Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Mt. Lukens: Crescenta View - Rim of the Valley Loop

Mt. Lukens from the Rim-of-the-Valley Trail
About nine years ago, a couple of friends and I climbed Mt. Lukens via the Stone Canyon Trail as part of training regimen for Mt. Whitney. It was my very first foray into the San Gabriel Mountains and candidly I wasn't all that impressed. As a transplant from greener and more lush climes, I was accustomed to trails and peaks that were a bit more alpine-y. I didn't find Mt. Lukens to fit that bill. Moreover, the day we went gray fog clung to the mountainside like a dreary blanket, the trail was overgrown, and the summit was cluttered with radio towers and other transmission paraphernalia. To someone with my pre-conceived ideas about what a summit was supposed to look like, Lukens was, well, disappointing. To sour my mood even more, I found a tick deeply embedded in my shoulder when we got back to Wildwood in Tujunga Canyon. I must have subconsciously decided that Lukens wasn't worthy of my time so for years I didn't go back.

That changed this weekend when I paid Lukens another visit, this time from the La Crescenta side of the mountain. Parking at Deukmajian Wilderness Park in La Crescenta, I climbed the Crescenta View Trail to Lukens' summit and then looped back down to the trailhead in Dunsmore Canyon via the Haines Canyon Motorway/Rim-of-the-Valley Trail. I'd like to attribute it to my maturation as a hiker and my greater familiarity with, and appreciation for the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest (others might call it my naivete), but this visit to Lukens was nothing like my previous trip years ago. To the contrary, this trip, dare say, was downright enjoyable.

I arrived a Deukmajian around 11:30 a.m. because climbing a steep south-facing slope is always more enjoyable in the mid-day sun. Surprisingly (or maybe not surprisingly) I had no problem finding a place to park. In all seriousness, temps were only in the mid to high-70s so it really was quite pleasant out. But climbing this trail during the heat of a mid-summer day could be brutal.

From the parking area, I made my way up the main fire road in Dunsmore Canyon for approximately 0.5 miles. Here, the La Crescenta View Trail branches to the right where it begins its ascent up the rugged ridge on the east side of Dunsmore Canyon. The climb here is fairly gently, but it becomes more aggressive the higher up you go. In fairly short order, over-the-shoulder views of the Verdugos, the Los Angeles Basin, and the San Fernando Valley really start to pop.

Start of the Crescenta View Trail
Over-the-Shoulder Look Into Dunsmore Canyon
Crescenta View from the Crescenta View Trail
Trailside Bench
You of course pay for these expanding views with elevation, which you gain rapidly as the path zig-zags its way up the very steep slope. The work you’re putting in, however, is made easier by the condition of the trail which is in really fine shape thanks to the efforts of the trail crews who have done a nice job maintaining this track.


After about 2 miles of climbing, you reach a level spot along the ridge where folks have constructed a large stone circle reminiscent of the wind-breaks one sees atop Mt. Baldy and some of the other local peaks. Looking southwest from this vantage point, the switch-backs of the Rim-of-the-Valley Trail can be seen slicing across the west side of Dunsmore Canyon. If you do this hike as a loop, this trail will be your descent route.
The Path Weaving Its Way Up the Steep Slope
Hair-Pin Turn
Typical Trail Conditions
Rock Circle
Rock Circle View
Beyond the stone circle, the path makes one final climb up the steep and rocky ridgeline before intersecting with the Pickens Spur (2N76C), an unmaintained lateral that branches from the Mt. Lukens fire road approximately 0.5 miles beyond. The walk here is easy all the way to the Lukens’ summit and the vistas are quite grand. At the junction with the Mt. Lukens Fire Road, you can peer north into the entire desolate-looking drainage of Big Tujunga Creek backed by the prominent Mt. Gleason ridgeline. Looking east affords a nice look at the peaks and peaklets that comprise the Wilson cluster.
Ascending the Steep Ridgeline
Big Tujunga Canyon from Mt. Lukens Fire Road
Josephine, Strawberry, Lawlor, Deception, Disappointment, San Gabriel, Markham, Lowe, Occidental, and Wilson
From this point, the path to the summit involves a fairly uninteresting and tame fire road walk of about 1 mile to the summit which is crowded with unattractive radio towers and other structures. The day I went, it was also more crowded with other hikers than I expected given the fact I saw only one other person on my ascent (and that person was descending). I struck up a conversation with some of these folks and discovered that most of them had come up from Haines Canyon. One couple and their small dog had come up Stone Canyon and planned to descend via Grizzly Flats. When I queried them about conditions on the latter trail, they assured me that it had been recently brushed-out and was clear.

After locating the benchmark on the far northwest corner of the flat summit, I spent a bit of time lounging about, taking in the view, and plotting my descent down the Haines Canyon Motorway which is plainly visible to the southwest. Nobody I spoke to on top could confirm the existence of a junction with the Rim-of-the-Valley Trail back to Dunsmore Canyon, but both Tom Harrison and Google Earth told me it was there, so I threw caution to the wind and dropped off the south side of the summit to begin my downward trek.

