tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28051008291266234372024-03-19T00:16:42.447-07:00Hikin' Jim's BlogTrip Reports, tips, and random thoughts related to hiking and backpacking.Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-84898512500735277312022-09-24T16:57:00.013-07:002022-09-25T21:18:07.155-07:00To Change a (PLB) Battery <p>I want to share my experience of how "stupid easy" (as one friend put it) it is to change a battery on a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). I'll also share the story of the incident that made me buy a PLB.</p><p><b>Clarification:</b> This post is <i>not</i> meant to champion PLB's over commercial satellite communication devices (InReach, SPOT, Zoleo, Bivy Stick, etc.). PLB's and commercial satellite communication devices both have their pros and cons. Yes, you can compare them, but there are fundamental differences. If you'd like me to weigh the pros and cons, I'd be happy to, in a separate post. If that's of interest, then maybe put a comment below to that effect. I <i style="font-weight: bold;">definitely</i> have recommendations for some specific cases (remote areas, tight budget, deep canyons, etc.), but, in the general case, I will take no ultimate position.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJdNQ9H1tYYdyADqIwIo7g98Cqww60fybdfp_VVOK3hncG9j3E-_o4MvRkehdk5YuWBYH7dZ5CM4Z4-Gwm76FQWH_8jD08izKywnGzGDCLPxqJjXVVdegsSoDbevDG5UGsH7OK05gtPzida3NdOKzanaYhjS8QadiTvC2_26UnM8To7Y2wz-zSVOo-g/s4032/IMG_2254%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJdNQ9H1tYYdyADqIwIo7g98Cqww60fybdfp_VVOK3hncG9j3E-_o4MvRkehdk5YuWBYH7dZ5CM4Z4-Gwm76FQWH_8jD08izKywnGzGDCLPxqJjXVVdegsSoDbevDG5UGsH7OK05gtPzida3NdOKzanaYhjS8QadiTvC2_26UnM8To7Y2wz-zSVOo-g/w480-h640/IMG_2254%5B1%5D.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ACR brand Res<span style="color: red;"><b>Q</b></span>Link personal locator beacon (PLB).<br />The specific model I have is the PLB-375.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But first, some background. You can skip the next two sections if you already know all this.<br /><p><b>What is a PLB?<br /></b>A PLB is basically <b>a satellite distress beacon</b>. If one gets into trouble in a remote area where there is no cell service, one can activate a PLB, and a 406 MHz distress signal <b>with GPS coordinates</b> will be sent to a satellite in orbit around the earth. When the satellite detects the distress signal, the appropriate authorities will be notified. If you're in the United States, typically the <a href="https://www.1af.acc.af.mil/Units/AFRCC.aspx" target="_blank">US Air Force Rescue Coordination Center</a> would be notified if you're on land, and the US Coast Guard would be notified if you're at sea. </p><p>The overall program is run by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the US. The program was originally developed for ships at sea, expanded to aviation, and finally expanded to include private individuals such as hikers, backcountry skiers, snow mobile enthusiasts, hunters, etc. I mention NOAA just to emphasize the fact that a PLB is part of a multi-national <i><b>government</b></i> backed program.</p><p>A PLB is different from a <i><b>commercial</b></i> satellite messenger service such as InReach, SPOT, Bivy Stick, Zoleo, etc. Satellite messenger services work off of satellites of either the Global Star or Iridium commercial satellite networks. A PLB works off of a constellation of <a href="https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/search-and-rescue-satellites/" target="_blank">COSPAS/SARSAT satellites</a> put into orbit by the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency, and India (that I know of; perhaps there are other nations who have become part of the program).</p><p><b>Why a PLB -- a brush with death.<br /></b>About eight or so years ago, a friend of mine was doing some solo snow shoeing near San Jacinto Peak (10,834' / 3302m). She slipped on some ice and whacked her ankle against a tree. She couldn't get up; she had fractured her ankle. She was alone, injured, and darkness was fast approaching. This friend of mine is made of stern stuff. She hauled herself uphill in the snow with a broken ankle. No, this is not your dad going on about "When I was a boy, it was uphill both ways to school in two feet of snow..." Seriously. She climbed <i>uphill</i> in the snow on her hands and knees with a broken ankle. No offense intended to my friend, but I'm glad it was her and not me; I'd be dead. </p><p>Why uphill? There's a small stone hut built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's near the summit of San Jacinto Peak. Using her snow shoe as a a shovel, she dug out the snow blocking the front door (told you my friend was tough) and crawled inside. That night, a storm struck. Outside, the storm raged. Inside, my friend shivered miserably in the <i>unheated</i> stone hut, but she was alive. Had she been outside, she'd have been dead. </p><p>Now, if you know anything about winter survival, shivering is the first stage of hypothermia. Hypothermia results when your internal body temperature drops below normal, which is about 98.7F / 37C. Once one's internal body temperature drops below a certain point, one loses control of one's mind and body. If hypothermia progresses, it can quickly lead to death. Yes, my friend was alive, but she was in serious trouble.</p><p>The next day, she didn't show up for a brunch, and she was reported missing. Note that she's been injured and stranded on the mountain for nearly 24 hours by this point. By the way, it's a really a good idea to have a designated person to check in with after a hike. Your check in person should know to contact Search and Rescue (<b>SAR</b>), if you don't check in by a certain pre-arranged time.<br /></p><p>Normally, SAR responds quickly, but on day two of my friend's ordeal, the storm was still hitting the mountain. It's neither safe nor practical to search for a missing person in a storm. My friend spent <i>another </i>night in the hut, shivering, again risking hypothermia and death.</p><p>Finally, on the <i>third</i> day, the storm abated, and SAR got out on the mountain. They searched a number of likely locations, including the summit hut, to which a helicopter with rescuers was dispatched. My friend remarked that hearing that chopper was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard.</p><p>Now, why do I relate this story here? Think about it. <b>If she had a PLB</b>, she could have:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><i>Immediately</i> notified people she was in trouble (recall that it wasn't until the next day that she was reported missing)</li><li><i>Immediately</i> reported her location (recall that GPS coordinates are embedded in the distress signal).</li></ul><div>SAR might have been able to go right to her and bail her out the <i>same day</i> she was injured rather than days later. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had been thinking about buying a PLB, but I had been on the fence. I mean the stinkin' things were over $400 at that time! If she had a PLB, my friend might not have spent two nights in a freezing stone hut, potentially risking death. I was sold. In 2013, I bought an ACR ResQlink PLB (model PLB-375) with a stated battery life of <b>six </b>years.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Batteries are expensive -- or are they? </b></div><div>I had read that changing the battery on a PLB was expensive, nearly the cost of a new unit. When my battery expired in 2019, I didn't even consider getting a new battery. Instead, I bought an InReach. A commercial InReach is reputed to be <i>less reliable</i> than a government backed PLB, but, on the other hand, an InReach is clearly <i>more versatile</i> than a PLB. An InReach is <i>two</i> way custom text or email and can be used in less-than-emergency conditions whereas a PLB is <i>one</i> way communication without any message (other than the unit number and the GPS coordination) and is only for emergencies. I figured the greater versatility of an InReach was worth it -- and that it wasn't worth paying nearly the price of a new unit to replace the battery of my PLB. But does it really cost nearly the price of a brand new unit to replace the battery?</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The <i>real</i> cost of a new battery</b></div><div>Well, I guess things had changed since I bought the unit. A friend alerted to be to the fact that a replacement battery could be had for just $40 and that replacement was so simple that you could <b>do it yourself</b>! The original recommendation was that only a trained technician should change a PLB battery. </div><div><br /></div><div>Forty bucks! Well, shoot, that's not bad for a unit worth over $400, a unit already paid for, a unit in near-perfect condition. I decided to buy and change the battery on my own. If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of this post, I'll list the website address (URL) of where I got my battery. I don't want to appear to endorse or be connected to any company, so I won't put the address here.</div><div><br /></div><b>Changing the battery</b><br /><div>The back of the unit is held on by two simple Phillips head screws.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kSAoPkhYhM5Hzj97TuokdaORt_muuo1LQFEtLuw6AnzawLREK6e_5JI_BaeFNHCCjgTBLwKwsfZVi3TmG4p1AOmkSZY5j_dHLVSJ4070rHL583djcFKyraENc66P1kKqypNtAwTNz9vvsHueJ2bTdnIfFQmileruSrkvjDPmtLOhNVYV1uX4ePQBUg/s4032/IMG_2255%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kSAoPkhYhM5Hzj97TuokdaORt_muuo1LQFEtLuw6AnzawLREK6e_5JI_BaeFNHCCjgTBLwKwsfZVi3TmG4p1AOmkSZY5j_dHLVSJ4070rHL583djcFKyraENc66P1kKqypNtAwTNz9vvsHueJ2bTdnIfFQmileruSrkvjDPmtLOhNVYV1uX4ePQBUg/w480-h640/IMG_2255%5B1%5D.JPG" title="The back of my PLB. Note Phillips head screw." width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of my PLB. Note the ordinary Phillips head screw at the bottom of the photo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>One simply unscrews the two screws and takes the back off. Inside was my original battery pack, stamped with the expiration date "01/2019." </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Important: </b>Note the position of the red and black wires. They <i>cross</i> the body of the PLB leading away from the plug. When disassembling your PLB, be sure to take careful note of where these wires are and where they go in relationship to the two little grooves on the main body of the PLB. The back of the PLB has a protrusion that fits into the two grooves. The wires go to the <i>right</i> (as oriented in the below photo) of the groves, toward the battery.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDc3hl8sPPt2OhGKigc_YW0TTcazJqLbgC7f4LVOgc8q2oEJxQVgyk4hBmqx4eb5Gze33cgrfcrxq5hMwXyPb9FIY6HLGbUi-ufJz0RiTT8ijgK_ZlEN-uDHMzQtyEBy-upB5xjN9cZNxC7naEpnYSPQepYHZtHoHxs87VQ8jIp3DbGtBV-F6-3NM_A/s4032/IMG_2272%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDc3hl8sPPt2OhGKigc_YW0TTcazJqLbgC7f4LVOgc8q2oEJxQVgyk4hBmqx4eb5Gze33cgrfcrxq5hMwXyPb9FIY6HLGbUi-ufJz0RiTT8ijgK_ZlEN-uDHMzQtyEBy-upB5xjN9cZNxC7naEpnYSPQepYHZtHoHxs87VQ8jIp3DbGtBV-F6-3NM_A/w640-h480/IMG_2272%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My original battery pack inside my PLB</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>There's a warning on the back of the battery pack that only "OEM" parts (i.e. parts from the original equipment manufacturer) should be used when replacing the battery -- and then only by a trained professional. <b>But is this really rocket science?</b></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKCFak4X8bFy-seAfit6600SmwnmM1EvdS35BPzEcSmPC2XYdNwyfdoqcAUbgUIY1jd2d_TOOdO4GF5kIa7T-8qz_H0mD7uzW1i2Os2EU0h0vbfNlkkrmQsI8d9vQZL7uo3yLFY4ldJlXKijnTlZMbzw32cR88hP3SQ89hff2vjnYZs45pqq3QnofkA/s4032/IMG_E2278%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKCFak4X8bFy-seAfit6600SmwnmM1EvdS35BPzEcSmPC2XYdNwyfdoqcAUbgUIY1jd2d_TOOdO4GF5kIa7T-8qz_H0mD7uzW1i2Os2EU0h0vbfNlkkrmQsI8d9vQZL7uo3yLFY4ldJlXKijnTlZMbzw32cR88hP3SQ89hff2vjnYZs45pqq3QnofkA/w640-h480/IMG_E2278%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The warning on the back of my original battery pack</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Examining the battery pack, I noticed that it was just a series of three ordinary CR123A lithium batteries, wired together, the kind you can buy from ordinary hardware, sporting goods, and other stores. Now, they are specially wired together, so you can't just go and buy some batteries from the local store, but there's nothing so esoteric here that a specialist would be required to handle it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIaoY1to0YuWd-ep0FW2fEer6g1JM9RmMmXWMlstwmOBEG2ZconaZr4C4Akip3K0H4MrN-gxCU5XRfIQZE7ByrxrCUaa2okuceGiTLMmuKuS2sTXsSyARzGiuesxaAOGNKRsyFkos4nbvNmWDMXKae-p7ifrafDahl8-Blg4vhKS8fnstHyXbV-1ICA/s4032/IMG_2274%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIaoY1to0YuWd-ep0FW2fEer6g1JM9RmMmXWMlstwmOBEG2ZconaZr4C4Akip3K0H4MrN-gxCU5XRfIQZE7ByrxrCUaa2okuceGiTLMmuKuS2sTXsSyARzGiuesxaAOGNKRsyFkos4nbvNmWDMXKae-p7ifrafDahl8-Blg4vhKS8fnstHyXbV-1ICA/w640-h480/IMG_2274%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at my new battery pack from the side. <br />You can see that it is just an ordinary CR123A battery.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div>I unplugged the old battery pack and plugged in the new battery pack. The plug was a little smaller, but it wasn't any more complicated than unplugging, say, a blender (or similar) at home. You can see the little white plug in the photo, above. After that, I spread some silicon grease on the gasket of my PLB, put the cover back onto the unit, and screwed in the two Phillips head screws. I ran both the quick internal test as well as a full GPS test. Both tests were successful. </div><div><br />In short, it's just this:<br /></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Unscrew the and remove the back cover.</li><li>Unplug and remove the old battery pack.</li><li>Plug in and emplace the new battery pack.</li><li>Replace the back cover and fasten the two screws.</li></ol></div><div>That's it. That's all there is. It's really not that much more than changing a flashlight battery. Optionally, you could put some silicone grease on the gasket to ensure a good seal, but that's hardly rocket science.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Battery Life</b><br />But one question was still bugging me. Just how much charge was left in the old batteries? Was it really necessary to replace the battery after just <i>six</i> years? Isn't the shelf life of a CR123A battery supposed to be <i>ten</i> years? I pulled out my trusty Radio Shack battery tester. I was about to find out!</div><div><br /></div><div>First, I cut apart the shrink wrap holding together the old batteries. Then I broke apart the batteries where they had been glued together. Finally I pulled off the wiring between the batteries.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVLX8g-XH1HKOQCLAxExNlDWChDIuxX7zS0kPV2tWDZNVVtOUhuRyddnwk_KXjL3XBnzVxCWI4nuWc4p8cjVjfdRAirtuFSu8_U7ojnedXq1ev6D1427Bq5s8deHmFVil2zNQCBPbUePD8XmJDFL0_KHS7g2UyOE4W66ZVL7vg1NHSu5fuwXJk0XANg/s4032/IMG_2282%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVLX8g-XH1HKOQCLAxExNlDWChDIuxX7zS0kPV2tWDZNVVtOUhuRyddnwk_KXjL3XBnzVxCWI4nuWc4p8cjVjfdRAirtuFSu8_U7ojnedXq1ev6D1427Bq5s8deHmFVil2zNQCBPbUePD8XmJDFL0_KHS7g2UyOE4W66ZVL7vg1NHSu5fuwXJk0XANg/w480-h640/IMG_2282%5B1%5D.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The batteries with the shrink wrap removed. Note the wiring.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>What did I find? The old batteries still had a charge in the "good" range. Note carefully the position of the needle in the photo, below. It's on the <i>left</i> side of the first "O" in "good." Be sure to look at the middle scale which is for lithium.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVTSwLm7wT51mZ9kKHnIfRDl6EVSYWT4g1tdynaHq6pPRvgGFhw86XTU27WFT7JDWPp59iF_4JzGm9i9zJ2UqBMTYg2E3Ny4KJlYT4C7jziOB26g_6Q_KR6xl2hi8grFB1KUfisd4oHfm2T__9uhSE0VHHBQa3hdzOElhF5nYKVlOoKkJUxIDeg9NZA/s4032/IMG_E2284%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVTSwLm7wT51mZ9kKHnIfRDl6EVSYWT4g1tdynaHq6pPRvgGFhw86XTU27WFT7JDWPp59iF_4JzGm9i9zJ2UqBMTYg2E3Ny4KJlYT4C7jziOB26g_6Q_KR6xl2hi8grFB1KUfisd4oHfm2T__9uhSE0VHHBQa3hdzOElhF5nYKVlOoKkJUxIDeg9NZA/w640-h480/IMG_E2284%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The charge level on one of the old batteries. Be sure to look at the middle scale, the one for lithium. The charge level is just to the left of the first "O" in "GOOD."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Then, below, is a photo of the charge level of a new battery I just took out of the packaging. Look at the middle scale, the one for lithium. It's ever so slightly higher than the previous reading from the old battery. Now, in fairness, the battery I pulled from my battery collection is one that I've had for a while. A fresh one from the store might have a higher charge. If I get a chance, I'll buy a brand new battery, test it, and update this blog post.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-1FmgJH5LSgPnH61sS-MuQIEeQ19C98vHlVMWaF-lgx6Sr8RbKJbxZ7BwGKBSO0Fj6ZOGpAwA2bE70iZ_lCPyX-evvgpd7ab4qMH-xGdPYAAmj94B3tnPIRW9gbEUAGH5KX5P6CC8ytPLxQ6Odcaeg-_CIxu__Bs8GdQeKCYDnRyXRERYNeJmimBIw/s4032/IMG_2286%5B1%5D.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-1FmgJH5LSgPnH61sS-MuQIEeQ19C98vHlVMWaF-lgx6Sr8RbKJbxZ7BwGKBSO0Fj6ZOGpAwA2bE70iZ_lCPyX-evvgpd7ab4qMH-xGdPYAAmj94B3tnPIRW9gbEUAGH5KX5P6CC8ytPLxQ6Odcaeg-_CIxu__Bs8GdQeKCYDnRyXRERYNeJmimBIw/w640-h480/IMG_2286%5B1%5D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The charge level on a new CR123A battery, freshly opened. Look at the middle scale. The charge is just slightly higher on the new battery, but the difference is almost indiscernible.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Now, I'm <b><i>not </i></b>advocating skipping battery replacement. I'm just noting that you <i>might</i> get more life out of your PLB's batteries than the stated six years. Maybe. Of course that would depend on how often you test. I don't test often. Basically, I test once at the beginning of each backpacking season, typically around Memorial Day weekend, and that's it. If you test every week (which seems ridiculous to me) or before every trip, maybe your battery won't last as long. My main point is: Don't assume that a PLB past its expiration is useless. I'd still carry it even if I had not yet had the opportunity to buy a new battery pack. Chances are it will work past the expiration date. </p><p>Even if a PLB in use were to die before it's stated 24 hour operating lifespan, you'd at least have notified the authorities and given them your position. Remember that the rescue coordination center is going to try to call the contacts you listed when you registered your PLB. If your check in person says, "yes, so-and-so is definitely out there," then they're going to dispatch a SAR team. If the signal stopped after several hours, the SAR team is still going to be sent out if they've confirmed that you're out in the wilderness. This is a good argument to <a href="https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/RGDB/index" target="_blank">register your PLB</a> and keep your registration current -- that's the only way they know who they're looking for. In the case of my friend, as soon as SAR found out that she knew of the summit hut, they immediately sent a helicopter, and she was rescued.<br /></p><p><b>Reduce, reuse, recycle!<br /></b>Regardless of how long you wait (or don't) to change the batteries, don't throw away the old ones! They're perfectly good CR123A batteries that can be used for other things like flashlights, headlamps, etc. I put mine in my headlamp, and it fired right up.</p><p><b>Conclusion<br /></b>OK, that's it. That's all there is to changing the battery. It's really not a big deal, and it should give your PLB another six years of life -- for maybe 10% of the cost of buying a new unit. If you spread $40 out over the six year life of the battery, the cost is less than $7 per <i>year.</i> I pay $12 per <i>month</i> for the lowest level of service for my InReach.</p><p>Happy hiking,</p><p>HJ</p><p><b>P.S.</b> If I have both an InReach <i>and</i> a PLB, do I plan to carry both? No. I plan to carry the InReach, and I plan to have my daughter carry the PLB. If, God forbid, we ever became separated, then she would still have a way to get help. If we were together and I couldn't get a message out on the InReach, then we'd have the PLB to fall back on. </p><p>There are definitely times where I have <i>not</i> been able to get a message out on my InReach. Once, when I was doing some backpacking down in the bottom of a fairly deep canyon, I couldn't get a message out until the following day, maybe 18 hours later. That's atypical, but it does happen. The majority of InReach messages go out in less than 15 minutes; sometimes they go out almost instantly.</p><p><b>P.P.S.</b> People have asked, so I'll say it: I got my battery at <a href="https://beaconbatteryreplacement.com">https://beaconbatteryreplacement.com</a><b> However, </b>let me be clear. I make no endorsement of, nor am I affiliated with, nor am I compensated by any manufacturer. My experience with them has been good so far, but I don't have any long term experience with them at this juncture. Caveat emptor.</p></div>Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-8402253380928353222017-09-04T23:03:00.001-07:002017-09-05T12:04:03.314-07:00Review – The Vecto Water Bladder (Sawyer-Compatible)"I'm perfectly happy with Sawyer bags" – said no hiker ever. The Sawyer filter is a great thing. Sawyer bags? Not so much.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong. I really like the Sawyer system overall. Gad! how I used to hate pumping my arm off on the old pump filters, and all those tubes to hook up and such – what a hassle! The Sawyer filter is great. But Sawyer <i>bags</i>? Not so great. They burst at the seams all too often. And, yeah, you can substitute Evernew water bags, but Evernew bags, while better, still burst and are more expensive – if you can find them. I've never seen Evernew bags in any local shop where I live.<br />
<br />
OK, so just bring a SmartWater bottle, right? Well, actually, that's not a bad solution. They're cheap enough, readily available, and reasonably light. But they're bulky. And they take up room even when empty. I strongly prefer bladders, but I don't want buy ones that fail. What to do?<br />
<br />
Enter the Vecto.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe2D38JcoW6g3cPOd5fID81FvCnVFSA7q_yP_AZy2ixqfwOFM7zja-kUq74DOnM0i1_VPh49daMXncGnWvxtV51ZoTDV3b0FVwqvZwVB6_3UlgbUw2AABj27xrwC4Rmu3P6xpbZvKoJvd/s1600/DSC02697%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCe2D38JcoW6g3cPOd5fID81FvCnVFSA7q_yP_AZy2ixqfwOFM7zja-kUq74DOnM0i1_VPh49daMXncGnWvxtV51ZoTDV3b0FVwqvZwVB6_3UlgbUw2AABj27xrwC4Rmu3P6xpbZvKoJvd/s640/DSC02697%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vecto soft-sided water container from Cnoc Outdoors, 2 L capacity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">The Vecto</b><br />
The <b><u><a href="https://cnocoutdoors.com/products/vecto-water-container" target="_blank">Vecto</a></u></b> is a soft-sided 2 L water container from <b><u><a href="https://cnocoutdoors.com/" target="_blank">Cnoc Outdoors</a></u></b>. <br />
<br />
When I first heard about it, frankly, I wasn't all that interested. I mean, it's not like I don't already have tons of water bladders – from multiple manufacturers. Then I watched <b><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=77&v=JEGoH4PYhIc" target="_blank">their video</a></u></b>. At 1:17, a guy stands on a full bladder. It just sits there and takes it. THAT got my attention. I wanted one.<br />
<br />
So, I've managed to now get my hands on one. I've had it a couple of months or so, and... it really works great. I've used it exclusively as my "dirty" water bag for all of my trips this summer (2017) including my August JMT/PCT section hike.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Current Set Up</b></span><br />
Here's my current set up:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXrmjXQhXLWllT2E2AEJSvhCZPxH27G1daOSUXKcxahSOjJoeDCpysKhdh2PlfVwQv-HXTj_41Jwv16_R8wJgloHpDD8b2LgDPOn-7nSol9vQby_GL7ELpZFPwdV5ZECZlgy6s2GxSyhyphenhyphen/s1600/DSC02699%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXrmjXQhXLWllT2E2AEJSvhCZPxH27G1daOSUXKcxahSOjJoeDCpysKhdh2PlfVwQv-HXTj_41Jwv16_R8wJgloHpDD8b2LgDPOn-7nSol9vQby_GL7ELpZFPwdV5ZECZlgy6s2GxSyhyphenhyphen/s640/DSC02699%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My current hydration and water treatment set up:<br />
L to R: Evernew 1.5 L bladder, 0.6 L SmartWater bottle, standard Sawyer filter, and the Vecto.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I use the 2 L Vecto as my "dirty" (untreated) water bag. I use a standard Sawyer filter. For my "clean" (treated) water carriers, I use a 1.5 L Evernew bladder, and a 0.6 L SmartWater bottle. Why the little SmartWater bottle? Well, for backflushing, I use the little SmartWater bottle. It's light; it doesn't take up a lot of room; and if it bursts, who cares? I'll just get another one. The combination of the Evernew bladder and the SmartWater bottle is sufficient to hold the output of the Vecto. In other words, my clean water capacity is equal to my dirty water capacity. Water in = water out.<br />
<br />
Couldn't you just use a 2 L Evernew and skip the SmartWater bottle? Well, yes, but Evernew bladders will eventually burst under the pressure needed to backflush. I'd rather keep my nice Evernew bladder pristine and just sacrifice the little SmartWater bottle. Since the Vecto and the Evernew pack up so small, I figure I'll have room for the little SmartWater bottle, no problem.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Other Options</b></span><br />
Note that you've actually got a lot of options out there in terms of bottles that will fit a Sawyer filter. Pretty much all of the higher end brands of water, which typically have higher quality, stronger plastic, have threads that will fit a Sawyer filter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRKEevjpexl1oNbuT1gc28L7ziFl1IB5utfeqtltJM7_SnRJCMMkSDtr_vlusi9phSDX5XbARh9PUniO085T3bkastge-gLrp4KGHGzRh-6aI7jH0bv0at-R9ptRYwbZcV9WVM38F8KCS/s1600/DSC02690%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRKEevjpexl1oNbuT1gc28L7ziFl1IB5utfeqtltJM7_SnRJCMMkSDtr_vlusi9phSDX5XbARh9PUniO085T3bkastge-gLrp4KGHGzRh-6aI7jH0bv0at-R9ptRYwbZcV9WVM38F8KCS/s640/DSC02690%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water containers with Sawyer-compatible threads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b span="" style="font-size: large;">The Vecto – It's (Really) Compact</b><br />
Notice the size of the Essentia bottle in the above photo. It's pretty big, and it's only 1.5 liter. In my efforts to minimize pack size, I've generally moved away from hard sided bottles as much as I can.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_sXSaiCKk2v3CU4OVIXpmEX1DaZdsDCS6VNJQAyaAbM7X9AxGtkfamaRcuO5esQ5P3vRz13rIWxg4g3EueenENsfoB1_YNJacdBEYws_5KkyV6BZilocg_e2sOQXt0RjM0Crki0gYpk2/s1600/DSC02716%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_sXSaiCKk2v3CU4OVIXpmEX1DaZdsDCS6VNJQAyaAbM7X9AxGtkfamaRcuO5esQ5P3vRz13rIWxg4g3EueenENsfoB1_YNJacdBEYws_5KkyV6BZilocg_e2sOQXt0RjM0Crki0gYpk2/s640/DSC02716%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Size comparison: The 2 L Vecto (left) vs. a 0.6 L SmartWater bottle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's just no beating the compactness of a bladder vs. a hard sided bottle. Take a look at the above photo. Yeah, that's just a little<i> half</i> liter SmartWater bottle, but the Vecto is smaller still – and the Vecto has roughly <i>four times </i>the capacity. Can't beat that.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ease of Use</b></span><br />
And it's danged easy to use. It's quite literally child's play – well, at least my seven year old can handle it. You just hook it up, and then roll up the back end like a tube of toothpaste. I find it way easier to squeeze than a hard sided bottle and far more resilient.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYvMDVwcBoYxCM3DuXlB57KJymicBCl9WkS8GjQrjtvSCft5N8ofrY62in1ZSz6xM5ESEX3xGdTpcvYO-iJoJ-Ct-qKr7JVibW74aJgQT-v5hknSgfOfO-h0D_cRfssKk0AZp6yKTCUN/s1600/DSC02707%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYvMDVwcBoYxCM3DuXlB57KJymicBCl9WkS8GjQrjtvSCft5N8ofrY62in1ZSz6xM5ESEX3xGdTpcvYO-iJoJ-Ct-qKr7JVibW74aJgQT-v5hknSgfOfO-h0D_cRfssKk0AZp6yKTCUN/s640/DSC02707%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using the Vecto water bladder with a Sawyer filter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And, it's so flexible, I can get 100% of the water out if it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4duwNpuRYFxZAJJ3QKngHPm8dcSrLxzmR0uNWncturYCGraj803yVnBSf3lLfEfDHWK2nuGPurF1VvbZ-yEVJHEGFymqYGExcvcitPDDif4_pmIiNH-vFrtwuBnY5bNRVq3rUL78-4KML/s1600/DSC02712%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4duwNpuRYFxZAJJ3QKngHPm8dcSrLxzmR0uNWncturYCGraj803yVnBSf3lLfEfDHWK2nuGPurF1VvbZ-yEVJHEGFymqYGExcvcitPDDif4_pmIiNH-vFrtwuBnY5bNRVq3rUL78-4KML/s640/DSC02712%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flexible material of the Vecto makes it easy to squeeze out every last drop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Design and "Human Factors" (Ergonomics)</b></span><br />
There's a lot of smart design and attention to detail that went into the Vecto. The cap is a different color than the standard Sawyer cap so that you don't confuse the two and cause cross-contamination. Note: The cap on the final production version will be orange, which can only help.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUfexBB9_m72moQN7ZYYZXc4eikRLGMSjGlcIPuFHRxM_quBG6dLa4CEmByohhYrMNw81JP_uSAzMIXZsL_aHsxgW-cVmBXBRHpkd3KkTosUFI1663TX4SWLv1oogWkqUTIpsag4DY32f/s1600/DSC02709%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUfexBB9_m72moQN7ZYYZXc4eikRLGMSjGlcIPuFHRxM_quBG6dLa4CEmByohhYrMNw81JP_uSAzMIXZsL_aHsxgW-cVmBXBRHpkd3KkTosUFI1663TX4SWLv1oogWkqUTIpsag4DY32f/s640/DSC02709%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standard Sawyer cap, left. Vecto cap, right. <br />
(Different) color prevents confusion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are opposing tabs on the Vecto so that it's easy to open. Ever try to get a clear produce bag open at the grocery store? Sometimes it drives you mad; it's just so hard to pull the two sides apart. It's no problem with the Vecto.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM5uqcGOiOLWy7Du1FJZsyzsa4qZB1VaCSEjDahQZIVe5a82K_tehSl30-MuX-iAAiazAD_-PZPoMPwHcmZqBiS8ZTD8ePNPs2K6wEQJhdUrNJeC4OQIh5diCDl4M0UCTMHv0uapEcvTh/s1600/DSC02721%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiM5uqcGOiOLWy7Du1FJZsyzsa4qZB1VaCSEjDahQZIVe5a82K_tehSl30-MuX-iAAiazAD_-PZPoMPwHcmZqBiS8ZTD8ePNPs2K6wEQJhdUrNJeC4OQIh5diCDl4M0UCTMHv0uapEcvTh/s640/DSC02721%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tab on the front side of the Vecto is raised at the left but is lower on the right.<br />
The back side of the Vecto is reversed, the right is higher, and the left is lower.<br />
These opposing tabs make the Vecto easy to open.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ridges on a fold over closure <i>really</i> seal the bag well. I experienced zero leaking with a full Vecto in my pack. The slider is a nice bright orange, so it's unlikely that you'll lose it. Speaking of the slider, the slider has a loop in the center of its upper side so that one can suspend it, as when using as a gravity filter. The loop is also nice for hanging the bladder while drying it after a trip. Note that the Vecto bladder has an opening at <i>both</i> ends which allows for excellent air circulation and much faster than normal drying times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHkpM-6J7wok01livGflKUVZQXXxTcRbsOFKb16bM38t0doKkzxQ8VZWTYNWXjDs3YQ_3YArgkXCwP-wio1FY-26r5hinmPU1jTYsaE_8JZ3G9yGy5fTkw0GnKMOrDVOUpSNSSgnCaoSp/s1600/DSC02723%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmHkpM-6J7wok01livGflKUVZQXXxTcRbsOFKb16bM38t0doKkzxQ8VZWTYNWXjDs3YQ_3YArgkXCwP-wio1FY-26r5hinmPU1jTYsaE_8JZ3G9yGy5fTkw0GnKMOrDVOUpSNSSgnCaoSp/s640/DSC02723%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ridges on the fold over closure seal the bag when the slider is emplaced.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The opening is nice and wide, which makes the Vecto significantly easier to fill than my 1 L and 2 L Platypus bladders or 1.5 L Evernew bladders.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz4BIG6OQbiObefAtumeIc8tSXEEWTUWtJcy1Zh5GhIbS3Tgx1SId6AdGu_aYKMyM3MV56umj6mnZF8vdjy7Xx5iidhw-uuko96fUj4z9w90KtwWXFVAOXnjFa-BZ67WY7DIq9_eD4JiL/s1600/DSC02722%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuz4BIG6OQbiObefAtumeIc8tSXEEWTUWtJcy1Zh5GhIbS3Tgx1SId6AdGu_aYKMyM3MV56umj6mnZF8vdjy7Xx5iidhw-uuko96fUj4z9w90KtwWXFVAOXnjFa-BZ67WY7DIq9_eD4JiL/s640/DSC02722%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Vecto has a really wide opening which makes it super easy to fill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, the opening is so wide, I can get my hand in there to clean it or pull out little bits of leaves, you know, the organic "floaties" that always seem to get sucked inside a bladder.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4Cz2hK7-x5s15df2owAN4uSr79yA-k1U_3O44wiDfBvYUPHNW_Y814LvePceKBuE_11B4gcaTWkliK1m4adHmgbcxzyvo8QsIyKRJrJjZmYWfCDRDQ7Stql6LJCJdwRegQ5WKoqxI4J5/s1600/DSC02720%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4Cz2hK7-x5s15df2owAN4uSr79yA-k1U_3O44wiDfBvYUPHNW_Y814LvePceKBuE_11B4gcaTWkliK1m4adHmgbcxzyvo8QsIyKRJrJjZmYWfCDRDQ7Stql6LJCJdwRegQ5WKoqxI4J5/s640/DSC02720%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening of the Vecto is wide enough to allow one's hand to get inside.<br />
Note that one with larger hands may not be able to get their entire hand inside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Downside</span></b><br />
There is a bit of a down side here. It's not a major downer, but at 76 g/2.7 ounces, the Vecto is a tad on the heavy side for a 2 L bladder. By contrast, my slightly smaller 1.5 L Evernew bladder weighs 34 g/1.2 oz. Now, for me, the compactness and the durability make the weight worth it. I want gear that <i>works</i>, but for the ounce counters and gram weenies out there, the weight may be an issue.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Limits to this review</span></b><br />
Well, I've had the bladder for a couple of months now. I can hardly give it a "long term review" after a couple of months. The materials are obviously beefy, but could it spring a leak at, say, the closure? I can't really say for sure. It looks pretty darned good, but realistically, I can't predict it's longevity at this point. I will post periodic updates as time permits and I use the Vecto bladder more.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Details</b></span><br />
The version I received is a pre-production version. It's something like 99% of what the production version will be, but there might be some minor variations or tweaks before it goes "live." The "Go Live" date occurs in November. MSRP is $17, but the bladder is currently available for pre-order for $13.<br />
<br />
Planned changes to the production version:<br />
<ul>
<li>The cap will be orange just like the slider (definitely a good idea).</li>
<li>Volume markings will be added to the bag, presumably in both metric and English measurements, but I haven't confirmed that.</li>
<li>The large opening will be a bit less stiff, making it easier to hold open. Note: I didn't have any problems keeping the bag open, but then my hands are undoubtedly larger than some.</li>
<li>Directions on the bladder as to how to operate the closure properly. I thought it was fairly intuitive (ridges go on the <i>outside</i>), but it can never hurt.</li>
</ul>
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Summary: The Vecto Bladder</b><br />
What's good about it:<br />
<ul>
<li>Doesn't burst.</li>
<li>Compact</li>
<li>Well designed</li>
<li>Easy to use</li>
<li>Doesn't leak</li>
<li>Can get 100% of the water out</li>
</ul>
<div>
What's not so good about it:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>It's heavy for a 2 L bladder.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<b>The Vecto 2 L bladder from Cnoc Outdoors: Highly recommended.</b><br />
<br />
Thanks for joining me,<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<b>Disclosures</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Vecto water bladder used for this review was provided to me by Cnoc Outdoors at no cost to me. It was understood that I wanted to review the bladder (and, to be honest, wanted one for myself) at the time. I have no financial relationship with Cnoc Outdoors and will receive no remuneration from either this review or any sales of any Vecto bladder. The fact that I bought five Rolls Royce automobiles immediately following the publication of this review is sheer coincidence. I have had no dealings with Cnoc Outdoors prior to the receipt of the Vecto bladder; indeed, my understanding is that they are a brand new concern. I therefore can make no comment, either positive or negative, as to their overall business reputation.</span><br />
<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-51131747799804870142017-06-05T23:14:00.001-07:002017-06-07T20:40:14.518-07:00Massdrop x Fizan Compact Trekking PolesRecently, I received a set of Massdrop x Fizan Compact Trekking Poles. These three section poles are a collaboration between Massdrop and Fizan.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofMvMZtsTzS4f1SE2_w1lnDJMfqrslAeAjD5bVN0Cq2e6OkQ1ltVdHiUFXxBiQViJCzkujYwqCWSS_3ffOU1eAfghXmWfYHBPRnQ1Ov_u3mMXyouv4qrUuONHUGobpKz0ihkDNMV7x7I4/s1600/IMG_8487%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofMvMZtsTzS4f1SE2_w1lnDJMfqrslAeAjD5bVN0Cq2e6OkQ1ltVdHiUFXxBiQViJCzkujYwqCWSS_3ffOU1eAfghXmWfYHBPRnQ1Ov_u3mMXyouv4qrUuONHUGobpKz0ihkDNMV7x7I4/s640/IMG_8487%255B1%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fizan Compact Trekking Poles.<br />
Note: These poles are red. The ones available on Massdrop are blue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Massdrop is a "group buy" site. Massdrop approaches a manufacturer and says, in effect, "hey, if we get a bunch of people together, what can you do for us in terms of a price?" You, the consumer, then have the opportunity to join the "drop" (group buy) and get the special group price that Massdrop has negotiated. Please see below if you are interested in joining Massdrop.<br />
<br />
Fizan is a manufacturer located in Italy.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Price</span></b><br />
Speaking of price, Massdrop is offering a set of Fizan Compact trekking poles for $60. No, that's not each. That's for a pair. That's a pretty darned good price compared to what I typically pay for trekking poles although I suppose Walmart may have something cheaper. The price is especially good when one considers that the set includes:<br />
<ul>
<li>Two poles</li>
<li>Two rubber "feet" (rubber tips that slide over the metal tips)</li>
<li>Three sets of pole baskets (Winter, Three Season, and Summer type)</li>
<li>One small carabiner. Presumably the carabiner is a "freebie" thrown in as a "nice to have." I don't believe it has any direct use in conjunction with the poles themselves.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8BXh44qT6WN2c4g4dAulr_cpSFxBg0WfWfffvZeudeTxSH7WGvv4y6dRyGS-UeN74ECCidr48xLQ93gZpNYPDh7T2FzfliiORDGh0Qmt0UJ97-aaE56Q5YkXeMxGtkPacQyMfrvWUcB8/s1600/IMG_8463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8BXh44qT6WN2c4g4dAulr_cpSFxBg0WfWfffvZeudeTxSH7WGvv4y6dRyGS-UeN74ECCidr48xLQ93gZpNYPDh7T2FzfliiORDGh0Qmt0UJ97-aaE56Q5YkXeMxGtkPacQyMfrvWUcB8/s640/IMG_8463.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The above are included with a set of Fizan Compact trekking poles. Left to right:<br />
Rubber "feet," winter baskets, three season baskets, summer baskets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The "feet" weigh 22 g per pair. The weight of a pair of each type of basket is listed below:<br />
<div>
<table border="2" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 193px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3401; mso-width-source: userset; width: 70pt;" width="93"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="53"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1938; mso-width-source: userset; width: 45pt;" width="62"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 70pt;" width="93"></td>
<td class="xl68" colspan="2" style="width: 75pt;" width="100"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pair</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>Basket Type</b></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>Grams</b></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>Ounces</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Summer</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Three Season</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Winter</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Note: These are <i>measured</i> weights based on my scale at home. These are not necessarily the same as the manufacturer's spec weights.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Weight</span></b><br />
My interest in the Fizan Compact trekking poles was piqued due to their weight. They weigh about 6 ounces per pole (see below table). Six ounces is generally below the weight of an average trekking pole which more typically runs something like 7 to 10 ounces. Now, six ounces is hardly setting a new ultralight weight record, but, for example, my carbon fiber LT4S's cost $206 whereas the Fizan poles cost $60. That's more than triple the price for a set of LT4S's. So, the price-to-weight ratio is <i>excellent</i> for the Fizan Compact trekking poles.<br />
<br />
In particular, I was interested in a set of lightweight aluminum trekking poles for trips on rougher trails or off trail where I wouldn't want to bring my potentially vulnerable carbon fiber poles.<br />
<br />
<table border="2" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 341px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 3693; mso-width-source: userset; width: 76pt;" width="101"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3401; mso-width-source: userset; width: 70pt;" width="93"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="53"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1938; mso-width-source: userset; width: 45pt;" width="62"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 76pt;" width="101"></td>
<td style="width: 70pt;" width="93"></td>
<td class="xl66" colspan="2" style="width: 75pt;" width="100"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Each</i></div>
</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; width: 35pt;" width="47"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Pair</i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><b>Brand</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none;"><b>Model</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>Grams</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>Ounces</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>Price</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Komperdell</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Titanal</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">238</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">$150 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Fizan</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Compact 7001</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">179</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">$60 </td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Gossamer Gear</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">LT4S</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">139</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">$206 </td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Note: These are <i>measured</i> weights based on my scale at home. These are not necessarily the same as the manufacturer's spec weights. The weight of the poles includes the "Three Season" baskets. Deduct 12 grams/0.4 oz to get the true weight of the poles (167 g/5.9 oz).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Field Testing</span></b><br />
I took my set of Fizan Compact trekking poles out this past Saturday and went up and down an old, steep jeep road, a total of 8.5 miles per my GPS. In particular, I wanted a steep trail to test a) whether or not the twist locks would hold my weight (I weigh 215 lbs/98 kg) and b) whether or not the grips were comfortable with hands atop them on the descent.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXyE0Cd8yv7-LHRO5whA2Q492re7fANTYDpqnGt-vHmq5F8USvWc_cJ0wgM87x6KWXfqTHRl-zsOjqhZXtJ62AsCzewKsi-kPbVMwekVKZnVwZ7zWSA0X9hrGWQ42SdZSOKxup4xfXhQU/s1600/DSC00769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXyE0Cd8yv7-LHRO5whA2Q492re7fANTYDpqnGt-vHmq5F8USvWc_cJ0wgM87x6KWXfqTHRl-zsOjqhZXtJ62AsCzewKsi-kPbVMwekVKZnVwZ7zWSA0X9hrGWQ42SdZSOKxup4xfXhQU/s640/DSC00769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old jeep road heading up out of Trabuco Canyon. Freaking <i>steep.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My impressions are as follows:<br />
They're pretty solid. No slipping on the twist locks. The instructions caution against over-tightening lest the poles suffer deformation. I snugged by hand without really cranking down on them. No slipping. No deformation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKbtFr6zF_Hq8kbXZUV9S00NQEYf4uP8kqpbHN7EVhL7q5fwQ2l282AxDHpvuvPgh_IASDnbK_2-6Tfi2TxPjdsJoJYQ-LragS9zHJ7sBrJczMkpuu5joDHzPA2fiZuebW3NGT3D77LOZ/s1600/IMG_8484%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKbtFr6zF_Hq8kbXZUV9S00NQEYf4uP8kqpbHN7EVhL7q5fwQ2l282AxDHpvuvPgh_IASDnbK_2-6Tfi2TxPjdsJoJYQ-LragS9zHJ7sBrJczMkpuu5joDHzPA2fiZuebW3NGT3D77LOZ/s640/IMG_8484%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of the grip on a Fizan trekking pole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The top of the grips is a hard plastic. In downhill mode, it was a little uncomfortable when my hands hands were directly atop the grips. It's not horrible, and you can kind of work with it, but it could be made better by being making the top of the grips a little wider and having some padding. However, of course, that might add weight and cost. Now, I'm a fairly big guy (215 lbs/98 kg, 72"/183 cm) . I may have bigger hands than you do, and odds are I weigh more than you do. So, factor that in. What feels smallish to me might be fine for you. Likewise, the pressure on a set of poles from a big, heavy guy like me might feel quite different than for someone who is, say, thin and wiry. While I haven't tried it, I understand that Gossamer Gear's cork grips can be purchased and installed on the Fizan poles. Apparently, it's not a hard process. Perhaps worth noting if you're a heavier person or have big hands.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2vZ2FDZrRUXNupaQizfKGH2FKzu2bCQW0JRZ1QqoLhCKOPZBNEvQB9LOtdHcBV7Co_98tLnQp1PX31MFnFIiGCmQlhxnj1ooaybab5QjT68PYGYdqSWnHya1skjUZC7Q1dK7GJrH6XdY/s1600/IMG_8483%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2vZ2FDZrRUXNupaQizfKGH2FKzu2bCQW0JRZ1QqoLhCKOPZBNEvQB9LOtdHcBV7Co_98tLnQp1PX31MFnFIiGCmQlhxnj1ooaybab5QjT68PYGYdqSWnHya1skjUZC7Q1dK7GJrH6XdY/s640/IMG_8483%255B1%255D.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of grips and straps of a set of Fizan Compact trekking poles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The straps are strong and show no sign of fraying or wear. The straps on a lightweight set of poles like this are thinner and do curl/fold over on occasion, so you have to straighten them out periodically. Such is the "price" (it's not a huge deal) of light weight. The silky material of the straps slips some, particularly when the straps are not under tension, as when taking the straps on and off of one's wrists. It was a bit annoying to have to keep re-tightening them, but I've seen worse (my LT4S's for example), and it's not that big of a deal. The straps did <i>not</i> appreciably slip when under tension. The wedge that holds the straps in place might grip better if it were made of a slightly softer, more rubbery material. Note that I use pole straps as a cross country skier might, i.e. the straps are bearing much of the weight. I let the straps do the work lest I exhaust my grip strength.<br />
<br />
For the price and for what its included (three different baskets and a set of rubber pole tips), they are excellent poles, and I like how the weight is mid-way between my Komperdells and my LT4S's. The grips however on both my Komperdells and my LT4S's are more comfortable, particularly in downhill mode with hands on top. The Fizan Compact grips are acceptable, but there's room for improvement. I particularly like the all cork grips on my LT4S's, but I can't imagine that all cork grips could be included at the price these Fizan poles are being offered at.<br />
<br />
There's my take on the Fizan Compact trekking pole collaboration between Massdrop and Fizan. You might also find Philip Werner's take on these worth reading: <u><a href="http://sectionhiker.com/fizan-compact-trekking-poles-review/" target="_blank"><b>Section Hiker: Fizan Compact Poles</b></a></u>.<br />
<br />
Thanks for joining me,<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">How to Join Massdrop</span></b><br />
Massdrop, as I mentioned, is sort of a "group buy" site. They contact companies and basically say "hey, if we could guarantee X number of sales, would you give us a special discount price?" If a company agrees, Massdrop then posts a "Drop" on their site. Members of the public can then join the Drop and get the group discount. Here's a link to join: <u><b><a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/ETFBT7">https://www.massdrop.com/r/ETFBT7</a></b></u>.<br />
<br />
Just so you know, if enough people join (and actually buy something), I will receive a "gift box" (contents unknown) from Massdrop as a thank you for the referrals. If you noticed, I didn't exactly worship the Fizan Compact poles (though I think they're a good deal for what they are for the price), so I don't think I'm unduly influenced by whatever might be in the gift box (which may or may not even be of interest to me). However, if you did use that link, you could sort of consider it a way of saying "thank you" for my reviews. If you want. If you don't want to, no worries, and I still hope you get something out of my reviews. Take care and hike on!<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Disclosures</span></b><br />
The trekking poles featured in this blog post were provided at no cost to me by Massdrop. The poles were provided with the understanding that I would review the poles as I saw fit. There were no preconditions to my review. For my review, I receive no compensation other than I typically get to keep the item that I reviewed. Further, I receive no remuneration of any kind from the sales of these poles with the possible exception that I might receive the aforementioned gift box (see preceding section) if enough people were to join using the above link and then make some form of purchase, those purchases not being limited to trekking poles. Inasmuch as I don't know what might or might not be in said gift box, I'm not exactly holding my breath, but the gift box should be mentioned as it might be considered a form a compensation. By the way, any of you reading this are just as eligible to receive such gift boxes if you join Massdrop and subsequently refer friends. These gift boxes are a standard practice of Massdrop and are not some special compensation for those who write reviews. Lastly, I wish to assure you that any intimation that the gear presented on this page is a secret conspiracy between myself and Massdrop to fill every last blessed nook and cranny of storage in my place of residence is completely false, despite any protestations to the contrary by my lovely spouse.Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-73183851978979431472017-05-02T21:23:00.001-07:002017-05-04T18:08:14.932-07:00The Road to Hell is Paved with... Weather Balloons?I just went to Hell and back again. Well, kind of. I went to Hell for Sure Canyon in the San Gorgonio Wilderness – which is about as wild and inaccessible of a place as you'll find in Southern California. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6SVC4avS1LAZixif6wgwFIFQB9VLEtywdfBRvmSnDPabpGvLmrN6CdYhD04o-Fy7chG0KzUTUxcJzySFXPRfFD9xWEKupqv9sYVaJaUP-fXIehd7XM3Qo2s2AQIX1fM5MSBOlgZBZ3aZ/s1600/Hell_For_Sure_Falls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6SVC4avS1LAZixif6wgwFIFQB9VLEtywdfBRvmSnDPabpGvLmrN6CdYhD04o-Fy7chG0KzUTUxcJzySFXPRfFD9xWEKupqv9sYVaJaUP-fXIehd7XM3Qo2s2AQIX1fM5MSBOlgZBZ3aZ/s640/Hell_For_Sure_Falls2.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell For Sure Falls, Hell For Sure Canyon, San Gorgonio Wilderness, Southern California.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But let me back up a bit and explain what I'm doing. You see, there's this balloon, a weather balloon. A friend of a friend has a grandson, Adrian, who put together a weather balloon as a school project. The balloon went up and then came down into, you guessed it, some of the harshest and most inaccessible terrain in all of Southern California, the Hell For Sure Canyon area. The balloon had a transponder. The transponder sent out GPS coordinates as the balloon descended. The signal was lost shortly before landing, but interpolating the direction of travel and speed of descent places the balloon's landing point at about 34.07031, -116.71899, i.e. in the drainages just east of Hell For Sure Canyon. For further information on the balloon and searching, see "Notes for Potential Searchers" in the Appendix, below.<br />
<br />
Access to the canyon is blocked near the mouth by a high waterfall, Hell For Sure Falls. Maybe a technical climber could ascend the falls, but most can't, so a lengthy detour is required to access the drainages behind the falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_qtuK5HthtSdlTpBkd8JbkhTjw3wMcJHNzCklehZ5wOFHzy20F8eOqgXIdmFBa9t82KutzxXexSbVXAvDmQ4MVKGGv_V-qS-ELgsjnDLA7qPE_OyNzEbPbczwjtDyGHswccqAfZptxv1/s1600/HJ_Finds_Hell_For_Sure_Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_qtuK5HthtSdlTpBkd8JbkhTjw3wMcJHNzCklehZ5wOFHzy20F8eOqgXIdmFBa9t82KutzxXexSbVXAvDmQ4MVKGGv_V-qS-ELgsjnDLA7qPE_OyNzEbPbczwjtDyGHswccqAfZptxv1/s640/HJ_Finds_Hell_For_Sure_Falls.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The falls are the end of the line in terms of going up Hell For Canyon.<br />
Photo credit: Jim D.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hell For Sure Canyon is part of the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The San Gorgonio Wilderness was a favorite place of my dad's and my grandfather's before him. I've been visiting since the 1960's and have spent a fair amount of time over the years there. I like maps and have put together things like an <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/12/interactive-san-gorgonio-wilderness-sgw.html" target="_blank"><b>Interactive Map of the San Gorgonio Wilderness</b></a></u> (which was cited by the founder of Caltopo, Matt Jacobs, in his <u><b><a href="http://andrewskurka.com/2015/the-future-of-caltopo-interview-with-founder-matt-jacobs/" target="_blank">interview with Andrew Skurka</a></b></u> as an example of what could be done with Caltopo. Hey, why, I'm almost famous, lol.). I'm also an off trail hiker, not intimidated by a lack of established routes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOIUT_kDoxGxr6xEi-CcrykrXlztowKYjAwSmeV0u_N3MtNrz3FvdXdOfEnJXYoUpDreEMkPSUTEUwsbOPuje8_4f4rilk0-SLhfYeM3MkkBQ1w0FzVULeYD8l8Ui-sZLB4P5QR6Sy-L2/s1600/Hikin_Jim_Forsee_Creek%252C_Wilderness_Boundary_April_2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOIUT_kDoxGxr6xEi-CcrykrXlztowKYjAwSmeV0u_N3MtNrz3FvdXdOfEnJXYoUpDreEMkPSUTEUwsbOPuje8_4f4rilk0-SLhfYeM3MkkBQ1w0FzVULeYD8l8Ui-sZLB4P5QR6Sy-L2/s640/Hikin_Jim_Forsee_Creek%252C_Wilderness_Boundary_April_2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly, on a recent trip in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.<br />
Photo credit: Barbie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, I guess somebody figured I might have some insight, and word of the lost weather balloon made its way to me. I decided to go and look for the danged thing. Never strong in the brains department, I'm always up for a long-shot, harsh terrain challenge I suppose. <br />
<br />
Now, the first challenge is to get back in there. The mouth of Hell For Sure Canyon is about 18 miles round trip from the nearest place accessible by a vehicle. One reaches the mouth of Hell For Sure Canyon by ascending the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River. The river bed is rough and boulder strewn and can be pretty slow going.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FmrvnqbRtyr-QY0Gda8d6o-3IWw2Zyk2UrfRPhyR470td5Cj1HJd-1HGwadv6r0rfVdqP5PYGiO-zKuRJ4IVy6IrpBZ5OBGn8FH30lI4-3XFzQ40qUsPsUkgBsgBhk44lC4ncfQxJnlP/s1600/Middle_Fork_Whitewater_River_Near_Hell_For_Sure_Canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FmrvnqbRtyr-QY0Gda8d6o-3IWw2Zyk2UrfRPhyR470td5Cj1HJd-1HGwadv6r0rfVdqP5PYGiO-zKuRJ4IVy6IrpBZ5OBGn8FH30lI4-3XFzQ40qUsPsUkgBsgBhk44lC4ncfQxJnlP/s640/Middle_Fork_Whitewater_River_Near_Hell_For_Sure_Canyon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Middle Fork of the Whitewater River. <br />
The low spot that the river more or less points to is Hell For Sure Canyon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I had a plan. There was an old road from years ago that went into the Middle Fork. I had traveled this road before and knew that it was more or less passable for a person on foot. The road bypasses much of the boulder strewn wash.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpyivz_2EYE-qfviKXtlNZS2iykmjziyrvCEthyKbv5FhfzfiuafU1AgBqEd628CMEXJVp3HnNImHnxAVeRpnIAqFuZ8BZAmu19-UvyYqdOuUfVI1xw0QGbm1MC4UVD4_7Xp02PaCp-Pp/s1600/Desert_Traveller_Catclaw_Flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpyivz_2EYE-qfviKXtlNZS2iykmjziyrvCEthyKbv5FhfzfiuafU1AgBqEd628CMEXJVp3HnNImHnxAVeRpnIAqFuZ8BZAmu19-UvyYqdOuUfVI1xw0QGbm1MC4UVD4_7Xp02PaCp-Pp/s640/Desert_Traveller_Catclaw_Flat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the old road to the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo credit: Jim D.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The old road is waterless and exposed, but with proper planning (i.e. start early and bring lots of water) is very doable and would be a far better way to get up the Whitewater than simply walking the riverbed. <br />
<br />
Naturally, I didn't want to do this alone. But who on earth would be dumb enough, er, such a great friend, that they'd join me on a fool's errand like this? I mean I knew from the get go that this was going to be a real suffer fest. I immediately thought of my friend, Jim. Great name. How can you go wrong with a guy with such a great name. right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_B348An-5IwRYQuBuAiEXSAUpaF1oLqRNVBuZ9BF-2mUMWhCs1-p-KYxlgsYK2uYa9dIR5ftSVtSG49nWT5ARsIZitwxo54b0rvMDtB8xpVtT8oEwyvd-TKuBmlVkVb8Mu8ITzZakx39/s1600/Jim_D_Catclaw_Flat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_B348An-5IwRYQuBuAiEXSAUpaF1oLqRNVBuZ9BF-2mUMWhCs1-p-KYxlgsYK2uYa9dIR5ftSVtSG49nWT5ARsIZitwxo54b0rvMDtB8xpVtT8oEwyvd-TKuBmlVkVb8Mu8ITzZakx39/s640/Jim_D_Catclaw_Flat.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My buddy Jim who graciously puts up with my off trail antics</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, the two of us set out.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day One – The Journey In</span></b><br />
Now, yes, this was once a road, but now it's hardly a superhighway into the interior. And even though it cuts off <i>part</i> of the slog up the river bed, it's still a good bit of doing to get to the Hell For Sure drainage. I figured it would take us the better part of a day to get to the mouth of Hell For Sure Canyon. I then would have to figure out how to get up around the falls into the drainages behind – and conduct my search. For this effort, I allocated three days: One day to hike in, visit the falls (which are a worthy destination in their own right), and set up a base camp; one day to conduct a search; and then one day to hike back out.<br />
<br />
Sometimes the desert is thought of as a more or less lifeless place, but it's not that at all. While I definitely prefer cool pine forests, the desert has a beauty all its own for those willing to see.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lFxLs53ZjS09lhvQmQByIAogorbjFrwsT1MioLfSTho-wp0axXeWko1VpMB64hziWF02RnTVmvTj_bwo_XKW5HPxhtUFXFMUkD00SMwADYZxAPj1UasZjtHDqOflxNqQmRR6O_K7ggGT/s1600/Beavertail_Cactus_In_Bloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2lFxLs53ZjS09lhvQmQByIAogorbjFrwsT1MioLfSTho-wp0axXeWko1VpMB64hziWF02RnTVmvTj_bwo_XKW5HPxhtUFXFMUkD00SMwADYZxAPj1UasZjtHDqOflxNqQmRR6O_K7ggGT/s640/Beavertail_Cactus_In_Bloom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beavertail cactus in bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One sees things in the desert that one would otherwise miss, things worthwhile indeed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclkhdw58XJnjQYaQRXUrFtzUtdbtkRpQYnbJ71GsVYiRnXXx61X9rG4CzxK4yf2LxlR7Ztf5cTxWnVc2iDlSSuRMS51v8mkZfuuFEzJUjXp3MU5EPrqiHLgXAtw_jiF6LoxXOQ2pIEauh/s1600/Cholla_Cactus_Flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclkhdw58XJnjQYaQRXUrFtzUtdbtkRpQYnbJ71GsVYiRnXXx61X9rG4CzxK4yf2LxlR7Ztf5cTxWnVc2iDlSSuRMS51v8mkZfuuFEzJUjXp3MU5EPrqiHLgXAtw_jiF6LoxXOQ2pIEauh/s640/Cholla_Cactus_Flowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cholla cactus flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We arrived at the confluence of the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River and Hell For Sure Creek around 2:00 PM. We then proceeded up the creek to visit the falls. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPuR9ntSu9YbmL1_7N15NlYjahlEiJ6lVVVCcY5VmW8I03BqSyo_fflF-Q8BzbV7IdzKBniRDWVk50AKC-Gv549RqXhDA5KzdC_9Qc8iE8abZ5AGasxIDRgM9pAhuP7kmb609uVvtrUN4/s1600/Hell_For_Sure_Falls1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPuR9ntSu9YbmL1_7N15NlYjahlEiJ6lVVVCcY5VmW8I03BqSyo_fflF-Q8BzbV7IdzKBniRDWVk50AKC-Gv549RqXhDA5KzdC_9Qc8iE8abZ5AGasxIDRgM9pAhuP7kmb609uVvtrUN4/s640/Hell_For_Sure_Falls1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding a bend in the canyon, one gets one's first view of Hell For Sure Falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hell For Sure Falls is barely a trickle many times, but this year, we'd had a decent rain year, and the falls were flowing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0CMr7NzudvG3Eq_CRCF5FbGefBHwF_qDgXXsl39_l8iPVbfK3SXcUEbATFwuRzk3jgpA6tHU8qr6XOf_wbhIHMnYgiam_JB_D2vg9tKmPGIO1JrG_NnufrQXh6ofglEKCbcuOgk4MH0w/s1600/Hell_For_Sure_Falls3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0CMr7NzudvG3Eq_CRCF5FbGefBHwF_qDgXXsl39_l8iPVbfK3SXcUEbATFwuRzk3jgpA6tHU8qr6XOf_wbhIHMnYgiam_JB_D2vg9tKmPGIO1JrG_NnufrQXh6ofglEKCbcuOgk4MH0w/s640/Hell_For_Sure_Falls3.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell For Sure Falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We stopped for a late lunch at the base of the falls. I pulled out my <b><u><a href="https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/2014/11/review-new-msr-windboiler.html" target="_blank">MSR Windburner</a></u></b>, which is the latest stove that I'm evaluating on my <b><u><a href="https://adventuresinstoving.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Adventures In Stoving</a></u></b> blog. Nice stove. The Windburner is astoundingly windproof, which makes it the perfect stove for the desert. On any desert trip I've ever been on, it's always been windy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tlxX1tyoF09auHt1jdLiy8IgEJ5YOtsrqLExFgiVj2GOlEOXCFRvZuOnpsbDW7Fx_JPD7RevLOByMKTYIWvnTUz900CcJHX1yLux_QIdiyPIjrhU3vdwENG-dd4SvBvBM5nJCDbBAgbv/s1600/MSR_Windburner_1.8L_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tlxX1tyoF09auHt1jdLiy8IgEJ5YOtsrqLExFgiVj2GOlEOXCFRvZuOnpsbDW7Fx_JPD7RevLOByMKTYIWvnTUz900CcJHX1yLux_QIdiyPIjrhU3vdwENG-dd4SvBvBM5nJCDbBAgbv/s640/MSR_Windburner_1.8L_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An MSR Windburner with a 1.8 L pot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After lunch, we went back to the confluence and set up camp for our first night out.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vNIhluALoVdniMjVsMS6rlFj0Bawl3UyrWrueS1nUc6FArwU-uz10-s6QhyphenhyphenZB3yHFB-qvm0c_QdAU-ET6VtA3CfyBK_yq4PNq3VzQVmNqUPVP-X-PTkxgjRpQoScvCw1pQ7M0ZuvvDRD/s1600/Bivy_Camping_Dead_Tree_Camp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vNIhluALoVdniMjVsMS6rlFj0Bawl3UyrWrueS1nUc6FArwU-uz10-s6QhyphenhyphenZB3yHFB-qvm0c_QdAU-ET6VtA3CfyBK_yq4PNq3VzQVmNqUPVP-X-PTkxgjRpQoScvCw1pQ7M0ZuvvDRD/s640/Bivy_Camping_Dead_Tree_Camp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bivy camping in the desert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Day Two – The Search</span></b><br />
Now the fun really starts, ha ha. We had to get in behind the falls – but how? Our best reckoning, based on the track of the balloon, was that the most probable point of impact was in some drainages east of the main Hell For Sure drainage. "Map scouting" in the weeks leading up to the trip had lead me to consider some ridges to the SE of the falls as possible bypass routes. At least on paper, these ridges looked doable – but I knew they'd be tough. The Whitewater River near the base of these ridges is at an elevation of about 4100' above sea level. The top of the ridge is at just over 6500'. That's a gain of some 2400', but, oh, that's not all. There's no trail, there's a good bit of brush, and one gains 1500' in just a little over a mile in the first portion of the ascent.<br />
<br />
Now, maps are a fine thing, but one never knows until one sees things first hand. After a visual study of the terrain, we picked out a particular ridge, a ridge we dubbed "Stairmaster Ridge."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnLP4QpJE9uJIGhJut9T416nc-ix2T1t_kAtQDPQFmB1iA78fn-QA1_AFaC4BsrS0nSYqi2inQ1K2QKJHBalH4DgL2yMgz8zaNIQV16PHqZGC-2sRgalkjgSZR5wz3aD9Thl257MjJUQx/s1600/Stairmaster_Ridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnLP4QpJE9uJIGhJut9T416nc-ix2T1t_kAtQDPQFmB1iA78fn-QA1_AFaC4BsrS0nSYqi2inQ1K2QKJHBalH4DgL2yMgz8zaNIQV16PHqZGC-2sRgalkjgSZR5wz3aD9Thl257MjJUQx/s640/Stairmaster_Ridge.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Snake Peak is the peak slightly left of center.<br />
