EISPIRATEN

I must apologize for utterly failing the hiking community by not reporting several of my recent trips. I have no believable excuse to offer. But I hope you will accept this meager attempt at making amends.

+++ THE CRACK OF DOOM +++

In early August Willie and I thought it was a good time to attempt The Crack of Doom in the Rubio watershed.



We started early in the morning and took a network of trails around the falls in Rubio Canyon, dropping down the Throne Trail to the confluence with the East Fork.



We scrambled up the main branch a bit before turning right, into the nameless tributary that hosts the Crack of Doom.



The climbing increased in difficulty as we approached the heart of the Crack.





There is a large boulder occupying the slot at the top of the Crack. We made it to a point maybe 100' below the boulder. Then we got blocked by a wall that proved too difficult and dangerous for our liking.



Here we traversed eastward across a mighty rockface, until we reached a manageable ridgeline.



Five hours after starting in Altadena, we finally reached Castle Spur Point with panoramic views of Inspiration Point



and Echo Mountain.



+++ STODDARD PEAK +++

Mid-August Cecelia and I walked the gentle Barrett-Stoddard Road out of the Baldy area.



A couple miles in we turned onto the ridgeline trail to Stoddard Peak.



It was a clear day with nice views. I noted Iron Mountain in the distance, and my heart filled with a special longing for Gunsight Notch.



Then I turned around and saw Frankish Peak.



Suddenly my heart went cold and I felt nothing whatsoever. But Cecelia still seemed to be enjoying herself.



+++ SMITH MOUNTAIN +++

Also in August I encouraged Cecelia to tackle Smith Mountain. The trail to Smith Saddle was much longer than I remembered it being.



Perhaps I should have scrutinized the trailhead sign, which clearly tells you that it's three miles to the San Gabriel Wilderness, which begins at the saddle.



Along the way we encountered a tarantula.



It was getting late, but Cecelia continued up the firebreak and ridge trail,



and we topped out on Smith a little before sunset.



On the return journey we enjoyed the crescent moon over Smith Saddle.

The rock in the Crack of Doom looks rotten. That traverse must have been knarly.

The tarantula needs a haircut.

tekewin wrote: ↑The rock in the Crack of Doom looks rotten. That traverse must have been knarly.

We tried three or four different routes up the rockface but couldn't manage it. The rock was indeed loose with terrible footholds. This is a picture of the western portion of it.

Is the rock good enough to climb directly if you had a rope?

Taco wrote: ↑Is the rock good enough to climb directly if you had a rope?

Probably. I think more experienced climbers could have done it. There were some solid holds, but not enough for us to feel comfortable without special equipment.

Yeah, I did something similar to this deeper into Rubio once (like a mile and a half in over the waterfalls up the stream) and it ended in a helicopter rescue... So good on you for not having that happen

I've climbed my share of rock in Angeles, and of course it all crumbles. Then I went to Joshua Tree and took a rock climbing class and I basically had to unlearn everything I knew. Because they're like don't test the footholds just go for it and trust your shoes and I'm like huh? ANF is definitely it's own thing.

Stoddard is one of my regulars, I find that hike quite enjoyable. Once I got practically buzzed by a biplane on the road up there, North By Northwest style.

I haven't been up Smith in a million years. Good reminder that it exists. But yeah, I think of it as being kind of long and hot. Once I have a memory of a hike being super hot, it's hard to get me back on it.

I like Smith a lot, but I usually hike it when it's cool. There isn't any shade and that's bad for my delicate complexion.