IDLEHOUR TO EAST MOUNT FUJI

 On Sunday, I hiked with Sean to Idelhour Camp. It had been years since I've hiked the Idlehour trail to the campsite. We started at the Pinecrest gate in Altadena and hiked to Henninger Flats. After a short break, we continued on the Mt. Wilson toll road to the bridge where the Idelhour trail begins. 

Along the way, we saw some deer grazing by the road. A cool thing to see since the road isn't too appealing. 

Anyways, once we started to ascend the Idlehour trail we got some awesome views and  I could see the summit of East Mt. Fuji which I was going to bag on the way back to my car. 

At the Idlehour campsite, it was very peaceful and beautiful. Lots of fall foliage in the canyon and the water in the creek had a good flow with a mini waterfall. 

After a long lunch, we said our goodbyes and I left Sean at the campsite. I ascended back up the Idlehour trail to the main road. Along my route, I was mesmerized by all the colors that surrounded me in the canyon. I was alone and it was so peaceful. 

Once I reached the road, I continued the opposite way (toward Mt. Wilson) until I reached a saddle. I met a biker who was taking a break under a huge tree that had fantastic views. 

After a short conversation, I headed up the used path toward the peak. It looked as if there had been a recent fire. There were firehoses in the area and evidence of burned tree stumps. Past the burn area was some communication equipment. I don't think it was affected by the fire because it looked like it was in good shape. There was also a camera that was knocked over so I lifted it from the ground and placed it upright. 

I continued to search the area but did not find a register or benchmark so I descended the same way I hiked and decided to sit under the tree for a break and admire the views. 

On the way down I stopped at Henninger Flats again for a short break. I was hoping to beat the sunset so that I wouldn't have to walk back to my car in the dark. 

During the entire hike after leaving Idelhour camp I was alone on the trails with the exception of a few bikers speeding down the road from Mt. Wilson. 

Stats: 16 miles, 2500+ ft of gain

PINNACLES PEAK IN ARROWHEAD

 For my birthday I wanted to return to the Pinnacles in Arrowhead. I was there during covid in 2020. I did not summit because the person I was hiking with wasn't feeling well, so we had to turn back. I had only made it as far as the saddle. 

Anyways, I wanted to return and finish what I had started two years ago. From the saddle, you can see some of the cool rock outcroppings. I was excited & ready to scramble up to the top. I was hoping to find a benchmark or a register. 

We started around 7 am. It was so cold, probably 40-degrees. As we started hiking along the trail we could see that the water in the creek was frozen. We soon warmed up as we started to ascend the trail. 

I really enjoyed this trail. However, there are some sections where the trail is lost. There are a few cairns to mark the way but the main trail branches off into smaller ones. It's a good idea to just be aware of the surroundings or have a map. 

The trek to Pinnacles Peak is a short one but with all the rock scrambling it seems like it's longer. After reaching the saddle the trail becomes flat for a short distance until the final climb to the summit which involves good route finding and some bushwacking. 

At the top, there are 360- degree views of the surrounding San Bernardino Mountains. Silverwood Lake and Mount Baldy covered in snow could be seen. It was a clear day but a bit windy. By the time we reached the summit, it was 50-degrees. We never took our jackets off because of the cold breeze throughout the day. 

I found an old, tiny benchmark at the high point and a register below under some rocks. Around the summit are some huge boulders to climb and a small cave to squeeze through. 

We ate lunch and admired the views for about 45 min before heading back to the cars. We had the trail all to ourselves probably because it was a weekday. 

We checked out some more cool rock formations nearby and I climbed up a few because that's what I love to do. There is actually a cool pinnacle-shaped rock formation, a short distance away from the final climb to the summit. 

Overall, it was a nice short hike. If one is inexperienced with rock scrambling skills then it could be a bit exhausting. 

 

CALPINE LOOKOUT

In early October, Missy invited me to spend two nights at the Calpine Lookout located in the Sierra Nevadas of the Tahoe National Forest.

We made some stops along the way. We checked out Donner Lake. 

We also stopped for gas and snacks in Old Towne Auburn. Here we were educated on some gold rush history with a memorial statue and plaque dedicated to its founder. There was also an old historical Auburn firehouse built in 1852. 

Calpine Lookout was constructed in 1934 by the CCC. It was actively used until 1975 and stands tall at 5,980 ft. it's one of the few remaining windmill-style lookouts.

The Lookout was very cool. We were surrounded by tall Pine trees. It was very secluded and serene. We had the most beautiful sunsets & sunrises. And there was not a bear in sight.

We began our road trip early in the morning last Tuesday and made the 8 hour drive, arriving just in time for an amazing sunset at the lookout.

In my opinion, the lookout was very accommodating & roomy for two people.

We had a wood-burning stove, a regular small stove, a sink, a small table with chairs and two beds with lots of counter space. To add, they provided utensils, cookware, cleaning supplies & more.

Oh and we had cell service.

The next day we checked out some local hikes. We did a short hike on the Gray Eagle trail located in Plumas National Forest. 

We found a beautiful waterfall just below the highway that crosses the PCT. It's called Heart Falls, North of the Yuba River. Love falls gets its name from the huge heart-shaped rock just below the bridge. My pictures don't do it justice. You have to see it In person to appreciate its beauty.

On our last day, we did lots of sightseeing. I was on a Fall colors mission and we decided to take the scenic route home on Hwy 395 through the Eastern Sierras and found the most spectacular array of Fall colors.

We found an old abandoned cabin that was surrounded by sun-kissed trees that displayed a fiery gold color. 

We found a 2002 Fireman's memorial off the highway. What caught my eye were all the firemen's t-shirts hanging from a fence as the wind was blowing. It was sad to see the boots and other items placed near the memorial. There was also a dedication plaque. 

   We also stopped to view Lake Tahoe.

I would highly recommend booking Calpine Lookout. It is a long wait to get a reservation and for now, they are fully booked for all of 2023. This was one adventure I will never forget!