Sawmill Mountain with the extra mile

Once you leave the parking lot from the west end, you’ll soon encounter two signs. The one on the left said “Area Closed” so I took the trail to the right. Being it said Condor Sunmit 1.7 miles I was like “oh this is an alternate route” About a 1/2 mile in I decide to check AllTrails and I was way off, ended up learned some landnav ????.

Due to getting lost I gave up on the 3-2-1 challenge and proceeded to Sawmill Mountain. Saw 3 hikers the entire way there. Stopped for lunch at the Tamamait Trail head, just prior to arriving there I passed Mt Pinos, unfortunately no cell signal while passing the antennas/signal towers.

Proceeded down the 6 to 7 switchbacks. This is the area where it was slightly difficult but thankfully someone bushwhacked or used loppers to traverse all the brush. A bit overcast, later heard about 6 thunder rolls, followed by very light rain which lasted less than 5 minutes on and off.

The heavy forest was a bit frightening but I say do I scared. Was in alert the whole time. Despite all that, under the treeline was like being trapped in a storybook adventure. Reached Sawmill, when I saw the cairn I was jumping with joy. Several flies, bees, other bugs and giant bumble bee joined me for beer summit time. I didn’t have a sigh so I pulled out an old bill I had in my backpack and wrote Sawmill Mountain 8622’ El and headed back