Our first hike will take place on February 8, 2004. The starting time of the hike is at 08:00 AM. This hike is a pleasant 3.5 mile round trip hike to Sturtevant Falls, in Big Santa Anita Canyon. The elevation gain of this hike is about 500 feet. This canyon is located north of Arcadia. From the Chantry Flat parking lot the trail descends down the paved fire road to the bottom of the canyon, where it crosses a footbridge after which we stay to right and follow the path along the pretty Santa Anita creek. After crossing the creek twice we arrive at the bottom of the Falls. At the falls we will take a break and some pictures. The return is the same way we came.
Directions to the trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway (210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue. Drive 6 miles north to its end at Chantry Flat where you will find a large parking lot.
2. Echo Mountain.
The second hike of the program will take place on Saturday, March 27, 2004. We will start this hike at 07:30 AM. This hike will be a bit more challenging. If you liked the last 1/2 mile of the first hike, you will definitely enjoy this one, because we will go straight up the mountain for 2.5 miles! The trail takes us up the Sam Merrill Trail to the top of Echo Mountain. It used to be a famous spot where professor Thaddeus Lowe built a mountain railway and resort, which was visited by more than 3 million visitors from 1896 to 1936. The whole resort and railway have since vanished, except for the ruins of this official landmark. The hike is 5 miles round trip, with an altitude gain of 1,400 feet. From the stone pillars and iron gate, we follow the driveway east about 100 yards to the trail sign for Echo Mountain. The path switchbacks up the steep east wall of Las Flores Canyon to great views of downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley. After 2 1/2 miles, the trail tops out at a signed junction. We'll take a right and walk south a short way to the cement ruins of the train depot and the railway's huge bull wheel. The steps and foundation of the old hotel are great places to take a well deserved break and explore the site. We will return the same way.
Directions to the trailhead: From the I-210 freeway in Pasadena, exit at Lake Avenue Drive north for 3.4 miles to the end of Lake Avenue. Park along the street. The hike begins to the left of the stone gateway on the east side of the street.
3. Mount Zion.
Now that we have received our permit for the Mount Whitney hike, it is time to get serious... This hike is on Sunday, April 4, 2004. Starting time of the hike is at 07:30 AM. The hike is about 7 miles, with an elevation gain of 1,825 feet. From the Chantry Flat parking lot we again descend down the paved fire road to the bottom of the canyon, where we cross a footbridge. Here we turn left following the Lower Winter Creek trail to Hoegees camp. After Hoegees camp we'll see a sign for the Mt. Zion trail, where we turn right and follow it for about 1-1/4 mile until we see a side trial that will take us to the top op Mt. Zion for a beautiful view over the Big Santa Anita watershed. For the return trip we'll take the Mt. Zion trail back to Hoegees camp, where we connect with the Upper Winter Creek Trail. This trail follows Big Santa Anita canyon back to the upper side of the parking lot at Chantry Flat.
Directions to the trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway (210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue. Drive 6 miles north to its end at Chantry Flat where you will find a large parking lot.
Phase 2: Endurance training.
4. Mount Lukens.
After the Easter break, we are getting back to the program with a doozy of a hike. This hike is on Sunday, April 18, 2004. Starting time of the hike is at 07:30 AM. The hike is 8.8 miles, with an elevation gain of 3,200 feet. Mount Lukens is the highest point in the city of Los Angeles, at 5,074 feet. Originally it was called Sister Elsie Peak, to commemorate the good deeds of a Roman Catholic nun, who was in charge of an orphanage for Indian children, and was loved for nursing victims of a smallpox epidemic, during which she lost her life. The Forest Service later renamed the peak "Mt. Lukens" in honor of Theodore P. Lukens, who was famous for his reforestation efforts at Henninger Flat. From the Wildwood picnic area we must first cross Big Tujunga creek, which can be a challenge in case of high water!! (We may have to wade across it). Once we cross the creek, the first half mile of the trail is a tough rock path, after which an unrelenting 3 mile ascent takes us along Stone canyon to an old fire road, which we will follow to the top of Mt. Lukens, which has a forest of radio antennae. From the top you have a spectacular view of the Los Angeles basin! We return the same way.
