Author Topic: Trail Reviews (Read 19915 times)

Nolena · « **on:** Aug 11, 07, 01:18:38 PM »

Pine Mountain via the Devil's Backbone

Every year I like to do something that is impossible. Today's choice was the trail to Pine Mountain.
Misery loving company, I fished around for some ~~fool~~ person to go with me. ChattyCathy agreed to go, since she'd never seen this trail before, and didn't know that it should only be attempted by non-acrophobic primates who carry their own oxygen.
Not having ~~crawled~~ hiked this trail in a number years, I led the way and nearly immediately had us walking up a sheep trail. (If the sheep can do it, I can do it!) Noticing another party walking along comfortably on the other side of the ridge, we were able to rejoin the trail shortly.
After this first taste of this exciting trail, a third member of our party opted to sit on a rock and wait for us. (The phrase "Bye, suckers," comes to mind.)
The trail may be narrow, but it's exposed and slippery. And a couple of steep spots make you really grateful that you have opposable thumbs.
The trail is in pretty good shape for a scenic death march. Although going up can be a little scary, coming back down can make you want to sit down and wait for a helicopter. And sliding on your butt a highly common form of locomotion in the steepest spots.
And apparently someone has removed all of the oxygen from the air as you climb higher. Stopping to rest is occasionally interrupted by walking.

However, the views are spectacular. You can see Lytle Creek, Lake Silverwood, and beautiful downtown Hesperia, to name a few.
The trees along the way are bonzaied into beautiful shapes by the wind.
And the ridgetop breeze keeps you cool as you hike.
Pictures to follow. ChattyCathy took a lot.

ChattyCathy · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 11, 07, 02:05:07 PM »

Okay, so Nolena says it's just a two-mile hike. Heck, I can handle that. I've walked from my house down to the botton of East Canyon and back. Due to my 36-pound weight loss I have less to lug around, so a four-mile round-trip hike will be a piece of cake. Back in the day I hiked up to Yosemite Falls, Timpanogas Cave in Utah, The Narrows and Angels Landing at Zion - what's four miles?

Okay, so I haven't hiked in about 10 (or 20) years. Sheesh, I was hanging onto the mountain for dear life! My whole body hurts!!! If I thought going up was bad, going down was worse! And yes, the shimmying down the mountain on my butt was sometimes the most practical way to get down. Thank goodness I had my miracle walking stick! Without that I would have had a much quicker descent to the bottom (kind of head over heel).

Seriously, I had no idea what I was in for and my body is aching, but it was an absolutely breathtaking hike (or was that due to the lack of air?) I saw the other side of the mountain and saw spectacular views! Once I figure out how to get the pictures out of the camera I'll post them.

Thanks Nolena for a day I'll remember!

(Did I mention she wanted to leave at 6:00 a.m.? That's closer to the time I go to bed!!)

(Did I also mention that our combined age is over 100?!!!)

Nolena · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 11, 07, 03:18:28 PM »

"(Did I also mention that our combined age is over 100?!!!)"

You're over 65?

K9luvr · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 11, 07, 05:35:51 PM »

Quote from: Nolena on Aug 11, 07, 01:18:38 PM

And sliding on your butt a highly common form of locomotion in the steepest spots.

I'm well aware of this method. I fondly refer to it as the "butt scoot boogie"

Toolman · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 11, 07, 07:28:27 PM »

Luv that hike...I was up there yesterday...it's the highway to heaven...and Big Horns use it as their highway too.

Isn't the veiw great.... you can look down on the idiots on the 15 and see Silverwood Lake from another prospective. Just spectacular...

It's warm out there this time of year and I'm glad you guys made it up and back safely and enjoyed your visit to the High Country

It's no easy hike either so a big

for both of you.

Next thing you know you'll be posting your reservations for Whitney

storm · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 11, 07, 07:44:10 PM »

Thanks for sharing, Nolena and CC! You two are very funny.

I hope to get up there at some point as well. I don't know where that trail is, but I recently found some beautiful rocks sort-of near Inspiration Point:

A professor at CalTech says that these might be Chrysocolla and Malachite. He's found these two minerals in boulders below the Big Horn Mine. I don't know where the mine is in relation to Inspiration Point.

Nolena · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 12, 07, 12:42:42 AM »

"Next thing you know you'll be posting your reservations for Whitney"

Been there. Done that. Got the shirt. (I can let you wear it if you want.

)

ForestGal · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 12, 07, 01:27:55 AM »

Congratulations, Nolena and ChattyCathy!

I wish I could do that hike, I'm just too terrified of heights and too afraid of slipping and falling. I wish I could see the views from up there. Maybe a big crane, or small helicopter?

