Page 1 of 1

Telegraph Peak 2009-07-25

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:38 am
by RichardK
We hiked Telegraph Peak Saturday via Icehouse Canyon. Due to the Timber-Telegraph saddle, total vertial gain is about 4600 feet. Another 5AM start to beat the heat. Temps were OK until the afternoon coming down Icehouse. My keychain thermometer was reading in the upper 80's.

We ran into two trail maintenence volunteers on the Telegraph switchbacks. They were removing a downed tree from across the trail. We had a discussion about the switchback cutting taking place in Icehouse Canyon. Someone has been piling brush and logs across the worst cuts. It turns out that is was one of these guys. Of course, some idiots are removing the blockades. We devised a Lord of the Rings solution to the problem: station orcs at the switchbacks to eat the cutters.

Telegraph's southern slopes offer a nice view from Etiwanda to Ontario.

Image

Telegraph's summit is fairly small and drops off steeply on three sides. This makes for sweeping vistas. You can see why the Army put a signaling mirror up here. There is a good look at Baldy.

Image

Re: Telegraph Peak 2009-07-25

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:18 pm
by Taco
The Army put a signal mirror up there? Harumph.

Re: Telegraph Peak 2009-07-25

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 7:24 pm
by Elwood
Beautiful shot of San Antonio and neighbors!

Re: Telegraph Peak 2009-07-25

Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:32 pm
by RichardK
The army put a heliograph up there in the 1800's. The peak was first called Heliograph Peak, but that later changed to Telegraph Peak. The name stuck.

Re: Telegraph Peak 2009-07-25

Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 2:03 am
by Taco
Harumph! Good to know.

Gonna hafta do a new route on there and give it a heliograph-related name.