MudNCrud Forums
Climbing and ... Climbing => Everywhere Else => Topic started by: Brad Young on March 27, 2011, 08:09:58 AM
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We hiked yesterday after spending a nice night in the same Palmdale Residence Inn that we stayed at in December. We were pleased to have electric power and no snow.
Hiking conditions on our first day were very windy, overcast and cold (warming during the day). Perfect for a section of trail that has a reputation for withering heat. We started (in lots of layers) where we had left off last time. An odd section of trail for sure - the "trail" is the top of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which is, at first, an eight foot diameter pipe:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/5563242014_0a80c9d915_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5226/5563242426_c72afe09c9_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5562666877_b8c45df1b2_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5563244994_e208767181_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5563246058_9bff66b9c1_z.jpg)
After three miles on the piped aqueduct, the trail turns right, continuing northeast for many miles across the Antelope Valley. After the turn, the actual PCT consists of Aqueduct Road and the concrete top of the buried water channel:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5563247242_f22893c4d0_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5563247678_2e67f82f62_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5563248416_585277bdaf_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5563250724_74aa0942fa_z.jpg)
As Munge already pointed out, rain puddles on top of the aqueduct provided easy drinking water for the dogs:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5562682011_00b74f3533_z.jpg)
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power keeps huge mounds of sand along the aqueduct about every two miles. Naturally the girls had to play "Queen of the Mountain:"
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5058/5562677819_dd872160af_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5562678203_a4b2d43b6d_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5563254916_d7a311ff39_z.jpg)
The flowers this time of year are, again, amazing:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5563253580_1f04b23419_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5563252300_ed1c9f16e3_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/5562676619_6548c8d59f_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/5563258414_2b3ec27272_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5563260690_f31ecb4b2a_z.jpg)
We stopped for lunch nine miles into our hike. This puts us 530 miles from the Mexican border. Stated another way, we are now done with 1/5th of the entire PCT:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5563258776_2d7c109b49_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5563259492_5374bd5158_z.jpg)
The trail then continues on Aqueduct Road, but this road changes from dead flat to up and around low, but steep hills (I think the aqueduct is more of a tunnel through most of these hills). The up-and-down was a relief from the pure flat hiking we'd done all day previously:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/5563260060_dcc26d2b88_z.jpg)
More hiking followed on the totally flat part of the aqueduct. We found Vicki waiting for us after 14.3 miles, right where the PCT leaves the aqueduct to hike into and then over the Tehachapis.
Although we had planned a 22.7 mile, one-day hike for today, the amount of snow in the Tehachapis, plus a dirt road we found and followed, caused a change in plans. We decided that 22 miles through that much snow wouldn't be possible in a day. But we'd left our backpacking gear at home because one day is what we'd planned. And, a dirt road we found continues on, paralleling the PCT for two to four miles more to the north., So, today we'll hike as much of that as we can, as far as the car can go. Then we'll do more driving reconnaissance in preparation for later in the week, and drive to Red Rocks for few days of climbing. We'll come back for the long hike Thursday or Friday, once warmer conditions have reduced the snow load. After the long hike we'll finish with an 8.3 mile day that will complete PCT Section "E" at Highway 58 - the Tehachapi Pass Highway.
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Thanks for cool TR!
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very cool!
The young's always seem to squeeze the most out of a vacation!
Do the dogs get credit for the PCT?
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Good stuff, Brad, girls, & dogs. Love the Spring flowers. 8)
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nice!
I hope you brought your shorts, Red Rocks will be in the 80s...with no snow.
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Well, The Red Rocks went very well indeed. Lot's of climbing and lots of sun. I'll post a few photos tomorrow.
Meanwhile, before we went to Red Rocks, we did do a further, short hike on the PCT. The dirt road we found let us get in another 2.4 miles, thereby reducing our next/up-coming hiking day to 20.3 miles. And after the short hike we still had time to check out the roads near the PCT and around Tehachapi Pass and then drive to Red Rocks and get camp set up.
From last Sunday; transportation by the newly minted driver:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5575199149_9b9f09bbaa_z.jpg)
Out Broken Arrow Road:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5190/5575789302_2c285903db_z.jpg)
Up a gradual incline, through masses of Goldfields:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5575787326_cb69ef2d83_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5575201543_e97306a1c6_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5227/5575201309_5ecbc26134_z.jpg)
Our trusty, experienced driver:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5575789052_6be2eb7b04_z.jpg)
In our trusty (and official) PCT Expedition:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5096/5575200305_cb9463cbb8_z.jpg)
Tonight we are in Pahrump, Nevada. We needed showers and clean-up. Tomorrow we're going to take all day to drive through Death Valley and then to Highway 395 and back down to the Tehachapi area. Friday is Tricia's 9th birthday (yeah, no foolin'), and we'll be hittin' it hard. Then one more night out followed by an easy day to Highway 58.
