EISPIRATEN

Over the weekend I visited the Liebre Mountain area in the far NW corner of the Angeles following the PCT from its intersection with County Road N2 (which I believe is Pine Canyon Road) to the high point along the Liebre Mountain Ridge. The high point at 5785' is higher than Liebre Mountain proper (5760') which is 0.7 miles to the west. Go figure.

Anyway, this is an odd area and it doesn't seem to see many visitors other than PCT through-hikers. It can't seem to decide whether it is oak woodland or evergreen forest, but ultimately the former prevails. It also has California Buckeyes growing trailside which you don't see everyday.

Being this is the PCT, navigation is simple and the trail is in decent shape although brush is starting to encroach in some areas. Horse Springs trail camp looks decent. There is a spring 0.2 miles down a use path from the back of the camp, but I didn't investigate to see if it was flowing. There was a good breeze blowing when I was up there, but the bugs were still out in force. Bring your tekewin-approved bug nets or be prepared for massive annoyance. About 1/2 way up, I crossed paths with a bow hunter in full camo. Archery season started Saturday in the Angeles I guess so be aware of that when you go out.

The high point of the ridge sits atop a broad, flat summit in the middle of an oak grove. There is a rock pile and a post a the high point with a register canister. If you go walk a short distance to where 7N23 crosses the ridge, you can get a nice look south. Pyramid Lake is visible to the southwest. On the other side of the ridge, you get looks at the Tehachapi range which is kind of unique. From here, PCT hikers can see the dreaded section that crosses the desert once they drop down and reach highway 138 about 10 miles distant.

Some pics.

Two more pics. Crapa-talk wouldn't let me include these in the original post unless I became a premium member or something. ?

It's a very pretty area, also popular with cyclists. The wildflower blooms on the southwest aspect are amazing (where the road switchbacks are). Golden Eagle Trail roughly parallels the PCT, but with more southerly views. The Sawmill Mtn/Burnt Peak area further east has more conifer forest, and Sawmill CG is among the nicest camps I've seen.

Uncle Rico wrote: ↑Anyway, this is an odd area and it doesn't seem to see many visitors other than PCT through-hikers. It can't seem to decide whether it is oak woodland or evergreen forest, but ultimately the former prevails.

Ah, the eternal struggle between oaks and evergreens! Much like the battle of the sexes--or the fights between Tom and Jerry. The conflict never ends, yet one is clearly dominant.

Thanks for the report! It's nice to see that area of the range.

Ah, the eternal struggle between oaks and evergreens!

Yeah, the oaks are always fighting with everyone. The maples hate them too.

Nice transition zone. The grass, though, looks like a foxtail mine field. Hard to believe that's still the ANF out there. Great to see a report from such a remote corner.