dstepper
(R.I.P.) Over the hill
RR: Angeles Forest, High Country
My plan this AM was to go to Chilao and do a couple of loops on Mt. Hillyer. Got there about 11am, both gates to the campground were open; no snow in sight and it was about 80 degrees out. So I decided to find something at a higher elevation with more shade. Went up to Mt. Waterman, due to snow it is going to be a few more weeks before it is a good ride. So I gave the Burkhart Trail a try from Buckhorn Campground.
I brought the singlespeed so I was not going to try to do too much, maybe to (PCT) Pacific Crest Trail and turn around. Got to PCT…the whole ride to this point was downhill but not real steep. I was a little concerned about the climb back out, but the miles were low and I had enough daylight to walk out if needed. You cannot ride bikes on the PCT so I hike-a-biked for maybe a half a mile on the section that Burkhart shares with PCT. Crossed the creek and did maybe two hours of climbing/pushing toward Burkhart Saddle. I was running low on water and still thinking about that climb back out so I stopped at about 3pm and headed back. *Note to self* next time bring gears or put the bigger cog on the back and bring the water filter.
Very nice area, the trees are large and healthy with quite a few cedars in the mix, numerous swimming holes along the way and constant low pitch roar from the waterfalls.
I have not downloaded the data from the GPS yet, so I have no idea how many miles or elevations. You can see Mt. Waterman in one of the pictures, it has snow on the top and if you look close, in the lower middle left of the picture, you can see the Burkhart Trail.
My plan this AM was to go to Chilao and do a couple of loops on Mt. Hillyer. Got there about 11am, both gates to the campground were open; no snow in sight and it was about 80 degrees out. So I decided to find something at a higher elevation with more shade. Went up to Mt. Waterman, due to snow it is going to be a few more weeks before it is a good ride. So I gave the Burkhart Trail a try from Buckhorn Campground.
I brought the singlespeed so I was not going to try to do too much, maybe to (PCT) Pacific Crest Trail and turn around. Got to PCT…the whole ride to this point was downhill but not real steep. I was a little concerned about the climb back out, but the miles were low and I had enough daylight to walk out if needed. You cannot ride bikes on the PCT so I hike-a-biked for maybe a half a mile on the section that Burkhart shares with PCT. Crossed the creek and did maybe two hours of climbing/pushing toward Burkhart Saddle. I was running low on water and still thinking about that climb back out so I stopped at about 3pm and headed back. *Note to self* next time bring gears or put the bigger cog on the back and bring the water filter.
Very nice area, the trees are large and healthy with quite a few cedars in the mix, numerous swimming holes along the way and constant low pitch roar from the waterfalls.
I have not downloaded the data from the GPS yet, so I have no idea how many miles or elevations. You can see Mt. Waterman in one of the pictures, it has snow on the top and if you look close, in the lower middle left of the picture, you can see the Burkhart Trail.
