sticker!!!
I signed 5 April by mistake, but time is a blur when you get up in the years a bit.For wildflower enthusiasts: the lower switchbacks on Liebre were just starting bloom, with something bright yellow I don't recognize. The lupine and poppies will explode on this slope over the next 3 weeks. This is a huge vertical canvas that goes nuts with color! It's one of the best locations to photograph, and at the moment is very lush and green. If you want to shoot poppies without a bunch of people in the background...
nudge-nudge "Say n'more!"