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The best part about Red Rocks was being able to show the whole family what's there, and why I've found it so fun.
We stayed three nights in the climber's campground, sharing a site with a very nice young Canadian couple who were on a road trip. The girls and I climbed in the Calico Hills on the first day. Katie and I did the four pitch, three star route Johnny Vegas on the second day. The third day we were lazy; we packed and then thoroughly toured the Visitors Center. We only climbed for two hours, but I redpointed a 5.11a that I'd pumped off of two years ago (Baseboy Direct).
Johnny Vegas:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5576194906_6926d49bc0_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/5575611241_193fd09925_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5576203502_e771db2602_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5576205578_1e2153712e_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/5576207762_d81dfb1c68_z.jpg)
Katie and I were thrilled to have a bighorn sheep encounter:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/5576209216_1792058ca5_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5014/5575624983_4ac8fdf866_z.jpg)
It was warm and sunny in camp:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5576214412_e54ef7b603_z.jpg)
And we were able to have campfires and campfire treats:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5576217504_e476bda0ff_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5575632915_f380557f6a_z.jpg)
All in all, an excellent interlude. And now we're off, back toward the trail.
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To me Red Rocks is civilized cragging/ alpine climbing.
Wake up from a soft bed, stop by starbucks....go climb 20 pitches...back home, take a nice hot shower and watch some TV.
I love that place.
Nice timing since last week was cold.
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Just finished 20.3 miles (on Tricia's birthday). Cleaning up now to go to her choice of restaurant.
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Very Cool!!!!
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The Tehachapi Mountains? I grew up there. It is a shame that there is so much granite, but it is all decomposed or decomposing and the only limestone mined for cement.
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Whoa...Sounds like much of Idaho. :-\
Ah, well. We do our thing, regardless. Truly dig yer reportage, Brad.
8)
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The Tehachapi Mountains? I grew up there. It is a shame that there is so much granite, but it is all decomposed or decomposing and the only limestone mined for cement.
Hey, Karl, long time no hear from (BTW I got the book). Fortunately we're not there for the rock! ;) We haven't seen any worth even bouldering on.
Thanks, Skully for the comments.
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Yesterday's hike was the longest we've done to date. The girls never stop impressing me. For a just-turned nine year old to hike 20.3 miles, for her 15 year old sister to do the same while carrying half of our water is, to say the least, unusual. They're just good girls.
The twenty miles divided naturally into two halves. The first eleven miles were uphill, mostly on south facing hillsides, in increasing heat (it was 67 degrees when we started and it kept getting warmer). Vicki started hiking with us:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/5581477520_9d828da4c4_z.jpg)
She turned around after about a mile, taking our older dog back with her. We felt it was going to be just too hot for Madeleine to go 20 miles (and it turned out to be a good decision).
Flowers were still abundant:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5580890313_8551c82db3_z.jpg)
Oh, and we took this photo for the Muds:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/5581477308_375a8e0189_z.jpg)
After four miles we arrived at a small valley with a wash in the bottom. Because of the recent heavy snows it was actually flowing. We found our first shade for a rest:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5028/5580891945_d5e5aed146_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5580892143_0224ef847c_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5580893077_bffc57e653_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/5580892515_5d11e56b27_z.jpg)
Although the first four miles had been steady uphill, they had at least been due north. In contrast, the next four miles went roughly east, but not directly so. The trail went in and out of every gully, every promontory, winding and moving east, but with no efficiency. I think we traveled a little over one mile east in four miles of hiking. At least the views across Antelope Valley were spectacular:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5293/5581480744_9120626d75_z.jpg)
And, we found not one, but two horned toads, which we've always felt were good luck on our PCT trips. The first one was the largest horned toad I ever recall seeing:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/5580893853_e5b44fd4ec_z.jpg)
We then came to the second of two valleys that were running water/fresh snowmelt. There was no shade here and so our stay was brief; the girls got to dip their feet in the water and Charlotte went crazy, running up and down the water-course again and again:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5581483164_fa2dd5901c_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5580895691_b1e533b4d9_z.jpg)
We also had a cool view between the walls of this valley, looking at Mount Baldy some 70 or 80 miles away:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5580895043_54ecf82e53_z.jpg)
The one serious disappointment of this hike was most in evidence here: the absolute trashing of parts of these hills by irresponsible dirt-bike riders. I didn't take any photos of the effects (out of disgust), but tracks led up and down almost every hillside and gully. Some were deep and very badly eroded. Then we saw three riders across the canyon and the girls got to see them ride straight up the wall, spewing fresh dirt in huge plumes. And they too were appalled.
