Author Topic: Question about Lupine (Read 38232 times)

dontlitter · « **on:** May 18, 09, 01:05:19 PM »

Hi everybody, i'm a long time visitor and lover of Wrightwood and the San Gabriel Mtns in general.....

Wondering if anybody knows the conditions down at Lupine right now? Is there a lot of insects down there or no?

I want to go to Lupine for the three day weekend. How busy do you think it should be down there? Will a Saturday morning arrival be too late to snag a camp site?

Thanks in advance!

RobertW · « **Reply #1 on:** May 18, 09, 04:16:02 PM »

Blue Ridge Road was closed at the Gate near Guffy the weekend before last and you could not get down into Lupine. The road was in very bad shape and was in need of the Engineers clearing and "blading" the road.

Whether that was done last week or not, I'm not sure.

They usually get the roads all open by Memorial Day Weekend. I've never known Lupine Campground to be full except during Hunting Season in October and November because of the remoteness of the campground.

I'll make contact with those who know and will let you know for sure.

dontlitter · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 09, 01:11:53 AM »

Much appreciated !

dontlitter · « **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 09, 12:18:03 PM »

I know Guffy has fire pits - does Lupine have campfire pits ?

RobertW · « **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 09, 02:02:39 PM »

The road is open to Lupine. Yes, it does have campfire pits and you are allowed to use gas or propane stoves with a valid Campfire Permit.

Some portions of the stream should be running, but without water purification you should bring your own water.

bootsmiles · « **Reply #5 on:** May 22, 09, 07:53:10 AM »

Is the road open only to a little past Lupine or can you drive all the way to Cabin Flats?

Toolman · « **Reply #6 on:** May 22, 09, 08:24:13 AM »

The road between Lupine and Cabin Flat was washed out years ago and there is no plan to clear it. 4WD is not an option either due to the many trees fallen across the area.

You'll have to park at Lupine and hike into Cabin Flat... it's an easy hike in and back.

Toolman · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 09, 12:23:25 PM »

BTW, just got word the road has just been graded and is open into Lupine.

dontlitter · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 09, 12:50:23 PM »

See ya'll folks in wrightwood !

Goody2shz · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 06, 09, 05:35:23 PM »

Just so y'all know, it is illegal to drive beyond Lupine to Cabin Flat or anywhere else beyond Lupine for that matter. We were backpacking there about a month ago and several 4WD vehicles passed us on the road, heading toward Lupine. When we got to Lupine, we ran into three rangers who told us all of the vehicles had been given tickets. They confirmed it is illegal to drive on that road beyond Lupine. Just so no one gets caught unawares!

ChrisLynnet · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 06, 09, 05:50:58 PM »

The road is safe from me because I still don't have a clue where Lupine is.

bootsmiles · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 06, 09, 08:05:23 PM »

What was the reason for never re-opening the road between Lupine and Cabin flat? I know the outhouses burned down at Cabin flat (last time I was down there the W.C. was just kind of sitting there in the open like an outdoor throne) but it's still a nice drive. One of the few places with water.

Chris: if you take Blue Ridge road from Inspiration Point about 6 miles to Guffy, then stay on the road that veers to the right, continue for about three more miles down and you will be at Lupine. A very nice drive (or walk) actually.

K9luvr · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 06, 09, 08:28:10 PM »

Quote from: bootsmiles on Aug 06, 09, 08:05:23 PM

What was the reason for never re-opening the road between Lupine and Cabin flat? I know the outhouses burned down at Cabin flat (last time I was down there the W.C. was just kind of sitting there in the open like an outdoor throne) but it's still a nice drive. One of the few places with water.

There was (don't know if there still is) a population of mountain yellow legged frogs (endangered species) upstream (downstream? I can't remember) from Cabin Flat. In order to avoid a "jeapordy opinion" from USFWS, the district decided to close the camp ground at Cabin Flat and close the road just beyond Lupine. That reduces the number of people in the area and the likelyhood of impact to that frog population. It also avoided having to put a closure order on the area and keep everyone out.

Nolena · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 06, 09, 09:26:54 PM »

Quote from: ChrisLynnet on Aug 06, 09, 05:50:58 PM

The road is safe from me because I still don't have a clue where Lupine is.

Well, you can drive up Blue Ridge Road from Inspiration Point past Blue Ridge Campground. Go east toward Guffy. Stay on Blue Ridge Road and then take the fork going down to the right. It takes you to Lupine Campground on the south side of Blue Ridge.

http://www.crystallake.name/maps/RIN190.JPG

http://www.crystallake.name/maps/RIN181.JPG

bootsmiles · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 08, 09, 07:06:13 AM »

K9luvr
Thank you for the explanation.

ChrisLynnet · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 16, 09, 08:19:07 AM »

Nolena and bootsmiles, thanks for the directions! I'm completely geographically challenged.

Domingo · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 16, 09, 10:09:15 AM »

Is there a maintained trail going from Lupine to Cabin Flat or do you have to follow the wash? I was there a week ago and couldn't find a trail and found it a little hard to walk on the uneven terrain in the wash. What is it, about 2 miles from Lupine to Cabin Flat?

Toolman · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 16, 09, 12:36:47 PM »

Quote from: Goody2shz on Aug 06, 09, 05:35:23 PM

Just so y'all know, it is illegal to drive beyond Lupine to Cabin Flat or anywhere else beyond Lupine for that matter. We were backpacking there about a month ago and several 4WD vehicles passed us on the road, heading toward Lupine. When we got to Lupine, we ran into three rangers who told us all of the vehicles had been given tickets. They confirmed it is illegal to drive on that road beyond Lupine. Just so no one gets caught unawares!

Yes that is correct you will be cited for driving a vehicle beyond Lupine Campground and it's being monitored. There were discussions about opening it up for OHV use however the status is remaining closed as K9luvr points out.

There is no trail per say beyond Lupine. You can proceed on foot and follow the wash westerly then veer north west around the fallin trees over to the old road leading into Cabin Flat. Good ankle support boots are recommended due to the rocky terrain much like in Stockton Flats. Basically you can follow the path that the Jeeps have been driving and you can't get lost. $:-\$

Goody2shz · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 16, 09, 06:05:33 PM »

That is correct. The road to Lupine is unmistakable. If you find yourself in an area that doesn't look like a road, you are most certainly not on the correct path. Go back until you find the road. After leaving Lupine, it is not too far through the wash (less than a mile) before the road veers off to the right, out of the wash. It is a really nice hike in cooler weather! Beware wild animals if you're backpacking. They got all our food one time.

Goody2shz · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 17, 09, 11:46:14 AM »

Sorry, that should have been "the road to Cabin Flat...."

Quote from: Goody2shz on Aug 16, 09, 06:05:33 PM

That is correct. The road to Lupine is unmistakable. If you find yourself in an area that doesn't look like a road, you are most certainly not on the correct path. Go back until you find the road. After leaving Lupine, it is not too far through the wash (less than a mile) before the road veers off to the right, out of the wash. It is a really nice hike in cooler weather! Beware wild animals if you're backpacking. They got all our food one time.

Author Topic: Question about Lupine (Read 38232 times)

dontlitter

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dontlitter

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Goody2shz

Goody2shz

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