Archive

Summit Stones in the San Gabriels

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 22, 2008
in motivations
. 2 Comments

I am very excited to announce that I just received a small package filled to the brim with Summit Stones.

Early on in this small world of hike-blogging, one of the first and most dependably great sites I stumbled upon was DSD’s Summit Stones & Adventure Musings. The closest thing our little online group has to a wandering sage, DSD painstakingly handpaints outdoor scenes on stones, then leaves them at summits for other hikers to discover and interpret.

It’s a project I have always loved, but never thought I’d be a part of — as DSD’s haunts are more up in the Pacific Northwest. But now I am excited and very proud to be the SoCal Operative in this ongoing project of his. I’ll now be spreading some Summit Stones along my various routes and tracks, and hopefully inspiring other hikers to stop and enjoy their surroundings in a new way.

Keep your eye open on those San Gabriel summits. You might stumble across one of these little beauties.

Summit Stone!

Many, many thanks to DSD for looping me in on this!

Funny Because It’s True

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 21, 2008
in Video, fires and in the media
. 0 Comments


Californians Gather To Celebrate Annual Wildfire Tradition

I look forward to the upcoming transition into Mudslide Season, marked by the annual Festival of the Sliding Mansions.

Hometown Mountain in the News

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 20, 2008
in GPS, hiking and in the media
. 1 Comment

nullWhen I saw the phrase “Connecticut Hikers” on my Hiker Hell feed this morning, I absolutely had to click-through. Even though I’ve been in California for over 5 years, now, I still like to keep tabs on my old Nutmeg State stomping grounds.

When I read that the lost hikers were on Ragged Mountain, I realized this story was not only in my old state, but actually in my hometown! Score one for Berlin, Connecticut — Home of the Yankee Peddler.

Ragged Mountain isn’t big by any standards, but it is a bit isolated from the rest of civilization in the area. It’s no Denali, but I could see how someone might get lost up there if they were unprepared. Thankfully, the two lost hikers were rescued without any problem, and everyone probably learned a valuable lesson.

Now I wonder if they were anyone I know …

Havasu Canyon Flood

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 18, 2008
in Grand Canyon National Park and in the media
. 1 Comment

The story of the recent flooding in Havasu Canyon continues to unfold.

Over 8 inches of rain fell in the area since Friday, turning the usually calm and turquoise Havasu Creek into a raging, muddy torrent. For a visual, here is video of Havasu Falls under normal conditions:

… and here it is with the water levels raised 2 feet — 6 feet lower than what’s flowing in the canyon right now:

Two things make this an especially nasty area for flash floods — one, the walls of this canyon are very steep, which means limited opportunities to get to higher ground; and two, the primary campground for the canyon is on fairly low land just a few hundred yards downstream from this waterfall.

The news from the area hasn’t been nearly as bad as it could have been, thanks to the efforts of the numerous groups helping with rescue operations. 400 people were successfully evacuated, and crews have started a search-and-rescue mission for the 11 hikers and campers still missing.

Arizona Central has more information on the events surrounding the flooding, as well as some harrowing first-person accounts of campers forced to climb trees and hope for the best.

I was in this canyon earlier this year, and it is impossible not to be awestruck by its natural beauty. I hope for the best for everyone still stuck in the canyon, as well as the Havasupai Tribe who live there.

Via Hiker Hell.

Fire Near Lancaster

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 18, 2008
in Angeles National Forest and fires
. 0 Comments

A brushfire burning in the Angeles National Forest near Lancaster is only 15% contained, but firefighters are optimistic the fire will be under control by tomorrow.

The fire has burned 250 acres northeast of Castaic Lake, threatened a hundred homes, and closed San Francisquito Canyon Road from Santa Clarita to Green Valley, but the fire has essentially stalled.

If you’re headed to the area, be aware of potential road closings for the next few days.

Via Los Angeles Times.

Runners Live Longer, Better

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 15, 2008
in motivations
. 2 Comments

nullA new study by the Archive of Internal Medicine has found something we all could have probably pieced together on our own — runners live longer and healthier lives than their lazy counterparts.

The study concluded that runners have a significantly lower mortality rate (15% vs. 34% over a 21 year period), don’t experience any more knee or joint problems, continue to have beneficial results - even from modest exercise - into their 80s, and start having age-related disabilities a full 16 years later than non-runners.

Wow.

If that doesn’t get you on the treadmill, I don’t know what will.

Via Backpacker.

Image by ghecko13.

Hiking Author at Adventure 16

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 15, 2008
in City Life, The Great Outdoors, camping and hiking
. 0 Comments

nullOver the next few weeks, SoCal outdoor outfitters Adventure 16 will host Allan Riedel — author of the guidebook 100 Classic Hikes in Southern California. Riedel will offer tips on his favorite local trails, hidden camping spots, and good family trips at all seven Southern California branches of A16:

- Tarzana Store: Thurs., Sept. 4, 7 p.m.
- West Los Angeles Store: Thurs., Sept. 11, 7 p.m.
- Torrance Store: Thurs., Sept. 18, 7 p.m.
- Costa Mesa Store: Thurs., Sept. 25, 7 p.m.
- Oceanside Store: Thurs., Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
- Solana Beach Store: Thurs., Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
- San Diego Store: Thurs., Oct. 16, 7 p.m.

No word on whether or not punch and pie will be served, but we can assume CLIF bars and iced tea are likely.

Fire Danger and Gate Closures

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 12, 2008
in Angeles National Forest and fires
. 1 Comment

nullIn response to high temperatures, drying vegetation, and increased visitation, the rangers in the Angeles National Forest have raised the official Fire Danger level from “high” to “very high” today. Fire restrictions remain the same — campfires in developed sites only, propane and gas stoves allowed with Fire Permit only.

Also, reader D.W. Davidson wrote in a few days ago to alert me to a change in operational hours at the gate to Chantry Flats. The Gate — which gets you into the beautiful Santa Anita Canyon area of the Angeles National Forest — will now be open from 6AM to 8PM until further notice. The reason? “Increasing fire danger and a history of human-caused fires in the area.”

Go figure.

Image by KeithJ

Hiking is Better Than Sex

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 12, 2008
in The Great Outdoors, Uncategorized, climbing and hiking
. 2 Comments

… and that should get a few more interesting hits from Google.

But it’s true, according to a recent CNN story about “natural highs.” Hiking and mountain climbing rank among such other risky and rewarding activities as going to the gym, public speaking, skydiving and … um … shoe shopping.

If you’re looking for motivation to hit that next peak on your list, listen to Ramani Durvasula, a professor at CSULA, describe her hiking experiences:

When you pull yourself up onto a summit — and climax, so to speak, particularly as a woman — the sheer physicality, beauty and endurance are like no other feeling on earth … My favorite ‘lover’ was Half Dome … I fell to my knees. It was one of the best moments of my life.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to make plans to visit Yosemite.

I wonder what Durvasula would have to say about the rock formations in Cappadodcia …

null

image by Jeff Werner.

Hiking the East Fork of San Gabriel River to the Bridge to Nowhere

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 11, 2008
in Angeles National Forest, Trail Write-Ups, hiking and swimming holes
. 6 Comments

A 10 mile trek down the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, following the path of an attempted highway. This hike features multiple river crossings, plenty of opportunities to swim, historic sections of visible roads and tunnels, and the Bridge to Nowhere — a 120 foot high concrete bridge in the middle of the canyon. The bridge is an odd and beautiful sight that is unparalleled in the San Gabriels — and it’s also the only place in California were bungee jumping is allowed (on weekends).

Continue reading ‘Hiking the East Fork of San Gabriel River to the Bridge to Nowhere’