Stairmaster Ridge is just slightly right of center. <br />
The gain is 1500' in just over a mile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stairmaster Ridge leads to the top of Peak 6511 which is part of Hell For Sure Ridge, the major ridge east of Hell For Sure Canyon. In and around Peak 6511, we both just about stepped on rattlesnakes in two separate incidents. I don't mind snakes when I can see them, but there were plenty of places where I could barely see my feet due to the brush. Rattlesnakes sounding off unseen just underfoot makes me one nervous hiker! Based on these incidents, we dubbed Peak 6511, "Two Snake Peak." <br />
<br />
As it happens, our map scouting and visual assessment bore out: The route was doable. It was steep, it was brushy, but it was doable. One simply had to bear with the steepness. There were no sections so steep that the use of hands were required.<br />
<br />
From Two Snake Peak, we dropped down to a saddle to the NW and from there descended towards a point I had identified as potentially having a commanding view of our search area. The weather balloon had been equipped with a bright red and orange parachute. Our hope was that we might be able to glimpse the brightly colored chute and thereby find the object of our search, the electronic payload that the balloon had originally carried aloft.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy-irlDqrJFgGmm6pl79zgKsC2fSLvGjJ13gp8T_FnrcfzG9Fi2cXeeJu-cYLe4ErUyvoirusedsXLhWQP07f4mYkeMeXwq8HbGHCXmOu7NuHxCPM7JR7L1wf-9uAYx0EO8jACWsVgYJy/s1600/Surveyors_Point_SGW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy-irlDqrJFgGmm6pl79zgKsC2fSLvGjJ13gp8T_FnrcfzG9Fi2cXeeJu-cYLe4ErUyvoirusedsXLhWQP07f4mYkeMeXwq8HbGHCXmOu7NuHxCPM7JR7L1wf-9uAYx0EO8jACWsVgYJy/s640/Surveyors_Point_SGW.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author atop Surveyor's Point with its commanding view of the landscape.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo credit: Jim D.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made our way down the ridge down to our panoramic viewpoint, but there was a problem. Even though it was a scant 2.5 miles from the river to our viewpoint, it had taken us until mid-afternoon to get there! Given the difficulty of the terrain and brush, we knew we had to leave soon or we'd be caught out after dark on Stairmaster Ridge on the return. A descent in the dark on a brushy, steep ridge would not be a good situation to find oneself in. So, with what time we had, we split up and did what searching we could.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTUDwQ2lYN4FMmimsCgVSwAjPQPSkOE0VzjCY_HyNFhDQ16eoiHawpYsJb7oQhfNGNtQQy6dLaYohehtT9A8-Gdv_TvR6-n50eWuurKEv6b_18pY7AxS8-fq0dUwETPE9yTOO86Vl7raP/s1600/Rugged_Ravines_Hell_For_Sure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTUDwQ2lYN4FMmimsCgVSwAjPQPSkOE0VzjCY_HyNFhDQ16eoiHawpYsJb7oQhfNGNtQQy6dLaYohehtT9A8-Gdv_TvR6-n50eWuurKEv6b_18pY7AxS8-fq0dUwETPE9yTOO86Vl7raP/s640/Rugged_Ravines_Hell_For_Sure.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ravines were so rugged that we couldn't always see into the bottom of them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The terrain was so steep and precipitous that we could not see into the bottom of many of the ravines surrounding the point. Interestingly, we did find one thing, a survey marker from the 1927 survey of the area.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0-QkxEhv-KvxquH1qtmhSapQg5c5ruadZoGMBpHpcvOnuhXG7SruF7fNrXZa-mCH4ktPGoemTL6zH1L0u63gxa8hGAQTmYsZFJL1xDrndFFiwiydAGUJGQ1yVNB5p6D6Qcucy8akWOHV/s1600/AP_T1S_R2E_S24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0-QkxEhv-KvxquH1qtmhSapQg5c5ruadZoGMBpHpcvOnuhXG7SruF7fNrXZa-mCH4ktPGoemTL6zH1L0u63gxa8hGAQTmYsZFJL1xDrndFFiwiydAGUJGQ1yVNB5p6D6Qcucy8akWOHV/s640/AP_T1S_R2E_S24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survey marker from 1927.<br />
This marks the boundary of, among other things, the San Bernardino National Forest and the San Gorgonio Wilderness.<br />
More specifically, this is an "Angle Point" on the section line for Township 1 South, Range 2 East, Section 24, San Bernardino Baseline and Meridian.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Late in the day, we beat a hasty retreat back up the ridges to Two Snake Peak and then down Stairmaster Ridge. We got to our camp with about 10 minutes of fading twilight to spare. That, in retrospect, probably wasn't the best decision, to continue to search as long as we did, but we really wanted to find that darned weather balloon. Alas, it was not to be.<br />
<br />
We cooked dinner in the dark and reflected on our day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQkn0vCIYvK3-0iizBjUAqZ1sItg3H442obyVKe3Ju77D2xcYwqHIRcWgdBJGYV5PQb8nJ0cQFGU8Fkib6SNOYZsfkOZUspDLXq-lL4UAOcHHagTLb8lZG269iYzwos0FU5ZD_2zcdJZR/s1600/MSR_Windburner_In_The_Dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQkn0vCIYvK3-0iizBjUAqZ1sItg3H442obyVKe3Ju77D2xcYwqHIRcWgdBJGYV5PQb8nJ0cQFGU8Fkib6SNOYZsfkOZUspDLXq-lL4UAOcHHagTLb8lZG269iYzwos0FU5ZD_2zcdJZR/s640/MSR_Windburner_In_The_Dark.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firing up my MSR Windburner for a dinner in the dark.<br />
We overstayed our time on the ridges east of Hell For Sure Canyon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">After Action Review</span></b><br />
Despite not finding our objective, I don't consider our "mission" a failure. Heck, any time spent in the backcountry is time well spent, but we did do several things:<br />
<ol>
<li>We established a very doable route for any future searchers. Hopefully others will follow after our initial scouting foray. However, see "Notes for Potential Searchers," below if you plan to look for the balloon yourself.</li>
<li>We established a sense of the effort necessary. It took us about 5 hours to go 2.5 miles from the Whitewater River, up over Two Snake Peak, and down into the search zone.</li>
<li>We got to visit and get some good photos of Hell For Sure Falls in a good rain year.</li>
<li>We got some great views of the Middle Fork Jumpoff, Kitching Peak, San Jacinto Peak, etc. and did some highly valuable scouting for future trips into the area.</li>
</ol>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil18lMSN5VrVfxiDa_v85tZ1w8gnONMYwUf7s22egKDG15-rP12xeESGlmGyEp4KiUM9BpEdM_AJEs3_3g4DysyrMw0H74LigtYotuQA8Z82WrR8h2CkPy5jbw8-ZXK7fdGTBzvERAa0aV/s1600/San_Jacinto_Peak_From_Two_Snake_Peak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil18lMSN5VrVfxiDa_v85tZ1w8gnONMYwUf7s22egKDG15-rP12xeESGlmGyEp4KiUM9BpEdM_AJEs3_3g4DysyrMw0H74LigtYotuQA8Z82WrR8h2CkPy5jbw8-ZXK7fdGTBzvERAa0aV/s640/San_Jacinto_Peak_From_Two_Snake_Peak.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spectacular view of San Jacinto Peak and the surrounding territory can be had from Hell For Sure Ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Had I to do it over again, I might have gotten an earlier start on day two, perhaps starting at first light. For a future trip, I might try to find a camp site above the falls to serve as my base camp so that I might spend more time searching.<br />
<br />
This trip, as do many trips, only whetted my appetite for more trips into this area. The intriguing geological formation known as the Middle Fork Jump Off, essentially a giant cliff-like headwall at the top of the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River, certainly deserves a visit.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqI1WJK2imxsHw11XILHbJnCNOfIRnLYIFBABQp2qg1vcIpw1x-p3v-Tf4at-FxpHp4M7tIwkFrAgXO0TKw8wAedN6U4uQ9n5e02NC-QjipkcbjayR743CsVJCxM1Ahq44gPQPBtTTnnh/s1600/Middle_Fork_Jumpoff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqI1WJK2imxsHw11XILHbJnCNOfIRnLYIFBABQp2qg1vcIpw1x-p3v-Tf4at-FxpHp4M7tIwkFrAgXO0TKw8wAedN6U4uQ9n5e02NC-QjipkcbjayR743CsVJCxM1Ahq44gPQPBtTTnnh/s640/Middle_Fork_Jumpoff.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Middle Fork Jumpoff lies at the head of the Middle Fork of the Whitewater River.<br />
The snow capped peak to the right of the Jumpoff is San Gorgonio Mountain. <br />
To the right of San Gorgonio Mountain is Ten Thousand Foot Ridge.<br />
The somewhat flat topped peak far to the left of the Jump Off is Snow Peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I did not achieve my primary objective, that of finding the balloon, I did have a great adventure in the wild, trail-less backcountry of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, an area little touched by the hand of man even in this, the Twenty-First Century. I also gained valuable intel on the region for future trips and plan to visit again soon. <br />
<br />
NOTE: This is hot, exposed country with rugged, brushy terrain. Examine weather reports and plan carefully before setting out on a trip here.<br />
<br />
I thank you for joining me on the Journey,<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
P.S. If you're interested in joining the challenge of searching for the lost weather balloon, please see the "Notes for Potential Searchers" in the Appendix, below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0Tk0iuVXuEovPqOrMW2gy5_vJfUKKQ-7zF6aFps3CYdqQnRwYYKF1rsvQ1vFnSNAuMl6O6LFaONi9m25Vn6zFNMlu4ba583w6BmIXiTvwGec9POpx0rQzRNl4nNbq6Zk0bKjiWxiF-aV/s1600/San_Jacinto_Peak_From_Two_Snake_Peak2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU0Tk0iuVXuEovPqOrMW2gy5_vJfUKKQ-7zF6aFps3CYdqQnRwYYKF1rsvQ1vFnSNAuMl6O6LFaONi9m25Vn6zFNMlu4ba583w6BmIXiTvwGec9POpx0rQzRNl4nNbq6Zk0bKjiWxiF-aV/s640/San_Jacinto_Peak_From_Two_Snake_Peak2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto Peak and the desert from near the summit of Two Snake Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Appendix – Notes for Potential Searchers</span></b><br />
<br />
Up for a challenge? By all means please join me in helping Adrian out. Let's get the poor guy his instrumentation package back. And it's not just that. This is sort of a challenge. Can you devise a search strategy and execute it in the rugged backcountry? Let's see if we can't find that thing – and in the process have an excuse for challenge and adventure, not to mention one heck of a set of bragging rights for the person who finds it.<br />
<br />
Here are some thoughts for potential searchers:<br />
<br />
<b>PLANNING</b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Heat stroke. </b>Heat stroke is a very real possibility. Pick a cool day. If the predicted high in Whitewater, CA during your trip is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit, think seriously about not going.</li>
<li><b>Water.</b> Water is reliably available – as long as your near the Whitewater River. Once you're away from the river, water could be pretty scarce. If you're near Hell For Sure Creek, it will <i>probably</i> have water most years although in some spots it may run underground. If you're away from the river and the creek, in all likelihood, the only water you'll have is the water you carry. Water was available at the Stone House and Whitewater Preserve as of April 2017. Note: The water at the Stone House has high fluoride content and should not be frequently consumed.</li>
<li><b>Parking.</b> Parking is available on Wildlands Conservancy land at either the Whitewater Preserve or the Mission Creek Preserve. The closest approach, one that lets you take advantage of the old road into the area, is to park at the Stone House. The lot at the Stone House is well inside the locked gate of the preserve. You need to contact the conservancy well ahead of time to get permission to park there.<br />If getting permission seems like a drag, you can park outside the gate in the main Mission Creek Parking Lot, but that does add 1.6 miles each way to your trip.<br />Parking is also available at the Whitewater Preserve.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<b>ROUTE</b></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>You could just follow my route into the search area. It's a known and proven route. It's also a real bun kicker, and it requires you to climb to 6500' when the balloon most likely landed around 5500'. In other words, you're climbing 1000' unnecessarily. I chose the route because I was being conservative. The contour lines are never so close together that I was worried about impassible terrain. An on site visual inspection also did not turn up anything that might have caused a problem. In addition, I wanted to get to Surveyor's Point from which I hoped I might be able to simply search with binoculars. No such luck. The ravines are too deep and twisting to be effectively searched from the point. While my route was a reasonable first scouting route, it is not optimal.</li>
<li>From my vantage point on Surveyor's Point, I got a good look at the ridge that runs immediately to the west of Hell For Sure Falls. It looked doable. Whereas my first scouting route topped out at 6500', the route around the falls to the west tops out at a far more reasonable 5400'. Now, I said "doable," not "easy". It looks rough and rocky, and the rock is loose. I found a canyoneer's trip report that said that a party went up the west ridge successfully, so it can be done. The report mentioned that one of the party was injured when a rock shifted and cut his leg. so be careful if you use this route. Despite the danger, I think this is the way to go. My initial scouting route just takes too long and gains unnecessary elevation. Please <b><i>see the </i></b><b style="font-style: italic;">topo map, </b>below.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<b>VISUAL CLUES</b><br />
<br />
The balloon itself is of a sort of semi-translucent whitish material but would be shredded. The balloon was designed to burst when it reached a very high altitude, and then a parachute would lower the payload, an instrumentation package, back to earth.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsQDJuZkMQJpszH7mB3Em8uQpn6sedQywyccPJ04VzTHqi9EHAxQzmE9mPuEdiWiz3xnWisTxo_N3Zu73mbby8rRNCba-pUOBpwqZyk_wHVD-F50r0crahJtYWKMJ9MVFDyGoS0wvpmAH/s1600/Balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsQDJuZkMQJpszH7mB3Em8uQpn6sedQywyccPJ04VzTHqi9EHAxQzmE9mPuEdiWiz3xnWisTxo_N3Zu73mbby8rRNCba-pUOBpwqZyk_wHVD-F50r0crahJtYWKMJ9MVFDyGoS0wvpmAH/s640/Balloon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The balloon. From a video capture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The parachute is made of nylon and is red and orange. It is approximately six feet (two meters) in diameter.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpXCuhm9QyTVNJRuvWnqrFvIX8eRBUQkhQYd6yiGt_S8p1xkCnEvOxmfOlCoroIqM_6CHPAFNUgI9akhImvnGZRsxgdR3eXGtYES9l09dO_xHx_2IK63MZ_eGz96_kK2Q0Z5XBLCBXSFH/s1600/Balloon_Parachute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpXCuhm9QyTVNJRuvWnqrFvIX8eRBUQkhQYd6yiGt_S8p1xkCnEvOxmfOlCoroIqM_6CHPAFNUgI9akhImvnGZRsxgdR3eXGtYES9l09dO_xHx_2IK63MZ_eGz96_kK2Q0Z5XBLCBXSFH/s640/Balloon_Parachute.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parachute. From a video capture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The payload is an instrumentation package inside a protective box. The box is yellow and measures approximately 10” x 14” x 4”. Gray nylon straps and yellow riser cords attach the box to the parachute.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iZR4bpTpvdohjCi2qAsUILeXTGxiDRo0qINmZq16rChf7XztLrDOYjS4upa_LlcgXHGyLSM9RkAIOPdOrdlV806itoMNnqw2gH0hONUEhup-rquS3koxE48BTQlu2n7_TPmCDrKddG7E/s1600/Telemetry_Package_Redacted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iZR4bpTpvdohjCi2qAsUILeXTGxiDRo0qINmZq16rChf7XztLrDOYjS4upa_LlcgXHGyLSM9RkAIOPdOrdlV806itoMNnqw2gH0hONUEhup-rquS3koxE48BTQlu2n7_TPmCDrKddG7E/s640/Telemetry_Package_Redacted.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The instrumentation package of the weather balloon is yellow and measures approximately 10” x 14” x 4”.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For reference, here is a person standing with the instrumentation package in his hands.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mN9yVGrnsbK9A7j_h_4H75jGAK77lpxyZYq4ZtI24PmlVHOQUFTTHxRKYVyaoohuZ6Fo8P_kZFZkv_7hZOpgDBIr7nWJBenZwQ1Rq5gQk1PDXbc_IozBPwelOWQWtCZjEz9_KmsTQbp6/s1600/Adrian_And_Telemetry_Package_Redacted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mN9yVGrnsbK9A7j_h_4H75jGAK77lpxyZYq4ZtI24PmlVHOQUFTTHxRKYVyaoohuZ6Fo8P_kZFZkv_7hZOpgDBIr7nWJBenZwQ1Rq5gQk1PDXbc_IozBPwelOWQWtCZjEz9_KmsTQbp6/s640/Adrian_And_Telemetry_Package_Redacted.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A person holding the instrumentation package. Shown for scale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>SEARCH AREA</b><br />
<b><br /></b>The balloon sent out a series of "pings" containing data like elevation above sea level and GPS coordinates. Based on the data, we can calculate the speed of descent and direction of travel. Based on the speed of descent and direction of travel, the most probable landing point of the balloon is lat/lon 34.07031, -116.71899. However, of course, this is only an estimate. It should be a pretty good estimate, but wind gusts, downdrafts, etc. could have altered the point of landing. I would assume that the coordinates 34.07031, -116.71899 constitute the <i>center</i> of a search area and the immediate surroundings would be need to be searched extending outward from that center.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVPUWldzHbH1QF_EZcZNy_S7Co-X6dEdAnyR3BdIiuGrTHhoEyvaRxq5ZF8_fVUqm69YzOZJZHxkpIGOjrTQG8FSOYeDVAlca4wqUGjR_G3DHqVqDKuCa02dqW30zpFMxppikGsy8tvz6/s1600/Balloon_End_Track.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVPUWldzHbH1QF_EZcZNy_S7Co-X6dEdAnyR3BdIiuGrTHhoEyvaRxq5ZF8_fVUqm69YzOZJZHxkpIGOjrTQG8FSOYeDVAlca4wqUGjR_G3DHqVqDKuCa02dqW30zpFMxppikGsy8tvz6/s640/Balloon_End_Track.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The end track of the balloon plotted on Google Earth. <br />
The last ping is shown by the orange and red parachute icon.<br />
The landing point is <i>interpolated</i> based on the spend of descent and direction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Below is a hand drawn map based on my search of April 26 - 28, 2017. This is NOT from a GPS unit, but it will definitely give you the sense of things. My map is more about illustrating how things fit together and what the critical landmarks and junctures are than it is about GPS-like precision. If you really want to take a close look at the map, it's probably best to open it in a <b><u><a href="https://caltopo.com/m/6USF" target="_blank">separate window</a></u></b>.<br />
<br />
The most probable landing point of the balloon is plotted on the map using exact (but interpolated) lat/lon coordinates of 34.07031, -116.71899.<br />
<br />
You could just use a GPS unit while you're out there, but if your batteries die or the unit malfunctions, you could be in trouble. Personally, I'd bring paper maps and a compass to back up a GPS. Up to you. <br />
<div>
<iframe height="500px" src="https://caltopo.com/m/6USF" width="675px"></iframe><br /></div>
<br />
Here is a Google Earth screen capture with the last ping from the balloon shown along with my initial scouting route to Surveyors Point, sketched in with a red line. The approximate location of Surveyors Point is indicated by the black "X". Personally, I would use the ridge immediately west of Hell For Sure Falls were I to return to the area. See above topo map for a sketch of this alternate route.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqMBhHXUTA1ySbSTU0CJMzv_mVArNnnmiF6NoDheXYwA_Tz0FZwB3Hq1QotFbQzkt3Lbr73xQ2TtFpa1LfOVGDV6uyjIjmc1XJ1GFT-ydrbOOIUrCFnrtBI0DjVHni54iqHXNJXIo5m5X/s1600/Balloon_Track_And_Search_Route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqMBhHXUTA1ySbSTU0CJMzv_mVArNnnmiF6NoDheXYwA_Tz0FZwB3Hq1QotFbQzkt3Lbr73xQ2TtFpa1LfOVGDV6uyjIjmc1XJ1GFT-ydrbOOIUrCFnrtBI0DjVHni54iqHXNJXIo5m5X/s640/Balloon_Track_And_Search_Route.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last GPS position of the balloon is indicated by the red and orange parachute icon.<br />
The landing point of the balloon is estimated based on the speed of descent and direction.<br />
My initial scouting route is sketched in with red line. <br />
Surveyors Point is shown with a black "X".</td></tr>
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Good luck and happy searching. Even if you don't find it, it's a heck of an adventure.Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-13920981762741305482016-06-01T22:05:00.001-07:002016-06-02T18:35:57.890-07:00San Gorgonio Wilderness - Vivian Creek Trail - Trip Report for 5/28 - 5/30/2016I was out on the Vivian Creek Trail this past weekend (5/28 - 5/30/2016). Here is a brief report of the conditions I encountered. The position of each item that I reference is plotted via GPS waypoints on this topographic map: <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/m/5EDU">http://caltopo.com/m/5EDU</a></u>. Mileages between points is noted. I will list my observations below using the waypoints on the map.<br />
<br />
Of course there's lots of fun stuff that I didn't way point. Like these snow plants, a personal favorite of mine and evidently of my daughter as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lizyJrYTF4/V07or0xYwpI/AAAAAAABYxE/Jvy-hyad3pIRJx5ik3lxz7HxMVcdZFhLACKgB/s1600/DSC05326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lizyJrYTF4/V07or0xYwpI/AAAAAAABYxE/Jvy-hyad3pIRJx5ik3lxz7HxMVcdZFhLACKgB/s640/DSC05326.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Plants near the Vivian Creek Trailhead</td></tr>
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141 - Mill Creek Crossing. Mill Creek is flowing with a small stream along the south bank at the point of crossing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWmjWJ0lqEw/V07tq0oBgyI/AAAAAAABYrk/uhJpMho3w7caLNWLMG4ah_WlP8AmR3J3gCKgB/s1600/DSC05334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qWmjWJ0lqEw/V07tq0oBgyI/AAAAAAABYrk/uhJpMho3w7caLNWLMG4ah_WlP8AmR3J3gCKgB/s640/DSC05334.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mill Creek. <br />
Don't cross if it's flooded. A young man died here last year. <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Be patient. The water <i>will</i> recede.</span></td></tr>
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And of course there are lots of really fun rocks to climb in and around Mill Creek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYsfxexBl2U/V07r07XRWiI/AAAAAAABYxU/p7JaULqhwJsjneZwKGmXty_Lkye7uI6jACKgB/s1600/DSC05331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eYsfxexBl2U/V07r07XRWiI/AAAAAAABYxU/p7JaULqhwJsjneZwKGmXty_Lkye7uI6jACKgB/s640/DSC05331.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bouldering on the margins of Mill Creek.</td></tr>
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165 - Both signs on the north side of Mill Creek got graffitied over the weekend.<br />
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On the way in:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6k-bQPn3mI/V07tNawnD7I/AAAAAAABYrU/y0wU3WOEq28fHwuChe6LBOXoSxa1dKnhACKgB/s1600/DSC05335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f6k-bQPn3mI/V07tNawnD7I/AAAAAAABYrU/y0wU3WOEq28fHwuChe6LBOXoSxa1dKnhACKgB/s640/DSC05335.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign on N side of Mill Creek on Saturday on the way in.</td></tr>
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On the way out:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Jcrm_RI7tQ/V07xmXMU3lI/AAAAAAABYu4/FBYC42VOPIwoSCJYkB5H0pOJi1ZhvHOFgCKgB/s1600/DSC05456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Jcrm_RI7tQ/V07xmXMU3lI/AAAAAAABYu4/FBYC42VOPIwoSCJYkB5H0pOJi1ZhvHOFgCKgB/s640/DSC05456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Monday on the way out. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udUd-BKXrW4/V07xltCZvNI/AAAAAAABYu4/-6TnBs2GyVAkK8hMX0tJCKRQLXA17KYuQCKgB/s1600/DSC05457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-udUd-BKXrW4/V07xltCZvNI/AAAAAAABYu4/-6TnBs2GyVAkK8hMX0tJCKRQLXA17KYuQCKgB/s640/DSC05457.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both signs got graffitied over the weekend.</td></tr>
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161 - 164 - Four rocks got graffitied.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtYNBQdpnL4/V07vmSYVG3I/AAAAAAABYs0/ggM_SmpvHPYjoUeFIAK7MUyNzdbOpLprgCKgB/s1600/DSC05452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtYNBQdpnL4/V07vmSYVG3I/AAAAAAABYs0/ggM_SmpvHPYjoUeFIAK7MUyNzdbOpLprgCKgB/s640/DSC05452.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti on rocks. Why? Why destroy nature? What did nature ever do to you?</td></tr>
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As we ascend, we get great views of rugged Yucaipa Ridge. Not much snow compared to a month ago.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r04ISvoM_5w/V07tccEy9SI/AAAAAAABYrU/F52tOos8XxQriKD2yK3-5sUxLkzRlX-mgCKgB/s1600/DSC05336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r04ISvoM_5w/V07tccEy9SI/AAAAAAABYrU/F52tOos8XxQriKD2yK3-5sUxLkzRlX-mgCKgB/s640/DSC05336.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucaipa Ridge</td></tr>
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Climbing higher, we come to the wilderness boundary sign, and the trail (finally!) starts to level off. For some reason I didn't way point this spot, but given that there's a big sign there, you're unlikely to need a GPS waypoint to find this spot.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9qXQK3_LUQ/V07u829udaI/AAAAAAABYsg/7Q0BAabtCMkykIZbdExzLxNOuK8-T8JAQCKgB/s1600/DSC05337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c9qXQK3_LUQ/V07u829udaI/AAAAAAABYsg/7Q0BAabtCMkykIZbdExzLxNOuK8-T8JAQCKgB/s640/DSC05337.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Wilderness boundary sign on the Vivian Creek Trail.</td></tr>
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142 - Vivian Falls Overlook. Just past the boundary sign, look for a faint trail leading down and to the left. This leads to a little overlook from which you can see Vivian Falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayDo7jpd2Iw/V07vA-XEXrI/AAAAAAABYsg/ItO7wbyul0MhFfDAElzdhXgFv7_1l6kDgCKgB/s1600/DSC05338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayDo7jpd2Iw/V07vA-XEXrI/AAAAAAABYsg/ItO7wbyul0MhFfDAElzdhXgFv7_1l6kDgCKgB/s640/DSC05338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivian Falls are flowing nicely, and the canyoneers are out in force.</td></tr>
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143 - Vivian Creek Camp. After passing the overlook, one enters the lovely forested area that hosts Vivian Creek Camp, one of the nicest trail camps in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Oddly, I saw no tents here even though it was Memorial Day Weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZshjPRgB_gM/V07pSholNKI/AAAAAAABYn8/WJkau-7nGYggFamboZ8bR9oz3KqEqYDngCKgB/s1600/DSC05353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZshjPRgB_gM/V07pSholNKI/AAAAAAABYn8/WJkau-7nGYggFamboZ8bR9oz3KqEqYDngCKgB/s640/DSC05353.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign pointing to Vivian Creek Camp</td></tr>
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In terms of greenery and scenery, Vivian Creek is definitely the most beautiful of the three camps along the Vivian Creek Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGP4RaJkak/V07usUnhEvI/AAAAAAABYsM/zDIO8npC1tEWqBX5_NP_picwKptkAWGZgCKgB/s1600/DSC05363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gaGP4RaJkak/V07usUnhEvI/AAAAAAABYsM/zDIO8npC1tEWqBX5_NP_picwKptkAWGZgCKgB/s640/DSC05363.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow and spring near Vivian Creek Trail Camp</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS0VF89vI8A/V07nxIh4r2I/AAAAAAABYmM/xb7Z4brsLcwOy0pLpjZvHPS2ZN9N1rHTQCKgB/s1600/DSC05350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dS0VF89vI8A/V07nxIh4r2I/AAAAAAABYmM/xb7Z4brsLcwOy0pLpjZvHPS2ZN9N1rHTQCKgB/s640/DSC05350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Vivian Creek Trail Camp.</td></tr>
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144 - Vivian Crossing. After passing Vivian Creek Camp, one crosses to the west bank of Vivian Creek. The point that the trail crosses is known as Vivian Crossing. Water was flowing reasonably well here but by no means high volume.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2iPWCFjS3dE/V07strxoSEI/AAAAAAABYqo/L-WrTqxdvA0EhWhKPGDbI1IhLhmylZD7wCKgB/s1600/DSC05359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2iPWCFjS3dE/V07strxoSEI/AAAAAAABYqo/L-WrTqxdvA0EhWhKPGDbI1IhLhmylZD7wCKgB/s640/DSC05359.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivian Crossing</td></tr>
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145 and 146. Three downed trees fairly close together.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4S5equfuYw/V07wtAY3GnI/AAAAAAABYuE/FB6rmZpShvc_1eFqY7MgGjvNRsiVFtilACKgB/s1600/DSC05366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T4S5equfuYw/V07wtAY3GnI/AAAAAAABYuE/FB6rmZpShvc_1eFqY7MgGjvNRsiVFtilACKgB/s640/DSC05366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First downed tree. Approx 30" diameter.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbFeJ7gYwgw/V07t79bzK1I/AAAAAAABYy8/d8S3wpzwrAc73pKSWBQRChEp3bn5FGVzACKgB/s1600/DSC05450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rbFeJ7gYwgw/V07t79bzK1I/AAAAAAABYy8/d8S3wpzwrAc73pKSWBQRChEp3bn5FGVzACKgB/s640/DSC05450.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Downed Tree from the other side. You can squeeze through.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f0txS1UsbE/V07x6jx7D3I/AAAAAAABYvU/5E6W1hSEVxsXjJKcwhulu4kYq3cT4ENvwCKgB/s1600/DSC05367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0f0txS1UsbE/V07x6jx7D3I/AAAAAAABYvU/5E6W1hSEVxsXjJKcwhulu4kYq3cT4ENvwCKgB/s640/DSC05367.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Downed tree. 24" diameter. Bypass on downhill side. <br />
Bypass is destroying trail tread and causing erosion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rOKrxrSu8g/V07yIuqNxFI/AAAAAAABYvc/MsmUD2qOsegzwziiL5k77wsqQiH_6AaNQCKgB/s1600/DSC05368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rOKrxrSu8g/V07yIuqNxFI/AAAAAAABYvc/MsmUD2qOsegzwziiL5k77wsqQiH_6AaNQCKgB/s640/DSC05368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third Down Tree. Lying directly on trail. Bypass on downhill side. <br />
Bypass is causing some erosion. ~24" diameter.</td></tr>
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While fallen logs on the trail aren't much fun, fallen logs across the creek are another matter. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW-9yE5Y7nw/V07oMe1TpdI/AAAAAAABYmw/xDfuptbe-Ak-j9x2PaaY7-5xUvEXURw-wCKgB/s1600/DSC05372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW-9yE5Y7nw/V07oMe1TpdI/AAAAAAABYmw/xDfuptbe-Ak-j9x2PaaY7-5xUvEXURw-wCKgB/s640/DSC05372.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Vivian Creek on a large fallen log.</td></tr>
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148. Another downed tree. A small one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAbL9cddbvE/V07rXO1HJ2I/AAAAAAABYpg/rjx9Wg6F6o04XSwU-bUrDuZdqOUG2KaSgCKgB/s1600/DSC05377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fAbL9cddbvE/V07rXO1HJ2I/AAAAAAABYpg/rjx9Wg6F6o04XSwU-bUrDuZdqOUG2KaSgCKgB/s640/DSC05377.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downed Tree. 8" diameter. Easy step over for most people. No erosion problems. Low priority.</td></tr>
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149 - Yet another downed tree. I forgot to take a photo of this one. No further info. Sorry. But it couldn't be too bad or I'd remember it.<br />
<br />
150 - A massive downed tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJnn6n6RI-M/V07sHkC9jvI/AAAAAAABYqI/X16NH6wXxx87_KZfjQYOyneVMcLZsGmbgCKgB/s1600/DSC05379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dJnn6n6RI-M/V07sHkC9jvI/AAAAAAABYqI/X16NH6wXxx87_KZfjQYOyneVMcLZsGmbgCKgB/s640/DSC05379.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive downed tree. 40+ inch diameter. Bypass around left. No erosion caused.</td></tr>
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160 - Halfway Spring. Vivian Creek where the trail crosses the creek right before Halfway Camp is dry, but if you go 500 feet up the creek bed, you will encounter Halfway Spring. The flow is fairly low, but it is flowing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TF22oWJk5ME/V07rWewThAI/AAAAAAABYpg/8QeUCFQkMKYxV6i6e-sanwWl21RtqNkFQCKgB/s1600/DSC05446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TF22oWJk5ME/V07rWewThAI/AAAAAAABYpg/8QeUCFQkMKYxV6i6e-sanwWl21RtqNkFQCKgB/s640/DSC05446.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway Spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
151 - Halfway Junction. Note that Halfway Junction is approximately halfway between Vivian Creek Camp and High Creek Camp. It is NOT halfway to the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain. It's roughly 10 miles each way to San Gorgonio Mountain. Halfway Camp is at mile 4. Yes, some out of date sources list the mileage as 8 miles each way to San Gorgonio Mountain. Um, no. It's a lot further than that. Maybe it's 9.5 miles instead of 10, but it certainly isn't 8 miles. You've still got about 6 miles to go when you reach this junction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43iTOm03EI8/V07thO7FjJI/AAAAAAABYrk/ImJbvYzNMXoFq5GJm6cjfM2yqtURBA1UQCKgB/s1600/DSC05381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43iTOm03EI8/V07thO7FjJI/AAAAAAABYrk/ImJbvYzNMXoFq5GJm6cjfM2yqtURBA1UQCKgB/s640/DSC05381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway Junction. Joycie points the way:<br />
Right to Halfway Camp; Left to High Creek Camp and San Gorgonio Mountain.</td></tr>
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152 - Halfway Camp. A nice place, but unfortunately there are those who have no self respect and don't give a darn about nature or anyone else. Why they go out into the beauty of nature only to despoil it, I will never understand. I broke up three fire circles, and dug up three others that were just on open ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbIoEr9Bork/V07u0B9RdPI/AAAAAAABYsM/aeyGZByIbKMvQopYc_xrrDWNAhq-HOfpgCKgB/s1600/DSC05383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KbIoEr9Bork/V07u0B9RdPI/AAAAAAABYsM/aeyGZByIbKMvQopYc_xrrDWNAhq-HOfpgCKgB/s640/DSC05383.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway is actually a pretty nice (and spacious) place to camp. Unfortunately, some people are scum bags.<br />
On the other hand, there are some really nice people in this world. My neighbors at camp packed this junk out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vfhBTdvTUQc/V07t0J0Xc6I/AAAAAAABYrk/pjE4nP2O8y8mnlqTC2p9gnC3mIBn71nhwCKgB/s1600/DSC05382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vfhBTdvTUQc/V07t0J0Xc6I/AAAAAAABYrk/pjE4nP2O8y8mnlqTC2p9gnC3mIBn71nhwCKgB/s640/DSC05382.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illegal fire circle at Halfway Camp. <br />
We lost half the wilderness last year when a fire got out of control. What are these people thinking!?<br />
Unfortunately I couldn't break this one up; the rocks were too big and too embedded in the ground.</td></tr>
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153 - Another downed tree. This one is a serious impediment to travel. Two logs are stacked one atop another. You can bypass on the high side. The bypass is causing erosion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cU-2ms1dEAY/V07ylt1vWRI/AAAAAAABYv4/7mUNAXIVqT4r_FxOT6nFLzOjmbdUN7wkACKgB/s1600/DSC05393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cU-2ms1dEAY/V07ylt1vWRI/AAAAAAABYv4/7mUNAXIVqT4r_FxOT6nFLzOjmbdUN7wkACKgB/s640/DSC05393.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top log about 30" diameter.<br />
Bottom log about 20" diameter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course if you're small of stature, you can just go under it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvT9WVLh3VI/V07oGYHgYeI/AAAAAAABYmw/W_Wd4vCMPOM4TbIjrjUSUVEfzGj0m0_WACKgB/s1600/DSC05394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PvT9WVLh3VI/V07oGYHgYeI/AAAAAAABYmw/W_Wd4vCMPOM4TbIjrjUSUVEfzGj0m0_WACKgB/s640/DSC05394.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you're small, you just go under. <br />
"Why can't you go under, daddy?"</td></tr>
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154 - Another downed tree. Directly across the trail. Not much option but to climb it. A bit of a challenge for those with a heavy overnight backpack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4VKJQCuAP4/V07oYxTLIJI/AAAAAAABYm4/sC3ZitH9EnQtDZpuirtlhy2UroqX5FkpQCKgB/s1600/DSC05396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z4VKJQCuAP4/V07oYxTLIJI/AAAAAAABYm4/sC3ZitH9EnQtDZpuirtlhy2UroqX5FkpQCKgB/s640/DSC05396.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 36" diameter.<br />
Note Joycie bypassing the downed tree with her usual aplomb. Not recommended for adults.</td></tr>
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155 - Illegal campsite and fire circle. I removed the fire circle.<br />
<br />
156 - a small washout, but it's going to get worse. The tread is narrow here if you look closely. Just trimming back the manzanita would help.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrJeRljw5PI/V07rl_PiJxI/AAAAAAABYp4/eXLyRr_VjogGKlGFFcyfkejudnuq29t4gCKgB/s1600/DSC05402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrJeRljw5PI/V07rl_PiJxI/AAAAAAABYp4/eXLyRr_VjogGKlGFFcyfkejudnuq29t4gCKgB/s640/DSC05402.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small washout leaving the tread fairly narrow. </td></tr>
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<br />
157 - Junction with use trail to High Creek Falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CO5pkka0AA/V07ybiZ4IkI/AAAAAAABYv4/KrS6iVzWyz4NOUgKLvf1DPU41vGWipPvwCKgB/s1600/DSC05435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8CO5pkka0AA/V07ybiZ4IkI/AAAAAAABYv4/KrS6iVzWyz4NOUgKLvf1DPU41vGWipPvwCKgB/s640/DSC05435.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The junction with the use trail to High Creek Falls is just past this dead snag.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-106cuc9knc8/V07wtBne-iI/AAAAAAABYuE/FZm2tDN26Lsx19NR5wJv9BGc-GrMenFvACKgB/s1600/DSC05432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-106cuc9knc8/V07wtBne-iI/AAAAAAABYuE/FZm2tDN26Lsx19NR5wJv9BGc-GrMenFvACKgB/s640/DSC05432.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of water going over High Creek Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kDBaL6BVhHw/V07sEjX1m5I/AAAAAAABYqI/7O_4Mi9OCKMXSycdLucC3-yTOLr7ly5PwCKgB/s1600/DSC05403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kDBaL6BVhHw/V07sEjX1m5I/AAAAAAABYqI/7O_4Mi9OCKMXSycdLucC3-yTOLr7ly5PwCKgB/s640/DSC05403.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Creek Falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's a bit of a trick to get a good shot of High Creek Falls, but despite the poor quality of my photos, I assure you that it's worth the short trip down the side trail to visit. And there's a something of a nice view from the top of the falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsoqO5AXnEE/V07xvh2IChI/AAAAAAABYvU/G0oCgDRwKXYbIW54CTtSWtnJUwypzzdqwCKgB/s1600/DSC05434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsoqO5AXnEE/V07xvh2IChI/AAAAAAABYvU/G0oCgDRwKXYbIW54CTtSWtnJUwypzzdqwCKgB/s640/DSC05434.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the the view from the top of High Creek Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If ever you have trouble finding water at High Creek Camp, just go into the stream bed immediately above the falls. Water is forced up by the bedrock. There's nearly always water here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaBb4Z_cBx8/V07sFiW7tnI/AAAAAAABYqI/OaSidQMFKrk-K263n6JuIsbLoWryc7FLQCKgB/s1600/DSC05425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaBb4Z_cBx8/V07sFiW7tnI/AAAAAAABYqI/OaSidQMFKrk-K263n6JuIsbLoWryc7FLQCKgB/s640/DSC05425.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Creek, just above High Creek Falls. Plenty of water.</td></tr>
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158 - E. Fork High Creek. Oddly, it is the E Fork of High Creek that typically has water even though the W Fork drains a larger area. It was flowing very nicely indeed on Memorial Day weekend. If the first drainage that you come to is dry, the one where the tent sites are, panic not. The next drainage to the east is where the water typically is. Even if the E Fork were dry, there should be water just above High Creek Falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7P1bD7sTG8/V07vJtFrXeI/AAAAAAABYsg/tEjgdtcV-iQCuegPbkLliDcDIbxVtNDYwCKgB/s1600/DSC05409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7P1bD7sTG8/V07vJtFrXeI/AAAAAAABYsg/tEjgdtcV-iQCuegPbkLliDcDIbxVtNDYwCKgB/s640/DSC05409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">E. Fork High Creek, 5/29/2016.</td></tr>
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<br />
159 - High Creek Camp. The camp area at High Creek is most known as a jumping off spot for assaults on San Gorgonio Mountain and for its good water supply. It's not nearly as nice as Vivian Creek Camp or Halfway Camp. It's a bit exposed, and it's quite rocky.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQNC2vDzO_c/V07xv7SOdaI/AAAAAAABYvU/GNZTtY9vcuA2lBHfSZn0Q__EvTjperXXQCKgB/s1600/DSC05414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQNC2vDzO_c/V07xv7SOdaI/AAAAAAABYvU/GNZTtY9vcuA2lBHfSZn0Q__EvTjperXXQCKgB/s640/DSC05414.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tent site at High Creek Camp</td></tr>
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To only make matters worse, there are people who don't know how to use the bathroom in the woods. You need to bring a potty trowel or the equivalent and dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and bury all human solid waste in the hole. Pack out or bury your toilet paper. Putting a rock over your toilet paper is NOT burying it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAiL45fzwTE/V07pj_lxNYI/AAAAAAABYn8/-zh9OEOUW9EmnbxN2W5-XEyTHZVCML37QCKgB/s1600/DSC05398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAiL45fzwTE/V07pj_lxNYI/AAAAAAABYn8/-zh9OEOUW9EmnbxN2W5-XEyTHZVCML37QCKgB/s640/DSC05398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Improper disposal of toilet tissue. Toilet tissue should be buried 6 to 8" deep or packed out. Do NOT burn!</td></tr>
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You need to be at least 100 feet and preferably 200 feet away from creek beds -- even if they're dry at the time. Creek beds should not be used as a latrine! The next rain will flush all the human waste into the water supply. Wildlife can be decimated by human disease introduced through poor hygiene.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TOQKPyIlm8/V07qDy8nCJI/AAAAAAABYog/1BTLvk8Ihi44LIf9oXEv0d3KYuxWi9kpwCKgB/s1600/DSC05420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_TOQKPyIlm8/V07qDy8nCJI/AAAAAAABYog/1BTLvk8Ihi44LIf9oXEv0d3KYuxWi9kpwCKgB/s640/DSC05420.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W Fork High Creek. Note toilet paper. People are using the creek bed as a latrine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feminine products should be placed in a zip lock bag and packed out. They will not bio-degrade. Come back 50 or 100 years later, and they'll still be there. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAAM6HP8oig/V07n-qW4S9I/AAAAAAABYmg/AYR0dXKi798TLEr9G4-2HS2NcO1ZG6F-gCKgB/s1600/DSC05419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAAM6HP8oig/V07n-qW4S9I/AAAAAAABYmg/AYR0dXKi798TLEr9G4-2HS2NcO1ZG6F-gCKgB/s640/DSC05419.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh, just put it in a ziplock and pack it out, OK? I mean, how hard is it? If it's really gross, just double bag it.</td></tr>
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And here's our "loser of the week" entry: An illegal fire pit <i>and </i>trash in an illegal camp site. And why, if you can pack in a water bottle that weighs 2 lbs when full, can't you pack out a bottle that weighs 1 oz now that it's empty? I just don't get it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8OE-Or6ZsY/V07yiLifXiI/AAAAAAABYv4/uPrQ1CzBvHM-Jytp6GrVpc8T8SWBSKEegCKgB/s1600/DSC05415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8OE-Or6ZsY/V07yiLifXiI/AAAAAAABYv4/uPrQ1CzBvHM-Jytp6GrVpc8T8SWBSKEegCKgB/s640/DSC05415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illegal fire pit at an illegal camp site with trash dumped. You just won "loser of the week."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hate to be so negative, but really, why come to the wilderness just to trash it? What?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfIzPx04XAk/V07rmXyvWTI/AAAAAAABYp4/Wi52UrVxTE8xwHfIODO5lHdgl9MuUSB8wCKgB/s1600/DSC05424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LfIzPx04XAk/V07rmXyvWTI/AAAAAAABYp4/Wi52UrVxTE8xwHfIODO5lHdgl9MuUSB8wCKgB/s640/DSC05424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trash collected and bagged. This is just what I carried out. Thank you to the other two groups that also packed out trash.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebMDYoIQDSk/V07tdSEVprI/AAAAAAABYrU/RbbUaU49lwY4YuEGdde5-kXod6Pw2MhjwCKgB/s1600/DSC05449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebMDYoIQDSk/V07tdSEVprI/AAAAAAABYrU/RbbUaU49lwY4YuEGdde5-kXod6Pw2MhjwCKgB/s640/DSC05449.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I looked like a junk peddler with so much trash lashed to the back of my pack, lol.</td></tr>
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And lots more fire circles. All fires are illegal in the San Gorgonio Wilderness all the time, in all four seasons, all year round.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYeSyQdiUaQ/V07oQte__0I/AAAAAAABYm4/TtuTyGHSbioHe6YSU5NzJFi-Fc9pVCPIgCKgB/s1600/DSC05440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rYeSyQdiUaQ/V07oQte__0I/AAAAAAABYm4/TtuTyGHSbioHe6YSU5NzJFi-Fc9pVCPIgCKgB/s640/DSC05440.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before. The fire circle is over Joycie's left shoulder and is filled in with rocks (as if that would hide it). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lC2t3uT-Wm4/V07qDeZai8I/AAAAAAABYog/Y0kbD6xnqDsU_R5eSEwp_oSSTVrzzxfEQCKgB/s1600/DSC05444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lC2t3uT-Wm4/V07qDeZai8I/AAAAAAABYog/Y0kbD6xnqDsU_R5eSEwp_oSSTVrzzxfEQCKgB/s640/DSC05444.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clean up. Fortunately I have an assistant to help me dig up fire circles.</td></tr>
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There was a bit of snow across the switchbacks above High Creek. Nothing serious but some people were using that as an excuse to cut the trail. I had a small shovel along, so I cut some trail through the snow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMqsQtn-jec/V07xIUlnSjI/AAAAAAABYug/c8C21PlOWm4qOZNhhCmSJgez8HTiP4niwCKgB/s1600/DSC05413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mMqsQtn-jec/V07xIUlnSjI/AAAAAAABYug/c8C21PlOWm4qOZNhhCmSJgez8HTiP4niwCKgB/s640/DSC05413.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cut some trail over a snow bank. Hopefully that makes travel a little easier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbobYd4og10/V07v7vB84mI/AAAAAAABYtQ/EydEysEKykYF7Y6Jl4XoVTtgh2q8rAQsACKgB/s1600/DSC05410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbobYd4og10/V07v7vB84mI/AAAAAAABYtQ/EydEysEKykYF7Y6Jl4XoVTtgh2q8rAQsACKgB/s640/DSC05410.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also piled up a bunch of wood at the place where people were cutting the trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I suspect that people who cut the trail probably have never done trail work. Trails are HARD WORK and cutting the trail can wipe out a trail. People who have done trail work know just how much effort is involved and I don't think they'll do destructive things.<br />
<br />
But let's not focus on the negative. This is a great area, and there's fun things to do,<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xJeoAfQyTx8/V07y7qjdHiI/AAAAAAABYwA/u7PRIaFiOEsPjI4QnXXMNcd3PYmeFGfkQCKgB/s1600/DSC05439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xJeoAfQyTx8/V07y7qjdHiI/AAAAAAABYwA/u7PRIaFiOEsPjI4QnXXMNcd3PYmeFGfkQCKgB/s640/DSC05439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bouldering near Halfway Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and great scenery to view.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJk2ikITpwY/V07yI4H77kI/AAAAAAABYu0/qH9A4dFct1E5yXICz7_jpc2YDtoG_FDqgCKgB/s1600/DSC05436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xJk2ikITpwY/V07yI4H77kI/AAAAAAABYu0/qH9A4dFct1E5yXICz7_jpc2YDtoG_FDqgCKgB/s640/DSC05436.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yucaipa Ridge seen from hear High Creek Camp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's my trip report for the Vivian Creek Trail. Hope it's instructive, and I hope I'm not too much of a downer harping on trash and stuff. Most people love the wilderness and work to preserve it. I'm sure the people who read a blog like this aren't the ones who try to trash the wilderness and light fires. Please, enjoy and care for the wilderness – and stay safe out there.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Thanks for joining me,<br />
<br />
HJHikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-51599682297095907012016-02-03T21:40:00.001-08:002016-02-03T21:40:17.728-08:00The MSR Dragonfly -- A Brief OverviewIt's been a while since I've posted anything. <br /><br />Here's a quick video on a stove that's stood the test of time, the MSR Dragonfly. Notice that during the priming of the stove, there is no "fireball". It takes some practice, but it is possible to prime a white gas stove without a fireball, particularly on a nice stove like the Dragon fly with it's really fine valve control.<br /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tVPHuTNJkKE" width="480"></iframe>Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-79500245083993212712015-07-19T18:45:00.002-07:002017-05-02T12:06:55.873-07:00Updated Lake Fire Closure MapThis post contains information regarding Forest Closure orders in and around the San Gorgonio Wilderness due to the 2015 Lake Fire.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">UPDATES as of 02 May 2017</span></b>: The PCT is <i>open</i> through the Lake Fire Closure area, however, overnight camping is prohibited.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ur9bRG7jWU/VDERc1hyw7I/AAAAAAAA4L0/moTsvHDeRfc/s1600/DSC09634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ur9bRG7jWU/VDERc1hyw7I/AAAAAAAA4L0/moTsvHDeRfc/s640/DSC09634.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Creek Falls, just off the Vivian Creek Trail in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.<br />
This area is now OPEN to hiking as of 7/16/2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Forest Service has issued a map, showing the closure area (see below) and what "recreational opportunities" are currently open (open trails are shown with red dashed lines). The map is a little hard to read, and it's a little hard to tell what's in and what's out of the closure area.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kJpIMsqsng/VaxKocDKrXI/AAAAAAABOsU/kegCiPez7jY/s1600/LakeFireClosureMap_2015-07-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6kJpIMsqsng/VaxKocDKrXI/AAAAAAABOsU/kegCiPez7jY/s640/LakeFireClosureMap_2015-07-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Official USFS Lake Fire Closure Area map as of 16 July 2015. The red dashed lines are trails that are <i>open.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because the above map from the USFS is a little hard to read, I've gone ahead and drawn out the boundaries of the updated Lake Fire closure area on a topo map (immediately below), or you can open the <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/m/0C0P" target="_blank">updated Lake Fire closure area</a></u> map in a separate window. Hopefully, with my map, you can tell which of your favorite peaks and places are in vs. out of the fire closure.<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=0C0P" width="675px"></iframe><br />
Note that the boundaries I have drawn are approximate. I say approximate because I've drawn the boundaries free hand just based on the USFS map I haven't followed any detailed written legal descriptions of the closure. That said, I think the boundaries I've drawn convey the sense of the closure. If you're on a trail I've shown outside the closure, I don't think you have to worry about getting hassled by the authorities. I have however placed the text of the closure order in Appendix II, below, if there is any question as to what is or is not within the closure area.<br />
<br />
While I wish that the Lake Fire had never occurred, I hail this good news from the Forest Service and salute this common sense approach. There simply was no valid reason to keep the southern portions of the San Gorgonio Wilderness closed; the fire never touched them.<br />
<br />
I also greatly appreciate that the Forest Service has made a special "carve out" inside the closure boundaries such that San Gorgonio Mountain, one of the most popular peaks in Southern California, is now open to hikers.<br />
<br />
<b>Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)</b> hikers take note: The PCT is <i>open</i> throughout the entire closure area but you may not camp over night within the Lake Fire closure area. The closure extends from one mile west of the San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary, roughly <i>mile 237</i>, to Onyx Summit, roughly <i>mile 252</i>. See map in Appendix I, below.<br />
<br />
<b>Errata:</b> Be aware that the lower section of the Falls Creek Trail, 1E04, is shown as open on the official USFS map, shown above. This is an error. The trail was closed about 50 years ago during the 1960's because of private property issues. The lower part of the trail was destroyed and no longer exists when a series of houses were built. If you go to the Momyer Creek Trailhead looking for the lower Falls Creek Trail, you simply won't find it. The USFS map is correct in that the trail is outside the closure area but incorrect inasmuch as it implies that the lower Falls Creek Trail exists in the position shown as an open, official trail. <br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix I - A Second Lake Fire Closure Order Map - What is Closed.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luv1iQtQ4v4/Vaxa9sgY7GI/AAAAAAABOsk/UdhSq-_pF-k/s1600/LakeFireClosureMapII_2015-07-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Luv1iQtQ4v4/Vaxa9sgY7GI/AAAAAAABOsk/UdhSq-_pF-k/s640/LakeFireClosureMapII_2015-07-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This USFS map is the opposite of the first map. This map shows trails and roads that are <i>closed.</i><br />Note however that the PCT is <i>open</i> throughout it's length for hiking. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix II - Text of the Revised Lake Fire Closure Order</span><br />
<br />
SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST<br />
Forest Order No. 05-12-51-15-04<br />
Lake Fire Closure<br />
<br />
Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Mountaintop and Front Country Ranger Districts of the San Bernardino National Forest. This Order is effective from July 16, 2015 through July 15, 2016.<br />
1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Lake Fire Closure Area. The Lake Fire Closure Area boundary begins at the intersection of the Santa Ana River Trail (Forest Trail No. 2E03) and State Highway (SH) 38, then continues east along SH 38 to its intersection with Jenks Lake Road, then continues west along the south side of Jenks Lake Road to its intersection with the east fork of Barton’s Creek, then continues south by southeast along the south and east side of Forest Trail Nos. 1E16 and 1E06 to its intersection with Forest Trail No. 1E04, then continues northeast to east along the north side of Forest Trail No. 1E04 to its intersection with Forest Trail No 1W07, then continues east along the north side of Forest Trail No 1W07 to its intersection with San Gogornio Mountain, then continues southeast west of Forest Trail No 1W07 around San Gogornio Peak, then continues south along the section line between Sections 12 and 13, Township 1 South, Range 1 East, San Bernardino Base and Meridian (SBB&M), and Sections 7 and 18, Township 1 South, Range 2 East, SBB&M, then continues east along the southern section line of Sections 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13; in Township 1 South, Range 2 East, MDB&M, to its intersection with the Forest boundary, then continues north and east along the Forest Boundary to its intersection with the southern section line of Section 34, Township 2 North, Range 3 East, SBB&M, then continues northwest along Heartbreak Ridge to its intersection with the western section line of Section 32, Township 2 North, Range 3 East, SBB&M, then continues south along the western section line of Section 32, Township 2 North, Range 3 East, and Section 5, Township 1 North, Range 3 East, SBB&M, to its intersection with Onyx Peak, then continues west along the northern section line of Section 7, Township 1 North, Range 3 East, SBB&M, to its intersection with the west side of the Pacific Crest Trail, then continues in a southerly and southwestern direction along the west side of the Pacific Crest Trail to its intersection with Forest Road No. 1N37, then continues northwesterly on the north side of Forest Road No. 1N37 to the intersection with the Santa Ana River Trail, then continues westerly along the north side of the Santa Ana River Trail back to the starting point, as shown on the attached map. 36 CFR 261.53(e).<br />
2. Being on any National Forest System trail within the Lake Fire Closure Area, as shown on the attached map. 36 CFR 261.55(a).<br />
3. Being on any National Forest System road within the Lake Fire Closure Area, as shown on the attached map. 36 CFR 261.54(e).<br />
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:<br />
1. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.<br />
2. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.<br />
3. Owners or lessees of private land within the Lake Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to gain access to their land.<br />
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.<br />
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.<br />
Executed in San Bernardino, California, this 16th day of July, 2015<br />
<br />
/s/ JODY NOIRON<br />
Forest Supervisor<br />
San Bernardino National ForestHikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-58167219978826862022015-06-29T19:43:00.000-07:002016-06-14T18:10:11.732-07:00Southern California Peaks Over 9000 Feet (2743 Meters)I recently read on <u><a href="http://positive.adventure16.com/c/articles/ALTERNATE-ROUTES-for-completing-the-A16-3-peak-challenge-during-the-closure-of-the-San-Gorgonio-Trails-160949" target="_blank">Adventure 16's website</a></u> that "<i>at roughly 9,400’, Mt. Baden-Powell is the fourth highest peak in Southern California...</i>". Um, no. Not even close. By my count, Mt. Baden-Powell is the 37th highest peak in Southern California.<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong, I like Adventure 16, and I like that they're encouraging people to hike. But Baden-Powell just isn't the fourth highest peak in Southern California. I don't even know where they'd get that from. I mean, <i>what?? </i>It isn't even the fourth highest in its own range, the San Gabriel Mountains; it's sixth after Mt. Harwood. <br />
<br />
<b>UPDATE 16 July 2015:</b> Many peaks in and near the San Gorgonio Wilderness are currently closed due to the Lake Fire. See <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/07/updated-lake-fire-closure-area.html" target="_blank">Lake Fire Closure Map</a></u> for details.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5aZmjaMHN4/UdtaRYDF4rI/AAAAAAAAlGs/EO5TZ42ok-o/s1600/DSC02932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5aZmjaMHN4/UdtaRYDF4rI/AAAAAAAAlGs/EO5TZ42ok-o/s640/DSC02932.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto Peak, 6th highest peak in Southern California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
OK, so what <i>are</i> the highest peaks in Southern California? Well, it depends on your definition of peak, but here's my list of summits generally called peaks in Southern California that are over 9000 feet (2743 meters) in elevation. I'll add some notes at the bottom. My list isn't perfect. If you think I've left something off, mention it in the comments below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZUBpyDtPX4/UJXXljLa5ZI/AAAAAAAAZUs/HM0fjyl6xMg/s1600/P1170306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OZUBpyDtPX4/UJXXljLa5ZI/AAAAAAAAZUs/HM0fjyl6xMg/s640/P1170306.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit sign atop Mt Baldy (Mt San Antonio), 26th highest peak in Southern California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To go along with my list I've created a topo map of Southern California Peaks Over 9000 Feet (2743 Meters). You can view the map in-line below or you can open <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/m/0G7F" target="_blank">Topo Map of Southern California Peaks Over 9000 Feet</a></u> (2743 Meters) in a separate window.<br />
<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=0G7F" width="675px"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Southern California Peaks Over 9000 Feet (2743 Meters)</span><br />
(Ordered by height)<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 650px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1353; mso-width-source: userset; width: 28pt;" width="37"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 8118; mso-width-source: userset; width: 167pt;" width="230"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2377; mso-width-source: userset; width: 49pt;" width="65"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3949; mso-width-source: userset; width: 81pt;" width="108"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 6729; mso-width-source: userset; width: 138pt;" width="184"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 28pt;" width="37">Rank</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 167pt;" width="222">Peak Name</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 49pt;" width="65">Elevation</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 81pt;" width="108">Range</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 138pt;" width="184">Source</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gorgonio Mtn</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11,502</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jepson Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11,205</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Bighorn Mountain</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,997</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">HPS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dragons Head Pk</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,866</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">HPS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Anderson Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,840+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacinto Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,834</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Charlton Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,806</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Little Charlton Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,696</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">East San Bernardino
Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,691</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shields Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,680+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">11</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jean Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,670</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">12</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardino Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,649</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">13</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Alto Diablo Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,563</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">14</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">East Dobbs Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,520+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">15</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Folly Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,480+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">16</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">West Dobbs Peak </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,459</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">17</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Miller Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,400+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">18</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shirley Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,388</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">19</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Marion Mountain </td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,362</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">20</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Grinnell Mtn</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,284</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">21</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pi Peak (3.141 km elevation)</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,280+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">22</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Lake Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,161</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">23</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Newton Drury Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,160+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">24</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Joyce Pk</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,160+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">25</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mt Ellen (aka Mt St
