Last Wednesday we scheduled Mt Lewis. Since the road was closed to Dawson Saddle we decided to walk up the road.
I was also curious about the progression of the construction.
We started around 8am. There was only one other car in the parking lot. As we were walking along the road Caltrans passed us by and just waived. At first we thought they might stop us but we continued onward.
There was 3 sites along the road where the road was being fixed.
After 2.21 miles construction begins. A little further down at the second construction site major repairs were being worked on. One side of the road was completely demolished. It was just a one way road. Crews put up a new barrier and you could see how far down the demolished road was being repaired. About one mile after that more crews were working.
Anyways, it was pretty interestingly to see all the materials laid out on the side of the road.
As we passed by each site we were wondering if they would tell us to turn around but everyone was pretty cool. They just smiled at us girls.
Overall the road was in good shape as far as Dawson Saddle.
We found some ice along the road and two springs that were flowing.
After 5.3 miles we finally arrived at Dawson Saddle. We took a break before the steep climb. I had been there before and I was looking for the bench mark on the wall of the building and then noticed some idiot painted right over it.
The aftermath from the Bobcat fire was really unpleasant. The use trail was a mess. So many burnt downed trees. We had to just find a good route to the summit.
At the peak, there wasn't much to see except for red PhostrEx that was all over the ridge leading up to Baden Powell.
We took our break across the summit opposite of Baden Powell because the views were much nicer.
We signed the register that was obviously replaced and I left some stickers.
We didn't see any other hikers. Only one biker that was going past Dawson Saddle as we were heading back to our cars.
Not a bad day for a 12 mile hike with 1,756 ft of gain.
