EISPIRATEN

So after reading Tekewins report on the Rincon road I got my permits to drive the Rincon road from Glendora Ranger station (by the way is very nice)

Anyways, they gave me 3 codes to the gate so I have access until December 14th.

As Tekewin said the road is nice. Some areas are smoother than others but for the most part really nice.

We had a late start because my friend had a prior engagement so we arrived at the gate by 1pm.

We had only driven a short distance when we were stopped by a sheriff who asked us if we were hunting and said to watch the road because there were lots of trucks up there as it was the last day of deer hunting season. We didn't know this and just decided to go this past Sunday.

Well he was right! As we were driving up the road, I counted 20 trucks that passed us by. It was crazy we had to keep pulling over.

Anyways we finally arrived at the pullout just below the Monrovia firebreak after driving 10.5 miles.

After climbing the steep firebreak with its false bumps along the way we finally reached the summit. By the way, lots of poodle dog but can be avoided.

The views were fantastic. We could see the Channel Islands. We signed the register & left some Eispiraten swag at the peak.

@ Tekewin- did you notice the tattered flag had all the white stars missing? It looked as if they were perfectly punched out. See my photo below.

We set out for Rankin. Not much except for the plaque. We took the obligatory selfies and returned the way we came.

To be honest we were a bit confused. My friend said that clamshell was too far to continue on from Rankin. We misread the previous trip report and thought that we had to drive 2 miles further up the road to get to Clamshell.

So we drove further up and stopped at the Spring Camp gate. My friend said that we could get to clamshell from there but it would be a long hike. We walked the road for a short distance then as the sun started to set turned around and walked back to the car.

By this time more trucks and 2 motorcycles had driven past us.

To add, I should have just gone with my own instincts and continued on to Clamshell after Rankin. I think it was only 2 more miles.

Even though we got a late start we could have made it to Clamshell. It was still early.

We saw one deer.

So, if anyone would like to go and bag all three peaks I am very willing to do so! I have to redeem myself. Ive been waiting 10 years to do these peaks. Sean always told me it was too hard and a long hike so now that I have the gate codes I want to go back.

I have until December 14th to do this again.

Anyone want to go????
Please, please take me with you!!!

Awesome! I didn't know you could drive up there. I went to Rankin in February I think, but the snow made it to slippery to get to Monrovia Peak on the ridge line in water shoes. I may have gone up Clamshell, but not known it. I saved some pictures fortunately at Rankin. It was gorgeous up there. There are a bunch of deer roaming around in the snow near the peak. I started just below the Monrovia Hillside Preserve, which required hiking up a bunch of fire breaks, but it wasn't too bad in the cool weather. I would not try this route in the summer, but it may be just cool enough now. Did you happen to make it into Spring Campground? Is there water flowing there? It would be nice to know whether I can reliably refill water there.

Carl- we did drive to Spring Camp. I can't recall if there was water. I did see someone camping off the road. We didn't hike very far down that road.

That area looks nice with snow

It was pretty wild with the snow. There was much more snow on the back side of the mountain that what was visible from Monrovia at the time, but it was very slippery with my shoes.

I'd like to get to these peaks if my schedule allows. When were you thinking of going again?

@uncle Rico- these are the days I'm free 11/26, 11/27, 12/4, 12/10, 12/11, 12/12, 12/14

The permit is good till December 14th

I'm actually free on 11/22 & 11/24 but that's my bday weekend I was looking to do a different hike but if it doesn't work out then that's an option too.

Weekdays generally don't work for me and I'm out of town 11/24. That leaves me with 12/14.

Works for me

Congrats! And good thing no one shot at you.

I didn't notice the stars punched out on the flag, just that it was in tatters.

I had done Clamshell from below, so did not try to get it from Rankin. I think it's only a couple of miles, but probably 1000' below Rankin. Definitely doable with access to the road.

I noticed a telephone line almost down on the firebreak to Monrovia. The top of the pole had broken and the line was hanging less than 10' above the ground. I took a photo and tried to figure out who to send it to, but I could not figure out what company might own the line.