What is it?

[desert5150]

Parallel to LPC, on the South face of the mountain to the North is the remnant of what looks like a semi-improved foot trail.  It appears to go from near the bottom curves, to near the top, and then it disappears.  Especially across from Clyde ranch it can be clearly seen.  So... What is it?  Inquiring minds want to know.

[clint]

There are two old mining roads that run from LPC up to prospects on the slope.

The top has also had a dozer line cut all the way along the top more than once during fires. The dozer line does not come off the end to LPC but there is  a seldom used "use trail" that cross country hikers have used over the years. You can hike all the way from the bottom curves up to the top along that ridge.

It's quite visible on Google earth but the don't be confused by the weird shadows to the north side.

[ForestGal]

Is that sorta kinda where Slover Canyon is?

Wouldn't hiking from the bottom curves, to top of the ridge, in that area, be pretty rugged?

[clint]

No, not at all where Slover is. Notice he said on the south face of the north mountain. And near the bottom curves. Slover is near the top and is the north face of the south side. The head wall for Slover is Wright Mountain. The top of the trail we are referring to is Circle Mountain.

[ChrisLynnet]

There are two old mining roads that run from LPC up to prospects on the slope.

The top has also had a dozer line cut all the way along the top more than once during fires. The dozer line does not come off the end to LPC but there is  a seldom used "use trail" that cross country hikers have used over the years. You can hike all the way from the bottom curves up to the top along that ridge.

It's quite visible on Google earth but the don't be confused by the weird shadows to the north side.

Cool. How do you catch one of the paths at the bottom curves? I am geographically challenged and always thought that that trail/path was part of PCT, as I believe you can get on that from Swarthout Canyon Rd. That was just an assumption on my part though.

[clint]

To find the end of the use trail that accesses the dozer line trail I would use google earth to view the path.
But the easiest place to access it would be right where LPC makes the sharp left at the bottom across from Swarthout Canyon Rd.

And yes the PCT does cross Swarthout it's not very down below this same junction. Only about 1/2 mile. There is parking area just past the trail cut. It used to be really obvious but the last time they graded the road they left a berm across the trail cut. If you are headed down the road (east) it's more difficult to see than headed up the road (west) because it crosses at an angle. But there is a PCT trail marker.

[ForestGal]

No, not at all where Slover is. Notice he said on the south face of the north mountain. And near the bottom curves. Slover is near the top and is the north face of the south side. The head wall for Slover is Wright Mountain. The top of the trail we are referring to is Circle Mountain.

Well, a big, fat DUH on my part. Yes, I do know left from right, sometimes, but not always, apparently.  Forgive my stupidity.  Eeeeeekkkk!  Not something you would wanna hear regularly from a USC grad.  But, I've always been directionally challenged, and never took a class in that in school.  North vs South, East vs West, Right vs Left.  Yes, I have a real problem reading maps, too.....    

[Naughty pines]

Forest,

As long as you know up from down, you are okay.
I don't recall the name of the spy movie but, their secret code was "The sun rises in the east" and the recognition response was "and sets in the west." Hope that helps you a little.  BTW, If it is late in the day and the sun is on your right side, you are facing south, if the sun is on your left, you are facing north.
If the sun is above your head you are standing, etc. etc.. 

[ChrisLynnet]

Thank you Clint!

And ForestGal, I SO hear you.   

[clint]

So just to mess with you....

The whole up / down thing as it relates to the larger sense of space and the four dimensions is completely arbitrary. There is no up and down! In Australia they make globes with the south pole on top. But who is to say we are spinning like a top and not like a wheel. Galaxies are on all different orientations in space so we may be on angle. And the only reason we view the world with Europe and the US in the top half is because Europeans made the maps.

And BTW Forest Gal and Chris, I teach land navigation. Several people on the forum and around town have taken my class, which I also teach to search and rescue teams. I have had some inquiries so maybe it's time for one again. I don't call it map and compass because they are not the best navigation tools. That should get you thinking. And no, it's certainly not GPS either.

[desert5150]

I personally believe that people relying on GPS technology is a problem in waiting.  When the batteries go dead, or there's equipment problems with the satellites, or one or two get knocked out of orbit by Chinese or Russian missiles (hey, it could happen), there are a lot of people who are going to be up the creek without a paddle (assuming they can FIND the creek).

Give me a lensatic compass and a grid map any day, or at least the knowledge of how to find North, and I will find my way.  When I used to play as a Psyop soldier, land navigation was heavily stresssed, and I'm thankful for that.

Clint's landnav course would be a good idea to those directionally challenged souls, and could easily save a life or two.

Also, the European sport of Orienteering would be a good thing to get off the ground here.  Beautiful terrain, (mostly) nice people, and a great way to stay in shape.

[clint]

You are spot on about the GPS! That's why blue water sailors still learn celestial navigation. Not even taken down by a foreign missile. How about when the military turns on Selective Availability and the accuracy goes away. I had GPS in th every early days before they became toys for the masses and during the gulf war they were useless because SA was engaged.

See your PM's for another comment.

[RobertW]

And BTW Forest Gal and Chris, I teach land navigation. Several people on the forum and around town have taken my class, which I also teach to search and rescue teams. I have had some inquiries so maybe it's time for one again. I don't call it map and compass because they are not the best navigation tools. That should get you thinking. And no, it's certainly not GPS either.

Altimeter, Altimeter, Altimeter!  That is what I remember from Clint's class.  I'd love to take the class again.  I wasn't able to participate in the "live use in the field" portion of the class the last time.

[ChrisLynnet]

This really sounds like a great class, but I really am directionally challenged. I lack any sort of directional sense at all. Will that be a problem in taking the class?

[clint]

Only as far as finding your way TO the class.
After that we can fix the problem.

[ChrisLynnet]

LOL! O.K., that cracked me up.   

[FIGHT ON]

I took this picture with my cell phone. I didn't have my camera.
Looks like an artichoke with a flower in the middle. Anyone ever seen it before and know the name?

[K9luvr]

Yep, it'a an artichoke all right!  They are a member of the thistle family and what you are eating are the "bracts."  When they aren't cut off to eat, they bloom and look just like this.  I know because I babied all my artichoke plants in Indiana, got called out west to go on fires and that is exactly what I came back to...   I was SO looking forward to artichokes right off the stalk. 

[Wrightwood]

I agree as it's an artichoke that's gone to seed. We've harvested the seeds from previous years and started plants again this year. Artichokes can be grown in Wrightwood, usually survive winter and can be grown in containers such as a half barrels.

[FIGHT ON]

I agree as it's an artichoke that's gone to seed. We've harvested the seeds from previous years and started plants again this year. Artichokes can be grown in Wrightwood, usually survive winter and can be grown in containers such as a half barrels.

Wow those were fast responses!
It looked like an artichoke to me but I thought they grew close to the ground, like cabbage. These were over 4 feet tall!

Hey! the flower is just about the same color as your avatar image!
You haven't been eating lots of artichoke flowers lately have you?