EISPIRATEN

Looking to do a moderate day hike with some friends in a couple of days - we live in Victorville and don't want to drive too far to the trailhead. And looks like Wrightwood area will be cooler than areas around Lake Arrowhead. I saw this trail and wondered if it's nice? Worth doing? Maintained? Good views? Anyone have any info? Thanks

http://www.wrightwoodca.com/wrightwood- ... ew&trail=5

Sorry, I posted this in the current conditions thread, and realized it probably should be here...

Looking to do a moderate day hike with some friends in a couple of days - we live in Victorville and don't want to drive too far to the trailhead. And looks like Wrightwood area will be cooler than areas around Lake Arrowhead. I saw this trail and wondered if it's nice? Worth doing? Maintained? Good views? Anyone have any info? Thanks

http://www.wrightwoodca.com/wrightwood- ... ew&trail=5

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=722021

This is a one way trip I did with some friends back in July 2010

Hi Tarol,

I haven't done this specific hike, but I've hiked around Lupine Camp and to Upper Fish Fork Camp. The ridge would be a beautiful hike, especially this time of year. Even un-maintained, I think it would be easy going along the ridge.

What you need to find out is if the road down to Lupine Camp is open yet. I think it usually opens around Memorial Day weekend, but it can be delayed later than that if there is damage. The wrightwood forum, as mentioned, would be a good source of info on the road. Calling ANF rangers about it can be less reliable. It depends who you get on the phone, whether they are aware of these smaller, less-used places or not.

If you find out, let us know. I would like to get down there this spring too!

-Johanna

tarol wrote: ↑Looking to do a moderate day hike with some friends in a couple of days - we live in Victorville and don't want to drive too far to the trailhead. And looks like Wrightwood area will be cooler than areas around Lake Arrowhead. I saw this trail and wondered if it's nice? Worth doing? Maintained? Good views? Anyone have any info? Thanks

http://www.wrightwoodca.com/wrightwood- ... ew&trail=5

Here's a trip report from probably the most prolific hiker in California. Might provide some insite into the hike...

http://www.snwburd.com/bob/trip_reports ... dge_1.html

According to Big-Pines-Ranger-Station-Angeles-National-Forest the road should be open to Guffy soon, but no go for Lupine.

I have done a more strenuous hike where I parked my car on the main ridge hiked down to Lupine Camp from there took that trail you wanted to do to the Pine Ridge high point and then did Wild View Peak. From there I ascended cross-country up the ridge to the top of Pine. I then took the Other Devil's Backbone back to my car.

The area is probably the nicest in all the San Gabriels so you really can't go wrong hiking there. The trail is in fine shape as they are old fire roads essentially. The summit area is ver gentle and wooded so the view from the high point is only so-so. However when you're on the ridge you do get some decent views to the south. The ridge is surrounded by higher mountains around it so the views are limited in distance. A bit of a drive but worth it.

Just ran across your post and I'll have to assume you figured out that it took a little bit of work to get to Lupine. It's a great hike if you have the time though.

Next time you guys are up there and are looking for something moderate I'd suggest leaving from Grassy Hollow and heading North on the PCT. I think it's one of the best hikes around there for people who want to get a real sense of the area.

There's a natural turnaround at the fire road after a couple of miles of easy hiking for an out and back or you can even turn it in to a loop by taking the trail down to Jackson Lake just after Jackson Flat Group Campground. After about 1M of descent you'll come to an open area where you'll take the first trail on your left back up. Go left at the fire road after about 2M and you can either take that all around to Grassy Hollow or pick up the PCT again heading South.