2017        

Since it was already late afternoon we headed to the trailhead (at campsite #82) for the trail along Rock Creek that connects to Rock Creek Lake.  We followed the well-groomed trail upstream through forest along the rushing white-water Rock Creek.  There were lots of different types of mushrooms and blooming wildflowers, particularly fireweed and Indian paintbrush.  We turned around at a pretty unnamed lake/pond due to the time and returned to camp.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017 – [1] Backpack (3.3 miles with 738’ of elevation gain) into the John Muir Wilderness to our base camp (~10,820’) near Chickenfoot Lake (10,789’), [2] set up camp, and [3] hike to Gem Lakes (10,900’-10,925’) – – –

[1] We drove to the Mosquito Flat trailhead (10,200’) at the south (upper) end of Rock Creek Road, strapped on our overstuffed backpacks, had a group photo taken, and began lumbering up the trail into the John Muir Wilderness and Little Lakes Valley.  Immediately the beautiful scenery caught our attention; Rock Creek was rushing downstream with white water, wildflowers crowded the sides of the trail, the sky was blue, and tall mountains loomed ahead.  After rising for a while the trail passed Mack Lake (10,374’) and then descended to Marsh Lake (10,429’) crossing two photo-opportunity bridges as it did so (we began taking even more photos).  Continuing upstream we passed several pretty lakes (all but one of them on the east side of the trail); there were rushing streams and lots of blooming wildflowers of many species, particularly eye-catching were lupine, fireweed, columbine, and Indian paintbrush.  As we neared our destination the trail rose a bit more steeply until we reached the signed junction with the Chickenfoot Lake sign (on the left/east side of the trail which was clearly an old mining road as we approached that point).  Happily we turned left/east and walked the relatively short distance to where we hoped to establish our base camp.  We were in luck, no one had occupied the site.  Gratefully we removed our backpacks and selected specific spots to set up our tents.

[2] We set up our tents, air mattresses, and sleeping bags, rested, ate lunch, and purified water from a nearby stream.

[3] Next we headed to Gem Lakes by returning to the main trail and continuing up the old mining road toward (but not to) Morgan Pass.  Upon reaching its junction with the delightful spur trail leading to the two Gem Lakes, we turned right and followed it to Gem Lake #1 where we enjoyed the beautiful scenery; there were still patches of snow on the nearby mountains and the pretty lake faithfully reflected them.  A while later we made our way over to Gem Lake #2 where we enjoyed the solitude (no other hikers were there).  Eventually we made our way back to our base camp via a “use” trail that provided a significant short cut and prepared and ate our dinners.  It should be noted that unlike most years there were still mosquitos around annoying/biting us.  We quickly applied insect repellent which quelled the onslaught.  NOTE: Most of us used Repel’s plant-based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent (with no deet); it is reviewed in the September, 2017 issue of Consumer Reports and received the 3^rd highest rating among 25 products for its effectiveness and was the only product to receive the highest rating for its ability to resist damage to materials.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 25, 2017 – [1] Ruby Lake (9.8 miles with 1,448’ of elevation gain/loss and [2] Mono Pass (~15 miles with over 2,000’ of elevation gain/loss) – – –

All members of our party hiked together as far as the junction of the Mono Pass Trail with the spur trail leading to Ruby Lake; then half of the group continued on up to/through Mono Pass (12,040’) where they enjoyed the vistas to the west (including Pioneer Basin).  The other half of our party hiked over to beautiful Ruby Lake and enjoyed a lengthy (and shady) respite close to the lake before returning to camp.  The beautiful scenery continued to consist of towering snow-dotted mountains, beautiful lakes, rushing water in streams, and stunning displays of wildflowers.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26, 2017 – [1] Hidden Lakes (6.5 miles with 875’ of elevation gain/loss) and [2] A search for an old mining operation – – –