Ellens)</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,160+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">26</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ten Thousand Foot
Ridge</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,094</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">HPS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">27</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mt San Antonio (aka
Mt Baldy)</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,064</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">28</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Zahniser Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,056</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">29</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">N Fork Peak</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10,040+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">30</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">West Baldy</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9988</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">31</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fish Creek Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9971</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">32</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sugarloaf Mtn</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9952</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">33</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hell For Sure Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9930</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">34</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tea Can Pk (aka Tea
Bag Can Pk)</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9884</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">35</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Green Mtn</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9775</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">36</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Cornell Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9750</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">37</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pine Mtn</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9648</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">38</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mission Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9580</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">39</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dawson Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9575</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">40</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mt Harwood</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9552</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">41</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Harvard Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9520+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">42</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Whitewater Mountain</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9480+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">43</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Lightning Gulch Point</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9465</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">44</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Brown Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9400+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">45</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mt Baden-Powell</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9399</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">46</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Wildhorse Mtn</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9385</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">47</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Yale Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9360+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">48</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Landells Peak (aka
Luella Todd Pk)</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9356</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">California State Park
Service</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">49</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Lost Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9327</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">50</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Galena Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9324</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">51</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kristen Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9204</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">52</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Divide Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9200+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">California State Park
Service</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">53</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jumpoff Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9200+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">54</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mill Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9164</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">55</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Seca Mtn</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9156</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">56</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Cienega Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9144</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Jacintos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Common Use</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">57</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Throop Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9138</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Gabriels</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">58</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Little San Gorgonio
Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9133</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">59</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sugarcube Pk</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9123</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">60</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Onyx Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9113</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">USGS</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">61</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Triple Divide Mtn</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9070</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">62</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Wanat Peak</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9000+</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">San Bernardinos</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Colloquial</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pdnMVQZ72U/VENgTs-73SI/AAAAAAAA4b4/3gRtoIjD2DE/s1600/DSC09831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3pdnMVQZ72U/VENgTs-73SI/AAAAAAAA4b4/3gRtoIjD2DE/s640/DSC09831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugarloaf Mountain, 29th highest peak in Southern California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Notes</span></b><br />
1. What is "Southern" California? For these purposes, I consider Southern California to be the area comprised of the following ten counties:<br />
<ul>
<li>San Luis Obispo</li>
<li>Kern</li>
<li>Santa Barbara</li>
<li>Ventura</li>
<li>Los Angeles</li>
<li>San Bernardino</li>
<li>Orange</li>
<li>Riverside</li>
<li>San Diego</li>
<li>Imperial</li>
</ul>
<br />
2. What is a peak? I'm including peaks that are generally recognized as peaks. By that I mean there is a name commonly associated with a particular summit. <b>There is no general agreement as to exactly what constitutes a peak.</b> For these purposes, a peak has to have at least two closed 40' contour lines (80 feet total) and preferably three closed 40' contour lines (120 feet total) before it can even begin to be called a peak. And I'm being pretty liberal. Some definitions of "peak" require six closed contour lines. The only exception to my "must have at least two closed contour lines" rule is if there is a USGS peak name. If the USGS marks it as a peak, then I include it on my list regardless of how many closed contour lines there are. I'm sure some people would argue that particular peaks on my list should be deleted and that other peaks should be added. If you're one of those people, then feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below. I may or may not add/delete your favorite peak, but I've got an open mind.<br />
<br />
3. What do I mean by "source?" Well, if a peak has a name on the maps produced by the United States Geological Survey, I so indicate with the initialism, "USGS". If the peak is listed in the Hundred Peaks Section list, I so indicate with the initialism, "HPS". If a peak has a name that is just a name of common use, i.e. no body or organization has conferred said name, then I simply put "Common Use". Notice that a few sources are listed as "colloquial". The "colloquial" designation means that some people may refer to a certain summit as a peak but that it's far from commonly accepted as a peak. In time, these may become commonly accepted names, but for now I list these simply for ease of reference. <br />
<br />
4. Where do I get my elevations from? Well, if a specific height is listed on a USGS map, I use that height. If not, then I use the highest contour interval below the named summit. Of course the summit is actually higher, but since I don't know how much higher, I just use the closest contour interval. in such cases, I indicate the elevation with a plus symbol (+) next to it. In some cases, I am aware of more accurate heights than what is listed on the USGS topo maps. In particular, North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) elevations are used whenever they are available.<br />
<br />
5. Why do I use the name Landells Peak instead of Luella Todd Peak? Well, both names have some claim to this summit, but a) Mr. Landells had a long association with the San Jacinto Mountains whereas Ms. Todd to my knowledge did not and b) Mr. Landells died while trying to rescue someone. I think the manner of Mr. Landells death and his long association with the San Jacintos give him the better claim to this peak. Ms. Todd was a noteworthy individual and should have a peak named in her honor, but not this peak in my opinion. Feel free to disagree of course.<br />
<br />
6. With respect to Marion Mountain, there is a spot height of 10,362 feet marked on the easternmost summit. Of course when you actually climb Marion Mountain you realize that the highest point on the mountain is the westernmost summit. The USGS unfortunately did not list a spot height for this point. I therefore list what I have available to me, but be aware that the actual height of Marion Mountain is greater than 10,362 feet. See also: <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/07/marion-mountain-wrong-on-usgs-topo.html" target="_blank">Is Marion Mountain "Wrong" on the USGS Map</a></u>?<br />
<br />
7. Why don't I include West Galena Peak? Well, there are three very closely clustered high points atop Galena Peak, all of about the same height. Those points just aren't far enough apart to be called separate peaks.<br />
<br />
8. Why do I place Fish Creek Peak where I do (on Ten Thousand Foot Ridge)? Some people place Fish Creek Peak over on the eastern flank of Lake Peak, but the point they mark, elevation 9942, doesn't even have <i>one</i> closed contour line. <b>FAIL!</b> This is just not a peak. I mark Fish Creek Peak over on Ten Thousand Foot Ridge where it belongs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCRMDZLH8Okj3wcKPjAhiK3FM56OFbyohyIZKakE0hDXozNpK8n1YARybV0dMPrYfDeo7JaQfvg8ljaLuHce2B2LJrikHff3E4KszTxRS-SmRJvJU8IXC2dg0c-pL3hNY37AXb7Fyyvs/s1600/DSC00295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCRMDZLH8Okj3wcKPjAhiK3FM56OFbyohyIZKakE0hDXozNpK8n1YARybV0dMPrYfDeo7JaQfvg8ljaLuHce2B2LJrikHff3E4KszTxRS-SmRJvJU8IXC2dg0c-pL3hNY37AXb7Fyyvs/s640/DSC00295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto Peak, 6th highest peak in Southern California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope you find this list useful,<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A6rU-TjzlGg/VEPPhL4DkoI/AAAAAAAA4uQ/G8KOsyEcsCo/s1600/DSC09772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A6rU-TjzlGg/VEPPhL4DkoI/AAAAAAAA4uQ/G8KOsyEcsCo/s640/DSC09772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Gorgonio Mountain, highest peak in Southern California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-55080372680411738012015-06-19T18:01:00.001-07:002015-07-20T16:21:37.979-07:00Lake Fire – San Gorgonio Wilderness<b>UPDATE 16 July 2015:</b> Many areas in and near the San Gorgonio Wilderness are currently closed due to the Lake Fire, <i>but</i> the Forest Service has opened much of the southern portion of the wilderness (which did not burn). See <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/07/updated-lake-fire-closure-area.html" target="_blank"><i>Updated Lake Fire Closure Map</i></a></u> for details.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WONENpTZV9s6p6hFG-Tbu8bzVkgA0NJFEsdG1ix4QbmL_h3glI400lNCwZ9IIMisuyDgYLfdRyCQCy9j9Q78aWcGPsHMvxFC3834vc7TlFHxZMlgfrIbVby0ceAi_PfR8eXlA5fk9RA_/s1600/Lake_Fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WONENpTZV9s6p6hFG-Tbu8bzVkgA0NJFEsdG1ix4QbmL_h3glI400lNCwZ9IIMisuyDgYLfdRyCQCy9j9Q78aWcGPsHMvxFC3834vc7TlFHxZMlgfrIbVby0ceAi_PfR8eXlA5fk9RA_/s640/Lake_Fire.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Fire, San Gorgonio Wilderness, June 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It is with deep regret that I must announce that the San Gorgonio Wilderness currently has a large fire burning in it, the Lake Fire. The entire wilderness is closed. All wilderness permits are cancelled. If you have camping reservations that you have paid for, my information is that you should contact the issuer of the reservation for a refund.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Updates, 6/26/2015, 0800 Hours</span></b><br />
A new fire perimeter map has been issued. There is a lot of fire grown in the East Northeast sector of the fire; this is outside the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The good news for the San Gorgonio Wilderness is that the fire within the wilderness did not significantly penetrate new areas. However, MODIS thermal (i.e. heat) sensing indicates a <i>lot</i> of active burning in the N Fork of the Whitewater River area. MODIS also indicates buring in the vicinity of High Meadow Springs. I continue to hold out hope that High Meadow Springs, a very lovely area that I've camped at multiple times, will not burn. For MODIS information, refer to the interactive maps, below (several paragraphs down). Areas of active burn are indicated by red dots. MODIS data is not particularly precise, so don't freak out if you see a red dot in an area far outside the perimeter. I'll put an excerpt of plotted MODIS data below this morning's perimeter map. The excerpt is just for the N Fork Whitewater River area and vicinity.<br />
<br />
More good news: No further burning on the flanks of San Gorgonio Mountain is indicated. It would be a true shame if the krumholtz forest (pines dwarfed by harsh conditions at high elevation) atop the high peaks of the San Gorgonio were to burn. It would take centuries upon centuries for such a fragile high elevation forest to regenerate.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSBDZU03Dew_AQf2bFSshGAX-VH3EsXkRLjG4gQCSRX6sES0uMtih4KSYbcxDy9ff3Qm8sHggkyyNL7vGdZe9KzjSxZGMRWUC3f-AEJMKvdKo-SOgxmk24zXryoYl7-4YneDBC9k3RQwq/s1600/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-26_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLSBDZU03Dew_AQf2bFSshGAX-VH3EsXkRLjG4gQCSRX6sES0uMtih4KSYbcxDy9ff3Qm8sHggkyyNL7vGdZe9KzjSxZGMRWUC3f-AEJMKvdKo-SOgxmk24zXryoYl7-4YneDBC9k3RQwq/s640/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-26_0600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Fire Perimeter Map, 06/25/2015 0600 hours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnygUfxDqdky8f1aUJ5L_r-Ld_SIpN2x1q5nn9c3LqafQnYV1rH3dy7yIHVRnMn1mgcblbYoKzLaiN0rmilXOX-w5WYj9vP0RShEPLR9SFxaTYaaRVEDHkiCJBB_3bludMmsTiZgT6bw1o/s1600/Lake_Fire_MODIS_2015-06-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnygUfxDqdky8f1aUJ5L_r-Ld_SIpN2x1q5nn9c3LqafQnYV1rH3dy7yIHVRnMn1mgcblbYoKzLaiN0rmilXOX-w5WYj9vP0RShEPLR9SFxaTYaaRVEDHkiCJBB_3bludMmsTiZgT6bw1o/s640/Lake_Fire_MODIS_2015-06-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MODIS data plotted on a 1:24,000 topographic map. Data current as of 0800 on 6/26/2015<br />
There's still a lot of active burning going on. This is far from over.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Updates, 6/25/2015, 2300 Hours</span></b><br />
No map updates have been issued, but the Lake Fire has now grown to 25,599 acres (yipes!) and containment has shrunk to 19%. Containment was up around 40% a couple of days ago, but wind direction changed and the fire turned sharply north. 7,390 structures are considered threatened, <b><i>but no structures have been lost.</i></b><br />
Even though no map updates have been issued, MODIS thermal (i.e. heat) imaging is up to date and one can see that activity has decreased in the N. Fork of the Whitewater area, but there is still a lot of activity. It looks like Lake Peak has completely burned over which is a real shame because it was really beautiful on top, deeply forested. <br />
To the north, the fire has really mushroomed and spread. The north eastern sector of the fire may turn out to be as large or larger than the original fire sector in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Updates, 6/25/2015, 0600 Hours</span></b><br />
1. The Lake Fire has now burned the east flanks of San Gorgonio Mountain. The Sky High Trail has been burned over in multiple spots. The fire has also burned up to about 10,000 feet on the east flank of Bighorn Mountain. It's a sad day for San Gorgonio Wilderness lovers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5YwUKjVesIiFUyaEZpUzgV588FH9I2O3_ZLqyzNk_kf1Splm_OD0V5W6jpzgAMEVszq1slMV-YMYQB26AbIL43DJHStI5v_26eY0FOK0H6Kh6IsqdjQbdcdn8SMIpge2er9mnYnqmESn/s1600/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-25_0600_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5YwUKjVesIiFUyaEZpUzgV588FH9I2O3_ZLqyzNk_kf1Splm_OD0V5W6jpzgAMEVszq1slMV-YMYQB26AbIL43DJHStI5v_26eY0FOK0H6Kh6IsqdjQbdcdn8SMIpge2er9mnYnqmESn/s640/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-25_0600_Crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Fire Perimeter detail, vicinity San Gorgonio Mountain, as of 25 June 2015, 0600 hours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. The fire has also advanced considerably to the north overnight and has now burned into Pipes Canyon.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_XUvtmZ1Zl_QgjCXCU9E2q2lcM7VOM5AAQIo0tYdWbNatXMKfW4-RhQp7QbPI4AduIakm8gPx83q9P9CnBbiq-gUsB1WX0YT4xcRoIFCqKRkYQ65HvZ4laravEdFiEIOGQyYf5_JpQO9/s1600/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-25_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_XUvtmZ1Zl_QgjCXCU9E2q2lcM7VOM5AAQIo0tYdWbNatXMKfW4-RhQp7QbPI4AduIakm8gPx83q9P9CnBbiq-gUsB1WX0YT4xcRoIFCqKRkYQ65HvZ4laravEdFiEIOGQyYf5_JpQO9/s640/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-25_0600.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Fire perimeter map, 06/25/2015, 0600 hours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Updates, 6/24/2015, 1800 Hours</span></b><br />
1. The Lake Fire today made a dramatic end run around containment lines and burned about three miles to the north. Camp Oakes on the north side of Onyx Summit was evacuated. This is a very serious development. KML files have not been posted to the public server, so I'll add a static map here. The fire also burned more of the North Fork of the Whitewater River and Hell-For-Sure drainages. I looks like it also moved a little bit further down the South Fork of Mission Creek. I've placed blue rectangles on the map below that indicate areas where the fire is growing.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRpg9190qwVXvn5qSfApK2sFe_fAA26Q4dPMb1Jdr2owX6X2Hcto6Xpsgj-7Um4X3hSq_MRp6BAu36cMzDCuOvLPQE3Ht_g1IkDDTIIbj6SjafwoHJBRVkifIcet8-6B6TWVbkPFB6wE8/s1600/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-23_1800_Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRpg9190qwVXvn5qSfApK2sFe_fAA26Q4dPMb1Jdr2owX6X2Hcto6Xpsgj-7Um4X3hSq_MRp6BAu36cMzDCuOvLPQE3Ht_g1IkDDTIIbj6SjafwoHJBRVkifIcet8-6B6TWVbkPFB6wE8/s640/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-23_1800_Crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Fire perimeter map as of 6/24/2015, 1800 hours.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2. A Forest Order was issued today that closed the entire San Gorgonio Wilderness and also closed non wilderness areas to the east until October 1, 2015. Closing the entire wilderness, particularly those areas not touched by the fire, seems overly Draconian to me. The closed area is mapped below.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkfxEb5672oxy2c-2dnssyL3vFowwij_cg3VyN2OX9C9O2D5UEfy9dooYf9g-41Ovjq2uw0p7URdmvAAxk9ZbwQuKABedDCfqYA4jdmMISXfFe1bQz1kz7Pqf_ln8GItEYNRcwjBVtUpX/s1600/Lake_Fire_Forest_Closure_Order.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkfxEb5672oxy2c-2dnssyL3vFowwij_cg3VyN2OX9C9O2D5UEfy9dooYf9g-41Ovjq2uw0p7URdmvAAxk9ZbwQuKABedDCfqYA4jdmMISXfFe1bQz1kz7Pqf_ln8GItEYNRcwjBVtUpX/s640/Lake_Fire_Forest_Closure_Order.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forest Order 05-12-51-15-03, the Lake Fire Closure area. <i>Everything </i>is closed in the SGW, even areas outside the burn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Fire Progression Map of the Lake Fire, 6/24/2015.</span></b><br />
Here is a map of the progression of the Lake Fire. Green indicates the oldest burn. Red indicates the newest burn. There's a lot of new burning in the North Fork of the Whitewater River area. Alas, it now appears that Mine Shaft and Big Tree Camps are toast. <br />
<br />
The silver lining here is that maybe the long brush choked Big Tree Track (a short cut from Mine Shaft Camp to Big Tree Camp) may become passable again. It might also be possible to venture down the North Fork from Big Tree Camp. Previously, it was darned near impossible to go downstream from Big Tree because the brush was so thick.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil13G45RtFsbI30RaRv5C_dZkLHj92y7k6dRVZQ0osv3Ys79i1FDim2FfoS-vFQ1FWf7EKoN5biCBBk5lm5Bj8FeOghG8x_bHzGw7Az3DKHZ9l1erh3ag7L_il3dlImq3OG-2f0EeJX61G/s1600/Lake_Fire_Progression_2015-06-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil13G45RtFsbI30RaRv5C_dZkLHj92y7k6dRVZQ0osv3Ys79i1FDim2FfoS-vFQ1FWf7EKoN5biCBBk5lm5Bj8FeOghG8x_bHzGw7Az3DKHZ9l1erh3ag7L_il3dlImq3OG-2f0EeJX61G/s640/Lake_Fire_Progression_2015-06-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire Progression Map of the Lake Fire as of 6/24/2015, 0600 hours.<br />
Green = oldest; Red = Newest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Time Lapse Video of the Lake Fire </span></b><br />
<object style="height: 450px; width: 675px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5YYFhW6HOdg?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5YYFhW6HOdg?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="675" height="450"></object>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Topographic Fire Map</b></span><br />
An interactive map of the fire is displayed below. You will need to zoom way in to make any sense of it. This is my <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/12/interactive-san-gorgonio-wilderness-sgw.html" target="_blank">Interactive San Gorgonio Wilderness Area Map</a></u> with the Lake Fire burn perimeter shown in gold color cross hatching. I like it because I can see where things are a lot better on a topo.<br />
<br />
It's a little cluttered because I have a lot of trails and camps marked. I'll put a clearer image down below if you just want to see the burn area and the topo map.<br />
<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=0P77" width="675px"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Trail Camp Status </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">6/25/2015</span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b>(assuming the maps are accurate) from generally west to east:<br />
Jackstraw Springs: OK<br />
Trail Fork Springs: OK<br />
Anderson Flat: Possibly burned (can't tell from map as of 6/24/2015).<br />
Shields Flat: <b>Burned.</b><br />
High Meadow Springs: Possibly burned (can't tell from map as of 6/24/2015).<br />
Red Rock Flat: <b>Burned.</b><br />
Dollar Lake: <b>Burned.</b><br />
Dry Lake View: OK<br />
Grinnell Ridge: <b>Burned.</b> By the look of it, pretty badly (based on photos I've seen).<br />
Dry Lake: <b>Burned.</b><br />
Lodgepole: <b>Burned.</b><br />
Trail Flat: Possibly burned (can't tell from map as of 6/24/2015).<br />
Summit: OK, but threatened<br />
Fish Creek Saddle: <b>Burned.</b><br />
Fish Creek: <b>Burned</b><br />
Mineshaft Flat: <b>Burned</b><br />
Big Tree: <b>Burned.</b><br />
<br />
9 trail camps definitely burned.<br />
3 trail camps possibly burned<br />
12 out of a total of 25 trail camps (<b>48%</b>) have burned or have possibly burned.<br />
<i>Note: </i>This represents my best guess based on the available maps.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19mGlLxLzUJXcXzdxnGqb15rqm7iCQCa_cAFWymuKASiEj4gQaBWDMmAfIa4ttI-3BkXVWOJrNcW99Cf2Mo2tGtmqz9BirT3iJR74U2iziLJXl0_NGoWUlDYxFP9INVyZDlwNmvpLXfzd/s1600/SGW_TrailCamp_Status_6-24-2015_10-20-16_AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19mGlLxLzUJXcXzdxnGqb15rqm7iCQCa_cAFWymuKASiEj4gQaBWDMmAfIa4ttI-3BkXVWOJrNcW99Cf2Mo2tGtmqz9BirT3iJR74U2iziLJXl0_NGoWUlDYxFP9INVyZDlwNmvpLXfzd/s640/SGW_TrailCamp_Status_6-24-2015_10-20-16_AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Red = burned.</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Yellow = possibly burned.</div>
<div style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
Green = unburned.</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Trail Status 6/25/2015</span></b> (assuming the map is accurate) from generally west to east:<br />
Forsee Creek Trail: Minimal Burning along some of the easternmost switchbacks.<br />
San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail: Burned over in three places.<br />
1. Between Anderson and Shields Flat<br />
2. Near Alto Diablo<br />
3. Most or all of Red Rock Flat<br />
<div>
South Fork Trail: Burned.</div>
<div>
Dollar Lake Trail: Burned all the way to Dollar Lake Saddle.</div>
<div>
Dry Lake Trail: Burned up to and past Dry Lake. Trail Flat <i>might</i> not have burned (yet).</div>
<div>
Santa Ana River Trail: Burned along much of its route from vicinity South Fork Campground east to the Heart Bar area.</div>
<div>
Lost Creek Trail: Burned.</div>
<div>
Fish Creek Saddle Trail (from Lodgepole Spring): Burned.</div>
<div>
Fish Creek Trail: Burned.</div>
<div>
Sky High Trail: Burned. The fire has now crossed the Sky High Trail in multiple places.</div>
<div>
North Fork Meadows Trail: Burned (majority)<br />
Pacific Crest Trail (PCT): Burned over a ~six mile stretch to the east of the San Gorgonio Wilderness</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes, I know the PCT is outside the wilderness, but it's an important trail. Same with the Santa Ana River Trail.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Topo Map Without All the Clutter.</b></span><br />
<div>
So, maybe you don't want to see all of my trail camp, trail, etc. markings. Here's a hopefully clearer map using Gmap4 which is maintained by Joseph Elfelt. You can also open this map in a <u><a href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=34.107825,-116.810589&z=13&t=t4,Current_fire,Wilderness_boundary,MODIS_thermal&q=http://www.propertylinemaps.com/p/public_land_map/USA/USA_wildland_fire.txt" target="_blank">separate page</a></u>. The green line is the San Gorgonio Wilderness Boundary. The bright red dots indicate that MODIS (satellite based infrared) thermal sensors are picking up heat. They are NOT very precise, but they do indicate fire activity somewhere in the general vicinity.<iframe height="500px" src="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?ll=34.107825,-116.810589&z=13&t=t4,Current_fire,Wilderness_boundary,MODIS_thermal&q=http://www.propertylinemaps.com/p/public_land_map/USA/USA_wildland_fire.txt" width="675px"></iframe></div>
HJ
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix – US Forest Service PIO Maps</span><br />
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<b>23 June 2015, 1800 Hours.</b> See comments below image.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6RshLnniFcVkNo20LGh-wWz5OK25gI8aOIr-mRPUhqjPLINCszMT2tcVvcDg93pAbD9fvGXJPv8X-cqQkSgC6P_z9nngATXrqBjAOQFFdgIBBJPPKNRDmSF7yL0kjMTcgXvcvn431f7b/s1600/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6RshLnniFcVkNo20LGh-wWz5OK25gI8aOIr-mRPUhqjPLINCszMT2tcVvcDg93pAbD9fvGXJPv8X-cqQkSgC6P_z9nngATXrqBjAOQFFdgIBBJPPKNRDmSF7yL0kjMTcgXvcvn431f7b/s640/Lake_Fire_PIO_2015-06-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lake Fire Perimeter Map as of 1800 hours 23 June 2015</span></td></tr>
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Comments:<br />
The fire is active on the east side of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge and in the drainage of the North Fork of the Whitewater River. The fire has now crossed the North Fork of the Whitewater River. There is also active burning west of High Meadow Springs and in the Coon Creek drainage.<br />
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<br />
<b>23 June 2015, 0600 Hours.</b> See comments below image.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyRbFahBCyjc08k96-qNeyEN4QoOPooYjOpqsXjZO-cegYNM1Bm2g5aHzEWLpDlDskDkt9TADPxNIPok1Oz21JfQ4w0MK7iE3LChOM_h1r2T6XdE4fv_2XpOMDicnNWCjGYlhrgzeqV3c/s1600/Lake_Fire_2015-06-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyRbFahBCyjc08k96-qNeyEN4QoOPooYjOpqsXjZO-cegYNM1Bm2g5aHzEWLpDlDskDkt9TADPxNIPok1Oz21JfQ4w0MK7iE3LChOM_h1r2T6XdE4fv_2XpOMDicnNWCjGYlhrgzeqV3c/s640/Lake_Fire_2015-06-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Fire Perimeter Map as of 0600 hours 23 June 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The latest PIO fire perimeter map shows growth in the Big Tree area as well as east to the Coon Creek Jump Off area which is consistent with what the MODIS sensors are report. It's hard to tell from the map, but Big Tree Camp may now be toast. The fire is clearly threatening it. It wouldn't bother me in the least to have all the brush in the North Fork of the Whitewater River drainage cleaned out. That is some dense, nasty stuff.<br />
<br />
<b>22 June 2015, 0600 Hours.</b> I've highlighted some areas with green rectangles. See comments below image.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mnN-niNQoxtKRGGzywA9goRxOfHV4eUHgkkvvRiGLQDl9U64PjR70Ho5e1ezsSgYHJtdY-gQ9R5oOmF0p4sBMoBQiyfMnBbVdoBcXl0p7preGCCsqyn-32FfyQvEAuzTqxu7jKs57t7E/s1600/Lake_Fire_2015-06-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mnN-niNQoxtKRGGzywA9goRxOfHV4eUHgkkvvRiGLQDl9U64PjR70Ho5e1ezsSgYHJtdY-gQ9R5oOmF0p4sBMoBQiyfMnBbVdoBcXl0p7preGCCsqyn-32FfyQvEAuzTqxu7jKs57t7E/s640/Lake_Fire_2015-06-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lake Fire Perimeter Map as of 0600 hours 22 June 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Comments on the above highlighted areas from left to right:<br />
1. It looks like there's been a bit more growth on the south side of the divide near Anderson and Shields Flats, but it's been minimal.<br />
2. There's been more burning in the Dry Lake area. The fire has gone up into the "glacial chop country" (the moraine fields west of Dry Lake. It looks like Dry Lake is nearly encircled. This doesn't look good for the Dry Lake and Lodgepole trail camps.<br />
3. The fire on the south side of Ten Thousand Foot Ridge appears to have grown, but only slightly.<br />
4. There's been some growth to the fire on the eastern edge, particularly around Coon Creek Cabin and Coon Creek Jump Off.<br />
<br />
General comments: Notice the solid black line on the northern edge of the fireline. It looks like the USFS has a pretty high degree of confidence in the solidity of the fire line in this area.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>21 June 2015, 1400 Hours.</b> I'll make comments on the progress of the fire below the map.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2QfSDXwTp2d7FpE7RllcXXEYYk-ZKL5fNBGVnGC4xzi2R5IRRKDPbu1hCYlFprAp2FSxDX0MwKqjgAGaJqdf5LkZ8hbizaBpgXetekLluNYOAlyux6ylDw0-RuSWwGst1LHmWupqHXsW/s1600/Lake_Fire_2015-06-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2QfSDXwTp2d7FpE7RllcXXEYYk-ZKL5fNBGVnGC4xzi2R5IRRKDPbu1hCYlFprAp2FSxDX0MwKqjgAGaJqdf5LkZ8hbizaBpgXetekLluNYOAlyux6ylDw0-RuSWwGst1LHmWupqHXsW/s640/Lake_Fire_2015-06-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Lake Fire Perimeter Map as of 1400 hours 21 June 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've drawn several rectangles in bright green on the above map. Notes from left to right:<br />
1. You can see that the fire overtopped the main divide of the wilderness between Shields Flat and Anderson Flat. The incursion was relatively limited. The status of High Meadow Springs, Shields Flat and Anderson Flat trail camps is unknown.<br />
2. You can see that Dollar Lake has been overrun by the fire, but it looks as though the fire did not cross the divide.<br />
3. It looks like Lodgepole and Trail Flats Camps were spared, but it's hard to tell from this map. Dry Lake Camp doesn't appear to be shown; its status is unknown.<br />
4. The fire went up toward Fish Creek Saddle and appears to have burned all the way to the saddle. The status of Fish Creek Saddle trail camp is unknown. Part of the west face of Lake peak has also burned in a spot fire. It appears that the summit of Lake Peak did not burn.<br />
5. A fairly large incursion went over Ten Thousand Foot Ridge and into the drainage of the N Fork of the Whitewater river, but it looks like Mineshaft Flat and Big Tree Camps were not affected. I think. It's hard to tell based on this map which is none to clear. <br />
<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-53638912145504038812015-05-31T19:08:00.002-07:002017-02-18T21:55:39.998-08:00Proportional Total Pack WeightLet's talk about pack weight. There are three types of weight that are most frequently talked about: Base weight, consumables weight, and total pack weight. You'll also hear about "skin out" weight which is the weight of <i>everything</i> but your birthday suit. Skin out weight is a little harder to calculate and work with, particularly for those who like to "weigh in" at the trailhead, so I'm just going to focus on the more common ways to look at pack weight: base weight, consumables weight, and total pack weight. Here are my explanations:<br />
<ul>
<li><b><u>Base Weight</u></b>. This is the weight of things that don't vary with the length of a trip. For example, my sleeping bag weighs 1.3 lbs whether I take a 3 day trip or a 7 day trip. </li>
<li><b><u>Consumables Weight</u></b>. Typically food, fuel, and water. Taking the example of a 3 day vs. a 7 day trip, if I carry about 2 lbs of food per day, then for a 3 day trip, I'd carry 6 lbs of food whereas for a 7 day trip, I'd carry 14.</li>
<li><b><u>Total Pack Weight</u></b>. Total pack weight is the sum of your base weight + your consumables weight and is sometimes referred to as just "pack weight."</li>
</ul>
<div>
Now, the tendency is for hikers to focus on their base weight. Consumables weight is after all a function of how long a trip is rather than good gear planning. I mean you have to eat, so long as you're not carrying excessive amounts of food per day, there's not much you can do to reduce weight (short of someone hiking in supplies to you or you hiking out for supplies). If you carry X pounds of food per day and hike Y days, then your weight is X times Y, and you're pretty much stuck with it. So base weight, which is not dictated by the length of the trip, makes a lot of sense to focus on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But total pack weight still matters. I mean there's an upper limit to what a given human being can carry. Go past certain limits, and you get into the "suffering zone." We're out there to enjoy this right? I just gave up my vacation to go backpacking because it's going to be <i>fun,</i> remember? If it's not fun, then just <i>why</i> am I doing it?</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtHzRi2aSJo/U7rWYDlZFgI/AAAAAAAAzvY/Dsu3kQh7Ndc/s1600/DSC08119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JtHzRi2aSJo/U7rWYDlZFgI/AAAAAAAAzvY/Dsu3kQh7Ndc/s640/DSC08119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My camp at Iceberg Lake, July 2015. Don't ruin a beautiful backpacking trip with a heavy pack!</td></tr>
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<div>
Consider a recent desert trip I did. I consumed 7 liters of water from the time I left one water source until I reached the next about 24 hours later. A liter weighs 2.2 pounds, so 7 liters weighs 15.4 pounds. So let's say I have a 15 lbs base weight, and I'm carrying 10 lbs of food (five days worth), and say 1/2 lbs of fuel. I'm now at 41 lbs which is a fairly heavy backpack to be lugging over mountainous desert terrain. And what if I had come to water after 48 hours instead of just 24? Now we're talking about a 56+ lbs backpack. And so on, and so on... The point is that even if you have a low base weight, you can still wind up with a heavy pack, depending on the length of a trip and the availability of water.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPrc45ynIsM/UaWF3UztbTI/AAAAAAAAlyY/lZI256W1O-Y/s1600/DSC01689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aPrc45ynIsM/UaWF3UztbTI/AAAAAAAAlyY/lZI256W1O-Y/s640/DSC01689.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tunnel Spring on the Desert Divide in the San Jacinto Mountains. It looks pretty gross, but we wouldn't see water again until the evening of the following day. We tanked up and were grateful.</td></tr>
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<div>
So you <i>have</i> to consider the overall weight of your pack. I mean you have to be physically able to carry the dang thing, and oh yes, we'd like to be able to enjoy ourselves at the same time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
OK, great, but what's our framework for judging whether or not a particular pack weight is appropriate? Good question. I'd like to propose the following schema, a schema based on total pack weight as a proportion of one's body weight:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSWuoxIkWolkZqDHcC8gQbd4-bEMoytZmOtpzsU_u5fkzH1RnRmKx0vMDvNQQTQRC9_Pqk7nMoKy-1vhKHFe4ghJuKzXZBemy4XEAgbTYaZbwO9r2_PWhwg7mH8nVLzDw8Sb580n5dRAl/s1600/ProportionalTotalPackWeight_Chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSWuoxIkWolkZqDHcC8gQbd4-bEMoytZmOtpzsU_u5fkzH1RnRmKx0vMDvNQQTQRC9_Pqk7nMoKy-1vhKHFe4ghJuKzXZBemy4XEAgbTYaZbwO9r2_PWhwg7mH8nVLzDw8Sb580n5dRAl/s640/ProportionalTotalPackWeight_Chart.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.8192005157471px; line-height: 16.2288017272949px;">A chart showing pack weights as a proportion of one's body weight and the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 10.8192005157471px; line-height: 16.2288017272949px;">perceived</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.8192005157471px; line-height: 16.2288017272949px;"> weight category.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The idea here is that what a 200 lbs 6'0" tall person might call light is not the same as what a 150 lbs 5'6" person would call light. The weight that it will be comfortable for a given person to carry varies <i>in proportion </i>to their body weight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My experience is that most reasonably fit people who have a decent amount of hiking experience will find a total pack weight equal to 1/6th of their body weight as a "moderate" backpack. In other words, most reasonably fit hikers can handle a pack that weighs about 1/6th of their own weight. It won't be easy, people won't remark "oh, it's as light as a feather," but people can handle it and still have a reasonably enjoyable time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, a lot of books will suggest 1/3rd of your body weight as an upper limit. One-third? Really? I weigh 220 lbs. 1/3 of my body weight is about 73 pounds! Like I'm really going to hike with 73 freaking pounds on my back! Not happening. Now, really fit, really strong people can do it I'm sure, and a lot of hard core mountaineers probably do it all the time, but for the average hiker that I've met, no, 1/3rd is completely unrealistic. Take a look at the photo below. That's what 1/3rd of one's body weight looks like. Yes, it can be done, but isn't any fun, and in fact I've never been so exhausted in all my life as when I've had to carry not only a heavy pack but also my daughter. Again, for most hikers, 1/6th of your body weight is a desireable pack weight to shoot for. My recommendation is DON'T exceed 1/6th of your body weight unless you're an experienced backpacker who is getting out regularly and has worked up to carrying greater (proportionally) weights.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us-f3rBAsyg/UwREBZkW-VI/AAAAAAAAtmE/JMIlyvnDmS8/s1600/DSC06128_Crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Us-f3rBAsyg/UwREBZkW-VI/AAAAAAAAtmE/JMIlyvnDmS8/s640/DSC06128_Crop.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author, carrying approximately 1/3rd of his body weight. It can be done, but it isn't fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Now, is even lighter than 1/6th of one's own body weight more comfortable? Of course. I'm proposing 1/6th as a reasonably comfortable <i>upper </i>limit<i>.</i> If you can figure out ways to carry even less, by all means you should do so (so long as you are still reasonably safe and comfortable).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Indeed, if you've read any of my <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/05/sierra-nevada-summer-backpacking-solo_30.html" target="_blank">recent posts</a></u>, they're all about trying to go from carrying a pack that weighs about 1/6th of my body weight to one that weighs about 1/8th of my body weight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lastly, if you look at the chart, you'll see some categories like "Extremely heavy," "very heavy," "moderate," "light," etc. <b>Don't get too hung up on the exact category.</b> The idea is to suggest where along the continuum most people will <i>perceive</i> a particular pack weight at a given proportion of their body weight. Obviously, proportions greater than 1/6th are some form of "heavy" whereas those that are less are some form of "light".<br />
<br />
The idea here is not to set target categories but to stimulate thought. One should ask "What is my total pack weight going to be for the trip I'm planning?" and "is that weight a) realistic and b) reasonably comfortable?"</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, there you have it. While base weight is something to pay attention to, one should also keep in mind one's total pack weight. My recommendation is that total pack weight generally should be no more than 1/6th of one's body weight – at least until one has the experience to know otherwise.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I invite your reflections and comments, below.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
HJ</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-77134024936771795742015-05-30T19:27:00.000-07:002015-05-31T19:28:50.672-07:00Sierra Nevada Summer Backpacking Solo Gear List - Version IIThis is 4th is a series on backpacking base weight reduction.<br />
<ul>
<li>In my first post, <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/05/backpacking-with-children-gear-list-for.html" target="_blank">A Gear List for Two</a></u>, I listed out everything I carried for me and my daughter on a recent backpacking trip in Southern California, <b><i>base weight 20.2 lbs</i></b> (9.2 kg).</li>
<li>In my second post, <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/05/lightweight-solo-backpacking-gear-list.html" target="_blank">Lightweight Solo Backpacking Gear List for Southern California</a></u>, I deleted out all of my daughter's items and created a solo gear list, <b><i>base weight 15.2 lbs</i></b> (6.9 kg).</li>
<li>In my third post, <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/05/sierra-nevada-summer-backpacking-solo.html" target="_blank">Sierra Nevada Summer Backpacking Solo Gear List - Version I</a></u>, I converted my Southern California gear list into a gear list for a week long trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, <b><i>base weight 18.8 lbs</i></b> (8.5 kg).</li>
<li>This post is Version II of my Sierra Nevada Summer Backpacking Solo Gear List, <b><i>base weight 14.7 lbs</i></b> (6.7 kg).</li>
<li>My next post will be Version III, contents yet to be determined, but with a base weight hopefully in the 13 pound range.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The weight gain in the Sierra Nevada version was primarily due to the addition of a bear canister, a mandatory item in the Sierra Nevada.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJfwy-tnxTs/U5kAQoQxuXI/AAAAAAAAw5k/_H0uu80_-40/s1600/DSC07289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TJfwy-tnxTs/U5kAQoQxuXI/AAAAAAAAw5k/_H0uu80_-40/s640/DSC07289.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Rae Lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, June 2014</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For a week trip in the Sierra, I figure I'm going to carry a dozen or so pounds of food, a couple of pounds of water, and about a pound of fuel, for a total weight of about 15 pounds (6.8 kg) for my consumables. Total pack weight = consumables + base weight, so with a consumables weight of 15 lbs and a base weight of essentially 19 lbs, my total pack weight would be 34 lbs (15.4 kg), placing me, a 220 lbs/100 kg person, in the "moderate" category based on a proportional weight schema as follows:</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 527px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1828; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="50"></col>
<col span="3" style="mso-width-alt: 1645; mso-width-source: userset; width: 34pt;" width="45"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2486; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col span="2" style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2486; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2633; mso-width-source: userset; width: 54pt;" width="72"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="28" style="height: 21.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" colspan="10" height="28" style="height: 21.0pt; width: 396pt;" width="527">Proportional Total Pack Weight</td>
</tr>
<tr height="42" style="height: 31.5pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl64" height="42" style="border-top: none; height: 31.5pt; width: 38pt;" width="50"> </td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 34pt;" width="45">Ultra
Heavy</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 34pt;" width="45">Very
Heavy</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 34pt;" width="45">Heavy</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 51pt;" width="68">Moderate</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 30pt;" width="40">Light</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 35pt;" width="47">Very
Light</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 35pt;" width="47">Ultra
Light</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 51pt;" width="68">Super
Ultralight</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 54pt;" width="72">Extremely
Ultralight</td>
</tr>
<tr height="40" style="height: 30.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="40" style="border-top: none; height: 30.0pt; width: 38pt;" width="50">Body weight</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/3rd</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/4th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/5th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/6th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/8th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/10th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/12th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/15th</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1/20th</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">225</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">75.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">56.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">37.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28.1</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">22.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.8</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">220</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">73.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">55.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">44.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">36.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">27.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">22.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">14.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">200</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">66.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">16.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">175</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">58.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43.8</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">29.2</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">21.9</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">14.6</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">150</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">37.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.8</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">7.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">125</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">41.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.8</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.6</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.4</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">100</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">16.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12.5</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.0</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.3</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.7</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5.0</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, 34 lbs/15.4 kg is doable, but I know I'll be a lot happier if I can move down into the "light" category, particularly since my plan is to ascend to 14,500'/4400m in elevation. No need to drag a lot of weight that high! </div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQqjppvGKks/U5jlYDqQQpI/AAAAAAAAyVk/X1sBJGN-vtk/s1600/DSC07237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FQqjppvGKks/U5jlYDqQQpI/AAAAAAAAyVk/X1sBJGN-vtk/s640/DSC07237.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaks in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, I've done my first pass in lightening up my gear, and ... I've been able to cut 4.1 lbs off my gear! Huzzah! That moves me just below 30 lbs total pack weight, which would be great. I'd like to cut another couple of pounds off; we'll see. I hope to post a couple more versions before my trip in August, each lighter still. My current list is below my "signature". My comments on the current list:</div>
<div>
<br />
First, I've swapped out my "sweater weight" down hoodie. Man! I love that thing, but it is a full pound. The down vest cuts that weight roughly in half. Now, will a vest (with no hood and no sleeves) be warm enough? We'll see. I'll have to keep a close eye on the weather as the trip approaches.<br />
<br />
Likewise, I've swapped out my Capilene 2 top and bottom base layers for silk ones, saving over a quarter pound. Will these uber sheer silk ones be warm enough? Again, I'll have to watch the weather reports.<br />
<br />
I've deleted any water treatment for this trip. Some people will think that's crazy, particularly if they've been reading the marketing spiel of the filter companies, but tests by an MD/PhD backpacker have shown the water in the Sierra to have less giardia than city water <i>except </i>in areas with heavy human use or livestock. I've gone without water treatment before in the Sierra, and I believe I'll be fine.<br />
<br />
I've dropped my Isuka map case which I purchased in a mountain shop in Japan. That one sucks, because I really like that map case, but I'm going on well marked main trails, and I need to get the weight down. If I were doing off trail routes or sketchy trails, I would keep the case.<br />
<br />
I've dropped spare batteries for my phone and camera. Instead I'll carry a single external battery and recharge my phone and camera as needed.<br />
<br />
There are other changes, which are detailed below in the gear list, but the last major change I'll mention is swapping out my deluxe Stratospire I tarp tent for a minimalist Gatewood Cape. The Gatewood is not as weather proof, so I'll have to be really thinking in terms of site selection and such. One can use a "Serenity Bug Net" with the Gatewood Cape, but the Serenity Bug net is in my opinion poorly designed and really cuts down the interior volume of the cape unnecessarily, so I'll be leaving it behind. I could sleep in a head net, if needed, uber minimalism at its finest.<br />
<br />
More to follow I'm sure, but here's where I am at today. I thank you for joining me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
HJ<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlrhCr9WaPQ/VU-ksqQVyZI/AAAAAAABJnM/8uV8HhMS4pI/s1600/DSC01538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlrhCr9WaPQ/VU-ksqQVyZI/AAAAAAABJnM/8uV8HhMS4pI/s640/DSC01538.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author, backpacking in the Grand Canyon, May 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 885px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 694; mso-width-source: userset; width: 14pt;" width="19"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2194; mso-width-source: userset; width: 45pt;" width="60"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 8265; mso-width-source: userset; width: 170pt;" width="226"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 7460; mso-width-source: userset; width: 153pt;" width="204"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1609; mso-width-source: userset; width: 33pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 14pt;" width="19"></td>
<td class="xl70" colspan="6" style="width: 462pt;" width="615"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>One Person Gear List
(Base Weight Only)</b></div>
</td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 30pt;" width="40"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 33pt;" width="44"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 32pt;" width="42"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 30pt;" width="40"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 32pt;" width="43"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 32pt;" width="42"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl71" colspan="6">Sierra Nevada Mountains, Summer 2015, Day time high
80F/27C, Overnight low 40F/5C</td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
<td class="xl70"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="39" style="height: 29.25pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl74" height="39" style="height: 29.25pt; width: 14pt;" width="19"></td>
<td class="xl78" style="border-top: none; width: 45pt;" width="60">Category</td>
<td class="xl78" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Old
Item</td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 153pt;" width="204">New
Item</td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 30pt;" width="40">Old
Grams</td>
<td class="xl79" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 32pt;" width="43">Old
Ounces</td>
<td class="xl79" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 32pt;" width="42">Old
Pounds</td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; width: 30pt;" width="40">New Grams</td>
<td class="xl79" style="border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44">New Ounces</td>
<td class="xl79" style="border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="42">New Pounds</td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; width: 30pt;" width="40">Grams Saved</td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="43">Ounces Saved</td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; width: 32pt;" width="42">Pounds Saved</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl85" style="border-left: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Patagonia down
hoodie sweater</td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: none;">Eddie Bauer First Ascent Down Vest</td>
<td align="right" class="xl76" style="border-left: none;">473</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">16.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl76" style="border-left: none;">272</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">9.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">201</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">7.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl85" style="border-left: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Long john top
(Capilene 2)</td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: none;">Terramar silk long john top</td>
<td align="right" class="xl76" style="border-left: none;">175</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">6.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl76" style="border-left: none;">101</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Long
john bottom (Capilene 2)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Terramar silk long
john bottom</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">110</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">60</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Flip
flops</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">134</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">134</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Golite
wind pants</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">120</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">120</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Fleece
glove/mittens </td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Montane
wind shirt</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Underwear,
1 pair</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">90</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">90</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">socks,
1 pair, midweight</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">75</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">75</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Ghost
Whisperer shell</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">73</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">73</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">11</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">socks,
1 pair, midweight</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Deleted</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">12</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Fleece
hat</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">13</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Steri
Pen with batteries</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Deleted</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">123</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">123</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">14</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">4
x Platypus bladder 1L</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Only carry 2 x
Playtypus bladder 1L</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">15</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Plastic
"basin" (for Steri Pen treatment)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Deleted</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">16</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Garcia
Bear Canister</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">BV350 Bear Canister</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1280</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">45.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">923</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">32.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">357</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">12.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">17</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Trail
Designs Ti-Tri Stove & 1.3 L Evernew UL Ti Pot</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">248</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">248</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">18</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">GSI
Plastic bowl</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ziploc plastic bowl</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">26</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">19</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">19</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Titanium
Sierra cup/measuring cup</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">20</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">12
fl oz (355 ml) alcohol bottle</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">39</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">39</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">21</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Sea
to Summit Aluminum spoon</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">22</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">AMK
Optimist First Aid Kit (FAK) + 1 x roller gauze</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">23</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Personal
Locator Beacon (PLB)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">196</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">6.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">196</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">6.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">24</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">External
battery with mini cable</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">25</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Potty
kit (TP + hand sanitizer)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">26</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Map
(topographic) and Isuka roll-up map case</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Deleted</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">111</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">111</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">27</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Glasses
(distance only; Fresnel lens for reading)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">109</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">109</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="48" style="height: 36.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="48" style="border-top: none; height: 36.0pt;">28</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Misc
Ziploc (chapstick, meds, matches, sewing kit, crazy glue, duct tape,
tenacious tape)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">105</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">105</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">29</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">BP
Bag (Cordage, Liquid soap, Thermarest patch kit, ear plugs)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">30</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Spare
phone batteries (2)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Deleted</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">76</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">76</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">31</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Pouch
(sunscreen, fire steel, tripod) Tripod weight, see below</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">32</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Mammut
S-Flex headlamp</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">33</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Snow/sand
stake (used as trowel and as tent stake)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">34</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Dental
Hygiene Kit (brush, paste, and floss)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">35</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Mammut
S-Flex headlamp case</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">36</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Spare
camera battery</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Deleted</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">27</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">27</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">37</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Wilderness
