November 29th, 2009 / No Comments » / by SocalHikes Hiker
The Department of Public Works has an estimated timeline of when to expect some of the back country highways to reopen. Some are opening up as soon as Monday (11-30-09). But only to contractors, residents, and emergency vehicles. So won’t quite be able to see the destruction quite yet.
http://gis.dpw.lacounty.gov/roadclosures/main.cfm
November 15th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Zé
Final Stats:
17 miles, 5000 ft
oh my quads…
November 8th, 2009 / 4 Comments » / by Zé
Anyone up for a second helping?
Final Stats:
18 miles, 16800 ft
November 6th, 2009 / 1 Comment » / by SocalHikes Hiker
Now I really want a Mk II.
Timescapes Timelapse: Mountain Light from Tom @ Timescapes on Vimeo.
November 4th, 2009 / 1 Comment » / by SocalHikes Hiker
November 4th sure did come on pretty fast. Normally when November comes calling, cooler weather answers the door. But that’s hasn’t been the case for the past week. Inland temps have averaged the mid-80s, which isn’t exactly hot when compared to summer. But what it is is annoying.
The forecast for the next 7 days shows that temperatures are finally coming down to the mid-70s and will be falling to the lower 70s by Sunday. Let’s hope this trend stays because I am really looking forward to some snow, or at least some form of weather to hike in.
October 20th, 2009 / No Comments » / by SocalHikes Hiker
Alright, so I did my first real hike in a few months with Ze this past weekend. And boy, my conditioning has really tapered off. It was only 6 months ago that I was able to conquer Iron Mt in 4 hours. Albeit a very painful 4 hours. But now I’m thinking that I would have a really tough time just getting to Heaton Saddle.
This can only mean that it’s time to kick up the training for the winter months. That’s where the real fun will be. Up in the mountains in the snow. Carving out a path and falling knee deep. Exciting times!
October 17th, 2009 / 2 Comments » / by Zé
A beautiful day, not so beautiful burned areas…
Final Stats:
16 miles, 5200 ft
October 15th, 2009 / No Comments » / by Zé
If you are a fan of the San Gabriels, you’ve probably heard of John Robinson. His book entitled Trails of the Angeles has been THE reference on hiking trails in the San Gabriels for many years.
He also has other historical books, especially in relation to the various mountain ranges nearby. He has a book entitled The San Gabriels going over the history of the range, especially around the turn of the last century during the ‘Great Hiking Era’.
It’s a great read. I’d like to put up some excerpts. There are so many that its hard to pick any one paragraph, but I’ll try.
In discussion of mines in the San Gabriel Canyon:
Perched precariously on the cliffs above the East Fork Narrows was the Stanley-Miller, discovered by Gordon Stanley and Ben Miller in 1915, worked until 1939. Heavy cast-iron parts for a ball mill were somehow laboriously dragged up the precipitous mountainside and fastened by steel cables to the cliff outside the mine. The airy Wetwater Trail, terror of pack mules with its dripping water, was hacked out of the cliffs above the Narrows to gain access. The Stanley-Miller met a fierce “Gotterdammerung” in 1953, when a forest conflagration burned away the mill supports and heavy equipment came crashing down the mountainside to the bottom of the Narrows, made more dramatic by the loud din of bursting blasting caps.
October 10th, 2009 / 2 Comments » / by Zé
Final Stats:
8.3 miles, 8400 ft gain
October 8th, 2009 / No Comments » / by SocalHikes Hiker
Here’s an interesting picture I found online. It’s just a backfire too. Didn’t realize that a backfire was so outrageous.
WRIGHTWOOD, CA – Firefighters are dwarfed by towering flames as they set a backfire to try to stop the 3,500-acre Sheep fire from reaching the town of Wrightwood, a half-mile away on October 4, 2009 near Wrightwood, California. The wildfire began near Lytle Creek and is threatening the mountain ski community of Wrightwood and other communities. Strong erratic winds and a steep terrain is driving the wildfire through the San Gabriel Mountains, charring more than 3,500 acres and destroying at least four homes so far. Approximately 1,000 firefighters are battling the blaze. (David McNew / ***** Images)
The SocalHikes Hikers are an eclectic mix individuals coming from differing locations across the country. I (John) am the only a Los Angeles native. As a group though, I suppose we can be considered "peak baggers" for the types of hikes we do. How we came to know each other was through an internet hiking group. Since meeting, we've gone on countless hikes, bagged many peaks, and have experienced nature to the fullest. And now we've teamed up to bring you our experiences and experience to you. You can read our individual profiles in the About section.
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