Directions to the trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway (210) in Sunland, take Sunland Blvd. East (Foothill Blvd.) for 1.5 miles, and turn north on Mt. Gleason Avenue and drive 1.5 miles to Big Tujunga Canyon Road. Turn right and proceed 5 miles to Wildwood Picnic Area. Stone Canyon trail begins at the back end of the parking lot.
5. Mount Lowe railway loop.
After the brutal uphill of last week, this hike will be very enjoyable. The hike takes place on Sunday, April 25, 2004, with a starting time of 7:30 AM. It is a 12 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 2,800 feet. The first part of the hike will be the same as hike number 2, the Sam Merrill trail. From Echo Mountain, we will follow the graded railway bed to Sunset Ridge, where we will turn right and proceed up the fire road, passing several viewpoints of yesteryear. After 4 miles we reach Mt. Low Trail Camp with the stone wall foundation of old Mt. Lowe Tavern. We continue on the fire road until we reach the high point of our trip: Inspiration Point, where we will take a break before our descent into Castle Canyon, back to Echo Mountain, and down the Sam Merrill trail.
Directions to the trailhead: From the I-210 freeway in Pasadena, exit at Lake Avenue Drive north for 3.4 miles to the end of Lake Avenue. Park along the street. The hike begins to the left of the stone gateway on the east side of the street.
6. Mount Wilson Chantry Flat trail.
The first of two hikes to the top of Mount Wilson is a beautiful, but strenuous one! This hike will take place on Saturday, May 1, 2004, with a starting time of 7:00 AM. It's a 16 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet. The first part of this trail is the same as hike number 1. After about a mile and a half we turn left and hike through the heart of beautiful Big Santa Anita Canyon. At the trail junction, we follow the trail to Spruce Grove Trail Camp (4 miles from the start). We'll climb above the this camp, ford a stream and reach Sturtevant Camp. Here we cross the the creek just above a debris barrier. Once out of the canyon, the trail becomes very steep, switch backing for 3 miles before we reach Echo Rock at the east end of the Mt. Wilson summit plateau, which provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains. We will walk through the observatory grounds to the Mt. Wilson Toll Road trailhead, which we will follow until we reach the junction for the Upper Winter Creek Trail. This steep down hill trail will lead us back to our cars.
Directions to the trailhead: From the Foothill Freeway (210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue. Drive 6 miles north to its end at Chantry Flat where you will find a large parking lot.
7. Mount Wilson Original trail.
This will be the second hike to the top of Mount Wilson (5,710 Ft), and our final hike in phase 2 of the Whitney program. The hike will take place on Sunday, May 9, 2004, with a starting time of 6:00 AM. This is a 15 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 4,500 feet. This trail was forged in 1864 by Benjamin Wilson to obtain timber from the mountain top. In 1889 the Harvard University telescope was toted up this trail piece by piece, to occupy the first observatory on Mt. Wilson. The first 4.5 mile of the trail follows Little Santa Anita Canyon to Orchard Camp, which used to be a trail resort in the early 1900's. Every year in May, there is a trail running race from the center of the town to Orchard camp and back (9 miles). After Orchard Camp, the trail climbs steeply for 2 miles to the Mt. Wilson Toll Road, which we will follow to the top. The return trip is the same way. Here is a link to a website with a detailed description of the trail: http://english.glendale.cc.ca.us/mwtrail061502.html
Directions to the trailhead: From the I-210 freeway in Arcadia, exit at Baldwin Avenue. Head north on Baldwin Avenue for 2.0 miles and turn right on Mira Monte Avenue. After 0.2 miles, park along the street, close to the junction of Mt. Wilson Trail Road. (Do not park your car on Mt. Wilson Trail Road, it is a private road!). The hike begins about 150 yards up the Mt. Wilson Trail Road.
Phase 3: High Country. An altitude adjustment.
8. Cucamonga Peak.
Now that we are used to being on our feet for long hours, it is time to move on to higher ground. This hike takes place on Sunday, May 16, 2004, with a starting time of 7:00 AM. It is a 12 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 3,800 feet. The Peak is 8,859 feet high. The first part of the hike takes us up Icehouse Canyon, where we will pass brick chimneys and foundations of cabins which were swept away during the great flood of 1938. The forces of nature can also be seen in this canyon by taking a closer look at the large boulders, which show folded metamorphic rock, caused by extreme heat or pressure of the earth. Once we reach Icehouse saddle, we continue into the Cucamonga wilderness following the trail around the east slope of Bighorn peak to Cucamonga saddle, from which we have a beautiful view of the trailless gorge of Cucamonga Canyon. The trail then switchbacks steeply up the north face of Cucamonga Peak for the next mile, until we reach a side trail that will take us to the summit. From the peak we are rewarded with a stunning view of the San Bernardino Valley.
