A few things made this hike unique. Mainly that the ENTIRETY of Los Angeles and San Bernardino County's were covered with a Sea of Clouds. It was amazing! As far as the eye could see, nothing but clouds and “Island Peaks” protruding up out of this surreal ocean. Because the metropolitan urban sprawl (typically visible from the top of this hike) was entirely hidden, with a little imagination you could have been anywhere in the world… Alaska etc. It was exceptionally beautiful in a unique way. It was cold in the morning hours, especially in the canyon below the saddle.

Another thing that made this hike unique was that it was the largest number of people that I've ever seen on a single hike, or on a single peak anytime in my entire life! There must have been in excess of 150 people who arrived on top of Cucamonga Peak just during the hour or so I was at the summit (seriously). We passed many on the climb up including a large group of over 20 people from a Bakersfield gym doing some type of boot camp training field trip. The good news was that we met MANY very friendly people on this hike. In fact, we ran into someone I'd met recently on a snow hike at Mt. Baldy and wound up hiking with their group from the saddle to the peak.

I don't want to end this log on a negative note, but tragically this hike demonstrated to me (personally) that it's evident there are drawbacks to the trails becoming more like amusement parks and I feel it would be irresponsible not to mention it. Hiking the local peaks is something that many have only discovered in the past few years, and it shows in the lack of trail etiquette, knowledge, and lack of regard for nature and the fact that it is something we all must share. I saw a large organized group of people led by a party leader aggressively cutting switchbacks (with complete disregard) in sections of the trail where it was clearly causing SEVERE trail damage and trail erosion. As I walked behind a bush off the trail to take a nature break I saw toilet paper covering the ground where more than several people felt it was ok to just “leave it”. It's not just people refusing to pick up after themselves, but after their pets. It's great to see more people enjoying the outdoors, and those of us who have done so for years should be glad to share it and help educate others, but sadly there will always be a small number of people who for whatever reason force the rest of us to put up with their inability to share the outdoors with respect. I don't have the answer, but I do know that we should all do our best not to be “those people”…. just saying…