Permit in plastic Ziploc</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">38</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Spare
Ziploc bag</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">39</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Trash
bag</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">40</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Gossamer
Gear Mariposa, Large</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Cut off excess straps</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">884</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">31.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">863</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">30.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">21</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">41</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Nylofume
bag (as water proof liner)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">42</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Camera
with 1 battery</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">43</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Camera
case</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">84</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">84</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">44</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Mini
tripod</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">45</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Stratospire
I tarp tent with bug net inner (used for 2 ppl)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Gatewood Cape (no bug netting)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1000</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">35.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">482</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">17.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">518</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">18.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">46</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Tyvek
ground sheet</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">130</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">130</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">4.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">47</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">8
x "V" Al stakes (could save 1.5 oz with Ti stakes)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Stakes now incl. with
Gatewood</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">48</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Western
Mountaineering Summerlite 6'0" sleeping bag</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">580</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">20.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">580</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">20.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">49</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">NeoAir
X-Lite 3/4 pad & stuff sack</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">240</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">240</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">8.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">50</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">Dry
bag, 10L (holds both sleeping bag and down hoodie)</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Silnylon stuff sack +
Ziploc bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">77</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">47</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">1.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl75" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">51</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 170pt;" width="226">NeoAir
Pillow & stuff sack</td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">No change</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">60</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl75" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">60</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl83" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"></td>
<td class="xl65"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8524</td>
<td align="right" class="xl80" style="border-left: none;">300.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6654</td>
<td align="right" class="xl81" style="border-left: none;">234.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl84">14.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl82" style="border-top: none;">1870</td>
<td align="right" class="xl80" style="border-left: none;">66.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.1</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<b>TOTALS BY CATEGORY</b></div>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 362px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1243; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="34"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1097; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="30"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1609; mso-width-source: userset; width: 33pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1280; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="35"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2048; mso-width-source: userset; width: 42pt;" width="56"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 32pt;" width="43"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="width: 32pt;" width="42">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="34">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="30">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 35pt;" width="47">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="35">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 42pt;" width="56">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Misc</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Grams</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-top: none;">612</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">910</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">893</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1210</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1288</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">379</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1312</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Ounces</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">21.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">42.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">46.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Pounds</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">1.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.9</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-6612917358307397232015-05-30T16:19:00.001-07:002015-05-31T06:57:19.678-07:00Sierra Nevada Summer Backpacking Solo Gear List - Version II'm planning a week long trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains this summer. This post is one in a series of how I intend to lighten up my gear in preparation for the trip. This will be Version I ("before") of my gear list. My next post in the series will be Version II ("after").<br />
<br />
In my last post, <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/05/lightweight-solo-backpacking-gear-list.html" target="_blank">Lightweight Solo Backpacking Gear List</a></u>, my base weight (total pack weight - consumables = base weight) was at about 15 lbs/6.8 kg. 15 lbs isn't bad for a weekend trip. I mean I only have to carry a couple of days of food, so a 15 lbs base weight + a couple of days worth of food may have my pack weight under 20 lbs/9 kg (depending on how much water I have to carry) for a weekend hike.<br />
<br />
But what about for a week? Well, for a week, I'm going to have to carry a lot more food. And I'm going to have to I'm also going to have to add some base weight type items that I wouldn't need for a short weekend trip, things like extra batteries and a larger fuel bottle. And for a Sierra Nevada trip there's one other problem: bears. In the Sierra Nevada. Bear canisters, a heavy piece of gear, are mandatory. Hmm. My maybe I need to drop a little more weight off my base weight?<br />
<br />
So if I take my last gear list and add in the bear canister, larger fuel bottle, and batteries, I should have a more realistic base weight for my upcoming trip. I'll post the gear list below my "signature" and my comments immediately below.<br />
<br />
First, notice that my base weight has climbed from 15.2 lbs/6.8 kg to 18.8 lbs/8.5 kg. Yuck. That's a step in the wrong direction. You've got to figure that, in addition to my base weight, I'm going to be carrying at least a dozen pounds of food (5.4 kg), 2 lbs of water (1 kg), and a pound of fuel (0.5 kg) – about 15 lbs (6.8 kg) of "consumables". Add 18.8 lbs base weight to roughly 15 lbs of consumables, and your total is about 34 lbs (15.4 kg). Now, I've been backpacking for many years, and I'm completely confident that I could do the trip with a 34 lbs backpack – but I'm sure I can go lighter, and I know I'll enjoy the trip more if I carry less. <br />
<br />
Now it's time to introduce another concept: Proportional Pack Weight. <br />
<br />
QUESTION: Is a 30 lbs pack (13.6 kg) going to feel the same to a 200 lbs (91 kg) person as it would to a 150 lbs (68 kg) person? No, of course not. So, let's look at total pack weight in proportion to body weight.<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 493px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1828; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="50"></col>
<col span="3" style="mso-width-alt: 1645; mso-width-source: userset; width: 34pt;" width="45"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2486; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2377; mso-width-source: userset; width: 49pt;" width="65"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2340; mso-width-source: userset; width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2596; mso-width-source: userset; width: 53pt;" width="71"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="28" style="height: 21.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" colspan="9" height="28" style="height: 21.0pt; width: 371pt;" width="493"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Proportional Total Pack Weight</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="42" style="height: 31.5pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl67" height="42" style="height: 31.5pt; width: 38pt;" width="50"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 34pt;" width="45">Ultra Heavy</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 34pt;" width="45">Very Heavy</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 34pt;" width="45">Heavy</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 51pt;" width="68">Moderate</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 30pt;" width="40">Light</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 49pt;" width="65">Ultralight</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">Super Ultralight</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 53pt;" width="71">Extremely
Ultralight</td>
</tr>
<tr height="40" style="height: 30.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="40" style="border-top: none; height: 30.0pt; width: 38pt;" width="50"><b>Body weight (lbs)</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/3rd</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/4th</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/5th</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/6th</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/8th</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/10th</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/15th</b></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><b>1/20th</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b>225</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">75.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">56.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">37.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28.1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">22.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b><i>220</i></b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>73.3</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>55.0</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>44.0</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>36.7</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>27.5</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>22.0</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>14.7</i></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><i>11.0</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b>200</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">66.7</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b>175</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">58.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43.8</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">29.2</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">21.9</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11.7</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b>150</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">50.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">37.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.8</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">7.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b>125</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">41.7</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.8</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.6</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><b>100</b></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33.3</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">16.7</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12.5</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.0</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.7</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5.0</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, if you look at the above chart, I think you can see where I'm going with this. What <i>feels</i> light to a 200 pound person will not necessarily feel light to a 100 pound person. The chart above attempts to take body weight into account rather than to assign labels (light weight, ultralight, etc.) based on static weight amounts. Notice that I'm talking about <i>total</i> pack weight. At the end of the day, the amount you actually put on your back matters. On a weekend trip, my total pack weight is pretty light, but on a week long trip in the Sierra Nevada, my total pack weight is considerably more.<br />
<br />
I weigh about 220 lbs (100 kg). My 34 lbs (15.4 kg) total pack weight will basically feel like a "moderate" (not light) backpack. I want to move down a notch and get into the "light" range. Perhaps someday I'll even go beyond that, but my goal for this phase of pack weight reduction is to move from "moderate" to "light." I'll address this weight reduction in my next post in this series.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 538px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2194; mso-width-source: userset; width: 45pt;" width="60"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 12909; mso-width-source: userset; width: 265pt;" width="353"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl75" colspan="5" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 404pt;" width="538"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>One
Person Gear List (Base Weight Only)</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl74" colspan="5" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Sierra Nevada
Mountains, Summer 2015, Day time high 80F/27C, Overnight low 40F/5C</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Category</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Item</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">Patagonia down hoodie sweater (for
temps < 40F/5C)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">473</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">16.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">Long john top (Capilene 2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">175</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">6.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Long john bottom
(Capilene 2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Flip flops (To air
out feet; I struggle with athlete's foot)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">134</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Golite wind pants</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">120</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fleece glove/mittens
(flip top, probably a weight penalty)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Montane wind shirt</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Underwear, 1 pair</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">90</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">socks, 1 pair,
midweight</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">75</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ghost Whisperer shell</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">73</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">socks, 1 pair,
midweight</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fleece hat</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Steri Pen with
batteries</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">123</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4 x Platypus bladder
1L</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Plastic
"basin" (for Steri Pen treatment)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Garcia Bear Canister</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1280</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Trail Designs Ti-Tri
Stove set up & 1.3 L Evernew UL Ti Pot</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">248</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Plastic bowl</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Titanium Sierra
cup/measuring cup</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12 fl oz (355 ml)
alcohol bottle</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">39</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sea to Summit
Aluminum spoon</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">AMK Optimist First
Aid Kit (FAK) + 1 x roller gauze</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Personal Locator
Beacon (PLB)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">196</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">External battery with
mini cable</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Potty kit (TP + hand
sanitizer)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Map (topographic) and
Isuka roll-up map case</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">111</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Glasses (distance
only; used Fresnel lens for reading)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">109</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="32" style="height: 24.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="32" style="border-top: none; height: 24.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 265pt;" width="353">Misc
Ziploc (chapstick, meds, matches, sewing kit, crazy glue, duct tape,
tenacious tape)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">105</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">BP Bag (Cordage,
Liquid soap, Thermarest patch kit, ear plugs)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Spare phone batteries
(2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">76</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pouch (sunscreen,
fire steel, tripod) Tripod weight, see below</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mammut S-Flex
headlamp</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Snow/sand stake (used
as trowel and as tent stake)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dental Hygiene Kit
(brush, paste, and floss)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mammut S-Flex
headlamp case</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Spare camera battery</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">27</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Wilderness Permit in
plastic Ziploc</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Spare Ziploc</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Trash bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Gossamer Gear
Mariposa, Large</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">884</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Nylofume bag (as
water proof liner)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Camera with 1 battery</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Camera case</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">84</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mini tripod</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Stratospire I tarp
tent with bug net inner (used for 2 ppl)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1000</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tyvek ground sheet</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">130</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8 x "V" Al
stakes (could save 1.5 oz with Ti stakes)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Western
Mountaineering Summerlite 6'0" sleeping bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">580</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir X-Lite 3/4 pad
& stuff sack</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">240</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dry bag, 10L (holds
both sleeping bag and down hoodie)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">77</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir Pillow &
stuff sack</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">60</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8524</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">300.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b>TOTALS BY CATEGORY</b><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 363px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1243; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="34"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1609; mso-width-source: userset; width: 33pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1280; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="35"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2048; mso-width-source: userset; width: 42pt;" width="56"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 32pt;" width="43"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="width: 32pt;" width="42">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="34">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 35pt;" width="47">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="35">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 42pt;" width="56">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Misc</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Grams</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-top: none;">1230</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">957</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">914</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1613</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1664</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">379</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">241</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1526</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Ounces</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">43.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">56.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">58.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">53.8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Pounds</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.4</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-85517218684066755032015-05-30T14:51:00.002-07:002015-05-30T17:24:10.532-07:00Lightweight Solo Backpacking Gear List for Southern CaliforniaI just posted my <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2015/05/backpacking-with-children-gear-list-for.html" target="_blank">Backpacking with Children - A Gear List for Two</a></u>. Hopefully it's a helpful list for those wishing to get out with their child.<br />
<br />
But what would that look like if I were just getting out on my own? I thought I'd do a "weight check" and see what my solo gear list for Southern California would look like under the same weather conditions (expected overnight low 35° F/2° C). To avoid clutter, I'll put the list down below my "signature". I'll put my comments immediately below.<br />
<br />
Now, notice something. My two person daddy-daughter base weight was 20.2 lbs/9.2 kg, about <i>10 lbs/4.5 kg per person</i>. When I take the same gear list and eliminate the child related items, <i>the total is 15.2 lbs/6.9 kg</i>. The "per person" weight went up by five pounds (2.3 kg). This illustrates an important principle: <i>gear sharing saves weight.</i> Sharing a tent, stove, etc. is much more weight efficient than each person carrying their own.<br />
<br />
This is part II of (at least) three parts. I'm going somewhere with this: I want to do a week long trip in the Sierra Nevada Mountains this summer. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are steep, rugged, and range up to 14,500'/4400m in elevation, so I'm going to want to make my pack as light as possible. On a week trip, I'm going to have to carry a lot of food (about 2 pounds per day typically), so the only way to carry a light pack is to really cut my base weight. Ideally, I'd like my total pack weight (consumables + base weight = total pack weight) to be about 25 lbs/11 kg. That will be a challenge. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Thanks for following along on my "journey to the light side."<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 557px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 694; mso-width-source: userset; width: 14pt;" width="19"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2194; mso-width-source: userset; width: 45pt;" width="60"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 12909; mso-width-source: userset; width: 265pt;" width="353"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 14pt;" width="19"></td>
<td class="xl75" colspan="5" style="width: 404pt;" width="538"><div style="text-align: center;">
One Person Gear List
(Base Weight Only)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl74" colspan="5"><div style="text-align: center;">
May 2015, Day time high 65F/18C, Overnight low
35F/2C</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-top: none;">Category</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Item</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">Patagonia down hoodie sweater (for
temps < 40F/5C)*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">473</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">16.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Long john top
(Capilene 2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">175</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Long john bottom
(Capilene 2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Flip flops (To air
out feet; I struggle with athlete's foot)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">134</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Golite wind pants</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">120</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fleece glove/mittens
(flip top, probably a weight penalty)*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Montane wind shirt<span class="font5"><sup>2</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ghost Whisperer shell<span class="font5"><sup>2</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">73</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">socks, 1 pair,
midweight</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep balaclava<span class="font5"><sup>3</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">11</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fleece hat</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">12</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Down hoodie sweater
stuff sack<span class="font5"><sup>4</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">13</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Steri Pen with
batteries</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">123</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">14</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4 x Platypus bladder
1L</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">15</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Spare batteries (2 x
CR123) for Steri Pen</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">34</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">16</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Plastic
"basin" (for Steri Pen treatment)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">17</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Trail Designs Ti-Tri
Stove set up & 1.3 L Evernew UL Ti Pot*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">248</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">18</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Plastic bowl</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">19</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sea to Summit
Aluminum Spoon</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">20</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Titanium Sierra
cup/measuring cup</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">21</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4 fl oz (125 ml)
alcohol bottle</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">22</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">AMK Optimist First
Aid Kit (FAK) + 1 x roller gauze</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">23</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Personal Locator
Beacon (PLB)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">196</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">24</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Potty kit (TP + hand
sanitizer)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">25</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Map (topographic) and
Isuka roll-up map case<span class="font5"><sup>6*</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">111</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">26</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Glasses (distance
only; used Fresnel lens for reading)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">109</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="35" style="height: 26.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="35" style="border-top: none; height: 26.25pt;">27</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 265pt;" width="353">Misc
Ziploc (chapstick, meds, matches, sewing kit, crazy glue, duct tape,
tenacious tape)<span class="font5"><sup>7</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">105</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">28</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">BP Bag (Cordage,
Liquid soap, Thermarest patch kit, ear plugs)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">29</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pouch (sunscreen,
fire steel, tripod) Tripod weight, see below</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">30</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mammut S-Flex
headlamp</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">31</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dental Hygiene Kit
(brush, paste, and floss)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">32</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Snow/sand stake (used
as trowel and as tent stake)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">33</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mammut S-Flex
headlamp case</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">34</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Wilderness Permit in
plastic Ziploc</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">35</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Trash bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">36</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Gossamer Gear
Mariposa, Large*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">884</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">37</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Nylofume bag (as
water proof liner)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">38</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Camera with 1 battery</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">39</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Camera case<span class="font5"><sup>9</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">84</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">40</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mini tripod</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">41</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Stratospire I tarp
tent with bug net inner (used for 2 ppl)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1000</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">42</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tyvek ground sheet<span class="font5"><sup>10</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">130</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">43</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8 x "V" Al
stakes (could save 1.5 oz with Ti stakes)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">44</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Western
Mountaineering Summerlite 6'0" sleeping bag*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">580</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">45</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir X-Lite 3/4 pad
& stuff sack*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">240</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">46</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dry bag, 10L (holds
both sleeping bags)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">77</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">47</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir Pillow &
stuff sack</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">60</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl68"></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6878</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">242.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.2</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Note:<br />
2<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Do I really need a windshirt and a shell both?<br />
3<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Was not really adequate for the temperatures<br />
4<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tried using large Ziploc, but kept popping open.<br />
6<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Definitely a luxury item. Works REALLY well.<br />
7<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Maybe I could eliminate one form of tape.<br />
9<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I've dropped and ruined some good cameras. Stays.<br />
10<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Could switch to Polycro. Not sure Polycro protects as well.<br />
*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A favorite piece of gear<br />
<div>
<br />
TOTALS BY CATEGORY<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 363px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1243; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="34"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1609; mso-width-source: userset; width: 33pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1280; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="35"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2048; mso-width-source: userset; width: 42pt;" width="56"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 32pt;" width="43"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="width: 32pt;" width="42">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="34">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 35pt;" width="47">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="35">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 42pt;" width="56">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Misc</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Grams</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-top: none;">1230</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">957</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">914</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1511</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">368</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">379</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">275</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1244</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Ounces</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">43.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">53.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Pounds</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.7</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-22469004329628322642015-05-26T22:46:00.002-07:002015-05-27T17:21:38.662-07:00Backpacking with Children - A Gear List for TwoI just did a little weekend getaway over the Memorial Day holiday with my five year old daughter. Since my daughter is five, she really can't carry much in the way of weight – which means that I carry all the gear for two people. And as a matter of fact, sometimes I have to carry my daughter too.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIuQsMxaTYE/VWVSVupkP8I/AAAAAAABLOM/IfdxEgBaCyA/s1600/DSC01924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIuQsMxaTYE/VWVSVupkP8I/AAAAAAABLOM/IfdxEgBaCyA/s640/DSC01924.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter at the trailhead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I'm carrying all the gear, and also because I'm a slightly pudgy middle aged man with a desk job, I need to travel as light as possible. My pack, with gear for two, weighed in at 28 lbs/13 kg the night before the trip, including food, fuel, and two liters of water. My <i>base weight</i>, that is the weight without the consumables (food, fuel, and water being the main consumables), was 20.2 lbs/9.2 kg, about 10 pounds (4.5 kg) per person. I should add that overnight lows were about 35°F/2°C, and that daytime highs were about 65°F/18°C with intermittent light rain. Proper clothing and gear for the conditions were of course carried. Had it been warmer, my base weight would have been lower.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTVqg8DFUt0/VWUycJ6CGuI/AAAAAAABLIY/4Kql1wQpXcc/s1600/DSC01922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTVqg8DFUt0/VWUycJ6CGuI/AAAAAAABLIY/4Kql1wQpXcc/s640/DSC01922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Mariposa backpack from <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Gossamer Gear, all packed and ready to go. 28 pounds (13 kg) total. <br />Perfect for a daddy-daughter backpacking trip</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While 20.2 lbs/9.2 kg base weight is hardly a world's record, I thought 10 pounds per person base weight was reasonably good, and it's certainly tremendous progress for me personally. I used to easily take 45 lbs/20 kg for a weekend trip <i>just for myself alone</i>. I started getting into lightweight and ultralight (UL) backpacking around 2007. I think it's amazing progress that my pack for two now weighs less than my pack for one did.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdcLjHXUHc4/VWVFSlIfaCI/AAAAAAABLKo/D0oPtHThEbE/s1600/DSC02032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AdcLjHXUHc4/VWVFSlIfaCI/AAAAAAABLKo/D0oPtHThEbE/s640/DSC02032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pack seen recently out on the trail. <br />
At 28 lbs, my pack for two people won't set any UL records, but I guarantee that it's lighter than a lot of one person packs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For those parents wishing to go backpacking with their children, I thought I'd post my gear list (in detail) for those who might be seeking to "lighten up" so that they too can still get out on the trail. I also post in hopes that I or others will see opportunities for further weight reductions. I owe a great debt to the online community at <u><a href="http://www.backpackinglight.com/" target="_blank">BackpackingLight</a></u> without whose help I could never have gotten my base weight as low as it is. <br />
<br />
The first rule of pack weight reduction is weigh <i>everything.</i> You'd be surprised at what some things weigh. For example, I have a series of plastic bowls, all of about the same capacity. You'd think that they'd all weigh about the same. You'd be wrong. Much to my surprise, one of the bowls was nearly double the weight of the lightest in the bunch.<br />
<br />
I'll post the actual gear list below. I'll post my general, high level gear list first, and then break down any pouches or bags into detail thereafter. But first, some general comments about reducing pack weight: Lightening up, at least in my experience, is a progression. Here are some stages that you may go through:<br />
<br />
1. Focus at first on the "Big Three", that is your pack, shelter, and sleep gear. These three things typically are the heaviest things you'll carry as a backpacker. Each category in the big three should be kept to less than three pounds per person for lightweight backpacking and under two pounds per person for ultralight backpacking. <br />
<br />
Tip: Always buy your pack last. Settle on your gear first, then buy a pack appropriate for that gear. Buy the pack first, and your gear may not fit, or, even worse, it may be too heavy. Non ultralight gear in an ultralight pack = misery on the trail.<br />
<br />
Note that "big box" outdoors stores like REI operate based on <i>volume.</i> In other words, the big box outdoors stores only sell things that they think that they can sell a lot of. Such stores cater to the "average" backpacker. The average backpacker doesn't take the time to research specialty lightweight gear. If you want to lighten up, you have to think outside the proverbial box. You have to realize that what the big box stores carry is only a fraction of what gear is available and is often "mass market" gear, i.e. not the best gear, just gear that the big box stores think they can sell a lot of. More often than not, the best quality gear is not found at an REI type store. Certainly ultralight gear is not. So, if you want the convenience of REI, by all means avail yourself of it, but it will be far more difficult to find high quality UL gear. If you really want to lighten up, you need to move beyond the very limited universe of REI type stores.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LFfzJ653uO4/VWVX7QYuJhI/AAAAAAABLP4/f2DsncsBzPY/s1600/DSC01988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LFfzJ653uO4/VWVX7QYuJhI/AAAAAAABLP4/f2DsncsBzPY/s640/DSC01988.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter in a sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering, perhaps the best brand of sleeping bag available in the US.<br />
You won't find Western Mountaineering products in the "big box" outdoor stores.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2. After the "Big Three", start looking at any individual item that weighs over a pound, looking for weight reductions.<br />
<br />
3. After items over a pound, look at the quarter pounds<br />
<br />
4. After the quarter pounds, look at the ounces (I'm still very much working on this one).<br />
<br />
5. After the ounces, look at the grams (I'm not quite here yet).<br />
<br />
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Ounces? Grams? Really? C'mon, Jim, you're just being obsessive. I mean that's just nuts. I need to loose <i>pounds </i>off my pack; an ounce or a few grams just isn't going to matter."<br />
<br />
Well, it took me a while to really "get it" about ounces, so let me illustrate with a concrete example. Note that in my main gear list below that there are over 50 individual items enumerated. In fact, when you factor in the detailed listings of the pouches and such, there are over 70 items listed. Now, shave one ounce, yes just one measly ounce, off of each item. That's 70 ounces, which is just shy of <i style="font-weight: bold;">four and a half pounds</i> (two kilograms) total. While you'll never feel the difference between a pack that is one ounce different from another pack, I guarantee that you'll feel four and a half pounds. So, do you get it? You've got to shave ounces. Why? Because they add up. And, sure, you can't shave a full ounce off a one ounce item, but half ounces add up to whole ounces, and whole ounces add up to a whole lot. Colin Fletcher, the father of modern long distance backpacking, said it well, "take care of the ounces, and the pounds will take care of themselves."<br />
<br />
So, those are my general, high level thoughts on how to methodically approach lightening up one's gear. The list itself is below. In Appendix II, I'll put my definition of the terms "lightweight", "ultralight", etc. Keep in mind that these are just my definitions. You're sure to see other definitions elsewhere. You'll note that I've spent a considerable amount of money on this gear, but that amount has been mitigated by a) careful shopping, b) buying used gear, and c) spreading out purchases over time. Some of the really expensive items are items that will last for years and are sized such that my daughter can use them for years to come.<br />
<br />
And the real reason to do this? For the children. Well, and so we can still keep getting out there too, but there's nothing more I'd rather share with my daughter than time with her in nature.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40_cbIj8X7U/VWVzwCnWzbI/AAAAAAABLV0/6sQioxLE4sc/s1600/DSC02036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40_cbIj8X7U/VWVzwCnWzbI/AAAAAAABLV0/6sQioxLE4sc/s640/DSC02036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter and I, Memorial Day Weekend 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I hope you find this post useful, and I welcome insightful ideas for further weight reduction.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix I: <span style="text-align: center;">Daddy - Daughter Two Person Gear List (Base Weight Only)</span></span><br />
So, without further ado, here is my gear list: <br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 557px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 694; mso-width-source: userset; width: 14pt;" width="19"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2194; mso-width-source: userset; width: 45pt;" width="60"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 12909; mso-width-source: userset; width: 265pt;" width="353"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 14pt;" width="19"></td>
<td class="xl63" colspan="5" style="width: 404pt;" width="538"><div style="text-align: center;">
Daddy - Daughter Two
Person Gear List (Base Weight Only)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl75" colspan="5"><div style="text-align: center;">
May 2015, Day time high 65F/18C, Overnight low
35F/2C</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="height: 12pt; text-align: right;">#</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">Category</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Item</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">Patagonia down hoodie sweater (for
temps < 40F/5C)*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">473</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none;">16.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Child's WPB Shell
Jacket<span class="font5"><sup>1 </sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">238</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Child's Down Jacket<span class="font5"><sup>1</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">230</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Child's clothing,
assorted. (sweats, socks, hat, mittens)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">210</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">7.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Long john top
(Capilene 2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">175</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Long john bottom
(Capilene 2)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">170</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Flip flops (To air
out feet; I struggle with athlete's foot)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">134</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Golite wind pants</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">120</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fleece glove/mittens
(flip top, probably a weight penalty)*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Montane wind shirt<span class="font5"><sup>2</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">95</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">11</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ghost Whisperer shell<span class="font5"><sup>2</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">73</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">12</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">socks, 1 pair,
midweight</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">68</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">13</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep balaclava<span class="font5"><sup>3</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">14</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Fleece hat</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">15</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Down hoodie sweater
stuff sack<span class="font5"><sup>4</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">16</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Steri Pen with
batteries</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">123</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">17</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4 x Platypus bladder
1L</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">18</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Spare batteries (2 x
CR123) for Steri Pen</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">34</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">19</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Plastic
"basin" (for Steri Pen treatment)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">20</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Trail Designs Ti-Tri
Stove set up & 1.3 L Evernew UL Ti Pot*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">248</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">21</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2 x Plastic bowl
(~45g ea) & 2 x Al spoon (~10 g ea)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">110</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">22</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Titanium Sierra
cup/measuring cup</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">23</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4 fl oz (125 ml)
alcohol bottle</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">24</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">AMK Optimist First
Aid Kit (FAK) + 1 x roller gauze</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">244</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">25</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Personal Locator
Beacon (PLB)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">196</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">26</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Potty kit (TP + hand
sanitizer)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">27</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Map (topographic) and
Isuka roll-up map case<span class="font5"><sup>6*</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">111</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">28</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Glasses (distance
only; used Fresnel lens for reading)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">109</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="35" style="height: 26.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="35" style="border-top: none; height: 26.25pt;">29</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 265pt;" width="353">Misc
Ziploc (chapstick, meds, matches, sewing kit, crazy glue, duct tape,
tenacious tape)<span class="font5"><sup>7</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">105</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">30</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">BP Bag (Cordage,
Liquid soap, Thermarest patch kit, ear plugs)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">31</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Petzl Tikka headlamp<span class="font5"><sup>5</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">96</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">32</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pouch (sunscreen,
fire steel, tripod) Tripod weight, see below</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">33</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mammut S-Flex
headlamp</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">34</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2 Person Dental
Hygiene Kit (brushes, paste, and floss)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">35</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Snow/sand stake (used
as trowel and as tent stake)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">36</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Petzl Tikka headlamp
case<span class="font5"><sup>5</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">37</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mammut S-Flex
headlamp case</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">38</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Child's stuffed
animal<span class="font5"><sup>8</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">39</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Wilderness Permit in
plastic Ziploc</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; mso-height-source: userset;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">40</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ziploc as used diaper
bag (carried inside trash bag)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">41</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Trash bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">42</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Gossamer Gear
Mariposa, Large*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">884</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">43</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Child carrier, front</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">560</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">19.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">44</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Nylofume bag (as
water proof liner)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">45</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Camera with 1 battery</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">250</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">46</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Camera case<span class="font5"><sup>9</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">84</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">47</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mini tripod</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">48</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Stratospire I tarp
tent with bug net inner (used for 2 ppl)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1000</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">49</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tyvek ground sheet<span class="font5"><sup>10</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">130</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">50</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8 x "V" Al
stakes (could save 1.5 oz with Ti stakes)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">51</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Western
Mountaineering Summerlite 6'0" sleeping bag*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">580</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">52</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Western
Mountaineering Summerlite 5'6" sleeping bag </td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">530</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">53</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir original 3/4
pad & stuff sack</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">300</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">54</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir X-Lite 3/4 pad
& stuff sack*</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">240</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">55</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dry bag, 10L (holds
both sleeping bags)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">77</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl67" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">56</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">NeoAir Pillow &
stuff sack</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">60</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl69"></td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9173</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">323.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20.2</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Notes:<br />
1 Of course lighter (and more expensive) options exist<br />
2 Do I really need a windshirt and a shell both?<br />
3 Was not really adequate for the temperatures<br />
4 Tried using large Ziploc, but kept popping open.<br />
5 Second headlamp is my old one. Used by child.<br />
6 Definitely a luxury item. Works REALLY well.<br />
7 Maybe I could eliminate one form of tape.<br />
8 If you're a parent, you know EXACTLY why. 20g well spent.<br />
9 I've dropped and ruined some good cameras. Stays.<br />
10 Could switch to Polycro. Not sure Polycro protects as well.<br />
* A favorite piece of gear
<br />
<br />
TOTALS BY CATEGORY
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 363px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1243; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="34"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1609; mso-width-source: userset; width: 33pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1280; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="35"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2048; mso-width-source: userset; width: 42pt;" width="56"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1133; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="31"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 32pt;" width="43"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="width: 32pt;" width="42">Shelter</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="34">Sleep</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Pack</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 35pt;" width="47">Clothing</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 33pt;" width="44">Kitchen</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 26pt;" width="35">Photo</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 42pt;" width="56">Hydration</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 23pt;" width="31">Misc</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Grams</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-top: none;">1230</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1787</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1474</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2189</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">424</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">379</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">275</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1415</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Ounces</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">43.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">63.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">52.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">77.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">49.9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Pounds</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-top: none;">2.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.1</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 386px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1865; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="51"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 7680; mso-width-source: userset; width: 158pt;" width="210"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" colspan="5" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 290pt;" width="386">Details
of Miscellaneous Pouch</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Category</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;">Item</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sunscreen (bottle 5g,
sunscreen 23g)</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none;">28</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">1.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Gossamer Gear pouch</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Firesteel</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl71" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">74</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Notes: <br />
Nothing glaring here, but I could use a Ziploc instead of a pouch
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 427px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1865; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="51"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 9179; mso-width-source: userset; width: 188pt;" width="251"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" colspan="5" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 320pt;" width="427">Details
of Potty Kit</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Category</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">Item</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Toilet paper<span class="font6"><sup>1</sup></span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">66</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">2.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="19" style="height: 14.25pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="19" style="border-top: none; height: 14.25pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Purell Hand
Sanitizer, 2 fl oz bottle<span class="font6"><sup>2</sup></span><span class="font5">, 1/2 full</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">46</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl70" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Gossamer Gear pouch</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">24</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl71" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">136</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Notes: <br />
1 Didn't carry enough; we ran out<br />
2 This could be reduced in weight
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 328px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2048; mso-width-source: userset; width: 42pt;" width="56"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3291; mso-width-source: userset; width: 68pt;" width="90"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3401; mso-width-source: userset; width: 70pt;" width="93"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" colspan="5" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 247pt;" width="328">Details
of Miscellaneous Ziploc</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Category</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;">Item</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tenacious tape</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none;">20</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">0.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Matches</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Crazy glue</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Duct tape</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sewing kit</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ziploc bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Medications</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Chapstick</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">9</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.3</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl71" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">105</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.7</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Notes:
Drop the tenacious tape?
