Today is the type of day that exemplifies why I joined this challenge. Too often I hike the same hills near my house over and over. I joined the Six pack of peaks to encourage me to get out and try some new trails.
The views today from Santiago and Modjeska were incredible. Easily the best views of SoCal I have ever experienced. And to think I almost didn't go this morning when I heard there was a wind advisory for the Santa Anas. I think in hindsight this trail should be preferred when they are blowing for two reasons. One is that almost all of the trail was sheltered from the NE winds and two the wind blows away all the smog. I could see from dowtown LA to Century City to Santa Monica to Malibu to Redondo to Long Beach to Catalina to Newport to the Laguna hills to the San Clemente hills to San Diego! It was incredible. Turn around and see Jacinto to Gorgonio to Baldy all snow capped. And by early sun the poppies across the 15 freeway near Lake Elsinor were in full bloom! Miles and miles of orange. To say the pictures (on my super cheap SE iPhone) don't do any of this justice would be an understatement.
Now that drive to the trailhead on the other hand… ohhhh boy. It is a doozy. You want a truck or SUV for sure.
Responses
Awesome! The winds certainly clear things up (actually best after light rain). We went up 2 days ago and the smog over Los Angeles and Long Beach was slightly disappointing and there was a small fire out there too. And yeah, Lake Elsinore and Temescal Valley had at least 30 large gorgeous poppy fields.