Swarthout ridge to Wrightwood
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:38 am
I decided to do the hike from Swarthout to Wrightwood I recommend to Liz on this forum. The entire trail has a 3200 foot elevation gain over about 6 miles, and a shuttle is required in Wrightwood. Basically this hike follows the ridgeline that parallels Lonepine Canyon and is the San Andreas upthrust on the north side. This hike is approx. 1 mile west of interstate 15 off of the 138 and Lonepine Canyon Road. The TH is on the N side of Lonepine at Swarthout Canyon road and the trail is a little obscured by brush. Use care crossing Lonepine as cars rip through this area and it is a blind curve. 
Shin protection is a must as the first third of the trail is choked with yuccas. We ran into a couple of patches of snow in some shaded areas that was soft and mostly shallow, but we did run into a couple of deeper spots (knee deep) Crampons would be necessary if you take the route to Horse Canyon to the north. We chose a steep west facing slope with a few patches of soft snow on it that was mostly avoidable. I immagine if the weather was'nt as nice as it was (temps in the 60's) ice could be a problem. We did not need crampons or snowshoes however.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30922174@N ... 507880636/
Shin protection is a must as the first third of the trail is choked with yuccas. We ran into a couple of patches of snow in some shaded areas that was soft and mostly shallow, but we did run into a couple of deeper spots (knee deep) Crampons would be necessary if you take the route to Horse Canyon to the north. We chose a steep west facing slope with a few patches of soft snow on it that was mostly avoidable. I immagine if the weather was'nt as nice as it was (temps in the 60's) ice could be a problem. We did not need crampons or snowshoes however.http://www.flickr.com/photos/30922174@N ... 507880636/
