Sierra Madre to Mount Baldy
Posted: Wed May 22, 2013 12:32 pm
Not sure if it's really feasible this year, given the extremely low water levels, but I'm in the early stages of planning a superultramegatrek from my front door to the top of Baldy. A very rough estimate of 80 miles, split up over 8 days. No reason to rush, 10 avg miles a day with a full pack is enough for me.
Obviously, water is key. There are some stretches of the route I've planned out that I'm extremely familiar with, but others (like Shortcut Canyon) I've never set foot in. The spacing of the campsites is about as perfect as can be, I was surprised.
Does this look possible?
http://goo.gl/maps/SiuH5
Day 1 - Mt Wilson Trail up and over Manzanita Ridge (the bench) to Hoegees (7 miles)
Day 2 - Gabrielino Trail over Newcomb Pass to West Fork Campground (8 miles)
Day 3 - Shortcut Canyon up to Chilao (11 miles)
Day 4 - Chilao to Cooper Canyon Trail Camp including detour to Newcomb's Ranch (14 miles)
Day 5 - Cooper Canyon TC to Little Jimmy (10-14 miles depending on route: PCT Closure, ACH bypass, or long ass detour up and over Williamson)
Day 6 - Little Jimmy to Baden-Powell Summit (6 miles)
Day 7 - Baden-Powell to Pine Mountain Ridge (13 miles, majority downhill)
Day 8 - Pine Mt Ridge up to Baldy (7 miles) then down to Manker (4.5 miles)
I think my best bet is to go late winter/early spring once the Pine Mountain to Baldy bit is ice free.
My biggest question is regarding reliable water sources between the West Fork Campground and Little Jiimmy (a huge chunk of the journey)
Any advice? (other than "Don't do it")
Obviously, water is key. There are some stretches of the route I've planned out that I'm extremely familiar with, but others (like Shortcut Canyon) I've never set foot in. The spacing of the campsites is about as perfect as can be, I was surprised.
Does this look possible?
http://goo.gl/maps/SiuH5
Day 1 - Mt Wilson Trail up and over Manzanita Ridge (the bench) to Hoegees (7 miles)
Day 2 - Gabrielino Trail over Newcomb Pass to West Fork Campground (8 miles)
Day 3 - Shortcut Canyon up to Chilao (11 miles)
Day 4 - Chilao to Cooper Canyon Trail Camp including detour to Newcomb's Ranch (14 miles)
Day 5 - Cooper Canyon TC to Little Jimmy (10-14 miles depending on route: PCT Closure, ACH bypass, or long ass detour up and over Williamson)
Day 6 - Little Jimmy to Baden-Powell Summit (6 miles)
Day 7 - Baden-Powell to Pine Mountain Ridge (13 miles, majority downhill)
Day 8 - Pine Mt Ridge up to Baldy (7 miles) then down to Manker (4.5 miles)
I think my best bet is to go late winter/early spring once the Pine Mountain to Baldy bit is ice free.
My biggest question is regarding reliable water sources between the West Fork Campground and Little Jiimmy (a huge chunk of the journey)
Any advice? (other than "Don't do it")