After the second canyon (Gamble Springs Canyon) there followed a 1500 foot, switchbacking uphill hump in the blazing sun. I can see why the guidebook emphasizes the heat in this area (most "through-hikers" hit this part of the PCT in June, not in early April). We were getting quite blasted by the uphill and the heat when we (finally) came around a corner and found Pinon pines, shade and a breeze. We cooled off for over 40 minutes (Katie actually napped). The point just before we found the shade was definitely the low-point of an otherwise very enjoyable hike.
After starting again, refreshed by our rest we found our first residual snow (note in the photo the dirt-bike track through the snow, also the multiple tracks from such bikes all over the limited portion of hillside shown):
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5030/5581484026_2379a7a5c5_z.jpg)
Juice-less snow cones helped refresh:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5053/5580898167_d5238fb465_z.jpg)
The views from the top of this south-facing hillside were expansive, both of the San Gabriel range, and of the flower-filled Antelope Valley:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5581483652_887df47258_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/5580897257_a18cebe202_z.jpg)
We topped out into burned forest but quickly made our way along the trail over to the north side of the range. Here we found more live trees, more snow, cooler temps, and generally downhill hiking all the way to the car. We had a nice lunch in the shade of more Pinons:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5580898351_7b831f028a_z.jpg)
Next up, the easy half of our longest day of hiking yet.
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nice, was this the most challenging part of the trail overall? IIRC, there were some other tough sections before.
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No, yesterday was not the most challenging part of the trail to date. The girls and I agree that the single toughest day we've done so far has been the 19 mile day in June, 2009, up almost to Onyx Summit near Big Bear. The heat on that trip, plus the distance and 6,000 feet of gain were absolutely at our limit. The 20 miles at Thanksgiving of that year were a little tougher than yesterday too.
On the other hand though, yesterday also almost turned into an epic/rescue situation, when Tricia took a bad fall that could have been a lot worse. After lunch we continued through mostly burned forest. But with the rough winter many of the trees had toppled over the trail, making for a lot of walk arounds and work throughs. On one such walk around one of Tricia's feet stepped on a branch which then popped up in front of her other foot, tripping her. She went face first into the rest of the tree. It happened so fast I couldn't react (for that matter, neither could she). Thinking about it after, I realized she could have been really hurt bad. But she's tough and hiked on after just a few tears:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5580898739_ba25708002_z.jpg)
On a less threatening (really a humorous) note, we'd also forgotten Tricia's sun shirt and she hadn't sun screened her arms. So, after noticing that her arms were burning I gave her my sun shirt, which, on her, is more like a sun dress:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5018/5580899171_db12114352_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5581487400_63d3260a37_z.jpg)
After just a few more miles we started to see many huge windmills in the near distance. It turned out that we'd hike near these for at least five miles:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5580899339_e4ac937ed2_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5581487194_e4b8938c52_z.jpg)
Vicki hiked up with Madeleine a mile and a half to meet us. Naturally the story of the head wound was told and appropriate sympathy offered:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/5581488110_5e2bc72e97_z.jpg)
We continued down among the windmills:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5294/5581488668_1c849cee12_z.jpg)
We finished after just over nine hours. Then we headed back to our room for birthday gifts and showers (in that order). Dinner out followed at a restaurant of Tricia's choosing. Here's the birthday girl in her birthday dress and scarf:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5260/5580902695_143905ce08_z.jpg)
Coming last, an easy and cooler day to Highway 58 at Tehachapi Pass (and the end of Section "E").
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nice. Not being familiar with the trail, it sounded like you might be coming to the end of the trip a day or so ago. It continues really well. I liked the shot back into antelope valley and the color you can see.
btw, scratches build scars, and scars build character. :)
HBD Tricia!
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I extended your birthday wishes to Tricia. She said: "tell him thank you, please."
Our last day (for this trip) consisted of 8.6 miles in green, but industrial foothills. Lots and lots of windmills all around. But somehow these don't have a "dirty" feel to them, even though they are industrial fixtures. Here's a photo of the girls as we started out:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5303/5585674520_9f1419b64b_z.jpg)
As Vicki drives around to pick us up:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5585081119_09f81559cb_z.jpg)
The girls dividing the trail candy:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5054/5585084003_8389a19c88_z.jpg)
Fairly quickly we came to a spot on the trail where we could see the Cameron Road overpass at Highway 58. This overpass is the end of Section "E."