The Very Scenic Summit of Lukens
Survey Marker Atop Lukens
Lukens View
The path here is basically a single-track on an abandoned fire road that nature is trying to reclaim. The road swoops widely back and forth, alternating between the sun and shade, as it slowly descends between Haines Canyon and Cooks Canyon. Approximately 3 miles from the summit, the Rim-of-the-Valley Trail branches south into Cooks Canyon at a pretty obvious trail junction. I was expecting this junction to be more difficult to locate based upon my conversations with folks on the summit, but there is no missing or mistaking it unless you’re just no looking for it.

Descending Haines Canyon Motorway
Deer Tracks
Cooks Canyon Water Tank
View Across Cooks Canyon to Crescenta View Trail
Trail Junction for the Rim-of-the-Valley Trail
After the junction, the trail descends into Cooks Canyon fairly rapidly in a series of switch-backs that ultimately take you to the canyon bottom. Here, unlike everything that came before, the forest is lush and the trail nicely shaded. Water was still flowing in the creek which was a pleasant surprise. I stopped to splash around in the stream and to appreciate the unexpected magic of this place. Soon I started encountering others doing the exact same thing. Everyone was nice and happy to be out and I completely understood the force that compelled them to visit here.

A short distance downstream, you climb a small ridge which is not that difficult, but it is a bit of a disappointment because your mindset at this stage is that you're already down. The pain is brief, however, and in no time you're back in Dunsmore Canyon and headed for the trailhead which is nicely stocked with real restrooms, a water fountain with decent and cool water, and a grassy area with picnic tables where you can chill and relish the day you just spent in the amazing local mountains. I recognize I'm late to the party, but check this place out if you haven't already. It's muy bueno.

Lovely Cooks Canyon
Blessed Water in Cooks Canyon
Trail Through Cooks Canyon

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Sitting on the Devil's Throne


Snow Dusted San Gabriel Mountains Towering Over the Devil's Punchbowl
The sky was a steely gray and the wind was gusting as I jumped into the car and started for the Devil's Punchbowl on the high-desert, not really knowing whether it was a good idea or not. Getting out was a good idea, of course, but given the darkening skies and the winds buffeting my car, I was having reservations about site selection as I made my way up the Antelope Valley Freeway.

But as I crested Soledad Pass and veered east onto the Pearblossom Highway, the clouds broke, the winds mellowed, the outside temps stabilized in the mid-50s, and conditions became optimal for a day in the devil's playground. Arriving at the parking area, it was evident that lots of other folks thought the conditions perfect as well for the lot was completely full except for one last spot that I was fortunate to nab before the other folks right behind me could.

I didn't really have an objective in mind other than to see and experience this place. So with that non-plan as a starting point, I began up the dirt road the leads to the junction of the Burkhart and High Desert Trails. Along the way I passed crimson-barked mazanita that was as beautiful, healthy-looking, full, and luxuriant as any I have ever seen in the San Gabriels.  

About 0.9 miles up the road, the path split, the east branch going to the Devil's Chair and beyond, the west branch ascending to Burkhart Saddle and then, ultimately, to Buckhorn Campground along the ACH. Here, my natural, sinful state took over and I instinctively went east along the High Desert Trail toward El Diablo's throne.

From the trail junction to the spur to the Devil's Chair is about 2.6 miles along a very scenic, well-maintained, easy-to-navigate, and relatively flat trail. To the north are expansive views of the high desert; to the immediate south, is the oftentimes dramatic northern escarpment of the San Gabriel Range. Of particular note is rugged Holcomb Canyon which climbs steeply and dramatically up the back side of Mt. Williamson.

I'll refrain from giving a further blow-by-blow and just let the images speak for themselves. But I will say this about about the whole area. Going in, I had preconceived ideas about what this side of the San Gabriel range was and wasn't. Those preconceived ideas involved mostly juniper, sage, and other assorted lowland scrub. They did not include much in the way of flora and geography that is typical of a more mountainous, higher-alpine environment. And while the area does have many of the attributes of a transition zone between desert and mountains, it also offers snow-dusted peaks, fragrant evergreens, narrow, shaded canyons, and streams playing lovely water music. It's enough to make me want to drink from Satan's punchbowl again and again. And I will.

Ascending the Burkhart Trail
High Desert Views from the High Desert Trail
Looking Toward Big Pines from the High Desert Trail
View North Across the High Desert
Rugged Holcomb Canyon
Fenced Devil's Chair
Sitting on the Devil's Throne
Light, Shadows, Color
Alpine Scenery
Water Trickling Down Punchbowl Canyon
Contrast
The Devil's Funhouse
Last Look





Monday, January 18, 2016

Del Norte-Navy Road Loop, East Santa Cruz Island

Prisoner's Harbor
Back to work for the week and I was headed for the mid-week doldrums when my daughter decided to take a day trip to Santa Cruz Island and asked if I could come along. Hell yeah! Fortunately, my schedule was accommodating, so I quickly put things in order at the office, got the blessing from the big man in charge, and off we went.