Directions to the trailhead: From the new 210 Freeway extension, driving east: In Upland, exit Mountain Ave./Mt. Baldy Exit. Turn left and proceed north for about 4 miles on Mountain Ave. to the intersection with Shinn Road - veer left. Continue to Mt. Baldy Road. Turn right (north) and after 5 miles you reach Mt. Baldy Village. Continue another 1.5 miles to the Icehouse Canyon entrance. Turn right and park in the large parking area.
9. Mount San Antonio ("Baldy").
Our first hike above 10,000 feet! This hike takes place on Saturday, May 22, 2004, with a starting time of 6:30 AM. It is a 13 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 3,800 feet. The mountain is 10,064 feet high. Mt. Baldy is the highest mountain in the San Gabriel Mountains, and is visible from much of the Southland. In 1910, William Dewey built a unique resort just 80 feet below the summit, called the Baldy Summit Inn, which unfortunately burned down in 1913 and was never reopened. Our hike will start at the Baldy fire road, about 1/2 mile below the ski-lift parking area. We follow the fire road past San Antonio falls to Baldy Notch, at the top of the ski lift. From Baldy Notch we stay on the fire road to the top of a second ski lift. Here, the trail proceeds along the "Devils Backbone (see picture), with beautiful views on both sides of of the ridge, and climbs around the south slope of Mount Harwood ("Little Baldy"). When the trail reaches a tempestuous saddle, you know the toughest part of the hike is ahead: zigzagging a very steep 700 feet ascend to the top of the mountain, where you have a commanding 360 degree view of the San Gabriel, and San Bernardino mountains, as well as the Mojave desert. We return the same way.
Directions to the trailhead: From the new 210 Freeway extension, driving east: In Upland, exit Mountain Ave./Mt. Baldy Exit. Turn left and proceed north for about 2 miles on Mountain Ave. to the intersection with Euclid Road - veer left. Continue to Mt. Baldy Road. Turn right (north) onto Mt. Baldy Road and after 5 miles you reach Mt. Baldy Village. Continue up the mountain to almost the upper end of Mt. Baldy Road. Turn left at the sign for San Antonio Falls Road. Park on the left (west) side of the divided road, (1/2 mile below the ski-lift parking area) adjacent to the locked gate of the Baldy fire road.
10. Mt. Baden-Powell.
Next to Mt. Baldy, Baden-Powell is probably the second most popular mountain climb in the San Gabriels. This hike takes place on Saturday, May 29, 2004, with a starting time of 6:30 AM. It is a 17 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet. The mountain is 9,399 feet high. Due to the closure of the Crystal Lake Recreation area, it is now a 21 mile hike! This mountain was originally called “North Baldy”. In 1931 the name was changed to Mt. Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell was a British army officer who founded the Boy Scout movement in 1907. At the top is a permanent bronze-and-cement monument dedicated to the Boy Scouts. Our hike starts at the northern edge of the Crystal Lake Recreation Area, where the trail is marked by a metal sign, indicating Windy Gap Trail. This trail zigzags steeply up the mountain slope to Windy Gap. From here the trail becomes easier, as we follow the ridge line along and around several mountain peaks, enjoying the cool and refreshing air of this middle high country. Once we rise above 9,000 ft, the forest thins and we will see the distinctive Limber Pines, most of which are over 2,000 years old. At the junction with the Baden-Powell summit trail, we turn right and walk up 2 short switch backs to the top, with great views of Mt. Baldy, the high country we just traversed, and the Mojave Desert. We return the same way.
Directions to the trailhead: From the new 210 Freeway extension, driving east: In Azusa, take the exit for Highway 39/Azusa Avenue (the exit is about 2.5 miles east of the intersection with the 605). Turn left (north) on highway 39 and proceed north for about 25 miles to the turnoff for the Crystal Lake Recreation Area. (If you come to the road’s end, you have gone about ½ mile too far!). At the forest service entry station, ask for directions to the Windy Gap Trail, or just continue on the road, (past the visitors center) for about 1 mile, until you see a large dirt parking lot on your right and a sign for the Windy Gap Trail on your left. Note that Highway 39 is a winding mountain road, where you will not be able to drive very fast. Figure at least 45 minutes to get to the Recreation area from the freeway.