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5585679486_323c468688_z.jpg)
Switchbacks led down to where Vic was waiting:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5020/5585089537_d04bcaf4a1_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/5585090571_d403e61d3b_z.jpg)
A quick mile and a half of road hiking then led from there to the overpass and the end of the day, the trip and the section:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5585098669_930ded111c_z.jpg)
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/5585691358_76fa9ea488_z.jpg)
We're now 566.7 continuous miles of hiking from the Mexican border. And that's it until June when we go again, starting with a three day backpack and continuing for several days after that to Walker Pass.
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Nice work.
So stupid question. If one were to start at the border...how long would it take to get to hwy 58??
500 and some odd miles is pretty far.
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So stupid question. If one were to start at the border...how long would it take to get to hwy 58??
Actually, many people start at the Mexican border each April or so, intending to hike straight through to the Canadian border. They are called "through-hikers." And, every year, on the third weekend of April, there is a PCT get together at Lake Moreno, in southeast San Diego County, 20 trail miles from the border. This is called the Kick Off weekend, and many, many through-hikers start their trip that weekend. Often there are 1,000 or so attendees at the Kick Off weekends (although only some are through-hikers).
Many through-hikers drop out for various reasons, but many make the whole trip. On average they reach the point we have now reached in our hike by early June (assuming a Kick Off weekend start). Most hike 15 to 20 miles per day.
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I'm really loving these reports Brad. It's awesome to see you and the girls out there living it up. Those are some tough mountain girls that you are raising. Sometime in my future I will hike that thing. I was recently thinking it could be this year, but all the snow and my serious re-addiction to climbing changed my mind. But that could change real quick. I look forward to the next chapter.
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I enjoy each section.
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Thanks, Adam. I'm pretty proud of both of the girls. (And, I think they'll remember these torture sessions for as long as they live ;D ;D .)
You know, your comments remind me of me at your age. When I was in law school I dreamed of what would come after. I had two things that I really, really wanted to do. One was to climb El Cap, and the other was to through-hike the PCT. I think I got a little out of balance. I focused so much on the climbing (including plenty of El cap routes) that, before I knew it, taking months off for a PCT through-hike wasn't possible.
But it's funny how things work out. I never got to the through-hike and instead I'm doing it in pieces with my girls. And I can't imagine any set of circumstances under which I would enjoy doing the PCT in one push more than I am enjoying it this way, in pieces, with them.
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Well, they're good pieces, anyway... ;D
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Well, I just created a "good news/bad news" situation with the girls and the PCT.
Our next leg is 38 miles with no possible pick-up. So we'll do it in three days with backpacking gear. But the first six miles from Highway 58 are supposed to be really hot (and they consist of switchback after switchback - you oughta see the map!).
So the good news is we're going to do this hike over Memorial Day weekend when we have a better chance of cooler weather. We'll then spend time down there again in June.
The bad news is that I am going with both girls to a Taylor Swift concert (she's a country music star). Oh, joy. Bribery will get you everywhere.
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no worries, I will climb SPH granite for you in your stead.
>:D
actually, that's not a for sure thing, but if I can convince the old lady, then that's the plan.
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The bad news is that I am going with both girls to a Taylor Swift concert (she's a country music star). Oh, joy. Bribery will get you everywhere.
Jenny says you will enjoy yourself.
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Steep price to pay
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I think Jenny is right. Taylor Swift's music is catchy, plus I think the girls will be really enjoying it (Tricia's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree from excitement when we told her the plan).
But if you told me seriously twenty years ago that I'd be going to see a teeny bopper pop/country star in concert one day, I'd have suggested that you see a psychologist.
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Do not forget the ear plugs. Old people do not deal with the loud music as well as the young.
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Do not forget the ear plugs. Old people do not deal with the loud music as well as the young.
Yeah, well the three of us who are attending the concert will be Young. Now, of those, one will be old Young and two will be young Young. So who should wear the ear plugs, the old Young, the young Young or the other young Young?
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Gearing up now for a three day backpack, Saturday through Monday. It's supposed to be unseasonably cold, which is good, since there are only two reliable sources for water in 36 miles of hiking. The first day's first miles are uphill switchbacks described in the PCT guidebook as "a long, tight series of switchbacks that on the map resemble a recorded earthquake on a seismograph."
The girls are certainly going to earn the Taylor Swift concert.
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have fun
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Have fun. Don't worry about your house and TP.
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Have fun. Don't worry about your house and TP.
Edit: That wouldn't be a good idea.
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On that note, take a hike, and enjoy it.
Remember to take pics. We need at least one with the mudncrud flag.
Here's to sweat in your eye
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Edit: That wouldn't be a good idea.
Brad- I'll use 50% less TP. Will that be better?
Enjoy yourself man...have a good safe trip