I first did this hike on 1/14/2010 not much has changed except the route seems more traveled. http://tinyurl.com/KagelMtn-thehardway
With very high temps forecast we got going as early as possible. As soon as the sun made it's appearance the temps started to climb.
There was a security guard at the shack behind the chain-link fence gate but I don't think he saw us. After we got up higher the guard moved to the locked gate.
We decided to avoid the guard by hiking in the wash. But when we go to our vehicles the guard was gone.
My friend said this wasn't going to be on his top ten list of Southern California hikes. I can understand that. This would be excellent training for Scotties Well to Telescope Peak with 2200ft gain in 2.1 miles.