My B-day group hike with the Forum to Slide Mountain

 On Sunday Nov 26th. Sean had planned another B-day hike for mw with the Forum. We met the group at trailhead. it was pretty chilly but jeff made us all hot choclolate before we started the hike. It was probably 40-degrees.

Anyways, the hike starts out on a boring road for about a mile or so but the views of Piru Creek and lingering Fall colors made the boring asphalt road nice to walk on. 

We eventually left the paved road and headed up a dirt raod, the route to Slide Mountain. The climb climbed steadily with a few steep sections but as we ascended the trail we had fantastic views of Pyramid Lake, Lake Piru and the canyon below us. 

As we arrived at the Saddle just before the final climb to the summit. My friend Shurovi and her better half sjowed up which made me very happy. I havent seen her in two years so we had lotss to catch ip on. 

We finally arrived at Slide Mountain Lookout. We started to prepare our feast. It's now tradition to maked girlled cheese sandwiches whick Jeff cooks for us. We also bring other items to add to the gourmet sandwiches. This time I brought tomato soup. We also had a variety of otherr ingredients. Sean mad hot chocolate and hot apple cider for everyone I drank the special dark chocolate.  Shurovi and Tim brought some sparkling apple-cranberry Martinelli As chef Jeff was making grilled cheese, Missy surprised me with her appearance and brought me presents. How Sweet!

We spent about an hour or on the windy summit eating, drinking and enjoying the views. Then anothe surprise with some Pumpkin pie for dessert. Later Sean presented me with a nice photo album of some of our past hikes. Awwww!!!

Slide Mountain has been on my bucket list for years! This was a nice hike to celebrate my birthday.

Ten long miles but worth the views. 

 

My actual B-day hike to Mt. Williamson

My birthday fell on a weekday. Sean offered to drive up the ACH and take me somewhere for my my special day to see the sunset. Since we had a late start, it would be a short hike. We decided to drive to Mt. Islip Saddle and summit Mt. Williamson. 

I hadn't been there since the Bobcat fire so it was pretty devastating to see. The trail sign that pointed out the South Fork trail was completely demolished. However the PCT sign was still intact. 

We headed up the PCT trail. Burnt trees and debris covered most of the trail. It was very sad to look at but at the same time interesting to be able to still follow the trail up to the summit. 

It was very cold, I believe temps were in the 40's but we were prepared. The route was pleasant. A few fall colors and wildflowers were a good sign of re-growth. 

As we were approaching the summit we met a few PCT'ers that started their jourrney late in the season descending the trail. 

We continued on without seing another soul in sight. We arrived at summit just before sunset. By then it was freezing cold but Sean surprised me with Hot chocolate to keep us warm as we watched the beautiful sunset.