Phase 4: The Mountains. Going the Distance.
11. Mt. San Gorgonio (Vivian Creek Trail).
To get to the highest mountain in Southern California, we have to go to the San Bernardino Mountains. This hike takes place on Saturday, June 12, 2004, with a starting time of 7:00 AM. It is a 15.6-mile hike, with an elevation gain of 5,419 feet. The mountain is 11,499 feet high. The best and most challenging trail to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio is via the Vivian Creek Trail. From the parking lot we first travel on an old dirt road to a point where we cross the boulder-strewn Mill Creek Wash. At the other side of the wash begins the steep ascent of the climb to the top. The trail passes several trail camps: Vivian Creek Camp, Halfway Camp, and High Creek Camp. After High Creek Camp we leave behind the Ponderosa Pine and Cedar and encounter the high altitude survivor, the Lodgepole pine. From here, the trail becomes difficult because of the incline and altitude. From the summit we have a wonderful panoramic view of the area, including a great view of Mount San Jacinto.
Directions to the trailhead: Take Interstate 10 East to Redlands - take the Highway 38 East Exit. Continue on Highway 38 East for 14 miles, and turn right at the junction with Valley of The Falls Road, follow this road until it ends (4.5 miles) and park in the parking area near the locked gate.
12. Mt. Baldy (Ski Hut Trail).
After the long hike of last week, we go back to Mount Baldy for a short but very intense hike to the top of Mount San Antonio. This hike takes place on Saturday, June 19, 2004, with a starting time of 7:00 AM. It is an 11.5-mile hike, with an elevation gain of 3,800 feet. The mountain is 10,064 feet high. This trail is the best training hike to get us ready for the steep 97 switchback section on the Mount Whitney trail. The first mile of the hike is the same as hike # 9. Once we find the beginning of the Ski Hut Trail, all bets are off, and the trail climbs steeply non-stop to the summit. At about the half way point, is the Sierra Club's San Antonio Ski Hut. This hut was originally built in 1935, burned in 1936, and rebuilt in 1937. Our trail turns left here, crossing San Antonio Creek, and contouring across the lower edge of Baldy Bowl, a skiers delight in winter. Beyond the Bowl, we zigzag very steeply to the southeast ridge. We follow this very steep ridgeline all the way to the summit. We descend via the Devil's Backbone and Baldy Notch.
Directions to the trailhead: From the new 210 Freeway extension, driving east: In Upland, exit Mountain Ave./Mt. Baldy Exit. Turn left and proceed north for about 2 miles on Mountain Ave. to the intersection with Euclid Road - veer left. Continue to Mt. Baldy Road. Turn right (north) onto Mt. Baldy Road and after 5 miles you reach Mt. Baldy Village. Continue up the mountain to almost the upper end of Mt. Baldy Road. Turn left at the sign for San Antonio Falls Road. Park on the left (west) side of the divided road, (1/2 mile below the ski-lift parking area) adjacent to the locked gate of the Baldy fire road.
13. Mount San Jacinto (Deer Springs Trail).
John Muir found the view from the top of this mountain "THE MOST SUBLIME SPECTACLE TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE ON THIS EARTH". Our hike to this magical place takes place on Saturday, June 26, 2004, with a starting time of 7:00 AM. It is an 18.4 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 5,000 feet. The mountain is 10,804 feet high. This beautiful hike takes us through a forest of Oak, Jeffrey pine and king-size Manzanita, passing junctions with the Suicide Rock and Strawberry Cienega trails. After the Strawberry junction the trail mellows out, going through stands of Pine and Fir, cross some streams along the way. Once we reach the junction with Pacific Crest Trail, the trail climbs steeply through lodgepoles to the junction with the San Jacinto Peak Trail. About a half mile from the peak is a stone shelter, built by the Civilian Corps in the 1930's, to protect the mountaineers from the fierce winter storms. Soon after we pass the hut, it is time to scramble up the enormous boulders to the peak, where we get a truly inspirational panoramic view of the desert, and Palm Springs below. For the return trip we have 2 options: 1. return the same way or, 2. make a loop to Strawberry Junction, which adds 1 mile to our trip.
