Potato Mountain
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:39 pm
Three months after knee surgery, this is my first real test. I've walked plenty but that is all urban hiking, and Claremont isn't known for the elevation gains.
We were planning to walk the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, but the parking situation there is just stupid on weekends. It's amazing to me that people are parking over a mile from the trailhead on Mills and filling up all the side streets too. On the other hand, we should be pleased that folks are getting outdoors more. Anyway, seeing that the parking lots were full, I drove on up to Evey Canyon for little spud peak.
Not much to talk about, it's a well-graded road up to a saddle, after that the road is slightly rougher. Nothing too difficult, but parts are fairly steep. We passed lots of people on the way up, while also greeting plenty of others on the way down. This is not the place for solitude, unless you hike it at night.
It's 2.1 miles each way, and a good way to spend a couple of hours. Sitting on the water tank at the top is a good place for a snack break and there are always other hikers to chat with.
A few pics:
Looking up at the summit from the Baldy Road parking area.
Technically, you are supposed to write to Pomona College for a permit. This is universally ignored.
Welcome shade on the lower part. This area was badly burned in 2003 but has come back nicely.
At the saddle. The road branches here down to the Wilderness Park, which is a nice nine-mile round trip (when you can find parking).
Summit plateau.
Bad spelling. Usually there are some potatoes left on the tank but not this day.
Hazy view towards LA.
Lots of wildflowers out right now, pretty spectacular.
Watch out for this stuff, kids - it's really green right now.
We were planning to walk the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, but the parking situation there is just stupid on weekends. It's amazing to me that people are parking over a mile from the trailhead on Mills and filling up all the side streets too. On the other hand, we should be pleased that folks are getting outdoors more. Anyway, seeing that the parking lots were full, I drove on up to Evey Canyon for little spud peak.
Not much to talk about, it's a well-graded road up to a saddle, after that the road is slightly rougher. Nothing too difficult, but parts are fairly steep. We passed lots of people on the way up, while also greeting plenty of others on the way down. This is not the place for solitude, unless you hike it at night.
It's 2.1 miles each way, and a good way to spend a couple of hours. Sitting on the water tank at the top is a good place for a snack break and there are always other hikers to chat with.
A few pics:
Looking up at the summit from the Baldy Road parking area.
Technically, you are supposed to write to Pomona College for a permit. This is universally ignored.
Welcome shade on the lower part. This area was badly burned in 2003 but has come back nicely.
At the saddle. The road branches here down to the Wilderness Park, which is a nice nine-mile round trip (when you can find parking).
Summit plateau.
Bad spelling. Usually there are some potatoes left on the tank but not this day.
Hazy view towards LA.
Lots of wildflowers out right now, pretty spectacular.
Watch out for this stuff, kids - it's really green right now.