I have been on the west ridge of Pine Mountain, taking the trail up from near Lupine CG, several times. That is really pretty too, and a lot more user-friendly. Pretty views from there too. Except when I have done that one, BR Rd. was closed at Guffy, which meant walking down to Lupine, hiking that trail, then walking back UP about 95 miles to Guffy. That part isn't much fun.

I guess you can drive to Lupine now, haven't attempted it.

garski · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 12, 07, 07:58:35 AM »

Nolena
After hearing you talk of the backbone trail hike on the forum, I decided to take my wife on it last Sunday, I am hoping that she starts ts to talk to me again and that I can move back into the house.

Nolena · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 12, 07, 08:02:38 AM »

I hope you took pictures, both to remember the beautiful scenery and your wife.

hill okie · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 12, 07, 08:35:04 AM »

where is the trail head, did you walk from home?? Details please.

Nolena · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 12, 07, 09:00:38 AM »

Go up Highway 2 two miles past Big Pines to Inspiration Point. Turn east up Blue Ridge Road. Pass Blue Ridge Campground & Guffy Campground & the top of the slide. About 1/4 mile past the top of the slide is a small parking area on the right. That's the trail head.

bigpines · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 14, 07, 10:04:55 AM »

yes I agree with all of the above. I was the one that quit and sat down. It was a spectacular view with good company. yes I am still speaking to Nolena. The trail was truly the devils backbone

dreamcatcher · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 14, 07, 10:20:05 AM »

Quote from: Nolena on Aug 11, 07, 01:18:38 PM

Pine Mountain via the Devil's Backbone

The trail may be narrow, but it's exposed and slippery. And a couple of steep spots make you really grateful that you have opposable thumbs.

Good thing there wasn't an earthquake while you were hiking this trail!

DesertRat · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 16, 07, 08:51:26 AM »

I hiked that trail a few years back. I never was afraid of heights until I was on that slippery, gravel, narrow slope with steep drop offs.

On the way back down I definitely did the butt slide

Ever since I've been a bit more wary of the steeper hiking trails. I'm glad I hiked it but I don't think I'd attempt it again.

This weekend I'm attempting to hike to Mt. Baden Powell. I'm not in the best of shape so I probably won't make it to the peak but I'm in the mood to give it a try. Wish me luck!

RobertW · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 16, 07, 11:23:02 AM »

The Devil's Backbone Trail starts off easy enough...

But then it gets steep (there is a person on the ridge just below the clump of trees about the middle of the picture). You get to the top of this ridge then you have to drop all that elevation off and do it all over again:

But the views are spectacular. Baden Powell in the background. Camp Lupine is in the canyon to the right. This is heading down Pine Mountain Ridge from the top of Pine Mountain:

hikin_jim · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 16, 07, 09:28:09 PM »

DesertRat: Good luck.

Nolena: You've got a gift (writing that is).

DesertRat · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 20, 07, 08:27:52 AM »

So I managed to ALMOST make the top of Baden Powell on Saturday. I got a kind of late start, took it nice and slow, reached the saddle about a 1/4 mile from the peak and was really worried about making it back down before dark. So I enjoyed the views from the ridge and basked in the fact I did 7.5 miles and about 2800 elevation gain.

It was a great day for hiking, nice cool breeze fairly clear so you could see way out over the desert. The trail was well maintained, not too crowded but a bit steep.

I'm hobbling and a bit sore today but glad I went.

hikin_jim · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 20, 07, 12:36:23 PM »

Good job! That is a tough trail.

It's a little easier albeit a little longer from Dawson Saddle (9.25 miles), but since the 2 is still closed (it is still closed, isn't it?), Dawson Saddle is not an option.

You could always drive all the way to Islip Saddle (you have to either come up from La Canada or from Palmdale). The route from Islip Saddle probably has the easiest grade of all, but that's a really long hike (about 8 miles each way).

ChattyCathy · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 20, 07, 12:53:54 PM »

How much harder is Baden Powell than Pine Mountain? I may get ambitious and try Baden Powell next.

Quote from: DesertRat on Aug 20, 07, 08:27:52 AM

So I managed to ALMOST make the top of Baden Powell on Saturday. I got a kind of late start, took it nice and slow, reached the saddle about a 1/4 mile from the peak and was really worried about making it back down before dark. So I enjoyed the views from the ridge and basked in the fact I did 7.5 miles and about 2800 elevation gain.

It was a great day for hiking, nice cool breeze fairly clear so you could see way out over the desert. The trail was well maintained, not too crowded but a bit steep. I'm hobbling and a bit sore today but glad I went.

Author Topic: Trail Reviews (Read 19915 times)

storm

garski

hill okie

bigpines

DesertRat

hikin_jim

DesertRat

hikin_jim