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West Fuji from the Rubio waterfalls

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 5:44 pm
by dima
I've climbed up the Lone Tree trail many times. Near the top is a nice forested area where I've seen deer and (unsuccessfully) searched for antlers.

I've also hiked Echo Mountain via the waterfalls, fixed ropes and the West fork of Rubio creek many times. When walking to the fixed ropes, you turn off the main "trail", and every time I've wondered about NOT turning off here, but continuing to climb and eventually (presumably) connecting up to the Lone Tree trail, coming up the forested area from below.

After several half-assed attempts to do this earlier, I put my whole ass into it today, and the result is this:

http://caltopo.com/m/5J49

The plan was to go to the overlook for the big waterfall (Thalehaha?), then continue climbing the ridge until I get to above Leontine falls, then traverse into the East Fork of Rubio creek, and ascend that to connect to the Lone Tree trail just below West Fuji. The use trails peter out very quickly above the turnoff to the ropes, but what there is, generally goes along the ridge instead of traversing to the East Fork. The whole thing is a brushfest, but much more so when trying to traverse.

There are a few use paths toward the East Fork around the level of Leontine falls, presumably used by canyoneers. I fought through the brush and climbed over some minor ridges over some exceptionally poor rock.

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There's a clear area here and there:

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Eventually you get into the grass and forest, just like below West Fuji:

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Looks like somebody is building a trail here. There're some flags around, and a pickaxe-like tool was propped by a tree:

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Does anybody know what the plan is for the trail? As you climb, it gets nicer

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And then you hit the Lone Tree trail. Lots of butterflies on West Fuji today, and I tried to get a decent photo of some in flight:

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A lot easier when they're holding still

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Next time I do this I'll go backwards: go up to West Fuji, then drop into the East Fork by descending in the woods, then bushwhack back down somehow.

Re: West Fuji from the Rubio waterfalls

Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2015 8:33 pm
by HikeUp
Brings back memories. We basically paralleled the ridge on the south (climber's right) side of the ridge you mention. I bet Sean knows something about the trail flags and tools you saw.

Fun bushwhack!!!

Re: West Fuji from the Rubio waterfalls

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2015 11:24 pm
by Sean
Maybe you stumbled upon my secret route from the Lone Tree down into the East Fork of Rubio. It's been awhile since I worked on it. The lower segment is simply a steep, rocky gully. The upper section is mostly a deer path that I improved a little.

Re: West Fuji from the Rubio waterfalls

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 2:17 am
by dima
Sean wrote: Maybe you stumbled upon my secret route from the Lone Tree down into the East Fork of Rubio. It's been awhile since I worked on it. The lower segment is simply a steep, rocky gully. The upper section is mostly a deer path that I improved a little.
Could be. Did you leave a pickaxe just sitting there?

Re: West Fuji from the Rubio waterfalls

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:58 pm
by Sean
dima wrote:Did you leave a pickaxe just sitting there?
Yeah, I think that's the one with the bent flat side.