The original plan, if it could even be called that (it was more like a thought), was to go to Scorpion Anchorage and climb to the high point along Montañon Ridge. But the sea was a bit angry on the day we went with high surf and big swells, so the concessionaire that runs the boats out to the islands (Island Packers) made the decision we were all going to Prisoner's Harbor where the pier is more protected and de-boating was less hazardous. Taking a quick look at our options out of Prisoner's, we decided to make a run out to the Del Norte trail camp instead of joining the NPS-led hike to Pelican Bay on the Nature Conservancy side of the island. Having done that hike previously, we already knew the terrain, but also knew the pace would be slower than we were hoping for. We wanted new and were hoping for something slightly more robust. 

Out of Ventura Harbor, the ocean was indeed impressive with huge waves crashing against the shore and big swells tossing us about. As a result, the concessionaire forbade us all from standing along the rail at the front of the boat. But once beyond the breakwater and into the channel, things calmed considerably and it was smooth sailing all the way out to the island. Despite the bumpy start, it was a perfect day to be on the water. The sky was blue, the ocean was bluer, and migrating Humpback and Gray Whales made themselves at home in the channel.

Platform Gilda in the Santa Barbara Channel
Migrating Humpback Whale
Migrating Gray Whales Near Santa Cruz Island
Gray Whale
Gray Whale Fluke
Upon arriving at Prisoner's Harbor, the boat captain announced that the boat would be leaving for the mainland at 2:45 p.m, He then reiterated: at 15 minutes to 3 p.m., the boat would be leaving; if you wanted a ride off the island, you needed to be back at the pier no later than 14:45; at 3/4 of an hour after 2 p.m., the boat would be leaving; be back to the pier no later than 1/4 hour before before 3 p.m. unless you're prepared to spend the night on the island. Being the astute and perceptive folks that we are, we surmised from this cluster of announcements that we should probably be back to the pier at least 1 hour before  3:45 p.m. to make sure we got back to Ventura that night.

After getting off the boat, we listened patiently as the NPS docent gave us the obligatory spiel: pack it in, pack it out; everything is protected down to the most insignificant stone; there is no food or water on the island so its entirely BYOB/BYOF; do not feed the wildlife; be back to the pier no later than 2:45 p.m. The docent then solicited questions and I contemplated asking what time the boat was leaving, but figured I'd check my smart mouth and spare my daughter the embarrassment. We were then finally released on our own recognizance and off we went up the Navy Road leaving our fellow boat-mates to their own devices.

Shortly up the road after a short but stout climb, the Del Norte Trail branches to the east. Here we jumped off the road and followed the wide trail as it dove into deep canyons only to reclaim the lost elevation on the other side of the V. To the north, the Santa Barbara Channel was a constant companion, framed by the the Santa Ynez Mountains far in the distance. Eventually the trail took us to empty Del Norte Trail Camp which sits high on the bluffs above the Pacific and affords magnificent vistas of what I imagine the coastal California landscape must have looked like before the Europeans invaded with their four-hoofed locusts.  Here, we spent entirely too much time soaking in the absolute silence, feasting on snacks, and being thoroughly entertained by several Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jays that are endemic to the islands and call the oaks surrounding the camp home.

View West from Navy Road
Beginning of the Del Norte Trail
The Santa Barbara Channel from the Del Norte Trail
Looking Back to Prisoner's Harbor from the Del Norte Trail
Del Norte Trail Camp
Endemic Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay
After a leisurely hour of loafing at Del Norte, we finally gathered ourselves and our gear together and made our way up to Navy Road which runs along the crest of the eastern side of the island. Upon reaching the road, we realized that we still had a 4 miles trek back to Prisoner's and only one hour to accomplish it. Remembering the dire and absolute warnings of the boat captain that we had scoffed at earlier, we began jogging back to Prisoner's in a bit of a panic. As it turned out, we arrived back at the pier with plenty of time to spare, even as we stopped to photograph rare island flora and fauna. But the whole episode was worth a minor, yet free adrenaline rush nonetheless. 

Campo Del Norte with Chinese Harbor in the Rearground
The Mountainous West Side Owned by the Nature Conservancy
Santa Cruz Island Coastline
Prisoner's Harbor Beach and Pier
Cliff Aster in Bloom
Endemic Island Fox
The "Beach" at Prisoner's Harbor
On the way back to the mainland, the orgy of migrating whales continued and the boat stopped for a decent amount of time for us to take photographs and otherwise satisfy our voyeuristic tendencies. During one of these stops, I overhead one of our boat-mates comment that we had seen more whales on our day trip then they had seen on a previous trip devoted exclusively to whale-watching. At that, we felt very fortunate to have made the trip when we did.

Back at Ventura, the ocean became more violent again and we rode the big swells into the harbor as the surf continued to pummel the coast. After landing, we rushed to the beach to catch one final glimpse of our islands as they slowly disappeared in the fading light of day. 

Anacapa Island from the Channel
Another Gray Whale Fluke
More Gray Whales
Migrating Gray Whales
Parting Shot - We Both Have Places to Be
The Ride Home
Sunset Over the Islands