One group leisurely explored the following lakes before going cross-country to explore the Hidden Lakes: [1] Long Lake (10,560’), [2] Box Lake (10,468’), and [3] Heart Lake (10,425’); the cross-country exploration began by hiking up over a wooded ridge separating the Hidden Lakes from the lakes along Rock Creek after which they visited several pretty lakes/streams unseen by vast majority of visitors to the area.  They were pleasantly surprised by discovering over 100 mushrooms of various types in a small lightly wooded area.  The other group hiked over Morgan Pass (11,155’) and then on down to Upper (10,934’) and Lower (10,723’) Morgan Lakes before going cross-country (up) to an all-but-abandoned and razed mining site.  Reportedly Upper Morgan Lake is fairly desolate, but Lower Morgan Lake is pretty.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017 – Break Camp, backpack out, and return home – – –

We left this particularly beautiful section of the always spectacular Sierra Nevada with some regret, but with anticipation of reuniting with loved ones, hot showers, real food, and beds with firm mattresses!

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The well-maintained dirt trail then entered the Chumash Wilderness as we descended the open western slope of Mt. Pinos – which displayed a variety of wildflowers, particularly rabbit brush and Indian paintbrush – via switchbacks; we then crossed a saddle and ascended the forested eastern slope of Sawmill Mountain.  Then we followed an unsigned “use” trail to the Sawmill Mountain peak (8,818’), marked by a large rock monument where we were greeted by a large contingent of hikers from Santa Clarita’s Community Hiking Club [they had hiked over from Mt. Abel (aka Cerro Noroeste)].  Returning cross-country to the main trail. we descended to a junction with the North Fork Trail (22W02) which we followed as it descended southward half a mile to Sheep Primitive Camp (8,200’) under a stand of Jeffrey Pines.  There we took a rest/lunch break and enjoyed the pleasant forest environment.  We then retraced our route up Sawmill Mountain and back to the Condor Observation Point.  As we climbed the western slope of Mt. Pinos we were lightly pelted by small hailstones (something more often experienced in the Sierra Nevada).  After regrouping atop Mt. Pinos on a still-cool day, we hiked back to the parking lot and then returned home having completed a 10-mile hike with 1,875’ of elevation gain/loss.

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We then headed 1.7 miles east on the Serrano (“from the mountains”) Trail as it climbed gradually upstream through the beautiful shaded canyon.  We enjoyed some late-blooming plants along the trail, including lots of cliff asters and poison oak (which provided a festive red and green touch).  We emerged from the canyon into lovely Serrano Valley which is ringed on all sides by mountains; it consists mainly of large meadows covered by wild grasses and dotted with a few trees and some bushes along the seasonal streams.  There we began hiking the Serrano Valley Loop in a clockwise direction, stopping briefly to examine an old water pump.  The west side of the loop climbed part way up the mountain before reaching a fork and turning right (east).  We followed the now-narrow but well-defined trail as it climbed into the foothills along the north side of the loop [the left fork would have taken us to the Old Boney Trail]; it provided great views of the towering mountains to the northeast.  Soon the trail began descending along the east side of the loop affording us with excellent views of the western part of Serrano Valley and the mountains to the south.  Refreshed by cool ocean breezes, we completed the loop and then descended through pleasantly cool Serrano Canyon to Big Sycamore Canyon where we returned along the wide dirt road to the campground, said our goodbyes to friends, and returned to Simi Valley having completed a 9 mile “lollipop loop” hike with 1,350’ of elevation gain/loss on a surprisingly pleasant day for hiking.

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A quick spot check with NOAA weather indicated that the forecast trailhead temperature, near the end our our hike, would be about 87 degrees. Humidity was unusually high today, so the comfort window was short. As it turned out, NOAA’s forecast was almost spot on.  There were few wildflowers in evidence, except a smattering of Cliff Asters, Climbing Pentasmon, and Indian Paintbrush. The car’s AC felt especially good, having completed 7 miles, and a bit more than 1,500′ of total elevation gain.

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