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 409px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1865; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="51"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 8521; mso-width-source: userset; width: 175pt;" width="233"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1462; mso-width-source: userset; width: 30pt;" width="40"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1572; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="43"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1536; mso-width-source: userset; width: 32pt;" width="42"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" colspan="5" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt; width: 307pt;" width="409">Details
of BP Bag</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">Category</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none;">Item</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none;">Grams</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Ounces</td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: none;">Pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Thermarest patch kit</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none;">50</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">1.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Nylon Cord, 200 lbs
test, ~ 25 feet</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.8</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Liquid soap</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">16</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dacron fishing line,
100 lbs test, ~25 feet</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ziploc bag</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl69" height="16" style="border-top: none; height: 12.0pt;">Misc</td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ear plugs</td>
<td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">1</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
<td align="right" class="xl70" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.0</td>
</tr>
<tr height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;">
<td class="xl71" height="16" style="height: 12.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-top: none;">Total</td>
<td align="right" class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">100</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3.5</td>
<td align="right" class="xl72" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">0.2</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Notes:
Need to lighten up the patch kit
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbgxZ5TsauI/VWV48U5JeQI/AAAAAAABLXQ/b-Qsc72bzZY/s1600/DSC01935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbgxZ5TsauI/VWV48U5JeQI/AAAAAAABLXQ/b-Qsc72bzZY/s640/DSC01935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids in nature: A voyage of discovery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix II – Definitions</span><br />
The following are my definition of the terms "lightweight", "ultralight", etc. Keep in mind that these are just my definitions. Other people will have definitions that vary to one degree or another. These weights are for an individual travelling solo his or her own gear. For shared gear, divide the total weight by the number of persons sharing the gear.<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; width: 544px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2486; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2925; mso-width-source: userset; width: 60pt;" width="80"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3437; mso-width-source: userset; width: 71pt;" width="94"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5046; mso-width-source: userset; width: 104pt;" width="138"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5997; mso-width-source: userset; width: 123pt;" width="164"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" colspan="5" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center; width: 409pt;" width="544"><b>Definitions</b></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" colspan="5" height="20" style="height: 15pt; text-align: center;">Base weight less
than the pounds shown</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Moderate</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Lightweight</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ultralight (UL)</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">SuperUltralight (SUL)</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Extreme Ultra Light
(XUL)</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">25</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; width: 544px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2486; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2925; mso-width-source: userset; width: 60pt;" width="80"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3437; mso-width-source: userset; width: 71pt;" width="94"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5046; mso-width-source: userset; width: 104pt;" width="138"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 5997; mso-width-source: userset; width: 123pt;" width="164"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" colspan="5" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 409pt;" width="544"><div style="text-align: center;">
Base
weight less than the kilograms shown</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Moderate</div>
</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Lightweight</div>
</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Ultralight (UL)</div>
</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
SuperUltralight (SUL)</div>
</td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
Extreme Ultra Light
(XUL)</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
11</div>
</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
9</div>
</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
7</div>
</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
4.5</div>
</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"><div style="text-align: center;">
2.25</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-73444114992362951002015-03-22T18:04:00.000-07:002015-03-23T18:58:39.187-07:00Fishermans CampHonestly, my preference is for higher, pine-forested trails, but I'm always looking for new things, and I'm always looking for easy hikes that I can do with my five year old daughter. So, this past Saturday, I decided to go to Fisherman's Camp. If nothing else, it being spring, I figured we'd see some nice wildflowers. I was not disappointed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLSKypD8VXk/VQ7i2GZmR_I/AAAAAAABDUY/SUm1zhix698/s1600/P1190136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GLSKypD8VXk/VQ7i2GZmR_I/AAAAAAABDUY/SUm1zhix698/s1600/P1190136.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indian paintbrush, Fishermans Camp Trail, San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Getting There</u></span><br />
The trailhead for Fishermans Camp is only about 5 or 6 miles from Ortega Hwy (Hwy 74) in Orange County. "Hey, I live in Orange County, this will be easy and quick to get to." Uh, not so much. While Fishermans Camp is only 5 or 6 miles <i>straight line</i> distance, getting there is not so straightforward. There are a couple of options.<br />
1. Hiking. If one is willing to hike 10 or so miles, one can start from the Bear Canyon Trailhead on Ortega Highway near Upper San Juan Campground. There are a number of variations on this route; I've sketched them on <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/m/2045" target="_blank">a topographic map</a></u>. I'll post a link to a topographic map with my GPS track on it down below.<br />
2. Driving. In this case, since I had my five year old along, I decided to drive to the closest trailhead, the Fishermans Camp Trailhead. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy way to get to this trailhead from central Orange County.<br />
<br />
Driving directions:<br />
First, here's <u><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Santa+Ana,+CA&daddr=Unknown+road+to:33.532599,-117.39288&hl=en&sll=33.596748,-117.248926&sspn=0.01244,0.022423&geocode=FaXqAgIdxnr5-CmFMIJsldvcgDG8_R4fOoRPxw%3BFc2fAAIdsfgC-Q%3BFbeq_wEdELoA-Q&dirflg=t&mra=ls&t=m&z=11&output=classic&dg=oo" target="_blank">a Google Map</a></u>. From Central Orange County, the fastest way to get to the Fishermans Camp Trailhead is to take the 91 east to the 15. Turn right (southeast) on the 15 and proceed to Clinton Keith Road near Murietta, CA. Turn right (south southwest) on Clinton Keith Road. Clinton Keith Road will go out into the country side. After about five miles, you'll come to a hard right turn. Clinton Keith Road ends here, and as you turn right, you're on Tenaja Road. Go about 1.7 miles on Tenaja Road and come to a stop sign. Turn right here to stay on Tenaja. There's a large rock on the SW corner that says "Tenaja" on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9D8WtrF9F8/VQ7m6rJCXMI/AAAAAAABDfg/X5Lt3DGqWlM/s1600/P1190251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t9D8WtrF9F8/VQ7m6rJCXMI/AAAAAAABDfg/X5Lt3DGqWlM/s1600/P1190251.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Tenaja" rock. Turn right here to stay on Tenaja Road.</td></tr>
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Drive about 4.2 miles on Tenaja Road and then turn right on "Cleveland Forest Road." My topo map calls this "Wildomar Road". The Forest Service designation is "7S02." The proper designation is probably "Cleveland National Forest Road 7S02", but the sign just says "Cleveland Forest Road," so look for that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oFYjb09MTY/VQ7m373B0eI/AAAAAAABDfY/UhnGQdE7gCs/s1600/P1190250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--oFYjb09MTY/VQ7m373B0eI/AAAAAAABDfY/UhnGQdE7gCs/s1600/P1190250.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turn right on "Cleveland Forest Road."</td></tr>
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In a relatively short distance (slightly less than a mile, about 0.9 mi), you'll see a nice parking area with an outhouse. This is the trailhead for the Tenaja Trail. Because of the amenities present, you'll need to have an Adventure Pass to park here. This isn't our trailhead for today, but it's worth knowing about. The Tenaja Trail also goes to Fishermans Camp but at roughly 3.5 miles is more than twice as long as the Fishermans Camp Trail. From what I could see, the Tenaja Trail is the more scenic trail inasmuch as it follows Tenaja Canyon with it's tree lined bottom whereas the Fishermans Trail cuts over the tops of chaparral clad ridges.<br />
<br />
But we're headed to the Fishermans Camp Trail today, so we drive on. The narrow, one-lane road deteriorates somewhat past the Tenaja Trailhead but is in reasonably good shape and is paved the entire way. It was no problem for my Honda Accord although there was one tense moment when I rounded a corner only to see a large 4WD pickup truck coming straight for me. We both stopped in time, but this is definitely a road that you wouldn't want to speed on. The road is narrow and winding to the Fishermans Camp Trailhead, so if one is prone to car sickness, this might not be the road for you.<br />
<br />
About 3.7 miles from where you turned off from Tenaja Road, you'll come to the signed trailhead for the Fishermans Camp Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFu4wQHd3ms/VQ7mwPT5lKI/AAAAAAABDfA/jGD_gutJPrk/s1600/P1190247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kFu4wQHd3ms/VQ7mwPT5lKI/AAAAAAABDfA/jGD_gutJPrk/s1600/P1190247.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trailhead sign at the Fishermans Camp Trailhead.</td></tr>
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The parking area is small. Maybe you could get four cars into it, but it's very narrow, so the cars toward the rear would block the cars toward the front. On the day we hiked, there were dozens of cars at the more popular Tenaja Trailhead, but we were alone at the Fishermans Camp Trailhead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NHCMeesy-4/VQ7fpWIC-iI/AAAAAAABDOs/JzVmTbv9J00/s1600/P1190117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NHCMeesy-4/VQ7fpWIC-iI/AAAAAAABDOs/JzVmTbv9J00/s1600/P1190117.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishermans Camp Trailhead. Note rock.</td></tr>
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The trail was a road at one time and Fishermans Camp was a drive in campground. But the road is now a trail and a large rock at the trailhead prevents anyone from driving past the trailhead.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">The Hike</span></u><br />
On March 21st, the day we hiked the trail, there was a lot of nice greenery in the trailhead area. The trailhead rock makes a nice plaything for children.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAJhwVIXmxs/VQ7gsZ8oIaI/AAAAAAABDPI/Xl7sAU6tiy4/s1600/P1190120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAJhwVIXmxs/VQ7gsZ8oIaI/AAAAAAABDPI/Xl7sAU6tiy4/s1600/P1190120.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter, climbing on the trailhead rock. Note narrowness of parking area.</td></tr>
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Leaving the trailhead, you quickly come to a trail register. Here's <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/m/3911" target="_blank">my downloadable GPS track</a></u>, so you can see where everything is in relation to the trailhead. You'll need to zoom in and scroll around to make sense of things.<br />
<br />
Shortly past the register, you'll come to a flexible plastic post that says "Wilderness Boundary". I'm not so sure this is the exact boundary. The Forest Service map shows that the boundary is quite a bit further in. Regardless of where the boundary is exactly, you'll need a wilderness permit if you want to stay overnight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajm9SR182DM/VRDDRliUhhI/AAAAAAABDiY/iIa2xZiYVt0/s1600/20150321_105837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajm9SR182DM/VRDDRliUhhI/AAAAAAABDiY/iIa2xZiYVt0/s1600/20150321_105837.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilderness boundary marker, Fishermans Camp Trail, San Mateo Canyon Wilderness</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
You'll now proceed along the old road bed which makes for a nicely graded trail. The road basically contours over to a small saddle and then descends to Fishermans Camp in 1.8 miles, losing no more than 500 feet in elevation along the way. All in all, this is a pretty easy hike and is suitable for small children that can handle dirt trail hiking, such as my five year old daughter. It is of course not as smooth as say a city park, and there is a rocky creek crossing (dry the day we were there) before one arrives at the camp site.<br />
<br />
Along the way, we saw a lot of nice wildflowers like these red monkey flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0p7mD-K1_JQ/VQ7hjkAs4LI/AAAAAAABDRI/mHPppOLPKwU/s1600/P1190127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0p7mD-K1_JQ/VQ7hjkAs4LI/AAAAAAABDRI/mHPppOLPKwU/s1600/P1190127.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red monkey flowers.</td></tr>
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I'm used to seeing orange monkey flowers, so these were kind of neat in my opinion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5aNSOtTJz4/VQ7kRp-os0I/AAAAAAABDYI/YD_wpoLVfZY/s1600/P1190146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5aNSOtTJz4/VQ7kRp-os0I/AAAAAAABDYI/YD_wpoLVfZY/s1600/P1190146.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A red monkey flower.</td></tr>
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The trail is fairly exposed in a number of areas, so you would NOT want to do this on a hot day. On the day we went it was about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius), and it felt very hot in the sun climbing out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8OI_YS9Vx8/VQ7ied_CvAI/AAAAAAABDTs/qG-7E28kcXc/s1600/P1190214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j8OI_YS9Vx8/VQ7ied_CvAI/AAAAAAABDTs/qG-7E28kcXc/s1600/P1190214.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail passes through a lot of shadeless chaparral. Pick a cool day to do this trail!</td></tr>
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Especially in drought years, you CANNOT count on water en route. The only water you can count on is the water you bring with you. Bring a liter per person for every two to three hours you plan to be on the hike. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJbWN8r2PUw/VQ7hrg75kGI/AAAAAAABDRg/D8QVxecGb8U/s1600/P1190128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJbWN8r2PUw/VQ7hrg75kGI/AAAAAAABDRg/D8QVxecGb8U/s1600/P1190128.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydration being key to an enjoyable (and safe) hike, be sure to bring plenty of water.</td></tr>
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As you descend, you get some nice views of San Mateo Creek coming down from the north. The San Mateo Trail, which we will shortly join in the vicinity of Fishermans Camp, can be seen making its way down the opposite side of the canyon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LQ_uwnWLz4/VQ7lK_rWmLI/AAAAAAABDaw/iUrA_lUrzx0/s1600/P1190153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LQ_uwnWLz4/VQ7lK_rWmLI/AAAAAAABDaw/iUrA_lUrzx0/s1600/P1190153.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Mateo Canyon. On the far side of the canyon is the San Mateo Trail.</td></tr>
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After about 1.7 miles according to my GPS (the trail sign says 1.6), you come to the junction with the San Mateo trail. Going left, it's only a tenth of a mile to Fishermans Camp. If you turn right, it's about two miles to Tenaja Falls. Given the drought, we didn't try for the falls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rREyhlhSUcM/VQ7hh0gHAuI/AAAAAAABDQ8/YQD0b0ooW44/s1600/P1190165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rREyhlhSUcM/VQ7hh0gHAuI/AAAAAAABDQ8/YQD0b0ooW44/s1600/P1190165.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The junction with the San Mateo Trail.</td></tr>
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Before you get to the camp, though, you have to cross Tenaja Creek. Tenaja Creek was dry on the day we passed through, but particularly after heavy rains, the creek could be a major barrier. Normally, though, the creek isn't much of a barrier. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot2KlXcvixk/VQ7i1Bl00jI/AAAAAAABDUQ/U4LqqBdtNdM/s1600/P1190175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ot2KlXcvixk/VQ7i1Bl00jI/AAAAAAABDUQ/U4LqqBdtNdM/s1600/P1190175.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenaja Creek. Dry as a bone on 21 March 2015.</td></tr>
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We were disappointed to see the creek totally dry, but given the multi year drought that we're currently in, it came as no surprise. We met some hikers at the camp that had come down the Tenaja Trail. They said that they had seen some stagnant pools in a rocky section of the creek upstream.<br />
<br />
Arriving at the camp, I was pleased to find some nice green areas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYUL0ZPuk8o/VQ7jPFe4WvI/AAAAAAABDVY/44d1UMiOLRg/s1600/P1190178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iYUL0ZPuk8o/VQ7jPFe4WvI/AAAAAAABDVY/44d1UMiOLRg/s1600/P1190178.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campsite, Fishermans Camp</td></tr>
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I only saw about four campsites, but they all seemed quite nice. We had a picnic lunch on some fallen trees near the junction with the Tenaja Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdFMHrDJxvk/VQ7jTS6dXxI/AAAAAAABDVs/0d2HFd91LKI/s1600/P1190179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdFMHrDJxvk/VQ7jTS6dXxI/AAAAAAABDVs/0d2HFd91LKI/s1600/P1190179.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch spot, Fishermans Camp.</td></tr>
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We brought a stove hoping against hope that we could draw water from the stream even in this drought year. Boiling, according to the Centers For Disease Control, is the most effective water treatment, more effective than filtering, chemical treatment, or ultraviolet light. However, there was no water in the creek for us to boil, so we just boiled some of our drinking water that we had carried.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZCVl5L469E/VQ7mi5lfBpI/AAAAAAABDeQ/0xSNpZBVjFQ/s1600/P1190202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vZCVl5L469E/VQ7mi5lfBpI/AAAAAAABDeQ/0xSNpZBVjFQ/s1600/P1190202.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chef Joyce prepares the noon repast.</td></tr>
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The downside to the greenery is that there is quite a bit of poison oak in the bottom of the canyon. Personally, I think long pants are in order although we saw several hikers in shorts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mhcxN-C_A2U/VQ7h94t9jGI/AAAAAAABDR4/gkmt8MPTpzw/s1600/P1190170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mhcxN-C_A2U/VQ7h94t9jGI/AAAAAAABDR4/gkmt8MPTpzw/s1600/P1190170.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poison oak. "Leaves of three; let it be"</td></tr>
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There's another trail junction at Fishermans Camp. You can go south to the Tenaja Trailhead or west further down San Mateo Creek. From Fishermans Camp, it's about 3.5 miles south to the Tenaja Trailhead, which we passed on the way driving in. The Tenaja Trail had some nice greenery, so we decided to follow the Tenaja Trail a ways south.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxJDX6lLkrg/VQ7juu0l4nI/AAAAAAABDW0/aGlwQ_7houA/s1600/P1190182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nxJDX6lLkrg/VQ7juu0l4nI/AAAAAAABDW0/aGlwQ_7houA/s1600/P1190182.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading south on the Tenaja Trail.</td></tr>
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A little ways down the trail, we encountered a downed log. Some hikers might be a bit annoyed at this turn of events, but my daughter, who loves to climb, appeared to take it in stride.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AToK_he01k/VQ7kmmt8DXI/AAAAAAABDZA/4fcl7P-S8u8/s1600/P1190188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9AToK_he01k/VQ7kmmt8DXI/AAAAAAABDZA/4fcl7P-S8u8/s1600/P1190188.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downed log on the Tenaja Trail.</td></tr>
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We were rewarded on our trip down the Tenaja Trail with the sighting of a fairly rare flower, a peony. They have a deep maroon color. It's not often that they're spotted since they're rare and because they point straight down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HftkmCEVvPc/VQ7lDTjzEhI/AAAAAAABDaQ/c-JdEYtqpLQ/s1600/P1190191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HftkmCEVvPc/VQ7lDTjzEhI/AAAAAAABDaQ/c-JdEYtqpLQ/s1600/P1190191.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A peony on the Tenaja Trail.</td></tr>
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You have to turn the flower up (gently!) in order to see it's full beauty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbUGGLtBnXQ/VQ7k_vArXsI/AAAAAAABDZ4/BMHmEH3oWN0/s1600/P1190190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jbUGGLtBnXQ/VQ7k_vArXsI/AAAAAAABDZ4/BMHmEH3oWN0/s1600/P1190190.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely peony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reaching our turn around time (always set a turn around time on a day hike before you start your hike), we headed back to Fishermans Camp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8XKfNTZlAg/VQ7hRHeBjtI/AAAAAAABDQQ/wy2bD3ccTeo/s1600/P1190206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_8XKfNTZlAg/VQ7hRHeBjtI/AAAAAAABDQQ/wy2bD3ccTeo/s1600/P1190206.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishermans Camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We then re-crossed the creek and headed back up the trail to our car. Enroute we took note of yet more wildflowers like this lovely yucca.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqxpVLbCp-Y/VQ7hsDjZlGI/AAAAAAABDRo/VcO1sc4vygw/s1600/P1190210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqxpVLbCp-Y/VQ7hsDjZlGI/AAAAAAABDRo/VcO1sc4vygw/s1600/P1190210.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Our Lords Candle", more commonly called just "yucca." Scientific binomial: Yucca whipplei.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we climbed, we took one last longing look down San Mateo Creek, into the area beyond Fishermans Camp, but exploration of that portion of the creek will have to wait for another day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3-M3Bld3fY/VQ7jTsTKXjI/AAAAAAABDVw/XX-YS9ofR00/s1600/P1190220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T3-M3Bld3fY/VQ7jTsTKXjI/AAAAAAABDVw/XX-YS9ofR00/s1600/P1190220.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west down San Mateo Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the way out, we spotted some very cool looking wild cucumber. Children (and many adults!) find this plant particularly interesting. I've seen birds eating it, but I'm not sure if it's edible to humans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwhkdWVvsJE/VQ7ju7-tAUI/AAAAAAABDW4/t2GhURYDhvE/s1600/P1190223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwhkdWVvsJE/VQ7ju7-tAUI/AAAAAAABDW4/t2GhURYDhvE/s1600/P1190223.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild cucumber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also noticed the berries on a manzanita which will turn a maroon-brown color when ripe. "Manzanita" means "little apples" in Spanish. I can see just why the early Spanish explorers named it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz-nh9sSrPY/VQ7kUsqV7KI/AAAAAAABDYY/feMxwOTjuw8/s1600/P1190228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz-nh9sSrPY/VQ7kUsqV7KI/AAAAAAABDYY/feMxwOTjuw8/s1600/P1190228.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manzanita.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It wasn't long before we had climbed the 1.8 miles (from Fisherman Camp; it's 1.7 miles from the closest junction) back to our car. A most thoroughly enjoyable hike.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Thoughts for Future Trips</span></u><br />
1. Tenaja Trail. When my daughter gets a little older, I'd like to hike this again, hopefully in a non-drought year, from the Tenaja Trailhead. The Tenaja Trail seemed like a much greener, shadier trail than the Fishermans Camp Trail although the Fishermans Camp Trail was nice. The Tenaja Trail is about 7 miles round trip, which is a bit much for a five year old. My general rule of thumb is one mile per year of age. <br />
2. San Mateo Trail. I'd like to see Tenaja Falls which is about a mile's hike from the same road that one takes to get to Fisherman's Camp. From the Tenaja Falls Trailhead, the San Mateo Trail descends to Fishermans Camp, yet another way to get into the area.<br />
3. Were I hiking without my daugher, I'd hike in from the Bear Canyon Trailhead, come down one branch or the other of the Bluewater Trail, and spend the night at Fishermans Camp. It would be a lot easier to drive to the Bear Canyon Trailhead on Ortega Hwy than to drive all the way around past Lake Elsinore almost to Temecula to get to the east side trailheads, and I think it would be an interesting hike. The big question mark in this drought is water. I don't know of any reliable water source en route, and it's a tough haul to carry two days worth of water (one day to hike in, one day to hike out). I figure I'd want to carry about 6 to 8 liters, depending on the weather, of water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. A liter of water weighs about 35 ounce, a standard Nalgene 1 liter bottle weighs about 6 ounces, so one has to carry 41 ounces per liter (if one uses Nalgenes). So, to carry eight liters of water, I'd be carrying 41 x 8 = 328 ounces which is just over twenty pounds! And that's just water weight. I still have to carry all my other gear. Of course, you wouldn't have to carry the water the whole time; it gets lighter with every sip, but carrying an extra 20 lbs even for a short distance would make me think twice before attempting the hike. If one were to switch to bladders, such as the 1 liter Platypus bladders which weigh about an ounce each, one could save 5 x 8 = 40 ounces which is about 2.5 pounds. So you'd carry 18 pounds instead of 20.5 – which is still quite a load. I'll probably wait for a cool day on a non-drought year.<br />
<br />
Thanks for joining me on this little hike to Fishermans Camp.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Appendix –</u></span><u style="font-size: x-large;"> The Other Reason</u><br />
Actually, there is one other reason to head out that direction (the east side of the Santa Ana range): <u><a href="http://www.nomadventures.com/" target="_blank">Nomad Ventures</a></u>. Nomad Ventures is a real gear shop. I mean REI is OK for the casual hiker, but you'll never find high end gear there, the kind of gear that serious, experienced hikers in the know want. Usually you have to order that kind of gear over the internet, sight unseen, and pay shipping. Nomad Ventures has somehow survived in this era of slick mass marketing. It's this funky little gear shop like you'd expect in a mountain town. They have four stores, one of which is in Temecula, of all places. Nomad Ventures is the last of the real gear shops in Southern California although <u><a href="http://www.adventure16.com/" target="_blank">Adventure 16</a></u> comes pretty close. In all fairness, <u><a href="http://www.realcheapsports.com/" target="_blank">Real Cheap Sports</a></u> is a good gear shop, but they're all the way up in Ventura for crying out loud, double the drive time to Nomad Ventures. I personally have another reason to visit; a friend of mine works there. But it's every bit a pleasure to browse at Nomad Ventures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3iYjTxqhwY/VRDC2am3I1I/AAAAAAABDiE/Z4jcmN6h2UQ/s1600/P1190251b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v3iYjTxqhwY/VRDC2am3I1I/AAAAAAABDiE/Z4jcmN6h2UQ/s1600/P1190251b.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Nomad Ventures, Temecula, CA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's one trick to Nomad Ventures. There's no sign out front. Yeah, that's not a typo; there is no sign out front. You just have to know it's there and go find it. Weird, but they're surviving on word of mouth alone which says something about just how good their gear really is. So, do your homework, plot it on your GPS, but go.<br />
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<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-34659335523303871672015-02-21T13:37:00.002-08:002015-02-22T14:38:44.759-08:00PCT – Mountain Fire 2015 BypassIn July, 2013, the <u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Fire" target="_blank">Mountain Fire</a></u> burned the area which the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) travels through. After the fire, torrential rains swept through the area, heavily damaging the trail, particularly the section from Antsell Rock to Red Tahquitz. As a result, the US Forest Service closed the PCT from the Cedar Springs Trail Junction (mile 162.6) to just east of Tahquitz Creek (approximately mile 177.1). Note that some sources say the PCT is closed all the way to Mile 178 (Junction with the S. Ridge Trail coming up from Idyllwild) which is incorrect. The PCT is only closed to about mile 177.1.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctjfoaOkvIs/Uaa5UeifWpI/AAAAAAAAi30/avrImwohRjc/s1600/DSC02007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctjfoaOkvIs/Uaa5UeifWpI/AAAAAAAAi30/avrImwohRjc/s1600/DSC02007.JPG" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking south along the Desert Divide, the route of the PCT, toward Antsell Rock (center) and Apache Peak (left).</td></tr>
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This is unfortunate for at least two reasons from the perspective of a PCT hiker: <br />
(1) This is one of the most beautiful sections of the PCT in Southern California and<br />
(2) A bypass around the burn area has to be worked out. The 2014 bypass involved a lot of road walking on State Highway 74, the western part of which is narrow where there is the possibility of being struck by a vehicle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDgwBAH137o/UaYRx6L709I/AAAAAAAAlyY/PPE4tFh9HEI/s1600/DSC02061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HDgwBAH137o/UaYRx6L709I/AAAAAAAAlyY/PPE4tFh9HEI/s1600/DSC02061.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Desert Divide, taken from the PCT, vicinity of Red Tahquitz. This section of the PCT is currently closed.</td></tr>
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As of February, 2015, the PCT is still closed. Fortunately in June 2014, the US Forest Service opened some of the surrounding area. Now a better bypass is available,<br />
<br />
The main drawback of the 2014 Mountain Fire bypass was that it required a section of road walking on a narrow shouldered, winding mountain highway. This narrow section can now be bypassed using May Valley Road and the South Ridge Trail. There are multiple options. Here, I will discuss the <i>most direct route </i> to the PCT from Hwy 74. I will discuss other options in the Appendix, below.<br />
<br />
Note that the bypass stays essentially the same as in 2014 <i>except for the portion from Keen Camp Summit to the South Ridge Trailhead.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hwy 74 to PCT – May Valley Direct Route</span><br />
<br />
<u>Highway 74 to PCT Stats</u>: <br />
Distance: 8 miles/13 km<br />
Gain: 4,000 feet/1200 m<br />
Navigation: Road section – easy. Trail section – a bit tricky but only at first. See notes below.<br />
<br />
<b>OVERVIEW</b>: From Herkey Creek Campground, take the mountain bike trail that parallels Highway 74 until you get to May Valley Road. Take May Valley Road north to the South Ridge Trail. Follow the South Ridge Trail until it connects with the PCT.<br />
<br />
I scouted the May Valley Direct Route bypass on February 16, 2015. Below is my GPS track plotted on a topographic map. It's probably easier if you <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=507A" target="_blank">open the map on a separate page</a></u> so you can refer back and forth to the below description. You'll need to zoom in (a lot!) and scroll around in order to make sense of the map. <b>The GPS track can be exported</b> to your device by clicking on "Export" on the above linked separate page. <br />
<div>
<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=507A" width="675px"></iframe><br /></div>
The route takes May Valley Road (dirt, closed to vehicles) to the South Ridge Trail which joins the PCT. In general, navigation on May Valley Road is trivial. Getting on the S Ridge Trail from May Valley Road is a bit tricky. Let me walk you through it step by step. <br />
<br />
The route starts a few dozen feet west of Keen Camp Summit on Highway 74.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-migsZCHlJ90/VOVbCh6qPiI/AAAAAAABCJY/lcx0BxqxzOE/s1600/P1180867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-migsZCHlJ90/VOVbCh6qPiI/AAAAAAABCJY/lcx0BxqxzOE/s1600/P1180867.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keen Camp Summit sign on Hwy 74 as seen from the start of May Valley Road (5S05)</td></tr>
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The start of the road is at mile marker 61.00 on Highway 74, however, I wouldn't walk the road. There is a mountain bike trail from Herkey Creek Campground that parallels Highway 74 which is a better (and safer) option than a road walk.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmP79z65RZ4/VOVdVqqaVyI/AAAAAAABCMs/pchOV9vspvE/s1600/P1180869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JmP79z65RZ4/VOVdVqqaVyI/AAAAAAABCMs/pchOV9vspvE/s1600/P1180869.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile post 61.00 is just a few feet west of the entrance to May Valley Road (5S05). Waypoint 001.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The mountain bike trail comes into May Valley Road from the east just a bit beyond the junction with Highway 74. Sorry for the crummy picture. My good camera died two days before.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl6ZR9QQgD4/VOVfML-w-JI/AAAAAAABCPg/SVIOa0YMa_s/s1600/P1180872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl6ZR9QQgD4/VOVfML-w-JI/AAAAAAABCPg/SVIOa0YMa_s/s1600/P1180872.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain bike trail from Herkey Creek Campground as it joins May Valley Road. Waypoint 002.</td></tr>
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May Valley Road (5S05) was in excellent condition and was easily followable on February 16, 2015. From the road, you can see Tahquitz Peak almost directly ahead, which is where we will rejoin the PCT. The ridge on the skyline to your right is the Desert Divide, where the now closed PCT runs. We're basically paralleling the route of the PCT here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ60W3LlE_I/VOVhcqxMflI/AAAAAAABCTk/jfm4WK46uX0/s1600/P1180877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UZ60W3LlE_I/VOVhcqxMflI/AAAAAAABCTk/jfm4WK46uX0/s1600/P1180877.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May Valley Road heading approximately North. </td></tr>
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You can also see up into the high country of the San Jacinto Mountains (to the left, i.e. west, of Tahquitz Peak). All of the peaks in the high country are above 10,000'/3000 m in elevation. <br />
<br />
As we progress northward, we crest a small ridge. From here we can see down into Johnson Meadow – and into part of the burn zone from the Mountain Fire just beyond. There are a couple of fire breaks and side roads through here, but May Valley Road is clearly the primary road. There's little chance you'll go astray.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9AnMEyPk3k/VOVks2opFSI/AAAAAAABCZY/9NnRUU-3Naw/s1600/P1180884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X9AnMEyPk3k/VOVks2opFSI/AAAAAAABCZY/9NnRUU-3Naw/s1600/P1180884.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnson Meadow and part of the burn zone from the Mountain Fire of 2013. Vicinity waypoint 003.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As we enter the burn zone, we see signs posted by the Forest Service informing us that the area outside the road is closed. In order to be in compliance with the Forest Closure Order, one needs to stay on the road. The text of the current closure order is posted in Appendix II, below. The Forest Service is threatening people with up to $5,000 fines and up to six months of jail time. Personally, I think these fines are really out of line, and I question the Forest Service's nearly hysterical closures of areas that are in all probability reasonably safe for travel on foot, but I guess we should work through the proper channels to get the Forest Service to be more intelligent and reasonable rather than break the law. Oh, and paying $5,000 and spending half a year in jail aren't exactly appealing either. OK, enough of my political ranting. On with the report.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ihfXT5J34j0/VOVn0Co4cjI/AAAAAAABCfk/aGD2W4OIKCg/s1600/P1180894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ihfXT5J34j0/VOVn0Co4cjI/AAAAAAABCfk/aGD2W4OIKCg/s1600/P1180894.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only May Valley Road is open through the burn zone. Vicinity of waypoint 005.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fortunately, the damage isn't too bad in this section of the burn zone. May Valley Road is still very easy to follow. Soon we come to a "Y" junction. May Valley Road goes to the left and changes designation from 5S05 to 5S21.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYFi7toUPyI/VOVdTiYD-DI/AAAAAAABCMk/xU8eSnGVyZE/s1600/P1180900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aYFi7toUPyI/VOVdTiYD-DI/AAAAAAABCMk/xU8eSnGVyZE/s1600/P1180900.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the "Y" junction in the meadowy area, bear left to stay on May Valley Road. Waypoint 007.</td></tr>
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There's a spring marked on the map about 1/2 of a mile (~800 m) NW of the "Y" junction. I saw no sign of any such spring on the day I went through. There are a number of side roads through here, but again none of them are likely to be confused with the clearly prominent May Valley Road. <br />
<br />
About 3/4 of a mile (~1200 m) NW of the "Y" junction, you come to a gate. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SODnEchC5E8/VOVfXbzqXuI/AAAAAAABCP8/Q9jVJre1_HQ/s1600/P1180903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SODnEchC5E8/VOVfXbzqXuI/AAAAAAABCP8/Q9jVJre1_HQ/s1600/P1180903.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a Forest Service road gate about 3/4 mile NW of the "Y" road junction. Waypoint 010.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This gate is a good landmark, because about 1/4 of a mile (~400 m) past the gate, you come to the South Ridge Trail. The South Ridge Trail is signed, but <i>this part is a little tricky</i>, so you may want to <b>pay close attention</b> here.<br />
<br />
There are a lot of unmarked side roads and trails around here. To the right of the trail sign is a prominent track that looks like it might be the route. It is not. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jXRKGoA1u0/VOViyqJWTgI/AAAAAAABCVw/d7juv7Pq7sY/s1600/P1180908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jXRKGoA1u0/VOViyqJWTgI/AAAAAAABCVw/d7juv7Pq7sY/s1600/P1180908.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the South Ridge Trail sign, a prominent track turns right off of May Valley Road. <br />
THIS IS <b><i>NOT</i></b> THE CORRECT WAY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just left of the sign is a trail that doesn't look like it's seen a whole lot of use. It might be easy to confuse it with a drainage. But it's not a drainage, this is our route. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAr_OUrYybU/VOVi6VGCuwI/AAAAAAABCWA/fLhZMuUOoW0/s1600/P1180910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAr_OUrYybU/VOVi6VGCuwI/AAAAAAABCWA/fLhZMuUOoW0/s1600/P1180910.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lower end of the South Ridge Trail. Stay <i>left</i> of the sign. Waypoint 013.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The trail becomes considerably more clear as we progress. But we're not out of the proverbial woods just yet. We have one more little navigational trick to deal with.<br />
<br />
In about 250 feet/75 meters, there is a trail leading to the right. The trail is marked with a closed sign. Heed the sign. This is <i>not</i> the trail you want.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXAn8Cp2maU/VOVkFqx_3oI/AAAAAAABCYA/bJ9DW0SrzQk/s1600/P1180911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXAn8Cp2maU/VOVkFqx_3oI/AAAAAAABCYA/bJ9DW0SrzQk/s1600/P1180911.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't take the trail leading to the right. Waypoint 014.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You want to bear a bit to the left here (just a bit!) and keep heading pretty close to north. There are a number of "unofficial" tracks through here coming in from the left. Stay heading north, and you should be OK. Refer also to the GPS track on the map I linked to earlier. Note that it's not a hard turn to the left, it's just a slight adjustment of your forward direction. Bear left, but don't turn left in other words. You should head just slightly toward the left toward this big scrap pile.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_8OMTsObjI/VOVkG2FJjQI/AAAAAAABCYI/A2HLdXJmVao/s1600/P1180912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B_8OMTsObjI/VOVkG2FJjQI/AAAAAAABCYI/A2HLdXJmVao/s1600/P1180912.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For reasons unknown, a lot of what look like construction scraps were dumped here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay to the right of the scrap pile. You should soon be on a normal, single track trail partly through scrub brush and partly through oak woodland. You are now ascending a ridge to get to the main (upper) section of the S Ridge Trail.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rgM1NCKOlgM/VOVlVJPLKkI/AAAAAAABCag/r70zqIaQBkA/s1600/P1180914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rgM1NCKOlgM/VOVlVJPLKkI/AAAAAAABCag/r70zqIaQBkA/s1600/P1180914.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail is relatively clear past the scrap pile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On February 16, 2015, there was a downed tree across the trail. See waypoint 015 on the map. Bypass was easy to the left.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o268jxW8Wb8/VOVkNPWgP5I/AAAAAAABCYY/Mq64BqQ_pI8/s1600/P1180913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o268jxW8Wb8/VOVkNPWgP5I/AAAAAAABCYY/Mq64BqQ_pI8/s1600/P1180913.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downed tree. Waypoint 015.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
About 1.5 miles (~2400 m) past where you left May Valley Road, you come to a large boulder and a dirt road/parking area. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEAeVuzwViQ/VOVoKdKMaoI/AAAAAAABCf8/RDpMm7csbr4/s1600/P1180923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pEAeVuzwViQ/VOVoKdKMaoI/AAAAAAABCf8/RDpMm7csbr4/s1600/P1180923.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large boulder where the lower South Ridge Trail enters the South Ridge Trailhead area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the South Ridge Trailhead for the main part of the South Ridge Trail that leads to Tahquitz Peak and the PCT. This is probably the logical place to head into Idyllwild for resupply. The traditional way of resupplying while on the PCT is to leave and then re-enter the PCT from the same point so as not to miss any portion of the PCT. You may be able to hitch directly from here. If not, you can walk about 1 mile/1.6 km west to get to the outskirts of Idyllwild. No, you're not in the heart of town at this point, but you're a lot closer than if you use the Devils Slide Trail which is the typical resupply exit point for PCT hikers when the PCT is fully open.<br />
<br />
Standing in the parking area facing north, a few dozen yards/meters to your right you will see a trailhead sign.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPbDVpiFgUA/VOVo1mEio1I/AAAAAAABChk/m22S-HPz5ZE/s1600/P1180925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPbDVpiFgUA/VOVo1mEio1I/AAAAAAABChk/m22S-HPz5ZE/s1600/P1180925.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailhead sign for the S. Ridge Trail. Waypoint 017.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You are now at approximately 6300' elevation (1920 m). Here, we begin climbing to the summit of Tahquitz Peak (8846'/2695m). You're going to gain about 2500'/760m in the next three or so miles (about 5 km). The trail is in generally excellent condition and is easy to follow.<br />
<br />
You'll have good views as you climb. From the trail, you can see much of the Mountain Fire burn area.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tQI4SIXbEZw/VOVoFbn-myI/AAAAAAABCf0/KV4VAxIesds/s1600/P1180951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tQI4SIXbEZw/VOVoFbn-myI/AAAAAAABCf0/KV4VAxIesds/s1600/P1180951.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garner Valley and Mountain Fire burn area as seen from the S. Ridge Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Really, you'll have views in almost all directions including into the high country of the San Jacintos.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxmCEv6pu8E/VOVlDSMO0_I/AAAAAAABCaA/popth0Xf0YI/s1600/P1180975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CxmCEv6pu8E/VOVlDSMO0_I/AAAAAAABCaA/popth0Xf0YI/s1600/P1180975.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The high country of the San Jacinto Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon enough, you'll come to a trail junction near the summit of Tahquitz Peak.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOAC75ZDrQ0/VOVl1xEtlWI/AAAAAAABCbQ/HJ2Qdz4JUFY/s1600/P1180976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tOAC75ZDrQ0/VOVl1xEtlWI/AAAAAAABCbQ/HJ2Qdz4JUFY/s1600/P1180976.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail junction near the summit of Tahquitz Peak. Waypoint 024.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A short distance to the right from the trail junction lies the Tahquitz Peak fire lookout, staffed in season by volunteers. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ1FTBN1q6o/VOVmaVxw_HI/AAAAAAABCcc/G2Nj8eGQv0w/s1600/P1180977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ1FTBN1q6o/VOVmaVxw_HI/AAAAAAABCcc/G2Nj8eGQv0w/s1600/P1180977.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahquitz Fire Lookout. Open is season. Waypoint 026.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The views from the deck of the lookout are exceptional and are probably worth the 5 or so minutes it takes from junction to the lookout.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMq26U3JjC4/VOVnFIeArgI/AAAAAAABCeE/jywCL9ggqN8/s1600/P1180979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WMq26U3JjC4/VOVnFIeArgI/AAAAAAABCeE/jywCL9ggqN8/s1600/P1180979.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View generally south from the Tahquitz Peak Lookout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the junction, we head along the final leg of the bypass before we hit the PCT. The trail descends gradually to meet the PCT at about 8600'/2600m elevation. There are a few switchbacks, but nothing overly bothersome – unless there is ice and snow. On the day I went through, I found microspikes to be helpful.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWkWrM9RBTk/VOVj6eyvlYI/AAAAAAABCXw/PP-wmBspA7A/s1600/P1190003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWkWrM9RBTk/VOVj6eyvlYI/AAAAAAABCXw/PP-wmBspA7A/s1600/P1190003.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Old snow on the trail leading down from Tahquitz Peak.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2015 is shaping up to be an extraordinarily dry year. Unless things change, it's highly unlikely that through hikers starting in April will encounter any significant snow or ice here. If there were ice, you definitely wouldn't want to slip here. That would be, um, bad.<br />
<br />
Shortly after this precipitous section, we reach at last our goal, the PCT. Note that the position of the junction as shown on the printed USGS and USFS topographic maps is wrong. The waypoint (Waypoint 028) that I have marked is the correct position.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EG4Q30dxy7w/VOVmEZTrQlI/AAAAAAABCbw/NLanvpm1TTo/s1600/P1190007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EG4Q30dxy7w/VOVmEZTrQlI/AAAAAAABCbw/NLanvpm1TTo/s1600/P1190007.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The junction of the South Ridge Trail and the PCT. Waypoint 028.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the junction, you can proceed north on the PCT just as though there had never been a Mountain Fire. Alternatively, one could head east approximately 3/4 mile (~1200 m) east on the PCT (this section is also open) to Tahquitz Creek, which typically has water during through hike season (April/May). Will Tahquitz Creek have water in ultra-dry 2015? I don't know, but it was only mud on the day I went through. It might be a good idea to check the <u><a href="http://pctwater.com/" target="_blank">PCT Water Report</a></u> before counting on any water source in 2015. <br />
<br />
Note that Tahquitz Creek and the Little Tahquitz Valley Trail (3E41) are <i>open</i> per the amended Mountain Fire Closure Order of November 2014. The PCT Water Report still lists Tahquitz Creek as closed as of this writing – which is incorrect. The closure starts at approximately mile 177.1 not at mile 178 as listed on the PCT Water Report.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-neruZK3Gix8/VOVcR_3rpWI/AAAAAAABCLk/5WMAVCsA3WU/s1600/P1190020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-neruZK3Gix8/VOVcR_3rpWI/AAAAAAABCLk/5WMAVCsA3WU/s1600/P1190020.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahquitz Creek just above the PCT on 16 Feb 2015. No flowing water. Some damp spots. Waypoint 030.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The PCT going south is very clearly closed just east of Tahquitz Creek.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QfUHBcR8HNo/VOVbdDO67LI/AAAAAAABCKI/-MyO8mLPViA/s1600/P1190019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QfUHBcR8HNo/VOVbdDO67LI/AAAAAAABCKI/-MyO8mLPViA/s1600/P1190019.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs a few feet east of Tahquitz Creek indicate the boundary of the closure area. Approximately Mile 177.1.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also checked the spring in Tahquitz Valley near the four way junction. Dry.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1lSXxAKM7c/VOVjkMVTNiI/AAAAAAABCXY/gozFwUQcDTU/s1600/P1190033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N1lSXxAKM7c/VOVjkMVTNiI/AAAAAAABCXY/gozFwUQcDTU/s1600/P1190033.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Four Way" Spring in Tahquitz Valley. Dry on 16 Feb 2015. Waypoint 033.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, that's it. That's how to get from Highway 74 to the PCT in the most direct fashion without having to do the nasty along-the-highway road walk of 2014. Vehicles are restricted from all of this route except for the small parking area at the South Ridge Trail and perhaps the very western end of May Valley Road.<br />
<br />
I thank you for joining me,<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix I – PCT Mountain Fire 2015 Bypass </span><span style="font-size: large;">– </span><span style="font-size: large;">Options</span><br />
<br />
With respect to the various bypass options, please refer to this map: <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=3H34#" target="_blank">PCT Mountain Fire 2015 Bypass – Options</a></u><br />
<br />
You've got three main tasks for the Mountain Fire Bypass:<br />
1. Getting to Herkey Creek Campground (all of the various options pass through Herkey Creek Campground).<br />
2. Getting to Idyllwild from Herkey Creek Campground.<br />
3. Getting back to the PCT.<br />
<br />
With the above three in mind, the way I discuss the various options should make more sense.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Note:</b> I only discuss here bypass options to the <i>west</i>. A bypass to the <i>east,</i> while theoretically possible, loses thousands of precious feet of elevation that you've gained, goes through some extremely hot, dry desert country, follows some pretty sketchy unmaintained trails to get to Palm Springs, and involves 10,000 feet of gain (yes, you read that right, TEN THOUSAND feet of gain) to get back to the PCT via the Skyline Trail. I think you're crazy if you try to bypass to the east, but if that's your thing, knock yourself out. You might want to read my <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-skyline-trail.html" target="_blank">Trip Report for the Skyline Trail</a></u> before attempting a bypass to the east.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>GETTING TO HERKEY CREEK CAMPGROUND</b><br />
All of the various options go by Herkey Creek Campground on Highway 74. There are two main options to get to Herkey Creek Campground:<br />
1) "<u>The Full Monty</u>". This route hikes as much of the PCT as is open before proceeding to Herkey Creek Campground. You cross Highway 74 and proceed on the PCT to the junction with the Cedar Springs Trail at mile 162.6. One then takes the Cedar Springs Trail to Morris Ranch Road and follows Morris Ranch Road down to an unpaved road. Turn right on the unpaved road and proceed down the unpaved road <i>back to Highway 74</i>, cross Highway 74 and then follow the route of Highway 74 to Herkey Creek Campground, partly on dirt roads that parallel Highway 74 and partly on the shoulder of Highway 74 itself. The "Full Monty" is shown in orange on the above linked map.<br />
<br />
2) "<u>Herkey Creek Direct</u>". It's that "back to Highway 74" thing about the "Full Monty" route that bothers some people. "Wait a minute. I'm going <i>past</i> Highway 74, climbing about 2000' vertical, only to come <i>back </i>to Highway 74?!"<i> </i>Yeah. And it's even worse when you consider that most people go to Paradise Cafe (about a mile up Highway 74) to get food and water. So, you'd hit 74, go NW along 74 to Paradise Cafe, then come <i>back</i> SE to the PCT, climb to the Cedar Springs Trail only to come <i>back</i> yet again to Hwy 74. A lot of people would argue that it just doesn't make sense and would simply proceed along 74 directly from Paradise Cafe to Herkey Creek Campground. I'd have to say that I'd probably go direct to Herkey Creek Campground, but whatever. The direct route is shown in yellow on the above linked map. Note that CAUTION should be used for the route show in yellow; this portion has not been scouted. However, Highway 74 is wide here, so a roadwalk on the shoulders of Highway 74 would not be overly dangerous. So, whether by parallel roads or the shoulder itself, a direct route is very workable.<br />
<br />
Note 1: Where both the "Full Monty" and the "Herkey Creek Direct" route join, the route is shown in dark green on the above linked map.<br />
Note 2: There may be other options, including Fobbs Ranch Road and Thomas Mountain Road, but I consider the above two options to be the most practical.<br />
<br />
<b>GETTING TO IDYLLWILD (and back to the PCT)</b><br />
If you want to take the "traditional" through hike approach (entering and leaving the northbound trail at the same point), then you should use the May Valley Direct Route as described in the main portion of this post and get to town via the South Ridge Trailhead road. However, the sharp eyed among you will notice that there are other options, options that are perfectly workable so long as you are willing to deviate from the traditional through hike approach. The most practical alternative is:<br />
3) "May Valley Road to Town" Route. If you're a bit, well, flexible, in your approach to through hiking, you could just take the May Valley Road all the way to town. This route is shown in medium sized gray dots. I guess I'm kind of old fashioned in that I don't regard walking through town as hiking, but since there's no official bypass, you're not really deviating from anything, right? <br />
<br />
From town, you could get back to the trail by any one of three ways: <br />
A) You could get back to the PCT using the South Ridge Trailhead road which would minimize the amount of the PCT that you'd miss. You'd just miss the short section from mile 177.1 to mile 178.<br />
B) You could get back to the PCT using the Devils Slide Trail (DST). The DST has a road leading all the way to 6500' elevation and is then only a couple of miles to the PCT, making it a much easier route than the South Ridge Trail. You'd miss a bit more of the PCT, but after all the DST is the traditional resupply route of PCT through hikers, so in a way, you'd just be getting back on track after bypassing the Mountain Fire.<br />
C) You could get back to the PCT using the Deer Springs Trail. I've shown this route in large gray dots through town and then in light green dashes going up the trail. This route avoids climbing up toward Wellman's Cienega only to drop down to Strawberry Junction. It is a bit shorter, and it avoids unnecessary elevation gain. You would however miss a fairly sizeable portion of the PCT proper. No judgement here, HYOH (Hike your own hike). I think anyone who walks from Mexico to Canada is pretty amazing. A few practical detours due to fire closures can't be held against such a person in my opinion.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix II – Mountain Fire Forest Closure Order </span><br />
<br />
The following is the text of the Mountain Fire Forest Closure Order<br />
<br />
SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST<br />
Forest Order No. 05-12-55-15-01<br />
Mountain Fire Closure<br />
Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. This Order is effective from November 15, 2014 through November 14, 2015.<br />
1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Mountain Fire Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit A and described in Exhibit B. 36 CFR 261.52(e).<br />
2. Being on any National Forest System road within the Mountain Fire Closure Area, except non-motorized use of the Forest Roads listed below and shown on Exhibit A.<br />
a. Forest Road No. 5S05 from its intersection with the boundary of the Mountain Fire Closure Area at the northern edge of Section 32, Township 5 South, Range 3 East, and continuing north to its intersection with Forest Road No. 5S21.<br />
b. Forest Road No. 5S21 from its intersection with Forest Road No. 5S05, and continuing northwest to the Mountain Fire Closure Area boundary at the northern edge of Section 29, Township 5 South, Range 3 East. 36 CFR 261.54(e).<br />
3. Being on any National Forest System trail within the Mountain Fire Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit A. 36 CFR 261.55(a).<br />
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:<br />
1. Any Federal, State or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.<br />
2. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.<br />
3. Owners or lessees of private land within the Mountain Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to gain access to their land.<br />
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.<br />
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.<br />
Executed in San Bernardino, California, this 14th day of November, 2014<br />
<br />
JODY NOIRON<br />
Forest Supervisor<br />
San Bernardino National ForestHikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-40846524318139512572014-11-24T22:27:00.001-08:002014-11-25T16:50:28.974-08:00Trip Report: Snow Creek to Pt. 4460This is a fairly modest trip report, but it has some good information on the Snow Creek trailhead for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and it should give you a fairly good feel for the terrain and surroundings. So read it, of course.<br />
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The Snow Creek trailhead of the PCT is the northernmost entry point for hikers into the San Jacinto Mountains. This is a hot, desert area. Recommended season is November through April. Definitely not a good place to be on a hot day. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Jacinto Mountains from the Snow Creek trailhead of the PCT</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finding the Trailhead</span><br />
