Man, these hot hot hot weekends are really making it difficult to find cool, Amber worthy hikes to go submerge myself into. I initially got a wild hair to go to Big Pine Lakes Trail but that was a definite commitment and one I’d like to plan a bit better for than 12hrs notice. Plus flash thunderstorms were on the high Sierra forecast. So whereeeeee toooooo gooooo??? Where is the water? I’ve been to all my favorite water hikes over and over again this summer. Looking on the AllTrails forecast, Pine Mtn Club was due to only be in the 80s. Ok, maybe not any water (the Woodland Falls Trail didn’t have promising recent waterfall reviews) but it’s got a beautiful mix of ecosystems in a tight radius. You’ve got a mix of shady evergreen forests for much of the journey and some pretty, meadowy areas and then Rabbitbrush covered shrublands there at the top of Mt. Pinos. Its high enough to yield some great wildflower opportunities as well.

I’ve done the 3-2-1 Challenge last year in the fall with my dear friend Christine, and figured why not revisit the gorgeous area for a redo? The 3-2-1 Challenge is a challenge put on by Mountain Communities Chamber of Congress. You hike 3 peaks in 2 counties in 1 day. While it’s not the most challenging peak combo by any means, it DOES make for a memorable day in the Chumash wilderness hiking to Ventura Counties highest point in the Transverse Ranges.

I was pleasantly surprised to find myself virtually alone until nearly reaching Sawmill Mountain. It’s always fun bumping into fellow hikers in the remote wilderness because everyone is super friendly, and they love to have a quick trail-chat with you to share intel. While I enjoy the solitude, it’s nice to chat w some folks who enjoy this passion as much as I do. I made fast work of Pinos, and then Sawmill and finally saw a few pairs of hikers. Moving on down to Grouse after a series of ascents and descents between Pinos and Sawmill, I hiked to the two peak spots at Grouse. For whatever reason there were two spots up there to delineate the TOP of the mountain. It looks like the rock outcrop spot was dismantled and the stick teepee spot is THE designated peak marker now.

Wow that was quick! It’s amazing how year after year of weekly hikes, you just become more and more conditioned and have muscle memory for this kind of exertion. This felt breezy for me this time. On my return trip I hit up Sheep Campground adjacent to Lilly Meadows for a lunch stop. The spring at the campsite WAS wet but I’d be hard pressed to filter it for consumption. Everywhere is dry dry dry. Heading back up and out, I ran into some gals on horseback hitting the trail.

One fun fact about me is my newly discovered photographic memory for trails. I can recall what I was doing, wearing, eating, what we were talking about, with whom I journeyed with etc along any given route. I recall the little photographic moments I stopped for on previous visits. I recall the inner dialogue I had while traveling thru particular stretches of wilderness. This trail didn’t disappoint. I recall that Crackling Grasshopper I snapped a pic of, that Covid and election convo with Christine before the wilderness sign and whether we’d have to dye our own hair before the world opened back up, I remembered the perfect fat/flat weird pinecone I found between peaks, I recall the books and TV shows we discussed, the gentleman with the broad brimmed hat and guitar strumming solo on the bench lookout, I recall the wet meadow near Sheep Camp with the pretty flowers and us waiting patiently for the mountain chickadees to swoop down for a drink. I remember Christine’s gear stash behind a fallen tree. I remember talking about terrifying dental visits and driving home with a check engine light on. Etc etc.

The wilderness is humbling; its grounding and it forces you to be present. To watch your feet, hear the chorus of birds, to stand in awe of the wind doing its own version of “the wave” through the trees around you. It makes you feel your body, your breath, your fitness (or lack thereof). It makes you ponder survival in ways you probably never think of in your day to day life. It’s good for the soul. It’s my weekly medicine. Thank you, Mt. Pinos, Sawmill and Grouse, for your company and for seeing me home safely.