Middle Fork Lytle Creek -- Mini Trip
Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:42 am
Just took my daughter out to the Middle Fork of Lytle Creek last Saturday for a quick mini trip (we had to be back home by 3:00 or so).
First, the road. The road's in lousy shape. Fortunately, my friend Jeff drove his XTerra, so we were fine, but I wouldn't think it would be a very good idea to drive a passenger car up there. In the past, my Accord has always been fine. I noted at the trailhead that there were only Jeeps, trucks, and SUV's.
There's a new sign saying that wilderness permits are required. I hadn't ever seen that sign before. I presume that you would get them at the Lytle Creek Ranger Station. I've never had a wilderness permit in that area, ever.
Second, the sign says that it's 0.5 miles to Stone House Crossing. Uh, no. Both my GPS and my friend's GPS said it's about a mile each way. Here's my GPS track for the Middle Fork of Lytle Creek. I'd say the elevation is a little low too, but close enough.
I wasn't sure how much water there would be given that we're in the middle of a multi-year drought, but the creek was not only flowing, but it was flowing well.
My daughter wasted no time in getting down to the serious business of playing in/with the water.
I turned her propensity for water play to good use; here she is fetching water for us to make lunch with.
Naturally, being a stove geeky kind of guy, I geeked out:
Left to Right: Sierra Zip Stove (note fan control unit at far left), Trail Designs Ti-Tri (the most practical for Southern California since it works equally well on wood, alcohol, or ESBIT), and a BioLite (which generates electricity such that one could charge ones smart phone or other device).
The trail is in good shape (unlike the road). The camp area (Stonehouse) was quite nice. I usually don't go down in there and just bypass go direct to third crossing, but since we were in a hurry and wanted to do stove testing, we went to Stonehouse this time.
The weather was pleasant and there were some pretty cool clouds.
The water was cool, clear, and plentiful.
I'd like to head back again when I have more time. It's been a couple of years since I've been all the way up to Icehouse Saddle from the east. I just wish they'd get that road in better shape.
HJ
First, the road. The road's in lousy shape. Fortunately, my friend Jeff drove his XTerra, so we were fine, but I wouldn't think it would be a very good idea to drive a passenger car up there. In the past, my Accord has always been fine. I noted at the trailhead that there were only Jeeps, trucks, and SUV's.
There's a new sign saying that wilderness permits are required. I hadn't ever seen that sign before. I presume that you would get them at the Lytle Creek Ranger Station. I've never had a wilderness permit in that area, ever.
Second, the sign says that it's 0.5 miles to Stone House Crossing. Uh, no. Both my GPS and my friend's GPS said it's about a mile each way. Here's my GPS track for the Middle Fork of Lytle Creek. I'd say the elevation is a little low too, but close enough.
I wasn't sure how much water there would be given that we're in the middle of a multi-year drought, but the creek was not only flowing, but it was flowing well.
My daughter wasted no time in getting down to the serious business of playing in/with the water.
I turned her propensity for water play to good use; here she is fetching water for us to make lunch with.
Naturally, being a stove geeky kind of guy, I geeked out:
Left to Right: Sierra Zip Stove (note fan control unit at far left), Trail Designs Ti-Tri (the most practical for Southern California since it works equally well on wood, alcohol, or ESBIT), and a BioLite (which generates electricity such that one could charge ones smart phone or other device).
The trail is in good shape (unlike the road). The camp area (Stonehouse) was quite nice. I usually don't go down in there and just bypass go direct to third crossing, but since we were in a hurry and wanted to do stove testing, we went to Stonehouse this time.
The weather was pleasant and there were some pretty cool clouds.
The water was cool, clear, and plentiful.
I'd like to head back again when I have more time. It's been a couple of years since I've been all the way up to Icehouse Saddle from the east. I just wish they'd get that road in better shape.
HJ