From Hwy 111 which connects Interstate 10 with Palm Springs, turn SW on Snow Creek Road (some maps list this road as "Snow Creek Canyon Road") and drive about 1.6 or 1.7 miles (2.6 or 2.7 km) to the intersection with Falls Creek Road. This is intersection <i>is</i> the trailhead. <u><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Snowcreek+Canyon+Rd&daddr=Snowcreek+Canyon+Rd&hl=en&ll=33.903904,-116.673818&spn=0.025182,0.044761&sll=33.9136,-116.669601&sspn=0.006295,0.01119&geocode=FYF8BQId1coL-Q;FSUtBQIdD48L-Q&mra=mift&mrsp=0&sz=17&t=m&z=15&output=classic&dg=oo" target="_blank">Google Map to the trailhead</a></u>.<br />
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Out of respect for the residents of the private community of snow creek, make sure you park <i>before </i>the "Snow Creek Village" sign visible in the photo above. Across the street is another landmark, the "Snow Creek Wildlife Refuge" sign.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Snow Creek Wildlife Refuge" sign</td></tr>
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Now, the PCT will be slightly hard to identify here, depending on whether you are north bound or south bound. North bound, the PCT looks like a trail.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PCT north bound from the Snow Creek trailhead</td></tr>
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But south bound, the PCT and Falls Creek Road are one and the same. Falls Creek Road is fairly small, but it is signed. Simply follow the road south. Note; Some maps show a trail paralleling the road. This is incorrect. There is no trail paralleling the road. The road <i>is</i> the trail here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The battered but still legible sign for Falls Creek Road</td></tr>
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Follow Falls Creek Road for about 1/10th of a mile until you come to a fork in the road. Take the left hand fork. You should soon come to a locked gate with the following sign.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DWA sign on Falls Creek Road</td></tr>
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The sign is from the Desert Water Agency (DWA) that owns a parcel of land further up the canyon. The sign isn't terribly clear as to its meaning, but the land the PCT goes on is National Forest Land, and public access is permitted. So long as you are on the PCT, you're fine. If you want to know exactly which areas are public land, see "Appendix – Public Access in Snow Creek", below.<br />
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Proceed on the paved road approximately one mile south until you come to "PCT Rock" at which point you will need to turn right.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"PCT Rock"</td></tr>
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Right next to PCT Rock is something important. A drinking fountain with water provided courtesy of the DWA. This is a real Godsend in the dry region north of the San Jacinto Mountains.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drinking fountain immediately west of PCT Rock</td></tr>
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This is your last reliable source of water for at least 16 miles/25 km. Fill up appropriately. <br />
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It's a little creepy, but the DWA does have the area under camera surveillance. I suppose they do need to protect the water works. Anyway, just something to be aware of for the more modest among you.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile! You're on candid camera.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Trail Itself</span><br />
As we leave the wonderful water fountain, this is where the real hiking begins. Whereas previously we were following a paved road, we are now on a dirt trail. My GPS track begins and ends at the water fountain: <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=1260" target="_blank">GPS Track, Snow Creek to Pt. 4460</a>.</u><br />
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The first thing you come to is an old pipeline, presumably once used by the DWA to transport water. It now partially blocks the PCT. It's not too hard to squeeze around on the downhill side, but it does force you off the trail, so watch your step. I'm not sure why they couldn't do a better job of cutting the pipe to allow trail access.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old pipeline partially blocking the PCT.</td></tr>
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Of more concern are all these electrical wires coming out of the pipe and crossing the trail. The wires appear to be active (i.e. not old and abandoned). Apparently they used the old pipeline as a conduit to run wires up. I wouldn't touch the wires, particularly in wet weather. This just doesn't look safe to me. This seems really iffy. I mean surely there's a better way to run wires (underground?) rather than stringing them above ground across a major hiking trail.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electrical cables strung across the PCT.</td></tr>
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After passing the old pipeline, the PCT begins to climb, and we get our first looks into the Section 33 portion of Snow Creek.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper section (Section 33) of Snow Creek</td></tr>
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The predecessors of today's DWA purchased the land in Section 33 in order to secure access to water. As we climb the PCT, we can see various structures associated with the water works. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water works, Snow Creek</td></tr>
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We can also see the DWA caretaker's cabin and some kind of garage/office/shop as well as a large water tank.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Various DWA structures in Snow Creek Canyon.<br />
Front, left: A garage/office/shop. Front, right: DWA caretaker's cabin.<br />
Rear: Large water tank with sun shelter in front housing what appears to be a generator.</td></tr>
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The DWA Caretaker's cabin is just inside the boundary of the public land that is Section 28. If you wanted to go exploring in Section 28, you should make sure you stay south of the caretaker's cabin so as to avoid trespassing in Section 33. The water tank shown in the above photo is fully in Section 33 and is therefore off limits to the public. See also the Appendix for more information about what is public and what is private land in Snow Creek Canyon.<br />
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Glancing upwards, we can see the majestic outline of the high country of the San Jacinto Mountains. Indeed it is the mighty backdrop of the high country that makes the scenery here so compelling.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise, Snow Creek Canyon and San Jacinto Mountains from the PCT.</td></tr>
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The immediate terrain is also fascinating, housing many jumbo boulders, some at least 30'/9m tall.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumbo boulders near the PCT</td></tr>
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Looking down from the PCT, we see the small hamlet of Snow Creek, just outside of which is the trailhead where one would park one's car.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwNsVHtc6oQ/VHJRO1G0MpI/AAAAAAAA57g/ZF5Bget_-HM/s1600/DSC00299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwNsVHtc6oQ/VHJRO1G0MpI/AAAAAAAA57g/ZF5Bget_-HM/s1600/DSC00299.JPG" height="359" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Creek Village, from the PCT</td></tr>
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The PCT in this area is in OK but not great shape. This is a lesser used portion of the PCT, and there just isn't enough traffic or maintenance to keep the brush at bay. There's nothing horrible, but brush does cover the entire tread of the trail in some areas. See my GPS track for locations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PetYilNDICw/VHJ7zMUqAHI/AAAAAAAA6I8/NmIiNSGPP4U/s1600/DSC00304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PetYilNDICw/VHJ7zMUqAHI/AAAAAAAA6I8/NmIiNSGPP4U/s1600/DSC00304.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brush across the PCT</td></tr>
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Along the route, there are little spots where one could camp were one so inclined. I have marked these on my GPS track. Some are a little rough, but some, like the one below, look quite nice.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potential camp site on the PCT.</td></tr>
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Hiking along, we soon come to a post marked "Wild. Bdry." which is probably intended to mark the boundary of the San Jacinto Wilderness. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InL7xM6j064/VHJ-ddmzzbI/AAAAAAAA6J4/i07DTL88UcQ/s1600/DSC00345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InL7xM6j064/VHJ-ddmzzbI/AAAAAAAA6J4/i07DTL88UcQ/s1600/DSC00345.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wilderness boundary?? Hunh? What's this doing here?</td></tr>
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The odd thing about the post is that it's no where near the wilderness boundary. According to the topographic maps, the trail crosses into the wilderness about a quarter mile after passing the old pipeline, long before we come to this post. I have no idea why the post is located at it's current site.<br />
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Soon after passing the post, we enter a drainage and encounter a small washout which is easily negotiated. We'll cross and re-cross this drainage four times on our trip today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33LgPTdfWJU/VHJ_tSsdpMI/AAAAAAAA6KA/8qxWJjxBAo4/s1600/DSC00347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-33LgPTdfWJU/VHJ_tSsdpMI/AAAAAAAA6KA/8qxWJjxBAo4/s1600/DSC00347.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wash out on the PCT</td></tr>
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As we ascend the PCT further, we are allowed views into the rugged backcountry of Falls and Snow Creeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzes2g7pjZY/VHJ8w429s-I/AAAAAAAA6Jk/iAUs1na36Ck/s1600/DSC00348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzes2g7pjZY/VHJ8w429s-I/AAAAAAAA6Jk/iAUs1na36Ck/s1600/DSC00348.JPG" height="359" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trailless wild of Falls Creek and Snow Creek</td></tr>
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Further on, we encounter another washout (see GPS track for location), this one a bit worse than the last but still relatively easy to negotiate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B4C_u4iSFEg/VHJk9sF2AOI/AAAAAAAA6BY/XqJU7Js_cr8/s1600/DSC00358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B4C_u4iSFEg/VHJk9sF2AOI/AAAAAAAA6BY/XqJU7Js_cr8/s1600/DSC00358.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another washout on the PCT</td></tr>
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Soon thereafter we come to PCT mile marker 200. This marker is approximately 200 miles north of the Mexican border along the PCT (about 2450 miles south of the Canadian border).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_nQSy0uERM/VHKEMXwVrBI/AAAAAAAA6LA/WRJ5YmDoClw/s1600/DSC00364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f_nQSy0uERM/VHKEMXwVrBI/AAAAAAAA6LA/WRJ5YmDoClw/s1600/DSC00364.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 200 for one traveling north on the PCT</td></tr>
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As we head further up the trail, we can see some of the intensely rugged terrain in the drainage of the W Fork of Snow creek. Almost unimaginably difficult terrain to negotiate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMNuTa2MaKg/VHJ34HaciWI/AAAAAAAA6HQ/Rs3wH0FeMqU/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMNuTa2MaKg/VHJ34HaciWI/AAAAAAAA6HQ/Rs3wH0FeMqU/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrain in and around the W Fork of Snow Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And of course, amazing views of the high country at every turn.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-InbwhN4K1OQ/VHKGTUkFsKI/AAAAAAAA6MM/SVjg9xoECHs/s1600/DSC00385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-InbwhN4K1OQ/VHKGTUkFsKI/AAAAAAAA6MM/SVjg9xoECHs/s1600/DSC00385.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking into the high country off the San Jacintos from the PCT</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon we come to the spot on the PCT which is just above point 4460 on the topographic map. We've come about eight miles/thirteen kilometers since leaving the water fountain. This is about all we have time for today. Interestingly, the slopes south of point 4460 are relatively moderate in terms of the terrain in the drainage of the W Fork. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cBZSDzi6GM/VHKPB2Ix4lI/AAAAAAAA6O4/yE3_l8fsbb0/s1600/DSC00406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cBZSDzi6GM/VHKPB2Ix4lI/AAAAAAAA6O4/yE3_l8fsbb0/s1600/DSC00406.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A relatively benign slope south of point 4460</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It appears that one could proceed south here and gain access to some of the upper reaches of the W Fork of Snow Creek if someone for some reason wanted to do so. The terrain is very rugged both up canyon and down canyon from where one would drop in using this route. I doubt one could get far without technical equipment.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cross Country Return Option</span><br />
Now, what's the shortest distance between two points? A straight line of course. And what's the <i>longest</i> distance between two points? The PCT – or at least that's what most hikers will swear to who have hiked the PCT. Many sections of the PCT go for miles without really going anywhere. The PCT meanders out and around every little terrain feature which makes no sense at all until you understand that the builders were apparently paid by the mile. By the look of it, they went out of their way to make the trail as long as possible without overly arousing suspicions. In any event, it is just sometimes maddening how long the PCT takes to get anywhere.<br />
<br />
It was growing late, so I took a quick look at the topo map and decided to cut straight down the drainage, the drainage I mentioned earlier that the PCT criss-crosses back and forth over repeatedly. This cross country route eliminates over two miles of the return trip. However, it's fairly rough terrain with brush and dry falls. I wouldn't recommend it unless you a) are willing to suffer b) like beating through brush, and c) like scrambling down loose rock and over dry water falls. Note that I don't think it actually saves any time since the going is so rough.<br />
<br />
The crux of the route occurs in the upper most section of the route where the route drops over about a 30' dry falls. The falls is more of a rock jumble than a solid piece of rock. It's not too bad (class 3), but there is about a 6 foot overhanging section at the end that cannot be downclimbed. I tossed my pack down and jumped, a move not without risk.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF9ctI6z3WE/VHJRBuuU76I/AAAAAAAA57Y/T4L4EO0-b0c/s1600/DSC00410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KF9ctI6z3WE/VHJRBuuU76I/AAAAAAAA57Y/T4L4EO0-b0c/s1600/DSC00410.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dry falls/rock jumble is the crux of the route</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Further down in the canyon, I encountered this small pool<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM5Nc-3o1jQ/VHJujvisBHI/AAAAAAAA6Eo/KdI9rrXXZoI/s1600/DSC00414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZM5Nc-3o1jQ/VHJujvisBHI/AAAAAAAA6Eo/KdI9rrXXZoI/s1600/DSC00414.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small pool in the drainage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I don't know if the pool is always there, but I went ahead and marked it on my GPS track. Below the pool was a small amount of flow, so it's possible that this pool is fairly persistent. This isn't easy to get to or necessarily easy to find, but it's always good to know where water is in dry country.<br />
<br />
The drainage isn't easy going, but it is negotiable. Just a fun alternative for those crazy enough, err, skilled enough I mean, to try it.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvFZsQxiFmc/VHKL2NpXgGI/AAAAAAAA6Ns/cby0gKTgavw/s1600/DSC00423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BvFZsQxiFmc/VHKL2NpXgGI/AAAAAAAA6Ns/cby0gKTgavw/s1600/DSC00423.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back up the drainage I just descended</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One should note that there was a fire here some years ago. My shirt had a lot of charcoal marks on it after the bushwhack. The back of my hand looked like I hadn't washed in a month. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--BBgjN-dCpk/VHIpTovjSsI/AAAAAAAA5qI/LeiM7KbmICI/s1600/DSC00426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--BBgjN-dCpk/VHIpTovjSsI/AAAAAAAA5qI/LeiM7KbmICI/s1600/DSC00426.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charcoal marks on my hands and shirt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One should also note that I tore a three inch (about 8 cm) gash in my trousers. The brush was indeed thick at points although overall not really all that bad.<br />
<br />
As I descended, I was taken by the rosey glow of the setting sun on the mountains to the north.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4atU5E1_9HgDt0lvAXe8uJYBgOJhyhtoxfYNIJzfqr3h2rrkU4qY5LY7X41KdjrraXO6DEfScx58eF11AIaLjFxpuS6zCsTz4-uuFhZIGPP0370_HKgpNeHa5tKsPKdrfJjaNrNdLdKA/s1600/DSC00428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4atU5E1_9HgDt0lvAXe8uJYBgOJhyhtoxfYNIJzfqr3h2rrkU4qY5LY7X41KdjrraXO6DEfScx58eF11AIaLjFxpuS6zCsTz4-uuFhZIGPP0370_HKgpNeHa5tKsPKdrfJjaNrNdLdKA/s1600/DSC00428.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fading light of the sun on the mountains north of San Gorgonio Pass. Note wind farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The light quickly faded thereafter, but I had made sure to be done with the cross country section of my hike well before dark. Off trail hiking isn't much fun after dark. I finished the last hour or so of my hike by headlamp. I use a two headlamp system for night hiking. I have one headlamp affixed at belly button level on a strap. This position gives me a lot more contrast than a headlamp on my forehead. The light from a headlamp on one's forehead shines its light at almost the same angle as the eyes are focusing, which gives no contrast. I therefore use one headlamp mounted near my mid section and a second, dimmer headlamp on my forehead. The combination works well for me for night hiking.<br />
<br />
Well, there you have it, a journey up the PCT and a cross country journey back. Thanks for coming along,<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Appendix – Public vs. Private Land in Snow Creek</span><br />
The area which is public land (under control of the San Bernadino National Forest) is legally defined as Township 3 South, Range 3 East, Section 28 (hereinafter just "Section 28"). The area that is private property is legally defined as Township 3 South, Range 3 East, Section 33 (hereinafter just "Section 33"). <br />
<br />
Now, if that sounds like a lot of surveyor mumbo-jumbo to you, you're not alone. To help you understand just where these sections of land are, I have drawn them in on the following map: <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=5M51" target="_blank">Sections 28 and 33, Snow Creek, CA</a></u>. You'll need to zoom in to make sense of the map, and you may want to toggle back and forth between the US Forest Service, Google map, and satellite views.<br />
<br />
Basically, you should be able to go wherever you want in Section 28 on foot (motorized access is not permitted); it's all public land. You should stay out of Section 33. Falls Creek Road will take you into Section 33 if you go too far south. The DWA caretaker's cabin is just before the Section 33 boundary. Unless you have a GPS that you really trust to keep you out of Section 33, you shouldn't go south of the caretaker's cabin. I don't know that the boundary is marked, and the DWA could try to prosecute you for trespassing even though the boundary isn't marked.<br />
<br />
Note: The DWA has a reputation for keeping people out of certain parts of Section 28, which is a violation of their lease. Section 28 is public land, and you have a right to pass so long as you do not interfere with the operation of the water works. If you are in any way harassed by the DWA (hopefully not; they <i>should</i> understand the terms of their lease), you should report the details of the harassment, preferably in writing, to the US Forest Service:<br />
San Jacinto Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest<br />
Idyllwild Ranger Station<br />
Attention: Ranger H. Hoggan<br />
54270 Pine Crest Road / P.O. Box 518<br />
Idyllwild, CA 92549<br />
909-382-2945 office / 951-659-2107 fax<br />
hhoggan [at] fs.fed.us<br />
<br />
Again, though, hopefully everyone will play by the rules (including <i>you</i>), and there will be no trouble. Go where you like in Section 28, but stay out of Section 33. Simple enough, right?<br />
<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-87185985937309473132014-05-14T17:33:00.000-07:002014-05-15T11:15:25.211-07:00Drought, Fire, and Stoves (How NOT to end up on the 11:00 News)I wrote an article for <a href="http://gossamergear.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>Gossamer Gear</u></b></a> on fire safety and backpacking stoves a couple of weeks ago. In light of the extreme fire weather we're having right now and the current fires now burning down in San Diego, I thought I'd post a link (below) here on my blog.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGePhy7Pfv2_c-yXay6RuDQh0AYBzJgY6sLhjY9w5cB88nHSdO94cb9PfKFEBil9X-SaU4d-pnFDiDLQNk64Oya2IqCt84rSZF8J6__6YHeV_HnoLHw-SCMhtBm8GV_rpbQ5BTHJUlXS-/s1600/San_Diego_Fire_Photo_2014-05-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGePhy7Pfv2_c-yXay6RuDQh0AYBzJgY6sLhjY9w5cB88nHSdO94cb9PfKFEBil9X-SaU4d-pnFDiDLQNk64Oya2IqCt84rSZF8J6__6YHeV_HnoLHw-SCMhtBm8GV_rpbQ5BTHJUlXS-/s1600/San_Diego_Fire_Photo_2014-05-15.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire currently (May 2014) burning in San Diego</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://gossamergear.com/wp/blog/drought-fire" target="_blank"><u><b>Drought, Fire, and Stoves (How NOT to end up on the 11:00 News)</b></u></a><br />
<br />
Stay safe out there,<br />
<br />
HJHikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-90276685261654807072013-12-17T14:49:00.002-08:002022-07-25T15:26:07.714-07:00Interactive San Gorgonio Wilderness (SGW) MapIn my recent <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html" target="_blank">Six Hiking/Backpacking Loops in the San Gorgonio Wilderness (SGW)</a></u> blog post, I featured a series of maps. I think these maps are important because they accurately fix the positions of things like trail camps and water sources and because they identify a series of map errors. However, these maps are static (i.e. no zoom or scroll) and are only snippets -- a section of the map relevant only to that loop. What happens if you want to do a route that's partly on one snippet and partly on another? Well, you have to piece things together as best you can. Wouldn't it be nice to have a "big picture" map of the SGW?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pumK5cyqrY8/U12bQflxMbI/AAAAAAAAupY/QM9jS6EeVQk/s912/DSC06615.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pumK5cyqrY8/U12bQflxMbI/AAAAAAAAupY/QM9jS6EeVQk/s912/DSC06615.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Gorgonio Wilderness boundary sign, Forsee Creek Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With that in mind, I set out to put together an interactive map of the <i>entire </i>SGW using CalTopo as my host. The product of my efforts is displayed below. Let's hope that CalTopo doesn't change their format or "go dark" or something!<br />
<br />
The map below is probably best opened in a <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=0P77" target="_blank">separate window</a></u>. You'll need to zoom in (a lot!) to make any sense of the notations.<br />
<div>
<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=0P77" width="675px"></iframe><br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Cautions:</u></span><br />
As with all maps, this map is only as accurate as of my last visit to the wilderness. Conditions, particularly in winter, could change at any time. Wilderness travel, especially off trail, is inherently hazardous. Plan thoroughly, carry the proper safety gear, always leave word with someone as to your route and intended time of return (and let them know when you're back safely!), and mentally be willing to turn back if conditions are unsafe. Carrying "proper safety" gear generally means that you can <i>survive </i>(not be comfortable) an unplanned overnight in the wilderness <i>in the current conditions.</i> Obviously you're going to need to carry a lot more gear in the winter than in the summer.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kDUExI5mJc/VB-bDrIOZ6I/AAAAAAAA3w8/8Bsh-RnGo94/s912/DSC09305.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0kDUExI5mJc/VB-bDrIOZ6I/AAAAAAAA3w8/8Bsh-RnGo94/s912/DSC09305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north from the vicinity of the summit of Alto Diablo Peak, San Gorgonio Wilderness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Legend:</u></span><br />
<ul>
<li><b>Trailheads</b> are shown with a "P" (for "Parking") symbol. There are eight official trail heads, numbered 1 through 8. I've also shown a couple of other useful alternate trailheads, such as the East Barton Flats "trailhead" which I've numbered "5b" since it's in the same general area as the South Fork trailhead ("5").</li>
<li><b>Map Errors.</b> When the topo map is wrong, I've crossed out the incorrect markings in red.</li>
<li><b>Trails.</b> There are many perfectly good trails in the SGW that for whatever reason just aren't shown on the map. I've marked such trails as a dashed black line.</li>
<li><b>Trail Camps.</b> There are 26 official trail camps in the SGW. I've marked each one with a red tent icon, and I've numbered them 1 through 26. See the cross reference in Appendix II, below. Note that in some cases the official printed position of the trail camps is just dead wrong (e.g. Alger Creek, Mineshaft Flats Camp, Big Tree Camp). The red tent icon marks the correct location.</li>
<li><b>Old Trails.</b> By "old" I mean trails or roads that really aren't fully followable anymore (although sections may be clear as day). I've shown old trails with a black line that is a combination of dashes and dots. These are trails of yesteryear that you can only find bits and pieces of today. Sometimes it's fun to see if you can find stretches of these old trails (or roads), but they aren't really useful anymore as a means of getting from point to point in a timely fashion. </li>
<li><b>Routes.</b> "General" routes (not specifically winter) are shown with a dotted gold line. These generally aren't trails although use trails have formed on some of the heavily used peak routes. Often there will be nothing on the ground that you can follow; these are cross country (XC) means of getting about. You'll need to be familiar with map and compass work in order to follow these safely. These routes may involve steep terrain, heavy brush, deadfalls, travel on rock up to class three, and tricky navigation. See <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/p/yosemite-decimal-system.html" target="_blank">Backcountry Travel Classifications</a></u> for a discussion of what "class three" travel is. I have not been on every route in the wilderness. These routes are only a very general description in the form of free hand drawings on the map. I make no warranties as to accuracy. I may occasionally show a route in gray. Routes in gray are poor routes. They're there if you want to try them, but there's going to be heavy brush or other difficult going. Have at it if you like, but you've been warned.</li>
<li><b>Winter Routes. </b>Although you could use these routes any time, they're fairly popular when snow and ice blanket the Wilderness making trails either dangerous or hard to find. I've shown these routes via a dotted dark blue line. Again, these routes are only a very general description in the form of free hand drawings on the map. I make no warranties as to accuracy.</li>
<li><b>Water sources</b>. Water sources are shown as light blue dots. Next to the blue dot is a roman numeral from I to V which represents my estimation of the reliability of the water source. The meaning of the numerals is as follows:<br />I - Unreliable. Assume no water unless you have a current report to the contrary. Example: Columbine Spring. <br />II - Less reliable. Water typically in early season although water possibly later in wet years. Example: The spring upstream from Fish Creek Camp.<br />III - More reliable. Water frequently into late season. Example: Limber Pine Springs. <br />IV - Very reliable. Water almost always into late season. Example: High Meadow Springs. <br />V. Extremely reliable. Water always into late season even in multi-year droughts. Example: Forsee Creek. S Fork Santa Ana River, Falls Creek, N Fork Whitewater River, etc. </li>
<li><b>Cautions. </b>If you see a little yellow triangle with an exclamation mark on it, I'm giving you some kind of warning about the condition of the route or trail. I may also label a route or trail itself with cautions.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwP21nsvcHs/VB-H8OYXwrI/AAAAAAAA3DQ/4yvnEIB7oSE/s912/DSC09473.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwP21nsvcHs/VB-H8OYXwrI/AAAAAAAA3DQ/4yvnEIB7oSE/s912/DSC09473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.7273px;">South Fork Meadows, San Gorgonio Wilderness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope you find the map useful. If you see errors or omissions, please let me know in the comments below.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I thank you for joining me,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Appendix I -- List of Trailheads</u></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The numbers below correspond to the numbers shown on the interactive SGW map.<br />
1. Vivian Creek Trailhead<br />
2. Momyer Creek Trailhead (pronounced "Moe Myer")<br />
3. San Bernardino Peak Trailhead<br />
4. Forsee Creek Trailhead<br />
5. South Fork Trailhead<br />
5b. East Barton Flats "Trailhead"<br />
6. Lost Creek Trailhead<br />
6b. Old Heart Bar Road "Trailhead"<br />
7. Aspen Grove Trailhead<br />
8. Upper Fish Creek Trailhead<br />
<i>Note</i>: The numbers were derived as follows: I started at the Vivian Creek trailhead and worked my way clockwise around the perimeter of the SGW. Official trailheads got an integer. Unofficial trailheads received the integer of the nearest official trailhead followed by a lower case letter.</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PIGsQl0wQ-M/U12fjafOvOI/AAAAAAAAuKU/lJ5rsY1ridU/s912/DSC06448c.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PIGsQl0wQ-M/U12fjafOvOI/AAAAAAAAuKU/lJ5rsY1ridU/s912/DSC06448c.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Allison Falls, San Gorgonio Wilderness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Appendix II -- List of Trail Camps</u></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The numbers below correspond to the numbers shown on the interactive SGW map. Maximum group size is 12 persons.<br />
1. Columbine Springs<br />
2. Johns Meadow<br />
3. Limber Pine Bench<br />
4. Jackstraw Springs<br />
5. Trail Fork Springs<br />
6. Anderson Flat<br />
7. Alger Creek<br />
8. Dobbs<br />
9. Saxton<br />
10. Vivian Creek<br />
11. Halfway<br />
12. High Creek<br />
13. Shields Flat<br />
14. High Meadow Springs<br />
15. Red Rock Flat<br />
16. Dollar Lake Forks<br />
17. Grinnell Ridge<br />
18. Dry Lake View<br />
19. Dry Lake<br />
20. Lodgepole Spring<br />
21. Trail Flats<br />
22. Summit<br />
23. Mineshaft Flat<br />
24. Big Tree<br />
25. Fish Creek Saddle<br />
26. Fish Creek<br />
<i>Note</i>: The numbering system used in this list is fairly arbitrary. I started on the left (west) side of the map and generally worked my way to the right (east) side.</blockquote>
<br /></div>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-48020383470487564352013-11-25T08:42:00.000-08:002013-11-25T12:37:58.212-08:00"Elevating" Shirley Peak – When is a Peak a Peak?About a year ago, I published my list of <a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/p/southern-california-peaks-above-10-000.html" target="_blank"><u>Southern California Peaks Over 10,000 Feet/3048 Meters in Elevation</u></a>. When I first published my list, I included twenty four peaks. Today, I'm adding another: <u><a href="http://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=33.79842,-116.67941&z=17&b=f" target="_blank">Shirley Peak</a></u> (10,388'/3166m).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSaBxAKPJA/UdtKE22D3wI/AAAAAAAAlAk/ulbyRAXcj_8/s1600/DSC02907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSaBxAKPJA/UdtKE22D3wI/AAAAAAAAlAk/ulbyRAXcj_8/s640/DSC02907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaks of the San Jacinto high country as seen from the north (from Folly Peak).<br />
Shirley Peak is just left of center.<br />
Note "The Rockpile" at the far right. More on that later.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, what, this peak just sprang fresh from the ground? Well, no, of course not; it's been there all along. At issue is <i>when is a peak a peak?</i> I mean exactly what constitutes a peak? Well, there is no commonly accepted definition.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Definition of a Peak</span><br />
Different web sites will talk about "prominence" (how far a given summit sticks out above everything around it) and "isolation" (how far away a given summit is from other summits around it), but there is no generally accepted values for what qualifies as a peak – and applying strict rules would disqualify many popular and well known peaks. In reality, what people think <i>looks</i> like a peak generally gets recognized as a peak. Subjective? Yes, but that's the reality of it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What's on My List?</span><br />
For the purposes of my list, what have I done? Well, I have included on my list any peak that I could find some form of general acceptance as a peak. In other words, peaks generally recognized as peaks are on my list; peaks that have no general recognition are not.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Is "Shirley" a Peak?</span><br />
Originally, I did not include Shirley Peak thinking that it was not generally recognized as a peak. Yes, I knew that it had a name, but I thought that name was circulated among perhaps a single set of people (the local SAR unit) and that it really wasn't generally recognized as a peak. But when I did not include Shirley Peak on my original list, a number of people contacted me, pointing out my omission. It became quite clear to me that the name "Shirley Peak" was more widely known that I was first aware of.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Elevating" Shirley Peak</span><br />
Based on people's reactions, I began to consider including Shirley Peak on my list. Then I took a photograph of the San Jacintos from about 95 miles (153 km) away.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD8nEE91ThY/UpEsPsXZpyI/AAAAAAAAr84/0uuTeJ79u34/s1600/DSC05505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD8nEE91ThY/UpEsPsXZpyI/AAAAAAAAr84/0uuTeJ79u34/s640/DSC05505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Jacintos – from about 95 miles (153 km) away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, let's take a little closer look. Let's zoom in a bit and look at the peaks along the main crest of the San Jacintos. Now, notice something: Shirley Peak can be seen as a separate, distinct summit, and Shirley has a very peak-like shape.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SGpFRLcGKwU/UpNggjKt6FI/AAAAAAAAsBI/q9wR3d_An8c/s1600/DSC05505_labeled2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SGpFRLcGKwU/UpNggjKt6FI/AAAAAAAAsBI/q9wR3d_An8c/s640/DSC05505_labeled2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main crest of the San Jacinto high country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Given that Shirley can be seen from nearly 100 miles away (over 150 km) as a separate and distinct peak-like object <i>and</i> that there is some general recognition that Shirley is in fact a peak, I added Shirley to my list.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well then, what is not a Peak?</span><br />
If you're going to add Shirley, why not add more? I mean aren't there other peak-like objects out there that are over 10,000'/3048m in elevation?<br />
<br />
Indeed there are. So, what is not a peak? Well, let's have another look at the San Jacinto high country.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lsrfzlOCno/UpNwtNvyd8I/AAAAAAAAsCM/Vz_zKQQOm24/s1600/San_Jacinto_Summit_Plateau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2lsrfzlOCno/UpNwtNvyd8I/AAAAAAAAsCM/Vz_zKQQOm24/s640/San_Jacinto_Summit_Plateau.jpg" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A topographic map of the San Jacinto high country</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On the above topo, I've highlighted the peaks on my list. But what about the summit just north west of Marion Mountain? Note that I've even labeled it "Mount Ellen." Why isn't this on my list?<br />
<br />
Well, the way that particular "peak" got a name is that a group of us wanted to honor a friend named Ellen, so we made a register, took a hike with our friend, and christened the peak. However, <i>sticking a can with a register in it on a rock pile does not necessarily a peak make.</i> Now, maybe the name will "stick," but until it does I think I'll hold off adding this one to my list. Time and the outdoor community will have the final say.<br />
<br />
Speaking of "rock piles", here's a photo of "Mount Ellen", seen on the far right.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vAWRCO4WWQ/UdsBAf8zrhI/AAAAAAAAkmg/ErY6Muri5J4/s1600/DSC02784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vAWRCO4WWQ/UdsBAf8zrhI/AAAAAAAAkmg/ErY6Muri5J4/s640/DSC02784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion Mountain (left) and Mount Ellen (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Mount Ellen," or whatever you want to call it, actually is fairly peak-like, so perhaps in time some sort of name will stick. We'll see.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Unnamed "Peak?"</span><br />
Now, on the topo map, notice another summit north and slightly east of "Mount Ellen." I've just labeled this as "Peak?" It's approximately the same elevation as Mount Ellen. Would I suggest this as a peak? Well, let's take a look; here's a photo. The labels are a little small, so you may want to right click and open in a new window for maximum readability.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNkbzeGeuLM/UpN4wMOLyOI/AAAAAAAAsCc/exWbTccGVUw/s1600/DSC02750_labeled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNkbzeGeuLM/UpN4wMOLyOI/AAAAAAAAsCc/exWbTccGVUw/s640/DSC02750_labeled.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaks of the San Jacinto high country as seen from the south (from Marion Mountain).<br />
To enlarge, right click and open in a new window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The labels are a little hard to read, but the left most label says Unnamed "Peak". That's the "peak" that I'm referring to. Note that this "peak", while about as high as Mount Ellen, is very rounded. There's no peak-like shape. So, while it is a summit and it is over 10,000'/3048m, I doubt it will ever achieve general recognition as a peak. However, if you did want to name it something, I'd submit the name "Joyce Peak" because my daughter Joyce hiked through there (well, was carried in a child backpack) when she was three years old and because a woman's name would fit with the general theme of female names on peaks in the southern portion of the San Jacinto high country. I'm completely objective on this name of course. ;) <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f591fypzMf0/Ui3f--dDHQI/AAAAAAAAn2w/3-r_9Rny-Ns/s1600/DSC04024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f591fypzMf0/Ui3f--dDHQI/AAAAAAAAn2w/3-r_9Rny-Ns/s640/DSC04024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter, Joyce, "hiking" near "Joyce Peak"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Seriously though, I don't think this one will come to be regarded as a peak, and I don't intend to list it any time soon.<br />
<br />
Now, note one more thing in the previous photo. Between Folly Peak and San Jacinto Peak, there's a little summit which I've labeled as "Little Folly". I don't think that summit is generally recognized as a peak, but who knows? "Little" Charlton in the San Gorgonio Wilderness is considered one of the classic "Nine Peaks" of that wilderness, so perhaps in time Little Folly will gain recognition. Will I put it on my list? We'll see.<br />
<br />
Admittedly, the process of determining what exactly constitutes a peak is more than just a little bit arcane, but I hope this post gives you some insight into what is and what is not a peak and how I've compiled my list. <br />
<br />
As always, thanks for joining me,<br />
<br />
HJHikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-46863109252772540292013-10-29T21:03:00.003-07:002023-06-21T22:44:06.064-07:00Six Hiking/Backpacking Loops in the San Gorgonio Wilderness<b>UPDATE 14 July 2022:</b> The 2020 El Dorado Fire burned many areas generally west of the Forsee Creek Trail. Trails like the San Bernardino Peak Trail were heavily burned over and have little shade anymore. Some trail camps may be either closed or even if open may no longer be a desirable place to camp. I understand that Limber Pines Bench Camp got pretty burned over. I recommend calling the Mill Creek Ranger Station in Mentone, CA, and inquiring as to the most current conditions. <div><br /></div><div><b>UPDATE 16 July 2015 </b>(revised 14 July 2022): The Grinnell Loop is reported to be heavily overgrown between the Santa Ana River Trail (SART) and Aspen Grove. The trail linking the SART with Aspen Grove was never cleared after the 2015 Lake Fire. I think this is still a worthwhile loop but one has to be prepared for some bush whacking. Note also that the Grinnell Ridge Camp is now a blasted, desolate place that I wouldn't want to camp at. It's a real shame because that used to be a nice camp. Fish Creek, Dry Lake, and Lodgepole Camps only got spot burning and are still very worthwhile camps. The stretch of trail from Aspen Grove up to the junction with the trail coming in from the Fish Creek Trailhead got heavily burned over and is mostly shadeless. Travel early in the day on this section of the route.</div><div><div>
<br />
The San Gorgonio Wilderness (SGW) is the largest high-altitude wilderness area in Southern California <span face="Calibri, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt;">–</span> a hiker's and backpacker's paradise.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VFOTx6808Bo/TnbiUMl3maI/AAAAAAAADUA/LPLQ6J1-BYM/s1912/P1070989.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VFOTx6808Bo/TnbiUMl3maI/AAAAAAAADUA/LPLQ6J1-BYM/s640/P1070989.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The San Gorgonio Wilderness from Dry Lake View</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But where to hike and backpack in the San Gorgonio Wilderness? I thought I'd lay out six loops as a sort of hiking and backpacking "foundation" for the SGW. You can then build on this foundation, making variants of your own. I list out two example variants, the <b>Nine Peaks Variation</b> and the <b>Seventeen Peaks Variation</b> below, but I'm sure you can come up with more on your own. In Appendix I, I describe one area that really isn't accessible via a loop hike but is so worthwhile that it needed to be included: The N. Fork of the Whitewater River area.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>For Backpackers <i>and </i>Day Hikers</u> </span><br />
I happen to really like spending the night out in the wilderness. I think the best way to do all of these loops is as an overnight trip. But that's me. Strong day hikers will be able to do most of these loops in a single day. Whether you want to a day hike or to do an overnight trip, there's a lot of good information here about map errors, map omissions, and water sources. Backpackers will find the locations of the trail camps to be most helpful; these locations are frequently wrong, sometimes seriously wrong, on topo maps including the Tom Harrison San Gorgonio Wilderness map. In addition to the map snippets here, I've also put together an <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/12/interactive-san-gorgonio-wilderness-sgw.html" target="_blank">Interactive San Gorgonio Wilderness (SGW) Map</a></u> which covers the entire wilderness.<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Notes on solitude</span></u><br />
The Lost Creek Trail, the upper Momyer Creek Trail (above the junction with the Alger Creek Trail), and the North Fork Meadows Trail are the three least used major trails in the wilderness. The short Columbine Springs Trail is also a lesser used trail. For those desiring a bit of solitude, I commend to you trips that utilize those trails.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rT-d8OYgILg/VB_rb3Tad7I/AAAAAAAA3w8/QDoo7LtoFp0/s9912/DSC09322.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rT-d8OYgILg/VB_rb3Tad7I/AAAAAAAA3w8/QDoo7LtoFp0/s9912/DSC09322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Meadow Springs, San Gorgonio Wilderness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>How to Read the Maps</u> </span><br />
<ul>
<li>The principal route is highlighted in yellow.</li>
<li>Corrections to trails are shown as a bright green line. Note that the bright green lines are hand drawn and should be considered approximate. </li>
<li>Cross country routes are shown as a bright blue line. The bright blue lines are also hand drawn.</li>
<li>Triangles ("<span style="font-family: "Wingdings 3"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">r</span>") indicate permissible camp sites. Note that you must have a wilderness permit for all hikes (day and overnight) in the SGW and that you must have a permit for the site you wish to camp at if you are staying overnight. See the<b> <a href="http://www.sgwa.org/" target="_blank"><u>San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (SGWA) website</u></a> </b>for further information including wilderness permit applications.</li>
<li>Water droplet shaped symbols ("<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">S</span>") indicate a water source. Of course there are hundreds of other places you can get water (the entire length of a creek for example), but I've tried to mark some of the most useful ones.</li>
<li>Red "<span style="color: red;"><b>#</b></span>'s" indicate a map error that I'm, in effect, blotting out.</li>
<li>A "<span style="font-family: NPSPICT3; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">^</span>" symbol indicates trailhead parking. On one map I used a bus stop symbol ("<span style="font-family: Webdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">u</span>") to indicate the trailhead parking. Because the maps take a lot of work, I'm not at this juncture going to re-do that map. Hopefully people can live with that slight inconsistency. Hey, it's not like you're paying me for this. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">J</span></li>
</ul>
<u><span style="font-size: large;">The Six Loops</span></u><br />
Here then are the six loops. See also the appendix for other hiking options. Click on any loop to see the details.<br />
I. <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#dry-dollar">The South Fork Loop</a></u> -- From South Fork trail head to Dry Lake, San Gorgonio Mountain, Dollar Lake, and return.<br />
II. <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#grinnell">The Grinnell Loop</a></u> -- A circumnavigation of Grinnell Mountain <br />
III. <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#momyer-falls">The Momyer - Falls Creek Loop</a></u> -- Up the Momyer Creek Trail and down the Falls Creek Trail<br />
IV. <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#momyer-vivian">The Momyer - Vivian Loop</a></u> -- Up the Momyer Creek Trail and down the Vivian Creek Trail <br />
V. <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#forsee">The Forsee Loop</a></u> -- A loop from the Forsee Creek Trailhead, including Johns Meadow Camp<br />
VI. <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#grand_tour">The "Grand Tour" Loop</a></u> -- Dry Lake, San Gorgonio Mountain, and Forsee Creek -- Best loop for the "Nine Peaks".<br />
Appendix.<b> </b><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/10/six-backpacking-loops-in-san-gorgonio.html#whitewater"><u>N Fork Whitewater River</u></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="dry-dollar"> </a><span style="font-size: large;">I. The South Fork Loop.</span><br />
<b>Length: </b>21 miles round trip<br />
This is the classic. It's also the one that everybody does, so don't expect solitude on a summer weekend, especially at the summit of 11,500'/3505m San Gorgonio Mountain, which is one of the highlights of this trip. Still, it's worth doing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
A strong hiker can do the hike in one day, but it's a heck of a lot of mileage. Far better in my opinion to break it up into two or three days. Take your time and savor the wilderness. But each to his or her own. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiVDTvcaaXU/Un0XZ9YKjMI/AAAAAAAArpg/5eMGmrevaBI/s9512/Dry%2520Lake%2520-%2520Dollar%2520Lake%2520Loop4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiVDTvcaaXU/Un0XZ9YKjMI/AAAAAAAArpg/5eMGmrevaBI/s640/Dry%2520Lake%2520-%2520Dollar%2520Lake%2520Loop4.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The South Fork Loop. Right click and open in a separate tab or window to fully enlarge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>One night plan</u>: Start at the S. Fork Trailhead. Hike to Lodgepole Spring (reliable water year round except in multi-year droughts). Tank up on water. Hike, carrying your water to Summit Camp. Camp here and savor the sunset. The next day hike down via the Dollar Lake Trail. Strenuous, especially when you're carrying all that water.<br />
<br />
<u>Two night plan</u>: Start at the S. Fork Trailhead. Hike to Lodgepole Spring (reliable water year round except in multi-year droughts). Camp at nearby Lodgepole Camp. The next day, head to the summit and savor the view. After summiting, head to Dollar Lake Camp. There should be water <i>in early season</i> or in wet years coming from a spring at the south end of Dollar Lake. Both Dollar Lake and the spring frequently go dry. <i>Check the conditions</i> before embarking on your hike.<br />
<br />
<b>Map Notes</b>:<br />
1. Errata. <br />
<ul>
<li>The USGS topo map shows the S. Fork Trail climbing up over the shoulder above the saddle just west of Poopout Hill. Uh, no. The S. Fork trail goes<i> through</i> the saddle. I've sketched in the route that the trail really takes.</li>
<li>The topo map shows the S Fork Trail crossing another "trail" labeled the "Poopout Hill Trail." What the map is calling a "trail" is in fact a pretty prominent dirt road. This is the old road to the top of Poopout Hill. The road was closed because it made access to the backcountry too easy and things were getting trampled.</li>
<li>The topo map shows a trail just south of the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain <i>below</i> the Sky High Trail. The map makers were apparently smoking crack the day they drew up the map. There's no trail there and there never has been. Don't know who dreamed that up.</li>
</ul>
2. Shortcuts. The spine of the SE ridge of San Gorgonio makes an excellent short cut for those with decent map reading and route finding skills. I've sketched it in with a blue line. This short cut cuts off about a mile. I leave it to you to determine the specifics based on your examination of a detailed topo map. If you're unclear as to the route, you might want to just stick to the trail.<br />
<br />
<b>Water sources:</b><br />
I'll start at the trailhead and go <i>clockwise</i>. In some times and seasons, there may be other water sources; I'm just trying to hit some of the more important ones here and just those on the route. See other sections for sources off the route.<br />
<div>
1. Flume. **** This is the flume that diverts water from the S Fork of the Santa Ana River to Jenks Lake. Just after you pass the wilderness sign near Poopout Saddle, start looking to your left (east). You should see water flowing in the flume below you. The flume for whatever reason isn't shown on most maps but is a nice source of water after you've climbed up from the S Fork Trailhead. </div>
<div>
2. Grinnell Crossing. ***** Extremely reliable water, perhaps the most reliable in the entire SGW. <br />
3. Creek crossings in the S Fork meadows area. *****</div>
<div>
4. Lodgepole Spring. **** There may also be water in Dry Lake. The water quality at the spring is typically better. There are also some small springs along the trail and at least one big spring below the trail as you come up from S Fork Meadows. The small springs aren't typically worthwhile (too shallow, too low flow). The one large spring is pretty worthwhile, but it's off trail and you've just passed a wonderful source down in S Fork Meadows and you'll soon get to another good source at Lodgepole, so I don't consider it vital.</div>
<div>
5. Dollar Lake Spring. ** The spring is at the extreme south end of the lake, just above the lake. Both the lake and the spring frequently run dry in late season.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="grinnell"> </a><span style="font-size: large;">II. The Grinnell Loop.</span><br />
<b>Length: </b>19.5 miles round trip<br />
This might be the easiest loop in terms of steepness and elevation. Some of the other loops gain a lot more elevation and do so at very steep rates. This loop has an advantage in that many parts of it, particularly the Lost Creek Trail, are in lesser used portions of the SGW. There are real chances for solitude here. <b>Lake Fire Update: </b>The 2015 Lake Fire heavily burned parts of this route. See my updates at the top of this post.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dd4poPH0O4/UoD-bcjrieI/AAAAAAAArww/StxpKRynYlM/s9640/Grinnell_Mountain_Loop4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dd4poPH0O4/UoD-bcjrieI/AAAAAAAArww/StxpKRynYlM/s640/Grinnell_Mountain_Loop4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grinnell Loop. Right click and open in a separate tab or window to fully enlarge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>One night plan</u>: Start at the Lost Creek Trailhead. Hike to Lodgepole Spring (reliable water year round except in multi-year droughts). Camp at nearby Lodgepole Camp. Hike the remainder of the loop on day two. A one night (two day) backpack is very doable, but Dry Lake Camp is one of the most popular camps in the SGW. You might go to the two night plan just to avoid the crowds.<br />
<u>Two night plan</u>: Start at the Lost Creek Trailhead. Hike to Fish Creek Camp. The spring upstream of the camp is seasonal and will often run dry in late season, particularly in dry years. More reliable water is available at the stream crossing about 0.6 miles before camp. On day two, hike to Grinnell Ridge Camp. Water is available at the S Fork of the Santa Ana River (100% reliable all years, all conditions) about a mile before camp. Water may be available in difficult to find Mosquito Spring which is about 0.4 miles east of camp. Do not count on finding Mosquito Spring and even if you do find it there may not be water. The better option is to just carry your water in from the S Fork of the Santa Ana River. It's about a mile hike on a relatively easy trail. Hike the remainder of the loop on day 3.<br />
<br />
<b>Map Notes</b>:<br />
1. Omissions. The USGS topo map does not shows many of the trails in the area, but there are decent trails the entire route. The following trails are not shown on most topo maps:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The Lower Fish Creek Trail. This is the section of trail along Fish Creek below Aspen Grove. Most topo maps show this trail going only part way down the creek. Not true. In reality, the trail goes all the way from Aspen Grove to the Santa Ana River Trail.</li>
<li>The Aspen Grove Trail/Upper Fish Creek Trail. This section of trail goes from Aspen Grove up to the Fish Creek Meadows where it joins in with the trail coming in from the upper Fish Creek Trailhead. For reasons unknown, it's not shown on most maps.</li>
<li>The Dry Lake - Fish Creek Saddle Trail. This trail goes from Dry Lake to Fish Creek Saddle. Most topo maps show this trail dead ending at the Lodgepole Spring area. Nope. The trail, although not regularly maintained, goes all the way to Fish Creek Saddle. The trail is signed at both ends.</li>
<li>The Lost Creek Trail. A lot of topo maps don't show the relatively new Lost Creek Trail. The Lost Creek Trail runs from Grinnell Ridge Camp to the Lost Creek Trailhead near S Fork Campground. A lot of topo maps, particularly older ones, just show the trail going from the S. Fork of the Santa Ana River up to Grinnell Ridge Camp. The trail goes all the way from the S Fork to the Lost Creek Trailhead.</li>
</ul>
2. Trails that are no more.<br />
<ul>
<li>The USGS topo map shows a northern trail leading from the Aspen Grove trailhead down to the Grinnell Mountain Loop that I've described. This is actually an old road, but it's really not followable anymore. Don't anticipate seeing this "trail" as you do the route.</li>
<li>The USGS topo map shows a trail leading east from Grinnell Ridge Camp. The trail is kind of still there, but it's really not followable anymore. The trail leads to what's left of Mosquito Spring (unreliable; poor water quality; difficult to find). The spring box apparently has collapsed or filled in. The pipe no longer delivers water. It's now just essentially a slow seep. It is however usable in some years. Boil the heck out of it (guess why they call it "Mosquito" Spring).</li>
</ul>
<b>Water sources:</b><br />
I'll start at the trailhead and go <i>clockwise</i>. In some times and seasons, there may be other water sources; I'm just trying to hit some of the more important ones here and just those on the route. See other sections for sources off the route.<br />
1. "Crossing." *** This is the main fork of Lost Creek. Possibly four stars, but I haven't spent enough time there, so I'm going to be conservative and give it three.<br />
2. "Crossing." **** This and the next five crossings (for a total of six) are all along Fish Creek. Six is somewhat arbitrary since you're following the creek fairly closely for much of the way. The water is pretty reliable although I have seen sections of Fish Creek go completely dry in late season. In such a case, simply go upstream (typically) for 100 yards or so, and you'll usually find water.<br />
3. "Crossing." **** This is another crossing of Fish Creek. In particular, this is the last crossing <i>east</i> of Fish Creek Camp. This crossing is important because it is the last reliable water source before Fish Creek Camp.<br />
4. "Crossing." ** This is the outflow from a little spring <i>west</i> of Fish Creek Camp. This source is often mentioned since it is the closest to Fish Creek Camp, but it normally runs dry later in the season.<br />
5. Lodgepole Spring. ****<br />
6. Creek crossings in the S Fork meadows area. *****<br />
7. Grinnell Crossing. ***** This is the creek crossing where the Grinnell Ridge Trail takes off and crosses the S Fork of the Santa Ana River en route to Grinnell Ridge Camp. Extremely reliable water, perhaps the most reliable in the entire SGW. This is the best water source for Grinnell Ridge Camp.<br />
8. Mosquito Spring. * Difficult to find. Low flow. Poor water quality. I almost shouldn't mention it, but it is a nice convenient source in the spring <span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> if you can find it. The map shows an old trail leading to it, but it's nearly impossible to follow the trail which is now only a trace. If you want to try to find it, you just have to hunt around for a patch of greenery over on the ridge shown. It's <i>not</i> in the drainage where the old trail is shown ending. And it's named "Mosquito" Spring for a reason. I've seen a lot of mosquito larvae in the water.<br />
<br />
<div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="momyer-falls"> </a><span style="font-size: large;">III. The Momyer - Falls Loop.</span><br />
<b>Length: </b>22.3 miles round trip.<br />
This is a tough one. This loop ascends the old Momyer Creek Trail straight up to the San Bernardino Peak Divide. You've got about a mile of vertical gain on the first day. Make sure you've done some good training hikes with similar gain before you take this one on. This hike is in one of the lesser used portions of the SGW. You should have some good opportunities for solitude, particularly on the upper section of the Momyer Creek Trail which is no longer regularly maintained. The upper section of the Momyer Creek Trail is pretty followable, but you should have some decent map reading and route finding skills before taking on this hike.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb7H6fSEwAc/Un0XZ7AUi0I/AAAAAAAArpk/6vCHJpzcXCg/s9640/Momyer%2520Creek%2520-Falls%2520Creek%2520Loop4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb7H6fSEwAc/Un0XZ7AUi0I/AAAAAAAArpk/6vCHJpzcXCg/s640/Momyer%2520Creek%2520-Falls%2520Creek%2520Loop4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Momyer - Falls Loop. Right click and open in a separate tab or window to fully enlarge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>One night plan</u>: Start at the Momyer Creek Trailhead. Go up. And up. And up. :) When you get to the junction with the Alger Creek Trail, stay left. And go up. Hit the San Bernardino Peak Divide trail and turn right (east). Head to Trail Fork Springs*** if you need water. Alternatively, you can stay level and head straight to Anderson Flat if you have enough water. Camp at High Meadow Springs**** (reliable water). On day two, head east from High Meadow Springs to Dollar Lake Saddle. Take the Falls Creek Trail south from Dollar Lake Saddle to the Alger Creek Trail. Turn right (west) on the Alger Creek Trail and hike back to the Momyer Creek Trail (the trail you came in on). Descend the Momyer Creek Trail back to the trailhead.<br />
<br />
<u>Two night plan</u>: Start at the Momyer Creek Trailhead. Stay at Trail Fork Springs*** the first night. Stay at Dobbs Camp***** the second night. Hike the remainder of the loop on day 3.<br />
<br />
<b>Map Notes</b>:<br />
1. Momyer Creek Trail Conditions. The stretch of the Momyer Creek Trail above the Alger Creek Trail is the not regularly maintained section. It's followable but a bit sketchy right at the junction. Bring a topo map and compass and know how to use them. You can augment your your map and compass with a GPS, but a GPS is electronic and therefore susceptible to failure. Best practice is to always bring a map and compass and never a GPS alone. Whatever you bring, know how to use it.<br />