Directions to the trailhead: Take Interstate 10 East to Banning - take the Highway 243 South Exit. Continue on Highway 243 for 25 miles, until you see a sign for the County Park Nature Center (one mile before you enter the town of Idyllwild). Park across from the exit for the Nature Center, near the trail head.
14. Mount San Gorgonio (South Fork Trail).
For our last "long" training hike we go back to Mt. San Gorgonio This hike takes place on Friday, July 2, 2004, or Saturday, July 3, 2004, with a starting time of 7:00 AM. It is a 21 mile hike, with an elevation gain of 4,600 feet. The mountain is 11,501 feet high. This hike resembles the Mount Whitney hike in distance, and is therefore a great preparation for the "big one" in 2 weeks. The first 4 miles are easy hiking through pine forests and beautiful picnic/camping areas. At the junction with Dry Lake trail, we switchback upwards for about a mile, and then begin a long contour around the wall of the basin that holds Dollar Lake. This section is tough because of the rocky terrain, and exposure to the sun. Once we reach Dollar Lake Saddle, the trail becomes gradually easier, passing Dry Lake View Camp, and passing junctions with the Vivian Creek trail, and the Sky High trail, after which we reach the summit of San Gorgonio. For the return trip, we take the Sky High trail, switchbacking downwards for 3.5 miles, until we reach the wreckage of a DC-3 plane, which crashed into the mountain in 1953. The trail keeps descending for 2 more miles, until we reach Dry Lake at 9,200 feet. From here we switchback down for another 1.75 miles until we reach the intersection with South Fork trail, which will take us back to our cars.
Directions to the trailhead: Take Interstate 10 East to Redlands - take the Highway 38 East Exit. Continue on Highway 38 East for 30 miles to Jenks Lake Road. Turn right and proceed about 3 miles to the South Fork trailhead
15. Mt. Baldy (Ski Hut Trail).
For our FINAL TRAINING HIKE, we do a repeat of hike number 12, for the purpose of maintaining our endurance and a short, but intense workout. This hike takes place on Saturday, July 10, 2004, with a starting time of 6:30 AM. It is an 8-mile hike, with an elevation gain of 3,800 feet. The mountain is 10,064 feet high. This trail is the best training hike to get us ready for the steep 97 switchback section on the Mount Whitney trail. The first mile of the hike is the same as hike # 9. Once we find the beginning of the Ski Hut Trail, all bets are off, and the trail climbs steeply non-stop to the summit. At about the half way point, is the Sierra Club's San Antonio Ski Hut. This hut was originally built in 1935, burned in 1936, and rebuilt in 1937. Our trail turns left here, crossing San Antonio Creek, and contouring across the lower edge of Baldy Bowl, a skiers delight in winter. Beyond the Bowl, we zigzag very steeply to the southeast ridge. We follow this very steep ridgeline all the way to the summit. We descend via the Devil's Backbone and the ski lift to the parking lot. After the hike we will celebrate the successful training program with a well deserved lunch in Baldy Village!
Directions to the trailhead: From the new 210 Freeway extension, driving east: In Upland, exit Mountain Ave./Mt. Baldy Exit. Turn left and proceed north for about 2 miles on Mountain Ave. to the intersection with Euclid Road - veer left. Continue to Mt. Baldy Road. Turn right (north) onto Mt. Baldy Road and after 5 miles you reach Mt. Baldy Village. Continue up the mountain to almost the upper end of Mt. Baldy Road. Turn left at the sign for San Antonio Falls Road. Park on the left (west) side of the divided road, (1/2 mile below the ski-lift parking area) adjacent to the locked gate of the Baldy fire road.
Mount Whitney.
The pay-off for all our hard work: July 16 is the day of the climb we have all been waiting for! We will leave the office on July 15, 2004, at 10:00AM, and drive to Lone Pine, where we will pick up our permits and explore the trail head area. The hike will start at 4:00 AM on Friday, July 16,2004, and will take about 12 to 14 hours! We will return to the warehouse on Saturday morning.
Well, we DID it. All 10 of us climbed the mountain successfully. We did start the hike at 4:00 AM, in complete darkness, and had to use flashlights, which added to the adventure! After about eight and a half hours all of us reached the summit! The weather was great, and after a well deserved rest, we all returned to the trailhead. At about 7:30PM we were back where we started, all very tired, but elated about our accomplishment.
