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.