2. High Meadow Springs Camp. There is no trail shown on the map to High Meadow Springs, but a trail does in fact exist, and thanks to the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association (SGWA) volunteer trail crews it is now well marked. There is a use trail from the camp area down to the springs. The route to the springs is also marked.<br />
3. Camp Locations. Anderson Flat Camp and Shields Flat camp are shown in approximate positions. I tried not to obscure the wording on the map. Saxton camp is just plain wrong on the USGS map. I have marked it in the correct position. Alger Creek camp is laughably wrong. The USGS map shows it on a ridge east of Alger Creek. Uh, no. Alger Creek camp is, um, by Alger Creek. Indeed, Alger Creek camp is just west of Alger Creek on the forested bench.<br />
4. Trail to Dobbs Camp and Dobbs Camp. The trail to Dobbs camp is shown taking a sharp right turn at one point and heading directly down a steep near-cliff. Um, no. The trail gradually descend and reaches Falls Creek near the confluence of the east and west forks of Falls Creek as I've sketched in. Dobbs Camp is a general area. The best camp sites in my opinion are in the crook of the "Y" formed by the confluence, and I've placed my triangle symbol there, but there are numerous good camp sites along the east bank of Falls Creek below the confluence.<br />
<br />
<b>Water sources:</b><br />
I'll start at the trailhead and go <i>clockwise</i>. In some times and seasons, there may be other water sources; I'm just trying to hit some of the more important ones here and just those on the route. See other sections for sources off the route. <b>Note that the water sources here are all pretty reliable. </b>When there's a drought, this is one of the best routes. The only vital water source that is somewhat questionable in a drought is Trail Fork Springs.<br />
1. Trail Fork Springs. ***<br />
2. High Meadow Springs. ****<br />
3. Plummer Crossing. ***** This is where the Falls Creek Trail crosses W Fork Falls Creek in Plummer Meadows.<br />
4. Small Spring. ** A convenient water source if you're heading downhill en route to Saxton Camp. If it's dry, just get water at West Prong Crossing.<br />
5. West Prong Crossing. **** This is where the trail crosses the west prong of the W Fork Falls Creek.<br />
6. Dobbs. ***** Not really on route, but it won't be described elsewhere, so I'll describe it here.<br />
7. Alger Creek. *****<br />
8. Cedar Spring. **<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="momyer-vivian"> </a><span style="font-size: large;">IV. The Momyer - Vivian Loop.</span><br />
<b>Length: </b>22 miles round trip (trail only) or 23.6 miles (including the road walk between the two trailheads).<br />
Similar to the Momyer - Falls Loop, but traverses by means of the San Bernardino Peak Divide Trail over to San Gorgonio Mountain and then descends via the Vivian Creek Trail. Note: There is a either a short car shuttle or short road walk (1.6 miles per Google maps) to connect the two trail heads.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjpNgCPkxGw/Un0HVf6WPRI/AAAAAAAArpA/ESMkgWP_mbU/s9999/Momyer_Creek-Vivian_Creek_Loop4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjpNgCPkxGw/Un0HVf6WPRI/AAAAAAAArpA/ESMkgWP_mbU/s640/Momyer_Creek-Vivian_Creek_Loop4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Momyer - Vivian Loop. Right click and open in a separate tab or window to fully enlarge.</td></tr>
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<u>One night plan:</u> One night out is frankly a bit of a stretch on this trail. That's a lot of miles. But a strong hiker can do it. Indeed, some very strong hikers do this as a day hike. The real problem for backpackers is that the campsites that are about half way do not have water. But for those willing to pack the water, you can camp at either Dry Lake View or Summit Camp. Alternative to packing in water: Melt snow in the spring.<br />
<br />
<u>Two night plan</u>: Camp the first night at either Saxton or High Meadow Springs. Both camps should have water. Spend the second night at High Creek which will have water.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Nine Peaks Variation</u></b>: For those wanting to summit the classic "nine peaks" of the SGW (San Bernardino Pk, East San Bernardino Pk, Anderson Pk, Shields Pk, Alto Diablo Pk, Charlton Pk, Little Charlton Pk, Jepson Pk, and San Gorgonio Mtn), use the upper section of the Momyer Creek Trail to go directly to the San Bernardino Peak Divide. See the route description for the Momyer Creek - Falls Creek Loop for details. From there, go west to bag East San Bernardino and San Bernardino Peaks. Then come back east to pick up the remaining peaks along the western portion of the San Bernardino Peak Divide. You will re-join the above described route at Dollar Lake Saddle. Note however that <i>the "Grand Tour" route is the most efficient</i> <i>way</i> to bag the nine peaks in a loop hike. The Grand Tour route is described in section VI, below. See my list of <u></u><u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/p/southern-california-peaks-above-10-000.html" target="_blank">Southern California Peaks above 10,000'/3048m</a></u> for details about these peaks.<br />
<br />
<b>Map Notes</b>:<br />
1. All comments from the Momyer Creek - Falls Creek Loop apply.<br />
2. The position of High Creek Camp on the USGS topo is wrong. It is not up a side branch of High Creek. It is just east of the main branch of High Creek.<br />
3. The position of Summit Camp on the USGS map is questionable. The sites I'm familiar with are a bit east of the summit and are so marked.<br />
<br />
<b>Water sources:</b><br />
I'll start at the trailhead and go <i>clockwise</i>. In some times and seasons, there may be other water sources; I'm just trying to hit some of the more important ones here and just those on the route. See other sections for sources off the route. <br />
1. Cedar Spring. **<br />
2. Alger Creek. *****<br />
3. Dobbs. *****<br />
4. W. Prong Crossing. ****<br />
5. Small Spring. **<br />
6. Plummer Crossing. *****<br />
7. High Creek. *** Possibly four stars.<br />
8. "Crossing" near Halfway Camp. **. This is the upper end of Vivian Creek. If dry at the crossing, go upstream 100 yards or so and you may find water there. <br />
9. Vivian Creek. *** Possibly four stars.<br />
10. Spigot. **** There's a spigot with potable water on the south side of the restroom at the trailhead parking lot. The only reason I'm just giving it four stars is because recently they had a sign saying "do not drink" on it. Nothing had been detected in the water, but they hadn't been able to do their mandatory testing. They can't declare the water potable unless they have a current test. I drank the water anyway, and nothing bad happened. This is the only traihead that I am aware of that has water at the trailhead (although there is water when the campground is open near the Lost Creek Trailhead). There is the possibility that they could shut the water off in the winter to prevent freezing pipes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="forsee"> </a><span style="font-size: large;">V. The Forsee Loop.</span><br />
<b>Length: </b>17.3 miles round trip.<br />
A nice loop. Very doable as a single overnight (or as a very long day hike). In a lesser used portion of the wilderness, but more used than say the Lost Creek Trail which I believe is the least used of all the trails.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTtK3-XZCRo/Unmy3P6Z2XI/AAAAAAAArmQ/rwDGD9t2dOA/s9576/Forsee_Creek_Loop3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="608" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DTtK3-XZCRo/Unmy3P6Z2XI/AAAAAAAArmQ/rwDGD9t2dOA/s640/Forsee_Creek_Loop3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Forsee Loop. Right click and open in a new tab to fully expand.</td></tr>
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<u>One night plan</u>: Camp at Trail Fork Springs. Reasonably reliable water here, but check conditions first.<br />
<u>Two night plan</u>: Spend the first night at Limber Pine Bench (fairly reliable water; sometimes dry in late season). I don't recommend Columbine Springs because water is so seldom found there. Spend the second night at Trail Fork Springs (fairly reliable water). You could also stay at Jackstraw Springs, depending on the strictures of your schedule, but the water at Jackstraw is far less reliable. There are a lot of "widow makers" (dead trees just waiting to come down) at Johns Meadow, therefore <b>Johns Meadow Camp is closed for the foreseeable future. </b><br />
<br />
<b>Map notes</b>:<br />
1. No trail is shown from Johns Meadow Camp to Manzanita Spring, but there definitely is a trail, albeit no longer receiving regular maintenance. I have sketched in the trail in bright green. The trail is signed at both ends.<br />
2. The trail to Johns Meadow Camp is shown switch backing down into Forsee Creek fairly rapidly. This is incorrect. The trail does a couple of switch backs and then contours upstream. I have approximated the true route of the trail in my route sketch.<br />
3. It is important to know that the trail west of Johns Meadow Camp goes <i>downhill</i> after you cross the small branch of Forsee Creek. It's weird, but knowing that it goes downhill will help. The first time I hiked this trail, I thought I was on the wrong trail for a while. Nope. It really does go downhill at first.<br />
4. Johns Meadow is not located at Johns Meadow Camp. Everyone hikes through the camp and says "where's the meadow?" It's nearby but not visible from the camping area. In other words, if you get to Johns "Meadow" Camp and you don't see a meadow, don't worry. You're not necessarily lost.<br />
5. My triangle indicating the position of Columbine Springs Camp is approximate (less accurate than my other position indications).<br />
6. Limber Pine Bench Camp is actually a pretty big area and fairly spread out. The triangle only marks a small portion of the camp.<br />
7. There's a little spur trail marked 1E17 shown going west off of the Forsee Creek Trail (1E06.1). There is no such trail that I've ever been able to find.<br />
<br />
<b>Water sources:</b><br />
I'll start at the trailhead and go <i>clockwise</i>. In some times and seasons, there may be other water sources; I'm just trying to hit some of the more important ones here.<br />
1. W. Branch Round Cienega Cr. **<br />
2. "Springs" (three fairly close together). * A lot of the time there is some water flowing over the trail, but the deepest "pools" are usually where water has filled in someone's muddy footprint. No easily recovered water here.<br />
3. Jackstraw Springs. **<br />
4. Trail Fork Springs. ***<br />
5. Limber Pine Springs. **<br />
6. Manzanita and Columbine Springs (on spur trail). * Just a bit of damp ground is usually what you see here. I didn't even mark Manzanita Springs because it's so unreliable.<br />
7. Two small creeks west of Johns Meadow Camp. **** One or both of these is normally flowing year round. The stream just west of Johns Meadow Camp is the most convenient water source for the camp.<br />
8. Forsee Creek. ***** This is the main fork of Forsee Creek. Absolutely the highest reliability rating.<br />
9. E Fork Forsee Creek. **<br />
10. Stetson Creek. **<br />
11. Spring just east of Stetson Creek. ** Stetson Creek itself is usually dry here, but the little spring just to the east is frequently flowing, particularly in early season.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="grand_tour"> </a><span style="font-size: large;">VI. The "Grand Tour" Loop.</span><br />
<b>Length: </b>26.1 miles round trip (trail only) or 28.9 miles round trip (including the road walk).<br />
This back pack takes one on a "Grand Tour" of the SGW. It's basically a concatenation of the South Fork with the Forsee Creek Loop. The "Grand Tour" route is the most efficient way to summit all nine of the classic "nine peaks" of the SGW in a loop hike (San Bernardino Pk, East San Bernardino Pk, Anderson Pk, Shields Pk, Alto Diablo Pk, Charlton Pk, Little Charlton Pk, Jepson Pk, and San Gorgonio Mtn). Note: There is a 2.8 mile (per Google maps) road walk between the two trailheads.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12rciToIazI/Un0HVcTa35I/AAAAAAAAro8/7dVUHZTCj5s/s9999/Grand_Tour_Loop4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12rciToIazI/Un0HVcTa35I/AAAAAAAAro8/7dVUHZTCj5s/s640/Grand_Tour_Loop4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Grand Tour" Loop. Right click and open in a separate tab or window to fully enlarge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>One night plan</u>: Get real. This is really at least a two night trip. But if your really have a need for speed, spend the night at High Meadow Springs (reliable water) <span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> and good luck. Yipes! This advice goes for most people, but obviously there are those fit enough to do this in a single day as a day hike. Doesn't sound like much fun to me. Day hike not recommended for all but the fittest of the fit. Single night out recommended only for the very fit and fast. Two night minimum for most people. Three nights is the best option.<br />
<u>Two night plan</u>: Water is a bit of a limiting factor here. If there's snow up high, you might want to spend the first night at Summit Camp, melting snow for water. You second night could be at Trail Fork Springs***. If there's no snow, you could do a relatively short hike to Lodgepole Spring Camp (reliable water) the first day, then High Meadow Spring (reliable water) for your second night, but you'd have a very long day for your third.<br />
<u>Three night plan</u>: If you've got the time, this is a nice option. Night one: Lodgepole Spring (reliable water). Night two: High Meadow Spring (reliable water). Night Three: Limber Pine Bench (seasonal water, but often present <span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">–</span> check conditions before you go). Hike out on day 4. This is the way to do it, in my opinion. Savor the high country. Spending the night at Limber Pine Bench gives one some fabulous views.<br />
<br />
<b><u>17 Peaks Variation</u></b>: There are seventeen peaks with elevations above 10,000' (3048m) in the SGW. See my list of <u><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/p/southern-california-peaks-above-10-000.html" target="_blank">Southern California Peaks above 10,000'/3048m</a></u> for a list of those peaks. If one wanted to climb all seventeen of the 10,000 footers, this is the route to use. Change the above route as follows: Instead of going through Trail Flats after passing Dry Lake, go to Fish Creek Saddle. There is no trail marked on the USGS topo going to the saddle, but in fact there is one. The trail is no longer maintained regularly, but it gets plenty of use and is very followable. From Fish Creek Saddle, you can bag Grinnell Mtn, Ten Thousand Food Ridge (the highpoint), and Lake Peak. You'll re-join the "standard" Grand Tour route at Mine Shaft Saddle.<br />
<br />
<b>Map Notes</b>:<br />
1. All preceding map notes apply. See those notes for details.<br />
2. Trailheads. Note that you either need to do a <b>car shuttle</b> or that you need to walk between the trail heads. It's a bit of a walk between the trail heads, but I've done it, and it's not too bad. The walk is all along Jenks Lake Road which is neither a high traffic nor a high speed road.<br />
<br />
<b>Water Sources:</b><br />
See the South Fork Loop and Forsee Loop for descriptions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Final Word</u></span><br />
As you can tell, I've just outlined these trips. I haven't gone into great detail. The maps themselves communicate much of what I have to say. Hopefully this gives you some ideas without taking away the challenge and fun of planning your own trip. Now, enjoy, be safe, and preserve the wilderness.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2805100829126623437" id="whitewater"> </a><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Appendix I </u></span><br />
The six loops described above cover all the major hiking and backpacking areas in the SGW except one: the North Fork of the Whitewater River area. While no loop hike is available (at least on trail), the N Fork of the Whitewater River area is worth a visit. This area is probably one of the three least visited areas in the SGW.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76e7Yd5LR-k/UnsMmnLa8RI/AAAAAAAArok/T-OM4jJEMNk/s9640/North_Fork_Whitewater_River_Area3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="556" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76e7Yd5LR-k/UnsMmnLa8RI/AAAAAAAArok/T-OM4jJEMNk/s640/North_Fork_Whitewater_River_Area3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">N Fork Whitewater River Area. Right click and open in a separate tab in order to enlarge fully.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The positions of the trail camps in this area are outrageously wrong. Mineshaft Flat Camp is shown up on the side of a hill. Um, no, Mineshaft <i>Flat</i> Camp is in the <i>flat </i>below. I have indicated the correct position with my usual black triangle. The camp area is actually fairly large, so you wouldn't necessarily be looking for a precise point. I have blotted out the incorrect position with a red hash mark.<br />
<br />
Big Tree Camp is shown on the wrong side of the river. The key thing to note is that Big Tree Camp is on the NNE side of the river in the crook of the "Y" formed by the river and a small side stream. The black triangle again marks the correct location. I have blotted out the incorrect position with a red hash mark.<br />
<br />
The ironic thing is that there is a large tree (a white fir) near the location marked by the USGS on their topo map, but that is not <i>the</i> Big Tree, and that is not the correct position of the camp. The actual Big Tree (a massive ponderosa pine), for which the camp is named, died a few years ago and much of it lies on the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8hy5RkW2ro/SM9IYkwojKI/AAAAAAAAFcI/LvnHQWlfGWE/s1128/47_IMGP0247.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8hy5RkW2ro/SM9IYkwojKI/AAAAAAAAFcI/LvnHQWlfGWE/s640/47_IMGP0247.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The</i> Big Tree. Imagine how tall it was when it still had its top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Map Notes</b>:<br />
1. As mentioned above, the positions of the trail camps marked on the USGS topo map are way off. Refer to the black triangles on the map for the correct locations.<br />
2. There's an excellent short cut for those coming from the Dry Lake area that goes from just east of Lodgepole Spring up to Lodgepole Saddle. There is an old mining trail here that you can follow parts of, but the trail is no longer fully followable. <br />
<br />
<b>Water sources:</b><br />
I'll start at Lodgepole Saddle go downhill from there. In some times and seasons, there may be other water sources; I'm just trying to hit some of the more important ones here and just those on the route. <br />
1. Springs. **** Possibly five stars for the second spring. These springs are about 0.3 miles south of Mine Shaft Flat Camp. Both springs are just below the trail. The second spring is a real gusher and is pretty easy to find simply because it makes so much noise. There's also a pretty well worn path down to the spring.<br />
2. N Fork Whitewater River. ***** After you cross the meadow, you have to cross the river since the camp is on the far side of the river. The river is extremely reliable.<br />
3. Small Side Creek. **** Small, but actually pretty reliable. This is the most convenient water source for Big Tree Camp. If it's dry, no worries, just back track to the nearby N Fork of the Whitewater River.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Appendix II </u><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif""><u>–</u></span><u> Water Reliability Ratings</u></span><br />
Now, since these ratings are based on personal observation, they're going to be somewhat subjective, but at the same time you should know that I've been hiking in the SGW since the 1960's. I actually have some basis for the ratings I give to a water source. If you disagree, please comment to that effect below, <i>but please tell me <b><u>why</u></b>. </i><br />
* Unreliable. Assume no water unless you have a current report to the contrary. Example: Columbine Spring.<br />
** Less reliable. Water typically in early season. Often dry in late season. Example: the spring above Fish Creek Camp.<br />
*** More reliable. Water typically in late season in normal years. May be dry in late season in dry years. Example: Limber Pine Springs.<br />
**** Very reliable. Water typically year round except possibly in multi-year droughts. Example: Lodgepole Springs.<br />
***** Extremely reliable. Water year round even in multi-year droughts. Example: Forsee Creek.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Appendix III </u></span><span face=""Calibri","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u>–</u></span><span style="font-size: large;"><u> Alphabetical List of Trail Camps of the SGW</u></span><br />
You should be able to find the location of each of these camps on the maps in this blog post. I've listed the loop or area the camp is in after the name of the camp. Refer to the map of that loop or area for the location of a given camp. Since some of the loops overlap, several of the trail camps will be listed on more than one map. I've only listed one map per trail camp.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Alger Creek (Momyer Creek - Vivian Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Anderson Flat (Momyer Creek - Falls Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Big Tree (N Fork Whitewater R area)</li>
<li>Columbine Springs (Forsee Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Dobbs (Momyer Creek - Vivian Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Dollar Lake Forks (South Fork Loop)</li>
<li>Dry Lake (South Fork Loop)</li>
<li>Dry Lake View (South Fork Loop)</li>
<li>Fish Creek (Grinnell Mountain Loop)</li>
<li>Fish Creek Saddle (Grinnell Mountain Loop)</li>
<li>Grinnell Ridge (Grinnell Mountain Loop)</li>
<li>Halfway (Momyer Creek - Vivian Creek Loop)</li>
<li>High Creek (Momyer Creek - Vivian Creek Loop)</li>
<li>High Meadow Springs (Momyer Creek - Falls Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Jackstraw Springs (Forsee Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Johns Meadow (Forsee Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Limber Pine Bench (Forsee Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Lodgepole Spring (South Fork Loop)</li>
<li>Mineshaft Flat (N Fork Whitewater R area)</li>
<li>Red Rock Flat (Grand Tour)</li>
<li>Saxton (Momyer Creek - Vivian Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Shields Flat (Grand Tour)</li>
<li>Summit (South Fork Loop)</li>
<li>Trail Flats (South Fork Loop)</li>
<li>Trail Fork Springs (Forsee Creek Loop)</li>
<li>Vivian Creek (Momyer Creek - Vivian Creek Loop)</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div></div>Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-89059235042653086332013-10-29T16:40:00.002-07:002013-10-29T16:57:21.585-07:00Lower Fish Creek Loop – Family HikeSometimes I like to take the whole family out for a hike. The problem is that I have to "tone it down" a bit so that everyone enjoys it. My wife, for one, just isn't going to put up with some of the longer, harder hikes I might do on my own. But where to go?<br />
<br />
Well, this past weekend, we went out to Lower Fish Creek near the San Gorgonio Wilderness. One of the nice things about this hike is that it's outside of the wilderness which means you don't have to stop to get a permit or worry whether or not all the permits have already been taken.<br />
<br />
Also nice is the fact that it's a semi-loop. I say "semi" because you enter and leave via the same trail but there's a nice loop at the far end of the hike. Take a look at the below map, and I think you'll see what I mean. I've highlighted the route in yellow. Click to enlarge. Note that there you can go beyond the route that I've highlighted on the map. I'll say more about extended day hiking and backpacking options in the appendix.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdw767IB4pw/UnAPyYLwMaI/AAAAAAAArQw/xTK7CuXkwM8/s2500/Lower%2520Fish%2520Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdw767IB4pw/UnAPyYLwMaI/AAAAAAAArQw/xTK7CuXkwM8/s640/Lower%2520Fish%2520Creek.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lower Fish Creek Loop hike. Click to enlarge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The hike is about 4 miles (6.5 km) round trip, and there's about 500 feet (150m) of gain. At our "blistering" pace, we did it in about 4 hours. A fit hiker could probably do that in half that time, but for families, allow about 5 hours.<br />
<br />
The hike starts at the Lost Creek trail head. One parks across (on the north side) of highway 38, opposite the entrance to South Fork Campground and starts on the Santa Ana River Trail (2E03). The trail uses an underpass to cross the highway although traffic isn't typically so heavy that you'd need to use it; I leave that up to you, the reader. If you take the underpass, it's pretty easy to stay on the trial. If you just cross the highway, you have to look for the trail heading right (west) before you enter the campground proper. Periodically, you'll see signs with the trail number on them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7gUlYykReI/T6NGsR66jwI/AAAAAAAAMCk/aEfpv8MR7H8/s912/P1110409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n7gUlYykReI/T6NGsR66jwI/AAAAAAAAMCk/aEfpv8MR7H8/s640/P1110409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail 2E03 (Santa Ana River Trail)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The trail first heads west and then joins an old road and turns east. You'll soon come to the junction with the Lost Creek Trail (1E09), but don't turn here, go straight (east), staying level.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6btJrw0rY4/T6NGmeQsp_I/AAAAAAAAMCU/G2itB2-E0EE/s912/P1110406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6btJrw0rY4/T6NGmeQsp_I/AAAAAAAAMCU/G2itB2-E0EE/s640/P1110406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junction with the Lost Creek Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You'll soon come to Lost Creek itself, which you'll have to cross. In early season in wet years, you may get wet crossing the creek. In drier years or in late season, usually it's no problem to cross the creek on rocks. Here, a backpacker crosses the creek just ahead of me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqpEAluBxvA/T6NG_GogK1I/AAAAAAAAMDc/V8azw0RvDkY/s912/P1110412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqpEAluBxvA/T6NG_GogK1I/AAAAAAAAMDc/V8azw0RvDkY/s640/P1110412.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A backpacker crossing Lost Creek</td></tr>
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Right after you cross the main branch of Lost Creek, you'll soon come to another, lesser branch (usually dry). You'll see a road coming in from the left. There are some old cabins along this road. You continue straight to stay on the Santa Ana River Trail.<br />
<br />
OK, now here comes the hard part, so <i>pay attention</i>. Do you see the junction I've circled in <span style="color: red;"><b>red</b></span> on the map? This is the trickiest part of the whole trip. The old road that you've been following goes straight, into "College Camp" (which I think was once affiliated with UCLA). The Santa Ana River Trail heads right. It's not at all well marked. There's no sign. You just have to be looking for it. What appears to be the main track heads straight. You're going to want to go straight, but you just have to bear right at this point. If you get into a camp with buildings and such, simply retrace your steps back to this junction – and then take the other fork. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hvynisflxE/Um9sufGfYlI/AAAAAAAArGw/ngK0cDfsu2Y/s912/DSC05234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_hvynisflxE/Um9sufGfYlI/AAAAAAAArGw/ngK0cDfsu2Y/s640/DSC05234.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unmarked junction. The Santa Ana River Trail bears right here.</td></tr>
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Now, you're going to contour along above College Camp for a while after which you'll descend into lovely Fish Creek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXfzn5f2Ug/Um9NEm_CBAI/AAAAAAAAq9A/100M20SO0t4/s912/DSC05164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3LXfzn5f2Ug/Um9NEm_CBAI/AAAAAAAAq9A/100M20SO0t4/s640/DSC05164.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old road that is now the Santa Ana River Trail (2E03) descending into Fish Creek.</td></tr>
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Fish Creek is a great spot. We hit the creek in late October. The best fall colors are around the first or second weekend of October, but still the willows did not disappoint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QQJH1P_EtI/Um9N0hcCOII/AAAAAAAAq9Q/VaIY3Q2ojIk/s912/DSC05166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2QQJH1P_EtI/Um9N0hcCOII/AAAAAAAAq9Q/VaIY3Q2ojIk/s640/DSC05166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willows in fall splendor along Fish Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cottonwoods too played their part.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7SHjHHpRFQ/Um9HQU2rzjI/AAAAAAAAq7U/-oWNC7PK3o8/s912/DSC05153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M7SHjHHpRFQ/Um9HQU2rzjI/AAAAAAAAq7U/-oWNC7PK3o8/s640/DSC05153.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottonwoods at Fish Creek</td></tr>
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And the Black Oaks were no less well adorned.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vb-gtMD3UaQ/Um9J_y4xGGI/AAAAAAAAq8M/sacT42q4mxA/s912/DSC05158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vb-gtMD3UaQ/Um9J_y4xGGI/AAAAAAAAq8M/sacT42q4mxA/s640/DSC05158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black oak in fall color and a young hiker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon, you'll need to cross Fish Creek, but this is no problem. A section of an old log has been emplaced and the crossing is easy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5f11fJmbWg/Um9Ob3l8UAI/AAAAAAAAq9Y/9nkIU78j0CY/s912/DSC05167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5f11fJmbWg/Um9Ob3l8UAI/AAAAAAAAq9Y/9nkIU78j0CY/s640/DSC05167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek Crossing on the Santa Ana River Trail, Fish Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, it's pretty easy even if you're carrying a big load or ...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyrRjSgSh-4/Um91eONTcFI/AAAAAAAArJ8/RStnT8eoLfE/s912/DSC05257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyrRjSgSh-4/Um91eONTcFI/AAAAAAAArJ8/RStnT8eoLfE/s640/DSC05257.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author and his daughter, crossing Fish Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
... you're a little hiker.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gl3dwEpESY/Um9P0aBiUQI/AAAAAAAAq94/UJRFiFiwcCY/s912/DSC05171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0gl3dwEpESY/Um9P0aBiUQI/AAAAAAAAq94/UJRFiFiwcCY/s640/DSC05171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author's daughter, crossing Fish Creek. Easy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, pay attention again. Shortly after the stream crossing, you're going to come to an unmarked junction. Here, I'm looking at the junction from the east.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sWF3kwdi_M/Um9z5Akdy4I/AAAAAAAArJQ/sbCj131R6h4/s912/DSC05253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sWF3kwdi_M/Um9z5Akdy4I/AAAAAAAArJQ/sbCj131R6h4/s640/DSC05253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unmarked junction in Fish Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The nice part about this junction is that there are no wrong answers. :) Seriously, recall that we're doing a loop. You can go either direction. However, navigation is easier if you go <i>straight</i>, i.e. if you continue up Fish Creek. Note that on the topo map I included above there is not trail marked as going up Fish Creek. This is incorrect. There is a good trail all the way up Fish Creek. I've shown the approximate route of the trail with the bright green colored dotted line. <br />
<br />
The trail goes through this distinctive cut in this large old log. In the photo below, my wife is standing at the junction. The distinctive cut in the old log is clearly visible from the junction.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4cNIoHxM5A/Um9TUYP3XLI/AAAAAAAAq-0/s_C2X-vJ8t0/s912/DSC05178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4cNIoHxM5A/Um9TUYP3XLI/AAAAAAAAq-0/s_C2X-vJ8t0/s640/DSC05178.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trail heading up Fish Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, I've mentioned that the trail isn't marked on the official maps. As a consequence, the trail doesn't appear to be getting much maintenance. There were some downed trees like this one, below. No big deal (simply walk around), but be aware that maintenance is infrequent and informal. Still, it's a good trail and worth your time. It's getting plenty of use judging by how well worn the tread is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ydkW2ii86A/Um9WjPnfeFI/AAAAAAAAq_w/8IP76fdctGg/s912/DSC05185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ydkW2ii86A/Um9WjPnfeFI/AAAAAAAAq_w/8IP76fdctGg/s640/DSC05185.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down tree, lower Fish Creek Trail</td></tr>
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Soon, you'll come to another crossing of Fish Creek. Again, the crossing is pretty easy although in early season in wet years, it may be more of a challenge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Do5JANQLm2E/Um9YiswChGI/AAAAAAAArAQ/N79XPNKJfk8/s912/DSC05189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Do5JANQLm2E/Um9YiswChGI/AAAAAAAArAQ/N79XPNKJfk8/s640/DSC05189.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second crossing of Fish Creek</td></tr>
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On the far side of this crossing, you'll soon enter an interesting area full of equisetum ("horse tail" reed). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15Pz0ncludk/Um9cKQqWudI/AAAAAAAArBY/eDm3lhgZNUA/s912/DSC05196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-15Pz0ncludk/Um9cKQqWudI/AAAAAAAArBY/eDm3lhgZNUA/s640/DSC05196.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equisetum and gooseberry along the lower Fish Creek Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon after, you'll climb a bit and join a barely recognizable old road bed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlP3PsZ5qNg/Um9c_F14PRI/AAAAAAAArBo/T8nDYOry4LY/s912/DSC05199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NlP3PsZ5qNg/Um9c_F14PRI/AAAAAAAArBo/T8nDYOry4LY/s640/DSC05199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up to the old road bed.</td></tr>
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You'll follow the old road bed until it crosses the creek. The creek is narrower here and as a consequence, a bit deeper. This might be the trickiest of the crossings, but there are rocks in place, and it's not big deal for adults. Little hikers will need a hand with this one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3_Qq81OQHc/Um9gidmQHlI/AAAAAAAArCs/_vzBxVnpQg8/s912/DSC05206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3_Qq81OQHc/Um9gidmQHlI/AAAAAAAArCs/_vzBxVnpQg8/s640/DSC05206.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third Crossing in Fish Creek</td></tr>
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Shortly after the crossing, you'll come to a junction which is signed only as "trail".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBuJpSsPn_8/Um9gx3dGl5I/AAAAAAAArC8/4u41e_yei4U/s912/DSC05208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IBuJpSsPn_8/Um9gx3dGl5I/AAAAAAAArC8/4u41e_yei4U/s640/DSC05208.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail junction just beyond the third crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are two signs. The sign farthest upstream points out the route if you were to continue up Fish Creek. The lower Fish Creek Trail goes all the way up to Aspen Grove.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d08iNSOOnPk/Um9iBy-CQII/AAAAAAAArDQ/EODQaS3wn40/s912/DSC05209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d08iNSOOnPk/Um9iBy-CQII/AAAAAAAArDQ/EODQaS3wn40/s640/DSC05209.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The upstream sign points out the continuation of the lower Fish Creek Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our route today heads away from the creek at this junction and follows the old road bed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRUuhSsVRRo/Um9iBIz8UwI/AAAAAAAArDM/uIh76tAdtFc/s912/DSC05210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRUuhSsVRRo/Um9iBIz8UwI/AAAAAAAArDM/uIh76tAdtFc/s640/DSC05210.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old road bed on the far side of Fish Creek</td></tr>
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Erosion and the years have taken their toll on the old road bed. It's no longer truly a road, but it's a fine trail. Some years ago, when I took this path, it was fairly faint. Evidently, a lot of people have discovered this route for it's now a clear, well-worn path.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kyYH8vARd_c/Um9iNrGAYmI/AAAAAAAArDY/i084sBqYJwE/s912/DSC05211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kyYH8vARd_c/Um9iNrGAYmI/AAAAAAAArDY/i084sBqYJwE/s640/DSC05211.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The path climbing out of Fish Creek</td></tr>
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When you reach the top of the gorge of Fish Creek, the path is a little less distinct, but still quite followable. You're basically following the old road bed. Note that on the topo map the road is shown as just abruptly stopping. Uh, no. The old road road bed continues and joins the other roads shown to the east. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79_2DK62CfA/Um9k2a2hnRI/AAAAAAAArEA/PmXemB1Flmk/s912/DSC05216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-79_2DK62CfA/Um9k2a2hnRI/AAAAAAAArEA/PmXemB1Flmk/s640/DSC05216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Following the trail/old road bed on the far side (east side) of Fish Creek</td></tr>
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You're now walking through some lovely woods, woods made all the more lovely by splashes of fall color.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE49c-5qU9A/Um9mhXY1_OI/AAAAAAAArEs/dMlxVsGr_4o/s912/DSC05219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE49c-5qU9A/Um9mhXY1_OI/AAAAAAAArEs/dMlxVsGr_4o/s640/DSC05219.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woods and fall color.</td></tr>
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If you look sharp, you can see bits of the history of the area, reminders that this was indeed once a road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCt53qZUk00/Um9nVCMguoI/AAAAAAAArE0/pUIFaho8qR8/s912/DSC05221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCt53qZUk00/Um9nVCMguoI/AAAAAAAArE0/pUIFaho8qR8/s640/DSC05221.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What appears to be an old gas tank or some other paraphernalia from a motor vehicle</td></tr>
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Again, if you look sharp, you can see an old sign post at approximately the point where the road up Fish Creek joins the road coming up from the Heart Bar area (1N39A). This road is very faint. You can follow it, but I recommend that you continue a bit further east until you join the Santa Ana River Trail (2E03).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xULzHIL6IGE/Um9pgqOsB4I/AAAAAAAArFk/G6cSZtYTGzM/s912/DSC05226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xULzHIL6IGE/Um9pgqOsB4I/AAAAAAAArFk/G6cSZtYTGzM/s640/DSC05226.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road 1N39A (what's left of it). Not recommended for family outings.</td></tr>
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Soon you'll come to the more or less unsigned junction with the Santa Ana River trail (2E03). In the photo below, I'm standing just east of the junction. The left branch (blocked off) is the old road that leads to Fish Creek. The right is the Santa Ana River Trail. Note the trail sign which says "2E03" on the right. It's not really a sign marking the junction; it's just marking the trail, but it's helpfully located, so take note of it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z6f8jBKWh8/Um9tD4iis8I/AAAAAAAArG8/fYUGDNbtWrw/s912/DSC05236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z6f8jBKWh8/Um9tD4iis8I/AAAAAAAArG8/fYUGDNbtWrw/s640/DSC05236.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unsigned junction of the road from Fish Creek with the Santa Ana River Trail.</td></tr>
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At this junction, you'll want to head back west on the Santa Ana River Trail. Just west of this junction, there's a downed tree. This is a maintained trail, but apparently they just haven't gotten to this one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5DzF4N-T0o/Um9w1d-WMsI/AAAAAAAArIQ/0ipOKV0Z_4A/s912/DSC05243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w5DzF4N-T0o/Um9w1d-WMsI/AAAAAAAArIQ/0ipOKV0Z_4A/s640/DSC05243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downed tree, Santa Ana River Trail</td></tr>
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Soon you'll re-cross the remains of road 1N39A. It's pretty distinctive where it heads down to the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjbghVj9FY0/Um9xqOR08-I/AAAAAAAArIg/cxAWfqabgn0/s912/DSC05247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjbghVj9FY0/Um9xqOR08-I/AAAAAAAArIg/cxAWfqabgn0/s640/DSC05247.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road 1N39A heading steeply down to the Santa Ana River</td></tr>
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I'll say more about this section of road in the appendix. On the uphill side, you can barely make out where the road used to run. It's followable if you look closely, and it will lead you to the road coming up from Fish Creek. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL0MCipkqqg/Um9yXNVbGxI/AAAAAAAArIs/P4ZOXPwNIZQ/s912/DSC05248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VL0MCipkqqg/Um9yXNVbGxI/AAAAAAAArIs/P4ZOXPwNIZQ/s640/DSC05248.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking straight down the remains of road 1N39A</td></tr>
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Soon after passing old road 1N39A, the trail takes a switch back left and you descend to Fish Creek.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqL1py07O0o/Um9y5Y0-brI/AAAAAAAArI4/R4TCsdklVHM/s912/DSC05250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqL1py07O0o/Um9y5Y0-brI/AAAAAAAArI4/R4TCsdklVHM/s640/DSC05250.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending from the east on the Santa Ana River Trail into Fish Creek</td></tr>
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As you descend into Fish Creek, you should be first heading almost due south. The trial as it nears the bottom will turn more westerly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xWGuQ6SPEII/Um90I8GsLGI/AAAAAAAArJY/NOthIqe__rw/s912/DSC05252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xWGuQ6SPEII/Um90I8GsLGI/AAAAAAAArJY/NOthIqe__rw/s640/DSC05252.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the bottom of Fish Creek.</td></tr>
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At the bottom of the descent, you should be at the junction that you passed through on your way in. If you look left, you should again see the distinctive cut in the old log.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7GrMCmfQjY/Um9SS5kqJ5I/AAAAAAAAq-k/RY-pdBh3JSI/s912/DSC05176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y7GrMCmfQjY/Um9SS5kqJ5I/AAAAAAAAq-k/RY-pdBh3JSI/s640/DSC05176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The distinctive log cut on the lower Fish Creek Trail</td></tr>
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At this junction, you want to turn <i>right</i> and head down stream. You do NOT want to go back through the distinctive log cut. Assuming you didn't go back through the cut log, you're now back on the trail that you came in on. Simply follow your original path back to the Lost Creek Trailhead where you parked your car.<br />
<br />
Thanks for "joining" me on this loop hike through the lower section of Fish Creek. I hope you find this trip report/trail guide helpful.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Appendix –</u></b></span><b style="font-size: x-large;"><u> Other Hiking Options</u></b><br />
If you can read maps well, you'll no doubt see many other hiking and even backpacking options in the vicinity. I'll make a few remarks below that you might find helpful.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>I. Backpacking</u></b></span><br />
Now, I've made mention that the lower Fish Creek Trail goes all the way to Aspen Grove, and indeed it does. For some reason the topo map from the USGS shows the trail abruptly ending just north of hill 7210. This is not correct. The trail is a through trail. Given that this is a through trail, this leads us to an interesting backpacking possibility, what I call the Grinnell Mountain Loop. I've marked the loop on the below topo map. You'll want to click on the map to zoom in. You can make it a two day hike, staying at Dry Lake or Lodgepole camps, or you can make it a three day hike staying at Fish Creek Camp the first day and Grinnell Ridge Camp the second. Grinnell Ridge Camp is a neat spot and is far less visited than many of the other camps in the wilderness. I recommend it. Note that there are several sections where the topo map does not show a trail, but rest assured there is decent trail all the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-du2Bh17h3sI/UnA8kpivSVI/AAAAAAAArRY/TL1SEL_fIhE/s9640/Grinnell_Mountain_Loop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="550" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-du2Bh17h3sI/UnA8kpivSVI/AAAAAAAArRY/TL1SEL_fIhE/s640/Grinnell_Mountain_Loop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grinnell Mountain Loop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>II. Longer Day Hikes</u></b><br />
Here, I'm going to refer to the original map that I posted.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdw767IB4pw/UnAPyYLwMaI/AAAAAAAArQw/xTK7CuXkwM8/s2500/Lower%2520Fish%2520Creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdw767IB4pw/UnAPyYLwMaI/AAAAAAAArQw/xTK7CuXkwM8/s640/Lower%2520Fish%2520Creek.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The Lower Fish Creek area. Click to enlarge.</td></tr>
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<b>Option A, Aspen Grove</b>. As noted above, the lower Fish Creek Trail is a through trail. The lower Fish Creek Trail goes all the way to Aspen Grove (and beyond). For those who would like to visit Aspen Grove and would like either a) to avoid the dirt road or b) have a bit more of a hike, the Lost Creek Trailhead offers an a nice alternative to the Aspen Grove Trailhead. Note however that the portion of trail blotted out with red "X's" on my map, above, really isn't there anymore. You can find parts of it if you look hard, but it's really not a followable trail anymore (it was a road at one time). Your best bet, if you want to connect to the Aspen Grove trailhead, is to hike the lower Fish Creek Trail to the Wildeness Sign (see below) and take the main trail to the Aspen Grove trailhead from there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBznFZJxiqvLwl4RVFNqhRY2MrBUqN5IUI7UfkTpERakOAMfKXDCDI8HnVBs88_Oa38yrTbWqzMFXKQ3g7EdhFJRTgSTUL_6wyW1nN7mJtbXNotE_1UGR0HgGYf0lzfHs4pfi3cMwGhZs/s720/DSC00844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBznFZJxiqvLwl4RVFNqhRY2MrBUqN5IUI7UfkTpERakOAMfKXDCDI8HnVBs88_Oa38yrTbWqzMFXKQ3g7EdhFJRTgSTUL_6wyW1nN7mJtbXNotE_1UGR0HgGYf0lzfHs4pfi3cMwGhZs/s640/DSC00844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The author at the Wilderness boundary sign on the main trail from the Aspen Grove trailhead.</td></tr>
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<b>Option B, a longer Lower Fish Creek Loop</b>. Note road 1N39A which runs from the Heart Bar area. I've circled the northern end in an aqua color. I've taken this road from the Heart Bar area. It's really hard to find the start of the road and where the road crosses the river. It's very overgrown. I didn't find that route particularly worthwhile. <br />
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However, if you go further along the road, you'll see where it leaves Santa Ana River Trail (circled in purple) and where it joins the lower Fish Creek trail (also circled in purple). One could take a nice loop hike, similar to the loop hike described in the main body of this post, but instead of using the route highlighted in the above map, use road 1N39A to complete the loop. Note that road 1N39A is in somewhat rough shape. There were downed logs over the road and not a lot of signs of use when last I travelled the road. Both ends of this section of the road are a bit tricky to find. I'll describe here how to find the northern end (circled in purple) where it leaves the Santa Ana River Trail (2E03).</div>
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Just east of the unsigned junction of 2E03 with 1N39A that is described in the main body of this post, the old road climbs slightly. I apologize for the poor photo quality, but here's what it looks like. You're clearly on an old road bed here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUPQ4CohHAs/Um9uL2TXzmI/AAAAAAAArHU/3azG7lF8UDk/s912/DSC05238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUPQ4CohHAs/Um9uL2TXzmI/AAAAAAAArHU/3azG7lF8UDk/s640/DSC05238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Road 1N39A/Trail 2E03 (they're one at this point) climbing slightly.</td></tr>
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The trail is going to veer slightly to the left as seen below. Do you see the stump over to the right in the distance at the tree line. That's the road. The road switch backs hard right at the stump. Once you get to the stump, the road is easy to follow, but the first 100 yards/100 meters or so is tricky to find.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0EToMjz7Ec/Um9vc3U37LI/AAAAAAAArH0/5vL0Gib626Y/s912/DSC05241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0EToMjz7Ec/Um9vc3U37LI/AAAAAAAArH0/5vL0Gib626Y/s640/DSC05241.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail 2E03 veering left slightly as it leaves the old road bed of Road 1N39A.</td></tr>
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<div>
You can more or less see the outline of the old road bed if you look closely, but it's not distinct. You just have to be looking for where the trail leaves the road bed and veers a bit left and goes downhill. You can kind of see the outline of the road in the photo below. Note again that stump, here just slightly left of center. Head for the stump.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeE5lx5tc9M/Um9ujFSb7AI/AAAAAAAArHc/9Efizmoh5YU/s912/DSC05239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeE5lx5tc9M/Um9ujFSb7AI/AAAAAAAArHc/9Efizmoh5YU/s640/DSC05239.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outline of the old road bed veering right from the trail. </td></tr>
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<div>
Right at the point where the road leaves the trail, there is a somewhat worn "2E03" trail sign.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-SbK48BAGQ/Um9vTC9bopI/AAAAAAAArHs/YQPk9qLpKg0/s912/DSC05240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-SbK48BAGQ/Um9vTC9bopI/AAAAAAAArHs/YQPk9qLpKg0/s640/DSC05240.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trail sign at the point where the old road leaves the trail</td></tr>
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<div>
This old road (1N39A) is an interesting variant of the shorter loop that I described in my main post (above). As I mentioned, it's in rougher shape, so I'd say this is for either adults or older kids. <br />
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I'm sure you can think of additional variations in this area on your own, but I hope you find my trail notes helpful.</div>
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HJ</div>
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Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-79147973515422430202013-08-06T13:22:00.000-07:002013-08-06T21:02:01.145-07:00Antsell RockAntsell Rock (7679'+/2341m+) is the most challenging and interesting peak on the Desert Divide in the San Jacinto Mountains.<br />
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Here, I will describe the principal route to Antsell Rock, the "Sam Fink route" (named for its discoverer) which proceeds from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) along the north ridge of Antsell Rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-74v5XACAUgM/UaXmdSaq9dI/AAAAAAAAiaI/wA4qAbv0wWQ/s1600/DSC01940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Antsell Rock from the north saddle" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-74v5XACAUgM/UaXmdSaq9dI/AAAAAAAAiaI/wA4qAbv0wWQ/s640/DSC01940.jpg" title="Antsell Rock" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Antsell Rock from the north saddle</span></td></tr>
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<div>
Antsell Rock is just that, a rock, and to ascend it, one must do a bit of class three rock climbing. See the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/p/yosemite-decimal-system.html" target="_blank" title="The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS)"><u>Yosemite Decimal System (YDS)</u></a></span> if you're not familiar with the different classes.</div>
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<i>A few words on the route and safety</i>: The route up Antsell Rock involves some exposure, exposure being a climber's term for terrain where long, uninterrupted falls are possible. Hopefully the following photos will illustrate the distance one could potentially fall on this route. <i style="font-weight: bold;">A fall on this route could be quite serious or even fatal. </i>While this is not a technical climbing route, good safety practices should be observed at all times. It is up to you to learn what safety practices are appropriate for this route and to assess whether or not the risk associated with this route is acceptable to you and whether or not you have the skills and experience necessary to complete the route safely. You should also be comfortable with route finding and land navigation. Getting off route when climbing Antsell Rock could turn a fun adventure into a day of tragedy. Generally, Antsell Rock is not appropriate for newcomers to the back country, off trail travel, and rock climbing. That said, Antsell Rock is a great adventure for hikers well versed in rough terrain and class three rock travel. Enough on safety, but do think before you head out.<br />
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Please note that the Mountain Fire of July 2013 affected much of this area. Check on trail conditions and area closures before you plan a trip to this area.</div>
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Not only is there the climb of the rock itself, but the approach to the base of the rock requires a good bit of route finding, rock climbing, and bush whacking.
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D75j0ZOtn0E/UaXn-miQagI/AAAAAAAAia4/3k94TV8QvaY/s1600/DSC01943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="The route to Antsell Rock" class=" " src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D75j0ZOtn0E/UaXn-miQagI/AAAAAAAAia4/3k94TV8QvaY/s640/DSC01943.jpg" title="The route to Antsell Rock" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route to Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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The ridge approach from the north alternates between brush and rock. There's a lot of up and down and reversing to get around obstacles. The route through the brush and rocks is not obvious. Think obstacle course, not trail. There are "ducks" (stacks of rocks) placed periodically that indicate the route, but the ducks are few and far between and are generally insufficient to adequately mark the route. I got off route multiple times. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SDFYRv_FcM8/UaXolcdI_ZI/AAAAAAAAlyY/AeZpWhtpZvY/s1600/DSC01944.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SDFYRv_FcM8/UaXolcdI_ZI/AAAAAAAAlyY/AeZpWhtpZvY/s640/DSC01944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">En route to Antsell Rock along the north ridge</td></tr>
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Be prepared to do your own route finding -- and to have to reverse course when you come to an impasse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sxprgz6f7SY/UaXsH2WrcGI/AAAAAAAAlyY/EvdQzOWTbwc/s1600/DSC01952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sxprgz6f7SY/UaXsH2WrcGI/AAAAAAAAlyY/EvdQzOWTbwc/s640/DSC01952.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downclimbing an obstacle en route to the base of Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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It took me a good hour to get from the PCT to the base of the rock, a distance of only about 1/3 of a mile (about 1/2 a kilometer)! <br />
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On both the approach and the return, one generally should stay on the west side of the ridge. The east side is quite steep.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-quNY3wrui2g/UaX6w67oZWI/AAAAAAAAlyY/40L1UHioTkM/s1600/DSC01989.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-quNY3wrui2g/UaX6w67oZWI/AAAAAAAAlyY/40L1UHioTkM/s640/DSC01989.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very steep east face of the north ridge of Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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As one approaches the rock, one begins to get a sense of the true scale of this massive rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7uJhwviTzV8/UaXpB2fDF_I/AAAAAAAAlyY/Ixjpey0xA4A/s1600/DSC01945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7uJhwviTzV8/UaXpB2fDF_I/AAAAAAAAlyY/Ixjpey0xA4A/s640/DSC01945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the base of massive Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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Staying on route is important because you need to get to this, a crack in the north face of Antsell Rock. This crack affords one access to a class 3 route to the summit. Other routes traverse class 4 or class 5 terrain. Note the distinctive bonsai like tree by which the correct crack can be distinguished. This crack is behind a boulder at the apex of the shoulder of the north ridge of Antsell Rock, right where the ridge connects to the rock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xnsmdennUwo/UaXtdbSPoFI/AAAAAAAAlyY/sAfZhwdNK4I/s1600/DSC01956.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xnsmdennUwo/UaXtdbSPoFI/AAAAAAAAlyY/sAfZhwdNK4I/s640/DSC01956.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This class three crack gives one access to the summit of Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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At the top of the crack, one reaches this chockstone, but it's fairly easily surmounted either to the left or right.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DmktzUfd3b4/UaX4bjdfSHI/AAAAAAAAihI/AIDxDmJxjog/s1600/DSC01985.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DmktzUfd3b4/UaX4bjdfSHI/AAAAAAAAihI/AIDxDmJxjog/s640/DSC01985.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chockstone at the top of the class three crack on the north ridge of Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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Above the chockstone, one encounters a fairly smooth rock rib. There's no class three route up this rib. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P_4_wL8L6Qk/UaX3R3FQ1GI/AAAAAAAAlyY/J9TNDkj-vI4/s1600/DSC01982.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-P_4_wL8L6Qk/UaX3R3FQ1GI/AAAAAAAAlyY/J9TNDkj-vI4/s640/DSC01982.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock rib above the chockstone</td></tr>
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At this point, traverse to your right along some ledges past a dead pine into a brush choked gully.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZJzvBf8Rtt0/UaX3CDP7aeI/AAAAAAAAigk/2n-h5U1EqY0/s1600/DSC01981.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZJzvBf8Rtt0/UaX3CDP7aeI/AAAAAAAAigk/2n-h5U1EqY0/s640/DSC01981.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Traverse right from the rock rib along some ledges past the above seen dead pine</td></tr>
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Then ascend the brush choked gully until you reach the head of the gully.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bM0a5s69634/UaX2EMEtPyI/AAAAAAAAigU/BYJ335oX4O4/s1600/DSC01979.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bM0a5s69634/UaX2EMEtPyI/AAAAAAAAigU/BYJ335oX4O4/s640/DSC01979.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brush choked gully beyond the traversing ledges</td></tr>
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Note: The brush in the gully is thick indeed. I had a water bladder clipped to the outside of my pack. The bladder got punctured as I forced my way through the brush. TIP: Though Nalgene bottles weigh three times what a bladder weighs, they may be worth the weight in thick brush. I lost a lot of my water and was forced to drink the rest on the spot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oTg3oP9I-0E/UaX1jq_VlRI/AAAAAAAAlyY/ZGiBWwOZylE/s1600/DSC01977.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-oTg3oP9I-0E/UaX1jq_VlRI/AAAAAAAAlyY/ZGiBWwOZylE/s640/DSC01977.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back down the brush choked gully.</td></tr>
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At the head of the gully, go left up this crack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bhVSV-j3Ki0/UaX0-EkXBdI/AAAAAAAAif8/Zn8PeNDRbqY/s1600/DSC01976.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bhVSV-j3Ki0/UaX0-EkXBdI/AAAAAAAAif8/Zn8PeNDRbqY/s640/DSC01976.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crack leading left at the head of the brush filled gully</td></tr>
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Until this point, the route proceeds through whitish granitic rocks. The rock quality when one is among the white rocks is generally very good. Above the gully, one encounters reddish rocks. The rock quality of the red rocks is relatively poor. The red rocks are fractured and loose. Fortunately, the grade generally lessens when one reaches the red rocks. With care, a safe class two/class three route can be had.
