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Post by dannoh on Mar 1, 2018 9:28:45 GMT -8
I am looking to spend a few nights under the stars this summer. I am thinking about a trip like this, get off work (I'm off at 230pm) heading home to grab my pack, driving over to a local peak, hiking to the top, setting up camp and enjoying the stars for a bit, then heading down in the morning after breakfast.
I am thinking I could do this at Cucamonga Peak and similar peaks just to get in a night under the stars. Thoughts? Where else would you recommend going?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Mar 1, 2018 12:58:22 GMT -8
San Jacinto? The tram gets you high fast, then you head out. First: why not have the pack with you at work? I’d think even if you drive a pickup there’d be somewhere to stash it.
For a full weekend I’d head up 395 to Lone Pine etc. pick a night with a full moon and your good, though from many places in Summer you’d get to a Long Pine trailhead before dark with a 2:30 start.
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whistlepunk
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Post by whistlepunk on Mar 1, 2018 14:21:05 GMT -8
I have done a few S24s in my day. I enjoyed them, but still felt rushed and somehow incomplete.
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Post by dannoh on Mar 2, 2018 13:12:43 GMT -8
High Sierra Fan, I work about 2 miles from my house so the time commitment to get back home is maybe 5 min if I hit both stop lights on red.
Whistlepunk, What is S24? Pardon the noob question.
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whistlepunk
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Post by whistlepunk on Mar 2, 2018 13:20:01 GMT -8
S24 = Sub 24 hour. A single overnight less than a full day. I first heard the term from the mountain bikepacking community. Some of the group were doing it on weeknight after work, and returning early in the morning, grab a quick shower, then go to work. That is too rushed. I would not enjoy that.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Mar 2, 2018 17:54:32 GMT -8
If you live in southern California you don't need to wait for summer. I head out to the Los Padres NF from work year round.
I don't know the LA area, but there are lots of options.
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Post by dannoh on Mar 5, 2018 13:34:37 GMT -8
IM not too sure how to quote on this forum so yeah. Toejam, unfortunately, LPNF is a solid 3 hr drive from me. I am on the southeastern side of LA. I'm closer to Riverside/San Berdinino.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Mar 5, 2018 20:59:25 GMT -8
I'm closer to Riverside/San Berdinino. Yeah. I haven't done any hiking in the Angeles or San Bernardino NFs, but I bet you can find a bunch of trails accessible year round. And in the summer, make that drive up 395.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Mar 5, 2018 22:33:03 GMT -8
I used to do fast weekends when I lived in Seattle. Leave Friday after work, or early Saturday morning, for 1 or 2 nights. We were all young then, so we'd put in some significant miles, bag a peak, and I'd feel Monday morning like I was hung over (not from anything I consumed, just from wearing myself out!).
I don't know the LA area well enough to offer suggestions, other than that if weekends are all you have, your plan sounds good. Going for a week is better, but sanity can be found in a few bag nights stolen from an urban existence.
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Post by johntpenca on Mar 6, 2018 18:45:06 GMT -8
San Jacinto, San Gorgonio and The Mt. Baldy areas are within relatively easy striking distance from where you are at. Make sure you understand the permitting requirements, especially for overnights. Fires are not allowed anywhere and stoves may require a permit (available on line); they are mainly an educational tool. Google "hiking the san bernardinos", "hiking the san jacintos", "hiking the san gabriels" and you'll find a plethora of information. The trails near the LA/Riverside/Palm Springs metroplex are used heavily.
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speacock
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Post by speacock on Mar 9, 2018 9:59:13 GMT -8
When we get visitors from out of state, they usually mention they would like to see the Sierra before they leave - and they want a hike. Well, they have an airplane out Monday and this is Saturday night. Up (and out) at 4am Sunday, breakfast in Mohave (Dennys), at trail head between 8 and 9 (depending upon how close to Lone Pine). At lakes a bit after noon (Cottonwood Lakes, Kearsarge Lakes - over K pass, Long Lake if Bishop). Goof off until 4:30-5pm back to car before 7PM, pizza on way, home around midnight. I don't do this as often as I did when I had kids at home. We'd leave on Friday afternoon and try to camp near trail head. Or even more fun if everybody is fit. There are 5 trail heads near enough to Lone Pine, Independence or Bishop such that you can check into a motel, have breakfast take a day pack and get to lakes and high pass take pictures enjoy the sun, and return for a nice meal and a bath before repeating the same for as many trail heads you have the energy for. Plan on early July or maybe even mid June this year. Snow would be at 11,000' mid June. Lone Pine: (US 395 North) - Cottonwood Lakes, from Horseshoe Meadows Cottonwood LakesIndependence: - From Onion Valley, east side lakes in 3 miles, Kearsarge pass and Lakes in 6/7miles KearsargeBishop: - South lake trail toward Bishop pass South Lake - North Lake up to Paiute Pass and beyond - Sabrina Lakes Big Pine: - Glacier Lodge trail head to Big Pine Lakes (long day) Big Pine LakesMt Baldy Villiage: - to Ice House Canyon (get your parking permit for the year at REI) and then up the peaks to the right or left at top of canyon. - There is also a trail to the 'Sierra Club Green Ski Hut' from just beyond San Antonio Falls - up the road about 400 yards or so, on the left. Camping area OR you can rent the Hut too. From here there is a trail (summer time) to top of Baldy and return via 'Devils Backbone' to ski lift and then back to your car near the road up to the Falls. Pasadena: - North end of Santa Anita Blvd parking lot (display Wilderness Pass on dashboard) take trail down road for about 1/2 mile across the creek and then up about 2 miles to Hogee Camp. You can go up past Studevant Camp a mile more to camp (check with Rangers), and then up Mt Wilson if interested. Your Cucamonga Peak is a good one too. Redlands/Mentone to Forest Falls (connect with Ranger the day before for wilderness permit) Mills Creek and trailhead up Vivian Creek. Camping at Halfway and High Creek. There will be snow for a couple of months on Mt San Gorgonio (highest point in S. Calif). Gogonio areaThere is a better trail (not so steep) on the north side of Gorgonio up Fish Creek.
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Post by johntpenca on Mar 12, 2018 17:46:49 GMT -8
breakfast in Mohave (Dennys) The little diner on the west side of the 395 just south of Independence kicks Denny's ass. Way better food and homey atmosphere for not much more coin.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Mar 13, 2018 4:43:33 GMT -8
The little diner on the west side of the 395 just south of Independence I can't remember a diner in Independence or anything south of there until Lone Pine. Please elaborate.
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Post by hikerchick395 on Mar 13, 2018 8:29:34 GMT -8
Maybe thinking of the Ranch House Café in Olancha.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Mar 13, 2018 11:39:47 GMT -8
I have to leave the central coast at 3 a.m. to get to the Interagency Center in Lone Pine for permits at 8 (breakfast is something to-go from the Loves in Tehachapi). Get my permit, hit the trail, hike until the altitude stops me. Mineral King is easier for me.
A few weeks ago I took Friday off, so I headed out Thursday afternoon, got a Subway sandwich in Morro Bay, made it to the Silver Peak Wilderness at 5:30. Saw the ocean as it got dark, had the headlamp on at 6:25. Climbed above 2000' in the dark with the wind spitting rain in my face. It was nearly 8 when I got to camp wet and cold - put up the tent, ate half the sandwich, and passed out. The next day I hiked 15 miles to camp with a bunch of local college students on a volunteer trail maintenance project.
Good times. Go get some!
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