Mt. Lowe to Idlehour Camps: 16-18 May 2008
Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:51 pm
Our troop took a three day hike from Eaton Saddle to the Eaton Canyon Nature Center last weekend. Warm weather and hordes of mosquitoes greeted us.
We left the Mt Wilson Road around 7:00 pm and took our time down the road and across the Mt Lowe East Trail to Mt Lowe Camp. As usual, the view from Inspiration Point was incredible:
There was no water at the usual creek just E of camp. However, water was observed in the creek immediately below camp. Water could also be heard in the water tank in the brush immediately NE of camp. We couldn't find an easy way to get to it, though.
We returned to Inspiration Point the next morning to check out the view during daylight:
The hike down the Idlehour Trail into Eaton Canyon is one of the prettiest in the front range:
There were several downed trees and manzanita - this was the biggest:
Befitting the warm weather, we saw a few trail buddies. This one was on a rock next to my campsite at Idlehour:
My tent site at Idlehour:
Water was plentiful at Idlehour:
Our hike out of Idlehour to the Toll Road was quite warm and there were more down trees on it, as well. Idlehour Camp lies roughly east of the rock face in the center of the picture. This northward view is from the Idlehour Trail as it heads to the Mt Wilson Toll Road.
We had lunch at Henninger Flat amongst the tall weeds. We took the Toll Road down to the Horse Trail where we cut off to Eaton Canyon Nature Center. It was HOT on that south-facing slope. Temps reached 105°! Overall, this was a fun trip. It was relatively short at 10 miles in length and was a good introductory backpack for the younger folk.
We left the Mt Wilson Road around 7:00 pm and took our time down the road and across the Mt Lowe East Trail to Mt Lowe Camp. As usual, the view from Inspiration Point was incredible:
There was no water at the usual creek just E of camp. However, water was observed in the creek immediately below camp. Water could also be heard in the water tank in the brush immediately NE of camp. We couldn't find an easy way to get to it, though.
We returned to Inspiration Point the next morning to check out the view during daylight:
The hike down the Idlehour Trail into Eaton Canyon is one of the prettiest in the front range:
There were several downed trees and manzanita - this was the biggest:
Befitting the warm weather, we saw a few trail buddies. This one was on a rock next to my campsite at Idlehour:
My tent site at Idlehour:
Water was plentiful at Idlehour:
Our hike out of Idlehour to the Toll Road was quite warm and there were more down trees on it, as well. Idlehour Camp lies roughly east of the rock face in the center of the picture. This northward view is from the Idlehour Trail as it heads to the Mt Wilson Toll Road.
We had lunch at Henninger Flat amongst the tall weeds. We took the Toll Road down to the Horse Trail where we cut off to Eaton Canyon Nature Center. It was HOT on that south-facing slope. Temps reached 105°! Overall, this was a fun trip. It was relatively short at 10 miles in length and was a good introductory backpack for the younger folk.