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After climbing to the top of the crack in the red rocks, traverse climber's left along the face until the grade decreases.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fhZ-tm_nK6Y/UaXzZ6YMNeI/AAAAAAAAlyY/yaSwVcAP02s/s1600/DSC01972.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fhZ-tm_nK6Y/UaXzZ6YMNeI/AAAAAAAAlyY/yaSwVcAP02s/s640/DSC01972.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beyond the left leading crack, traverse climbers left below the above shown face</td></tr>
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When you reach a point where the grade decreases a bit, scramble steeply up the mix of gray and red rocks to the summit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cvUCHaGyEoU/UaXud8loFpI/AAAAAAAAidc/s-KUV_tFDD8/s1600/DSC01958.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cvUCHaGyEoU/UaXud8loFpI/AAAAAAAAidc/s-KUV_tFDD8/s640/DSC01958.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascend at a point where the grade lessens a bit</td></tr>
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Though the grade is not overly steep here, a stumble here would have serious consequences. Care must be taken with the placement of hands and feet.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-74sxqeDXMZ8/UaXu8cRN_2I/AAAAAAAAlyY/4Egz8gpiiN0/s1600/DSC01960.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-74sxqeDXMZ8/UaXu8cRN_2I/AAAAAAAAlyY/4Egz8gpiiN0/s640/DSC01960.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down while scrambling up the last bit to the summit of Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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At last, one reaches the fairly small but relatively flat summit of Antsell rock which is marked with a small aluminum pole.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G0rdc5O45OQ/UaXvy9QY1uI/AAAAAAAAlyY/xyudZt5oYs0/s1600/DSC01963.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G0rdc5O45OQ/UaXvy9QY1uI/AAAAAAAAlyY/xyudZt5oYs0/s640/DSC01963.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit of Antsell Rock. Note the red shade of the rock on the summit.</td></tr>
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<br />
While the approach took me about an hour, the ascent of the rock itself only took about 20 to 25 minutes. I took a moment to sign the summit register.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
</div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T17JLsvn-Fs/UaXyEmkDIhI/AAAAAAAAlyY/ZnaNldsVMQY/s1600/DSC01969.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T17JLsvn-Fs/UaXyEmkDIhI/AAAAAAAAlyY/ZnaNldsVMQY/s640/DSC01969.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit register entry, Antsell Rock</td></tr>
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The views from the summit are quite good.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"></span><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b51-zWb-jEQ/UaXw0GFg53I/AAAAAAAAieQ/3WfsHKEzQes/s1600/DSC01965.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-b51-zWb-jEQ/UaXw0GFg53I/AAAAAAAAieQ/3WfsHKEzQes/s640/DSC01965.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West ridge of Antsell Rock. Garner Valley in background.</td></tr>
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Descend the way you came. Take care when returning to the brush choked gully. The descent is steep and a bit loose.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QypBs470udw/UaXz5giDPII/AAAAAAAAlyY/7GLDKum5txY/s1600/DSC01973.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QypBs470udw/UaXz5giDPII/AAAAAAAAlyY/7GLDKum5txY/s640/DSC01973.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending again to the brush choked gully</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Take particular care to leave the brush choked gully at the same point you entered. Getting off route here would lead you into some very steep, loose terrain. The dead pine serves as a good route marker.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JIhyeszK_tA/UaX2tEiZhgI/AAAAAAAAigc/AdkRg1ldkXY/s1600/DSC01980.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="332" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back to the rock rib from the brush choked gully.<br />
Note distinctive dead pine on the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To return to the trail, cross the rock rib, descend the crack to the base of Antsell Rock, and then return via the north ridge to the PCT.<br />
<br />
Congratulations! You've just completed a climb of Antsell Rock, the most interesting and challenging peak on the Desert Divide in the San Jacinto Mountains.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class=" " src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--6S2IE_rwrw/UaX8DjwInWI/AAAAAAAAlyY/Z7OQSM8pMtY/s640/DSC01994.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antsell Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I hope you get a chance to put these directions to good use. <br />
<br />
Thanks for joining me,<br />
<br />
HJ</div>
Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-51314950623070176012013-07-30T20:22:00.004-07:002015-06-23T17:45:17.621-07:00The Seven Summits of San JacintoThere are seven summits above 10,000'/3000m in the San Jacinto Mountains of Southern California. These seven summits are concentrated in a single area that stretches from San Jacinto Peak (10,834'/3302m) in the north to Marion Mountain (10,362'+/3158m+) in the south.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZmAU-M6bKY/UfhMMz2O4-I/AAAAAAAAmYg/81WJ8Hyjcr0/s912/SanJacinto_Seven_Summits_.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RZmAU-M6bKY/UfhMMz2O4-I/AAAAAAAAmYg/81WJ8Hyjcr0/s912/SanJacinto_Seven_Summits_.JPG" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seven Summits of San Jacinto</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Seven Summits are (in descending order of height):<br />
<ol>
<li>San Jacinto Peak (10,834'/3302m)</li>
<li>Jean Peak (10,670'/3252m)</li>
<li>Folly Peak (10,480'+/3194m+)</li>
<li>Shirley Peak (10,388'/3166m)</li>
<li>Marion Mountain (10,362'+/3158m+)</li>
<li>Newton Drury Peak (10,160'+/3097m+)</li>
<li>Miller Peak (10,000'+/3048m+)</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Notes: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has not specified an exact height for every peak. The height of peaks whose exact height is not known is listed as the height of the last highest contour interval on the map followed by a plus ("+") sign. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. An exact height is listed for a point on Marion Mountain is specified by the USGS, but the specified point is NOT the highest physical point on the mountain. Therefore the height of Marion Mountain is listed as the height of the highest point with a known elevation followed by a plus ("+") sign. See <a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/07/marion-mountain-wrong-on-usgs-topo.html" target="_blank"><u>Is Marion Mountain "Wrong?"</u></a> for further information.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. There may be some controversy as to whether or not Shirley Peak and Miller Peak are truly peaks since they barely rise above their adjoining saddles. However, since these names are in common use, I list them as peaks here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4. Shirley Peak is an unofficially named peak. In other words, the name "Shirley" has not been officially recognized by the USGS Board of Geographic Names. Herein, I use the name "Shirley Peak" since it is the name commonly used for that topographic feature even though the name is not official.</span><br />
<br />
This past July 4 weekend, I set out to climb all seven. There are half a dozen or more trails that one could use to access the area that contains the seven summits.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYr56Fi5xvY/UeJHtoQlQ9I/AAAAAAAAlR0/pxNtWHddxSc/s912/Deer_Springs_Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYr56Fi5xvY/UeJHtoQlQ9I/AAAAAAAAlR0/pxNtWHddxSc/s912/Deer_Springs_Trail.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trails that reach the high country of the San Jacinto Mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Key to the above map:</b></u><br />
Red: Deer Springs Trail, parts of which are the route of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)<br />
Green: Marion Mountain Trail<br />
Lavender: Seven Pines Trail<br />
Dark Blue: Trail to Wellman Divide from Saddle Junction, parts of which are the route of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)<br />
White: Strawberry Trail, all of which is part of the PCT<br />
Black: Tamarack Trail which is no longer maintained<br />
Light Blue: Main trail to San Jacinto Peak from Round Valley via Wellman Divide<br />
<br />
For this hike, I choose to start on the Seven Pines Trail since it had been some time since I had hiked that trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubYNCPYj0uI/Udqy6oh5AXI/AAAAAAAAkJA/jEjVtrKYggE/s800/DSC02629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ubYNCPYj0uI/Udqy6oh5AXI/AAAAAAAAkJA/jEjVtrKYggE/s640/DSC02629.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trailhead sign, Seven Pines Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, whereas the nearby Marion Mountain Trail was apparently designed by a sadist (it's one of the steepest trails in Southern California), the Seven Pines Trail was apparently designed by a drunk. What the Marion Mountain Trail does in just 2.5 miles, the Seven Pines pines trail takes 3.8 miles (the sign says 3.5 miles, but the State Park service official mileage is 3.8), crisscrossing the N Fork of the San Jacinto River no fewer than three times in its roundabout ramble up the mountain.<br />
<br />
The trail is a lovely trail for the most part, passing through mixed oak and conifer woodlands.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6CUFYq82HI/Udq4qi2OxvI/AAAAAAAAkNA/09ZeEwjq3IM/s800/DSC02638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6CUFYq82HI/Udq4qi2OxvI/AAAAAAAAkNA/09ZeEwjq3IM/s640/DSC02638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seven Pines Trail, before the first crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But the trail shows a lot of signs of neglect, with downed trees left where they lay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPu5mUKz2a8/Udq3bRswBAI/AAAAAAAAkMQ/oILaHdo6hk0/s800/DSC02636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FPu5mUKz2a8/Udq3bRswBAI/AAAAAAAAkMQ/oILaHdo6hk0/s640/DSC02636.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many downed trees on the Seven Pines Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Immediately before the first crossing of the N Fork of the San Jacinto River, one passes from the federally controlled San Bernardino National Forest to the state controlled Mt. San Jacinto State Park. A wilderness permit is required for all travel beyond this point.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ApwDwlNf0/Udq5wrSe3VI/AAAAAAAAkNg/U3FyNVIyjxc/s800/DSC02640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S1ApwDwlNf0/Udq5wrSe3VI/AAAAAAAAkNg/U3FyNVIyjxc/s640/DSC02640.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Park boundary sign on the Seven Pines Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shortly after entering the state park, one crosses the N. Fork of the San Jacinto River which was dry on the day I crossed. See <a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/07/water-sources-of-san-jacinto-mountains.html" target="_blank"><u>Water Sources of the San Jacinto Mountains</u></a> for details on which water sources are reliable.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yHts2L8F4s/Udq700Uf19I/AAAAAAAAkOw/yzJhIrtLORA/s800/DSC02643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6yHts2L8F4s/Udq700Uf19I/AAAAAAAAkOw/yzJhIrtLORA/s640/DSC02643.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seven Pines Trail, first crossing of the N Fork of the San Jacinto River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hiking further along, I encountered a number of lovely flowers, including this Mariposa Lilly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnhBfoUhDCQ/Ud2bJnhSb2I/AAAAAAAAlQ0/G-MK_b_7EAY/s800/DSC02655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wnhBfoUhDCQ/Ud2bJnhSb2I/AAAAAAAAlQ0/G-MK_b_7EAY/s640/DSC02655.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Mariposa Lilly on the Seven Pines Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon, I came to the second crossing of the N. Fork, where I came upon another beautiful flower, this time a personal favorite of mine, a Lemon Lilly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fa2gCnfy6uI/UdrGdZYmVHI/AAAAAAAAkTk/KeW_TZf7j2o/s800/DSC02665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fa2gCnfy6uI/UdrGdZYmVHI/AAAAAAAAkTk/KeW_TZf7j2o/s640/DSC02665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lemon Lilly at the second crossing of the N Fork</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Beyond the second crossing, the Seven Pines Trail follows a small creek that is not marked on the map through a meadow. Here, I saw more beautiful Lemon Lillies.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgxp5Im0K6s/UdrNglyQUvI/AAAAAAAAkWE/_E9AGck5_r0/s800/DSC02688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tgxp5Im0K6s/UdrNglyQUvI/AAAAAAAAkWE/_E9AGck5_r0/s640/DSC02688.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More beautiful Lemon Lillies on the Seven Pines Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon, I crossed the North Fork for the third time and joined the Deer Springs Trail which comes up from the town of Idyllwild from a trailhead on Hwy 243.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rKlLjsgsAY/UdrSybwo03I/AAAAAAAAkXc/VHotqllmO-0/s800/DSC02699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7rKlLjsgsAY/UdrSybwo03I/AAAAAAAAkXc/VHotqllmO-0/s640/DSC02699.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junction with the Deer Springs Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm always struck by how poor the signage is for such a well traveled trail. After all not only is the Deer Springs Trail the principal trail on the west side of the San Jacinto Mountains in a popular state park, it is also the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a National Scenic Recreation trail which receives special funding. Despite this, there is no indication that this is the PCT, nor is there much in the way of directions other than those to Little Round Valley and San Jacinto Peak, both of which are not places a PCT through hiker would visit. The signage is so much better in the nearby San Gorgonio Wilderness.<br />
<br />
Very close by, one can see the sign for the Marion Mountain Trail. The Seven Pines and Marion Mountain Trails join the Deer Springs Trail in almost the same location.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcC7YAJWIB4/UdrTT2-UmjI/AAAAAAAAkXk/kN1WnXn4RFA/s800/DSC02700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcC7YAJWIB4/UdrTT2-UmjI/AAAAAAAAkXk/kN1WnXn4RFA/s640/DSC02700.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail sign for the nearby Marion Mountain Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Turning left (east) on the Deer Springs Trail, I soon come to Deer Springs Crossing, where the water from Deer Springs crosses the Deer Springs Trail. Unfortunately, there was no water at the crossing the day I went by.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyN76atClsQ/UdrXAvY14AI/AAAAAAAAkYo/lm3vdbBUfE8/s800/DSC02708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyN76atClsQ/UdrXAvY14AI/AAAAAAAAkYo/lm3vdbBUfE8/s640/DSC02708.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer Springs Crossing was dry on July 5, 2013.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fortunately, I was able to find a small pool just upstream from the crossing. Using a sierra cup, I was able to scoop enough water to drink.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_SQtl04cick/UdrY-BUZ0bI/AAAAAAAAkZI/WQbfULDxFGo/s800/DSC02712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_SQtl04cick/UdrY-BUZ0bI/AAAAAAAAkZI/WQbfULDxFGo/s640/DSC02712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a sierra cup to gather water from a <i>very</i> small pool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I would not count on finding water at Deer Springs in a dry year. It's kind of funny that the major trail on the west side of the San Jacintos, the Deer Springs Trail, is named for a relatively minor, unreliable water source. Bed Springs, further NE along the trail is far more reliable. Again, see <a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/2013/07/water-sources-of-san-jacinto-mountains.html" target="_blank"><u>Water Sources of the San Jacinto Mountains</u></a> for details of which water sources are reliable.<br />
<br />
Having resupplied with water, it was time to leave the trail and head up toward my first peak, Marion Mountain. I had some general information about a relatively brush free route that would lead me up to Marion Mountain from Deer Springs Crossing. I wasn't sure exactly which gully was the right one, but seeing a lack of brush in the right hand gully above Deer Springs Crossing, I headed up.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zr_IRiFwl1U/UdrdhRNw-hI/AAAAAAAAkag/EKTU5EZo2Cw/s800/DSC02722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zr_IRiFwl1U/UdrdhRNw-hI/AAAAAAAAkag/EKTU5EZo2Cw/s640/DSC02722.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the right hand gully that leads up from Deer Springs Crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The way proved to be clear and lead straight into the high country. I stayed generally on climber's left of the gully, but I eventually crossed to the right hand side near this big boulder as the terrain changed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dSVXZPgXnoM/UdreV96YDzI/AAAAAAAAka0/nvjbFa1D5LE/s800/DSC02724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dSVXZPgXnoM/UdreV96YDzI/AAAAAAAAka0/nvjbFa1D5LE/s640/DSC02724.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I crossed to the right side of the drainage at this large boulder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My approximate route is marked on the first map in this post.<br />
<br />
As I ascended, I got into increasingly coniferous terrain, and I had some good views to the north of the San Gorgonio Wilderness.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEXh4SeQZow/UdrfTg0vjCI/AAAAAAAAkbM/FR_3Bwc1Tx4/s800/DSC02730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEXh4SeQZow/UdrfTg0vjCI/AAAAAAAAkbM/FR_3Bwc1Tx4/s640/DSC02730.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Gorgonio Mountain as seen from the flanks of Marion Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The route got rockier as I ascended, but I was continually surprised: My route generally stayed class one with only a couple of class two bits until I got right up near the peak. The peak itself was class three. See <a href="http://hikinjim.blogspot.com/p/yosemite-decimal-system.html" target="_blank"><u>the Yosemite Decimal System</u></a> for a description of the classes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOmtRMms5sI/Udt219nmPrI/AAAAAAAAlO0/2nQNfYa8IgM/s800/DSC02734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOmtRMms5sI/Udt219nmPrI/AAAAAAAAlO0/2nQNfYa8IgM/s640/DSC02734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the summit of Marion Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As I neared the summit, I got some great views of Tahquitz Peak (8846'/2696m) to the south.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQXCDOetVuY/UdrhKAJzHgI/AAAAAAAAkb0/WZbGobsMxjc/s800/DSC02736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jQXCDOetVuY/UdrhKAJzHgI/AAAAAAAAkb0/WZbGobsMxjc/s640/DSC02736.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahquitz Peak (8846'/2696m) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At long last, I reached the summit. I circled around to the east. From the east, I could see the traversing crack that would by my class three route to the summit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8GkVQKu_mk/UeQqnfAwV9I/AAAAAAAAlT8/VuKqgWNgges/s800/DSC02740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8GkVQKu_mk/UeQqnfAwV9I/AAAAAAAAlT8/VuKqgWNgges/s640/DSC02740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit bloc of Marion Mountain. Route indicated in red.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then proceeded to the base of the summit bloc on the north side. From below the start ascent route looks like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDReCXV7MZM/Udrk8tvZOPI/AAAAAAAAkdQ/5AErvvqxM2Y/s800/DSC02747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eDReCXV7MZM/Udrk8tvZOPI/AAAAAAAAkdQ/5AErvvqxM2Y/s640/DSC02747.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of the ascent route to gain the top of the summit bloc of Marion Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One climbs the flake behind the dead pine tree and then traverses right on the more or less horizontal crack. The horizontal crack leads to this much larger vertical crack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9SGE9qsJfOc/UdrlS_D4PEI/AAAAAAAAkdY/P3T0rgoJqNM/s800/DSC02748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9SGE9qsJfOc/UdrlS_D4PEI/AAAAAAAAkdY/P3T0rgoJqNM/s640/DSC02748.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vertical crack leading to the top of the summit bloc of Marion Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the summit, I could see many of the peaks that I would be doing later on in my hike.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80DcscQeqnM/UdtGeKlLEkI/AAAAAAAAk_E/X74PeoVPY0Q/s800/DSC02750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-80DcscQeqnM/UdtGeKlLEkI/AAAAAAAAk_E/X74PeoVPY0Q/s640/DSC02750.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The high country of the San Jacinto Mountains</td></tr>
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I descended the way I came. The crack looks possibly a bit intimidating in this photo, but it's really not bad.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlrQ6goRO8k/Udr7xngWnPI/AAAAAAAAkkw/nuZPpVflcgQ/s800/DSC02777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlrQ6goRO8k/Udr7xngWnPI/AAAAAAAAkkw/nuZPpVflcgQ/s640/DSC02777.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending the vertical crack on Marion Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Marion Mountain, I descended to the flats just to the north and then went cross country toward Shirley Peak. It was helpful to have a map and compass here since trees sometimes obscure the view of the peak. That said, navigation was not particularly difficult.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlBzC18lC3w/Udr-Lr5FkGI/AAAAAAAAklk/aCJX1XbUBVc/s800/DSC02779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LlBzC18lC3w/Udr-Lr5FkGI/AAAAAAAAklk/aCJX1XbUBVc/s640/DSC02779.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flats between Marion and Shirley Peaks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looking back as I approached Shirley Peak, I glimpsed a clear view of the summit bloc of Marion Mountain and the ascent route.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUodKRvtRa8/UeQr7wWHOvI/AAAAAAAAlUQ/g--Xljj6t1w/s800/DSC02781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tUodKRvtRa8/UeQr7wWHOvI/AAAAAAAAlUQ/g--Xljj6t1w/s640/DSC02781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit bloc of Marion Mountain. Ascent route marked in red.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, I reached the small summit bloc of Shirley Peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_EWQzKIbqt8/UdsKCj6XrRI/AAAAAAAAkqE/40MMX2_QY0c/s800/DSC02791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_EWQzKIbqt8/UdsKCj6XrRI/AAAAAAAAkqE/40MMX2_QY0c/s640/DSC02791.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit bloc, Shirley Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the summit of Shirley Peak, I had a great view of the Tahquitz Valley. Sadly, a major fire broke out a couple of weeks later (the Mountain Fire) which burned a good portion of the Tahquitz Valley. The current status of this area is unknown to me at this time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEyHQHlrTsQ/UdsM9UIdUBI/AAAAAAAAkrE/GtiU7OFzCqs/s800/DSC02794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEyHQHlrTsQ/UdsM9UIdUBI/AAAAAAAAkrE/GtiU7OFzCqs/s640/DSC02794.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahquitz Valley from Shirley Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oddly, the summit register on Shirley Peak listed the peak's name as LePake Peak. There's no official USGS name for this peak, but Shirley Peak is the commonly used for this summit. Perhaps someone unaware of the name just decided to give it one?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykhowdritXA/UdsOJ_YljjI/AAAAAAAAkrk/WW7eaC5OKZU/s800/DSC02796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ykhowdritXA/UdsOJ_YljjI/AAAAAAAAkrk/WW7eaC5OKZU/s640/DSC02796.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit register on Shirley Peak lists the name "LePake".<br />
Perhaps Mr. or Ms. LePake is a friend or loved one of the first three people in the register?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The route from Shirley Peak to Jean Peak is fairly obvious although there is one false peak in between. Once on Jean, the summit isn't particularly distinct, but it's somewhere in the pile of rocks to the right. I was generally able to find a class one route through the rocks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I21cGvrUfL0/UdsDzSh2x5I/AAAAAAAAkno/m9cK0Ud0aBQ/s800/DSC02845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I21cGvrUfL0/UdsDzSh2x5I/AAAAAAAAkno/m9cK0Ud0aBQ/s640/DSC02845.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit of Jean Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the summit area of Jean Peak, I could see my next objective: Miller "Peak".<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hMoZfi7DK3A/UfhrkzE0quI/AAAAAAAAmY0/xFaBz8RS3VA/s800/DSC02851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hMoZfi7DK3A/UfhrkzE0quI/AAAAAAAAmY0/xFaBz8RS3VA/s640/DSC02851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miller "Peak"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I place the word "Peak" in quotes because as can be plainly seen Miller Peak isn't much of a peak. Miller barely rises above it's adjoining saddle. Still, it's an interesting bit of rock to climb, it's elevation is (just barely) over 10,000', and it has an official USGS name, so I headed on over.<br />
<br />
At this point I was running low on water and I had heard of a brush free route that I wanted to try, so rather than staying on the summit ridge, I went looking for a route down to Wellman Divide. This looked rather promising:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drP3jSRCVrM/UdsRgFzW7JI/AAAAAAAAksU/6ShBLMXpdNo/s800/DSC02859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drP3jSRCVrM/UdsRgFzW7JI/AAAAAAAAksU/6ShBLMXpdNo/s640/DSC02859.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of my route down from Jean Peak to Wellman Divide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unfortunately, I didn't find the route I was looking for and ran into some brush. Fortunately, the brush wasn't too bad, and I made my way through without undue difficulty. I'll have to look for the correct route next time I'm up there. I did pass through an interesting flat area just above Wellman Divide.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeWIF2_wfXU/UdsUz6qs49I/AAAAAAAAktY/o-xrSNcJwas/s800/DSC02863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GeWIF2_wfXU/UdsUz6qs49I/AAAAAAAAktY/o-xrSNcJwas/s640/DSC02863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat area above Wellman Divide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reaching Wellman Divide, I turned south and went to Wellman Cienega for water.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gTI-S4Uoxk/UdsYTUF7aSI/AAAAAAAAkuk/n6HCZwZGZ_4/s800/DSC02864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0gTI-S4Uoxk/UdsYTUF7aSI/AAAAAAAAkuk/n6HCZwZGZ_4/s640/DSC02864.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellman Cienega (north branch)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Resupplied with water, I took the trail back through Wellman Divide as though I were taking the main route to San Jacinto Peak. At the great switchback just below Miller Saddle, I left the trail, headed the short distance to the saddle, and turned right (east) toward Miller Peak. Miller Peak is just a little knob of rock that barely rises above the level of the Saddle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzrHJGaa6tE/UdsvVNbM6bI/AAAAAAAAk2Y/RsAWgUpMMWs/s800/DSC02882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WzrHJGaa6tE/UdsvVNbM6bI/AAAAAAAAk2Y/RsAWgUpMMWs/s640/DSC02882.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miller "Peak"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The top of Miller Peak is adorned with this plaque commemorating one Frank Miller.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCbW_0-Y4zk/UdsyaT8Q1CI/AAAAAAAAk3o/ReHncXyy-so/s800/DSC02885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCbW_0-Y4zk/UdsyaT8Q1CI/AAAAAAAAk3o/ReHncXyy-so/s640/DSC02885.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commemorative plaque on Miller Peak</td></tr>
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Despite the fact that Miller Peak isn't much of a peak, the views are pretty good.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPKOaKkJspQ/Uds04UQgn6I/AAAAAAAAk4o/b_VObB1egDQ/s800/DSC02888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPKOaKkJspQ/Uds04UQgn6I/AAAAAAAAk4o/b_VObB1egDQ/s640/DSC02888.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Mountain Station, as seen from Miller Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxtxgDrfFQ0/UdsxY8LVSLI/AAAAAAAAk3Y/TpsVEOWirVQ/s800/DSC02886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxtxgDrfFQ0/UdsxY8LVSLI/AAAAAAAAk3Y/TpsVEOWirVQ/s640/DSC02886.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jean Peak from Miller Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXHw0jNz9yc/Uds5qMf29FI/AAAAAAAAk6g/WijGfLAC5JQ/s800/DSC02892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tXHw0jNz9yc/Uds5qMf29FI/AAAAAAAAk6g/WijGfLAC5JQ/s640/DSC02892.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leatherneck Ridge and desert from Miller Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Miller Peak, I west directly up the east ridge of San Jacinto Peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDwJuxtbpiE/Uds99MyJIEI/AAAAAAAAk70/IFDEeu-QmNc/s800/DSC02895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hDwJuxtbpiE/Uds99MyJIEI/AAAAAAAAk70/IFDEeu-QmNc/s640/DSC02895.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading up the east ridge of San Jacinto Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you look for it, you can still find a lot of the old trail that ascended this ridge. This is the most direct route to the summit. The old east ridge trail is very clearly a constructed trail, not just a path worn into the ground by the passage of many feet. Judging by the workmanship, the east ridge trail appears to have been constructed by the CCC during the Great Depression. The majority of the trails in the high country of the San Jacintos were constructed by the CCC during the Great Depression.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCsC15jMzSw/Uds9JlkZx-I/AAAAAAAAk7k/FfmViV9GUZs/s800/DSC02896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCsC15jMzSw/Uds9JlkZx-I/AAAAAAAAk7k/FfmViV9GUZs/s640/DSC02896.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old east ridge trail </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a short saunter up the east ridge, I arrived at the summit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrv48CaFqoI/Uds-IYW0KjI/AAAAAAAAk78/YvFj_U_qPw4/s800/DSC02897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrv48CaFqoI/Uds-IYW0KjI/AAAAAAAAk78/YvFj_U_qPw4/s640/DSC02897.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit of San Jacinto Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't stay long at the summit. Whereas I had had all previous summits to myself, the summit of San Jacinto was awash with crowds. I quickly moved on to one of the most interesting traverses in the San Jacintos, the class two route from San Jacinto Peak to Folly Peak. The route drops fairly steeply down the west face of San Jacinto Peak and basically follow the ridgeline over to Folly Peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRyDVppOOuI/Uds_oQL5WBI/AAAAAAAAk8s/YcpLvXmkPcI/s800/DSC02900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MRyDVppOOuI/Uds_oQL5WBI/AAAAAAAAk8s/YcpLvXmkPcI/s640/DSC02900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cross country route (class 2) to Folly Peak from San Jacinto Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The views to the north along the route are outstanding.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-RlX7FMzDI/Uds_Xlz5IiI/AAAAAAAAk8k/cjwQH3FkBn8/s800/DSC02899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U-RlX7FMzDI/Uds_Xlz5IiI/AAAAAAAAk8k/cjwQH3FkBn8/s640/DSC02899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north into the Snow Creek drainage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the north face of the Folly - San Jacinto Ridge, there are many interesting pinnacles and rock formations.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YisBVzgWt4/UdtBrb5TwxI/AAAAAAAAk9Q/iEyeNbgmzXg/s800/DSC02902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YisBVzgWt4/UdtBrb5TwxI/AAAAAAAAk9Q/iEyeNbgmzXg/s640/DSC02902.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinnacle on the north face of Folly Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From the flanks of Folly Peak, I could look south and see much of the country I had already covered this trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSaBxAKPJA/UdtKE22D3wI/AAAAAAAAlAk/ulbyRAXcj_8/s800/DSC02907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSaBxAKPJA/UdtKE22D3wI/AAAAAAAAlAk/ulbyRAXcj_8/s640/DSC02907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto high country from vicinity Folly Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And looking back towards San Jacinto Peak, I could see the route I had come down. Again, I think the route down the west ridge of San Jacinto peak is one of the most interesting class 2 routes in Southern California.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyWkmivy8AU/UdtJ9S_pCtI/AAAAAAAAlAc/7x5nBLAIYcw/s800/DSC02910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nyWkmivy8AU/UdtJ9S_pCtI/AAAAAAAAlAc/7x5nBLAIYcw/s640/DSC02910.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto Peak from Folly Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Folly Peak's summit isn't particularly apical or distinct, but there are some great views of Fuller Ridge and the country to the west.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXjS0lcPc1Y/UdtVS2vrcmI/AAAAAAAAlE0/-TD72BwpJyQ/s800/DSC02925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QXjS0lcPc1Y/UdtVS2vrcmI/AAAAAAAAlE0/-TD72BwpJyQ/s640/DSC02925.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west from the summit of Folly Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, six down and one to go! From Folly Peak, I started the long traverse, mostly class 1, to Newton Drury Peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YufLdqmOtmc/Udtd4NwtLZI/AAAAAAAAlH8/Miz34XL6X4c/s800/DSC02936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YufLdqmOtmc/Udtd4NwtLZI/AAAAAAAAlH8/Miz34XL6X4c/s640/DSC02936.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing to Newton Drury Peak which can be seen behind the trees to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Newton Drury is a fairly easy peak that can be bagged via a class one route if one stays on route.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaLNZBmSVb4/UdtrHNoDHnI/AAAAAAAAlM4/vywBuBjR9hw/s800/DSC02939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zaLNZBmSVb4/UdtrHNoDHnI/AAAAAAAAlM4/vywBuBjR9hw/s640/DSC02939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ascending Newton Drury Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The summit of Newton Drury Peak is home to this, the world's toughest little tree, just barely clinging to life on the very summit of Newton Drury.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAxiAomAT0o/Udtnm46pUlI/AAAAAAAAlLg/xQ0IXSM4bYI/s800/DSC02960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UAxiAomAT0o/Udtnm46pUlI/AAAAAAAAlLg/xQ0IXSM4bYI/s640/DSC02960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World's toughest little tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Heading down from Drury Saddle to Little Round Valley is a pretty quick trip, on the order of 10 minutes. Nobody was up and around at the seasonal ranger station in Little Round Valley when I passed through.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UrBUVWemB8g/Udr4nogAfNI/AAAAAAAAkjw/rFLF1NuXkDY/s800/DSC02977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UrBUVWemB8g/Udr4nogAfNI/AAAAAAAAkjw/rFLF1NuXkDY/s640/DSC02977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Round Valley Ranger Station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Little Round Valley was dry in the main part of the meadow when I passed through on July 7, 2013.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlal48g2_D8/UdsEeaFq0wI/AAAAAAAAkn4/cJXVAjEGjLI/s800/DSC02993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlal48g2_D8/UdsEeaFq0wI/AAAAAAAAkn4/cJXVAjEGjLI/s640/DSC02993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The creek in Little Round Valley. Dry on 7/7/2013.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, there was a little bit of water at the SW end of the meadow. That said, I would not rely on finding water in Little Round Valley in a dry year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQzaSB07Bl0/UdsWgssGuTI/AAAAAAAAkuA/WNwCAEfsxNg/s800/DSC03003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tQzaSB07Bl0/UdsWgssGuTI/AAAAAAAAkuA/WNwCAEfsxNg/s640/DSC03003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water in Little Round Valley. Can you spot the little bird taking a bath?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
From Little Round Valley, it's only about a mile and a half down the Deer Springs Trail back to the Seven Pines Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ji9pYfFJB1Q/Udsl0PVYBOI/AAAAAAAAkzA/Ix8NxORChhc/s800/DSC03014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ji9pYfFJB1Q/Udsl0PVYBOI/AAAAAAAAkzA/Ix8NxORChhc/s640/DSC03014.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice, new trail sign at Little Round Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Deer Springs goes through the lovely Lilly Spring area, one of the best wildflower viewing areas in the San Jacintos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xz7KESl8I8/Uds4BOKf2tI/AAAAAAAAk50/rNwpV7NODiI/s800/DSC03032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2xz7KESl8I8/Uds4BOKf2tI/AAAAAAAAk50/rNwpV7NODiI/s640/DSC03032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Lillies, near Lilly Spring on the Deer Springs Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TtSMAH3k8Y/UdsyFeHcZjI/AAAAAAAAk3g/MrqoNj3_lgo/s800/DSC03025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TtSMAH3k8Y/UdsyFeHcZjI/AAAAAAAAk3g/MrqoNj3_lgo/s640/DSC03025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting Stars, Lilly Spring</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRFiMVpn26E/Uds4qgkX4DI/AAAAAAAAk6Q/xQy9W9xzPZ4/s800/DSC03031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rRFiMVpn26E/Uds4qgkX4DI/AAAAAAAAk6Q/xQy9W9xzPZ4/s640/DSC03031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Rhododendron, Lilly Spring </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But Lilly Spring, as good as it is, isn't the only place along the Deer Springs Trail for wildflower viewing. Here is a Columbine near Rock Spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WptWru-gM8/UdtACm7qc5I/AAAAAAAAk80/mZZwktJZXgk/s800/DSC03040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WptWru-gM8/UdtACm7qc5I/AAAAAAAAk80/mZZwktJZXgk/s640/DSC03040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbine </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ranger's buttons, also near Rock Spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54vDpO_CtTA/UdtAl6f1GJI/AAAAAAAAk88/Bpw84LSb3dY/s800/DSC03041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54vDpO_CtTA/UdtAl6f1GJI/AAAAAAAAk88/Bpw84LSb3dY/s640/DSC03041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ranger's buttons </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shooting Stars near Bed Springs Crossing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK8h4xuQtB4/UdtJNZTtz2I/AAAAAAAAlAM/v8lYooUMA4w/s800/DSC03052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BK8h4xuQtB4/UdtJNZTtz2I/AAAAAAAAlAM/v8lYooUMA4w/s640/DSC03052.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting Stars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are other intriguing things on the west side of the San Jacintos like this massive rock on the flanks of Folly Peak. Has it ever been climbed?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6sNOHVb-tU/UdtU7s0eHlI/AAAAAAAAlEs/-UgQ7QCCnz0/s800/DSC03068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6sNOHVb-tU/UdtU7s0eHlI/AAAAAAAAlEs/-UgQ7QCCnz0/s640/DSC03068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive Rock near Folly Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Reaching the Fuller Ridge Trail, I'm almost done with my peaking bagging loop through the San Jacintos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql0Pr7rlApk/UdtfLn_AVQI/AAAAAAAAlIc/GLxUe_bfRrE/s800/DSC03079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ql0Pr7rlApk/UdtfLn_AVQI/AAAAAAAAlIc/GLxUe_bfRrE/s640/DSC03079.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail sign on the Deer Springs Trail for the Fuller Ridge Trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Again, I'm amazed at the poor quality of the signage in the area. There's nothing really to indicate that the PCT turns off the Deer Springs Trail here and follows the Fuller Ridge Trail, nothing except some penciled in letters. Neither is there any indication as to what lies down the trail nor are there any mileages listed.<br />
<br />
Shortly after passing the Fuller Ridge Trail junction, I returned from whence I came, the Seven Pines Trail, which I then followed back to my car.<br />
<br />
I hope you've enjoyed this little peak bagging trip in that most favored of Southern California mountain ranges, the San Jacintos.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Appendix I. Overall Route Map.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-al-aEE6oxEA/Ufg9TSxEoAI/AAAAAAAAmX4/43B4g3isnbY/s912/SanJacinto_Water.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-al-aEE6oxEA/Ufg9TSxEoAI/AAAAAAAAmX4/43B4g3isnbY/s640/SanJacinto_Water.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall route map. First section in green. Second section in blue.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Appendix II. The Seven Summits in a Day.</b></span><br />
I did the above described trip as a backpacking trip, staying overnight. I had wanted to hike the Seven Pines Trail, explore several routes, and investigate some water sources in addition to bagging the seven summits. However, there's no reason a fit person couldn't do all seven summits in a single day, given a sufficiently early start and a good knowledge of the area and the routes thereof. Below, I list a map that might be the route for such a one day attempt on all seven summits.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VjcjK71kMU/Udyejo6FsjI/AAAAAAAAlQE/5qTL1SFBmqA/s1600/SanJacinto_Seven_Summits_Day_Hike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7VjcjK71kMU/Udyejo6FsjI/AAAAAAAAlQE/5qTL1SFBmqA/s640/SanJacinto_Seven_Summits_Day_Hike.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Route for the Seven Summits to be done in one day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The route would start at the Mountain Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway since that's the highest start one can have. West side trailheads are somewhere above 6,000 feet in elevation whereas the Mountain Station is above 8,000 feet in elevation. From the tram, one would follow the Sid Davis route staying right at the drainage and leaving the main trail. One would then take the old, abandoned but still followable Tamarack Trail up to the main trail coming in from Wellman Divide. One would take the main trail to Miller Saddle and then Miller Peak. From Miller, one would hit all the peaks in counter-clockwise fashion as shown.<br />
<br />
The route down from Jean Peak is shown as a dotted line because there are several options. The most logical route would be to descend north from Jean to the saddle between San Jacinto and Jean and from there drop down to the Tamarack Trail which would then be used to return to the tram. I have not done the route down from Jean-San Jacinto Saddle, but I've talked to people who have, and I understand it's class 2 and quite doable.<br />
<br />
Alternatively, one could proceed to the small saddle where the trail from Little Round Valley meets the summit trail and the trail from Wellman Divide. One could then proceed down the main trail back to the Tamarack trale and then back to the tram. This route would take longer but might offer some advantage if one were tired and not desirous of trying the class two route down from Jean-San Jacinto Saddle.<br />
<br />
Lastly, one could retrace one's steps a bit and follow the route that leads down to Wellman Divide. From Wellman Divide one could proceed down the main trail to Round Valley and from Round Valley back to the tram. If one felt that one would be out after dark for the last sections of the trip, this route down well maintained trails might offer some advantage.<br />
<br />
I think it's only a matter of time before someone successfully does all seven summits in 24 hours. The more difficult challenge would be to not use the tram, using some other trailhead instead. The most difficult challenge would be to start in Palm Springs and use the Skyline Trail to hike to Grubbs Notch and then do the seven summits. This would be the renowned "Cactus to Clouds" challenge with six extra summits thrown in, a challenge not to be taken lightly!<br />
<br />
<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2805100829126623437.post-24665034867096209302013-07-15T11:12:00.001-07:002013-07-16T16:16:22.154-07:00Is Marion Mountain "Wrong" on the USGS Topo?I believe that the summit of Marion Mountain (10,362'/3158m) is "wrong" on the USGS topo map, or, more precisely, I believe that the spot elevation shown on the map is<i> not</i> the highest point of Marion Mountain.<br />
<br />
Take a look at the below snippet of the USGS topographic map (San Jacinto Peak, 1:24,000). Click to enlarge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhJAnY8xdRE/UeQYs_JdQlI/AAAAAAAAlTE/UGOB3hdwZiU/s1600/Marion_Mountain_High_Point.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhJAnY8xdRE/UeQYs_JdQlI/AAAAAAAAlTE/UGOB3hdwZiU/s640/Marion_Mountain_High_Point.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spot elevation of 10,362' is positioned on the <i>eastern</i> portion of Marion Mountain's summit ridge.<br />
The manually drawn in black dot is the approximate position of the actual highest point on Marion Mountain on the <i>western</i> portion of the summit ridge.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Note that the summit ridge of Marion Mountain has an east-west orientation and that the spot elevation is positioned on the <i>eastern</i> portion of the summit ridge.<br />
<br />
Now look at this photo of Marion Mountain, taken from Folly Peak. Note that the highest point appears to be on the <i>western</i> portion of the summit ridge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpIFEI8rADY/UeQj8Rj30BI/AAAAAAAAlTk/zco6mOx01w4/s1024/DSC02927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PpIFEI8rADY/UeQj8Rj30BI/AAAAAAAAlTk/zco6mOx01w4/s640/DSC02927.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion Mountain with directions indicated as shown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, have I got that right or is there some oddity in the camera angle or similar that might make the western end of the summit ridge of Marion Mountain look higher? How can we verify where the high point is?<br />
<br />
Well, fortunately, I've climbed Marion Mountain a couple of times. The summit of Marion Mountain is quite obviously the highest point when you're standing atop it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8GkVQKu_mk/UeQqnfAwV9I/AAAAAAAAlT8/VuKqgWNgges/s1024/DSC02740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y8GkVQKu_mk/UeQqnfAwV9I/AAAAAAAAlT8/VuKqgWNgges/s640/DSC02740.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit bloc of Marion Mountain. <br />
Note climbing route arrows at bottom right of summit bloc.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Now, note also the arrows I've drawn in that indicate the standard climbing route (class three) by which one attains the summit. One ascends the slab at the base of the summit bloc and then traverses right in the large diagonal crack as shown, gaining this large vertical crack by which the final summit is reached.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9SGE9qsJfOc/UdrlS_D4PEI/AAAAAAAAkdY/P3T0rgoJqNM/s640/DSC02748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9SGE9qsJfOc/UdrlS_D4PEI/AAAAAAAAkdY/P3T0rgoJqNM/s640/DSC02748.JPG" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This vertical crack affords one a good class three route to the summit of Marion Mountain</td></tr>
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These cracks (the traversing crack and the vertical crack) will allow us to identify the summit of Marion Mountain from a distance. Here, for example, is a photo of the summit of Marion Mountain taken from the flanks of nearby Shirley Peak (10,388'/3166m). I have drawn in arrows indicating the route. Note a) the traversing crack and b) the vertical crack.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUodKRvtRa8/UeQr7wWHOvI/AAAAAAAAlUQ/g--Xljj6t1w/s1024/DSC02781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUodKRvtRa8/UeQr7wWHOvI/AAAAAAAAlUQ/g--Xljj6t1w/s640/DSC02781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The summit of Marion Mountain.<br />
Final ascent route shown in red.</td></tr>
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On the very summit of Marion Mountain is the traditional summit register. In that summit register are may signatures from Sierra Club Hundred Peaks Section (HPS) and Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit (RMRU) trips.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71NJ2jMaGo0/Udr57v3GoiI/AAAAAAAAkkM/DMUSGXM35-M/s1024/DSC02774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71NJ2jMaGo0/Udr57v3GoiI/AAAAAAAAkkM/DMUSGXM35-M/s640/DSC02774.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit register signatures from several RMRU members.</td></tr>
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I believe that I have reasonably established that I have correctly identified the highest point on Marion Mountain because<br />
<ol>
<li>I have personally climbed Marion Mountain. The highest point is distinctive and is unmistakably higher than any other point on the summit ridge.</li>
<li>The highly distinctive summit cracks positively identify the high point.</li>
<li>The summit register is positioned on the point I identify as the highest point.</li>
<li>The HPS and RMRU accept the point I identify as the highest point.</li>
</ol>
So, we can clearly tell the highest point.<br />
<br />
Now, let's return to the question of the first photograph of the ridge I displayed, taken from Folly Peak which lies to the north. Does my first photo show the summit? My camera has a 20X optical zoom with another 20X in electronic zoom. Let's take a look at another photo shot from the vicinity of Folly Peak. In the photo, we can see once again the distinctive crack system on the summit bloc. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgVLjFD3lXc/UeQyzqWegKI/AAAAAAAAlUg/CIX-OPisIOM/s1024/DSC02929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgVLjFD3lXc/UeQyzqWegKI/AAAAAAAAlUg/CIX-OPisIOM/s640/DSC02929.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoom photo of summit bloc of Marion Mountain as seen from Folly Peak.<br />
The distinctive cracks of Marion Mountain's summit are shown in red.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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My photo does in fact show the highest point on Marion Mountain.<br />
<br />
So, what have I established?<br />
<ol>
<li>The spot elevation of 10,362' is NOT positioned on the highest point of Marion Mountain.</li>
<li>Marion Mountain's summit is on the <i>western</i> portion of the summit ridge.</li>
<li>Marion Mountain is clearly higher than 10,362'.</li>
</ol>
The last point above is interesting. I've always said to myself when in the summit region of the San Jacintos, "Marion Mountain (10,362' on the map) sure looks higher than Shirley Peak (10,388')." According to the map, only twenty six vertical feet separate the two. If Marion Mountain is higher than the elevation indicated on the map (clearly it is), then Marion Mountain might well be taller than Shirley Peak. I suspect that Marion Mountain is the higher of the two, but I lack the means to precisely establish the height of either peak. At this juncture, I can only establish the three points listed above. I leave it to others to determine the exact height of Marion Mountain.<br />
<br />
HJ<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Appendix -- Further Photos of Marion Mountain</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80DcscQeqnM/UdtGeKlLEkI/AAAAAAAAk_E/X74PeoVPY0Q/s1024/DSC02750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80DcscQeqnM/UdtGeKlLEkI/AAAAAAAAk_E/X74PeoVPY0Q/s640/DSC02750.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto High Country from the highest point of Marion Mountain.<br />
It sure <i>looks</i> like Shirley Peak is lower than Marion Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vAWRCO4WWQ/UdsBAf8zrhI/AAAAAAAAkmg/ErY6Muri5J4/s1024/DSC02784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vAWRCO4WWQ/UdsBAf8zrhI/AAAAAAAAkmg/ErY6Muri5J4/s640/DSC02784.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion Mountain from the flanks of Shirley Peak.<br />
Note that the highest point is the distinctive rock bloc and is on the <i>western</i> end of the summit ridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjFMVM1NtoQ/UdsB7xyfzvI/AAAAAAAAkmw/SAA_EQ-rl0Y/s1024/DSC02785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hjFMVM1NtoQ/UdsB7xyfzvI/AAAAAAAAkmw/SAA_EQ-rl0Y/s640/DSC02785.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another photo of Marion Mountain from Shirley Peak. <br />
Note that you can make out the large vertical crack in the summit bloc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0AEXsL0754/UdsCc5CBdLI/AAAAAAAAknA/hxqIXRX9N_c/s1024/DSC02846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0AEXsL0754/UdsCc5CBdLI/AAAAAAAAknA/hxqIXRX9N_c/s640/DSC02846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion Mountain from Jean Peak.<br />
Note crack system in summit bloc and that summit bloc is clearly on the <i>western</i> end of the summit ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-RlX7FMzDI/Uds_Xlz5IiI/AAAAAAAAk8k/cjwQH3FkBn8/s1024/DSC02899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-RlX7FMzDI/Uds_Xlz5IiI/AAAAAAAAk8k/cjwQH3FkBn8/s640/DSC02899.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part one of two parts.<br />
Snow Creek from west of the summit of San Jacinto Peak.<br />
Note large white dot down in the drainage to the left.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgc-IXFwvQE/UdtPsCQUyTI/AAAAAAAAlDA/pwoRfGsKtfA/s1024/DSC02918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xgc-IXFwvQE/UdtPsCQUyTI/AAAAAAAAlDA/pwoRfGsKtfA/s640/DSC02918.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part two of two parts.<br />
Snow Creek from west of the summit of San Jacinto Peak.<br />
The white dot happens to be a sizeable water tank.<br />
My zoom really is good.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSaBxAKPJA/UdtKE22D3wI/AAAAAAAAlAk/ulbyRAXcj_8/s1024/DSC02907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSaBxAKPJA/UdtKE22D3wI/AAAAAAAAlAk/ulbyRAXcj_8/s640/DSC02907.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jacinto high country as seen from vicinity the summit of Folly Peak.<br />
Note that the western portion of Marion Mountain is clearly higher that the eastern.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_uGL843YDEw/UeQ_WsZijgI/AAAAAAAAlU4/obRIp7l-xio/s1600/DSC02927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_uGL843YDEw/UeQ_WsZijgI/AAAAAAAAlU4/obRIp7l-xio/s1600/DSC02927.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion Mountain from Folly Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZwzRCjcvX4/Udtm2LFCL1I/AAAAAAAAlLU/gn7jzgmybkc/s1024/DSC02947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZwzRCjcvX4/Udtm2LFCL1I/AAAAAAAAlLU/gn7jzgmybkc/s640/DSC02947.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marion Mountain (horizon, slightly right of center) from Newton Drury Peak.<br />
Clearly, the western portion is higher than the eastern.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />Hikin' Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01554269915148144573noreply@blogger.com3