I find hiking to be a (mostly delicious) mixed bag, and this 14.5 miler was no different. This hike was extra-special because it was my first 10+ mile hike in about 6 months and let me tell ya… the Sturtivant switchbacks had a way of reminding me about each and every day I didn't hike. On each and every step. With that said, I finished (but not without having a break forced onto me by my too-heavy legs 20 feet from the official summit marker), and here are both the highlights and blooper reel:
The Good:
- Beautiful weather : Mostly sunny (and the trail is mostly shaded), temperatures in the 60-70s throughout, and refreshing breezes at just the right times/places!
- Great group(s): I jumped between two groups while hiking this one, and both were experienced and great company!
- Water: The streams and falls are running, making for some great photo ops and ambient sound/smells.
- Springtime: With the streams and winter rains come the leaves and wildflowers, too! It's not very often that SoCal is more green than most anywhere else.
The Delicious:
- Cosmic Cafe is Open: Avocado toast isn't just for Millennials who don't want to buy houses; it's also for Millennials who are desperately hungry after climbing 4000 feet!
The Bad:
- Water… means mosquitoes, especially around sunrise/sunset.
- Trail conditions: Storms and winds have blown down big trees at several points along the Winter Creek trail. Beware.
- Crowds/Parking: Springtime is the “sweet spot” for hiking this trail, and because of this, I/our groups was/were never alone on the way up, and parking was a nightmare–even at 5:50 AM.
The Bad-Tasting:
- Mosquitoes at Hoegee's Camp.
- Losing one of my gear bags at the top. Luckily, a fellow hiker picked it up!
Photos to come later.
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