Monday, December 25, 2023

Johnstone peak and the Experimental Forest

On Christmas day, Sean and I wanted to hike through the San Dimas Experimental Forest that is restricted to enter only by permission. They do not allow through hikers only Forest personnel. There is a locked gate at the entrance. 

We both had been wanting to do this for years, so this was our opportunity hoping for the best that the San Dimas forest service had the day off. 

The goal was to summit Johnstone peak, There is another way to do this hike but the thrill of starting form the restricted area was very appealing to both of us. 

We drove the long way from Big Tujunga to Glendora Ridge road. We started early and didn't see antoher soul in sight. 

The hike is mostly fire road very easy to follow with a gradual ascent. Surprisingly, it wasnt the typical boring road and had some great views. At the halfway point we could see the towers at Johnstone peak. 

The final push to the summit was very nice. It was shaded, lush and green. At the top, there is a junction and a sign. 

There was also a water tank that says Johnstone. At the summit, we found a place to eat our luch and soak in the views. I found two benchmarks that made me very happy. In the distance, we saw some more towers and another road that continued on. We decided not to explore any further. 

We walked around the huge summit and found a nice dedication place to Mr. William Johstone who died in 1937 at the age of 67. He had lived in San Dimas. He was president of the LA county civil service commission and was director of the California Fruit Growers exchange among other things. in 1940 they named a peak after him. 

We descended the way we came and bagged a few small numbered peaks along the way. I also found some really cool witness posts.

I really liked this trek. It was very serene with nice views. 


























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