Cachuma Mountain

Cassie and I took another trip up to Santa Barbara County to go for another Lower Peak, Cachuma Mountain - 4,696'. Driving up the 101 to Santa Barbara we then headed up the 154 passing Cachuma Lake. It is severely down, and no where near the level it was when I fished there a number of years ago. Eventually finding our way on Happy Canyon Road we saw the vineyards starting to show the yellow, orange and red leaves of the vines. Very pretty. The road then starts to go through an area of ranches where we saw some Texas Longhorns, and also some deer nibbling on the grass in the morning light. The road turns to dirt a number of times and there are some thin spots and rocks on the road, so keep the speed down, also mainly because of the curves and you can't see motorcycles coming around them. Eventually you find yourself at Cachuma Saddle. Park here, and make sure you have an Adventure Pass.

The hike starts up Cachuma Mountain Road and you'll pass by a locked gate. Continue taking the fire road up. We saw a firebreak about half way up, but couldn't see if it would link up to the ridge we needed to be on, so we by passed it by, but kept it in mind. The road is pretty good, and a gradual climb, so the vertical feet are easy to do. The straightens and the peak will be right in front of you, and this is where we saw the firebreak did connect to the ridge so decided we would take this way to come down. Around the water tank we saw some Black Bear tracks, but they from it rained last, and not fresh. The hike continues toward the peak using a firebreak, which is a little loose, and this is where you start to feel the vertical feet. I kicked out a pretty good size rock on the way up, so be careful if you are hiking behind someone. The path is pretty easy to see, so no problems finding a route up. Actually before you know it you are on top of the summit, finding the benchmark and summit register. The views here are very nice. perfect weather as well made for a comfortable hike, and just a slight breeze. We stayed up for just a little bit, then started to head back down because, yep you guessed it, BBQ was a calling our names. We decided to take a different track down as we saw a path and wanted to see where it would lead us. It is a bit brushy coming down, and I picked up a few ticks, so if you do take this way down, keep that in mind, as well I would not advise to go up this way, as finding a way through brush uphill is always more difficult than going downhill. The path does link back up to the fire road and we headed towards the firebreak to make our way down. The firebreak is a steeper way to go, and also loose, so be careful. I would not advise going up this way, but if you don't mind loose dirt and steepness, it will save you a mile or so. The firebreak eventually gets you back to the fire road again, and before you know it you are back at the parking spot. Check one more peak off the list.

It is a pretty quick hike. 1595 vertical feet over 5.22 miles. It took 1 hr. 22 min. to get to the summit and the hike was 2 hr. 35 min. long. Also, on these shorter hikes, I've really been liking to take my REI Flash 18 Pack. It's really like, versatile, and can really hold a lot, that is if you want. I've been trying to carry the least amount of gear as possible. Until next time, peace!!

Cachuma Mountain from Robb Boyle on Vimeo.

Montecito Peak

Cassie and I took a trip up to Santa Barbara County to go for Montecito Peak, which is on the LPS list. We hit the trail around 8:15 am, and headed up the West Fork of the Cold Springs Trail. The initial lower part of the trail is covered and you hear a stream as you are meandering up the trail. Quite tranquil. We also picked up a few geocaches along the way. The thing about this area is that signage is pretty much none existent, good thing I had my GPS with me, I'm just say'n.

Eventually you get past the tranquil spot and up into where Montecito Peak is in view and suddenly you come upon a larger fire road. Take a short jaunt to the left and go up 200+ feet where you see a side trail to the left, take this trail! This part of the hike is much more barren and rocky, but then you get more views of the ocean, so it's OK. Actually I don't mind hiking on this sort of terrain, though Cassie would beg to differ with me. Up, up, up you go and eventually you'll see some side trails to the right below the summit. You need to take these. They are a bit steep and loose but pretty much doable. Eventually all your hard work will pay off and you'll be on top of Montecito Peak. Though it was hazy, we could see the Channel Islands, and the whole Santa Barbara coastline. A very pretty sight. After signing the summit register, finding the benchmark, and taking some pictures, it was time to go because BBQ was on our minds, so we wanted to hightail right to it!

We made our way down, thought we should go to the left once we got back to the fire road as we saw a trail, don't go that way, instead head to your right, pass the junction where you came up from the West Fork of the Cold Creek Trail, and continue on the fire road, where you will see a side trail heading up a small hill. Take that way, or take the fire road, either way will take you to the same spot, eventually continuing down, you'll be deposited onto another trail. Go left and you take the East Fork of the Cold Springs trail which is steeper and quicker back to the trailhead, or go right, and you'll find yourself back on the West Fork, which is longer but prettier. We went east, as BBQ was calling our names! We made it back to the truck around 12:15 pm.

All in all, the trek was 2687 vertical feet over 7.68 miles. A pretty cool trip, and I think most people would enjoy this hike as the view at the top is really awesome. I still have 28 peaks to go, IF I want to make 100 peaks for the year. I'm not too sure if this is going to be possible, but I'll be giving it a try. Until next time...Peace.

Montecito Peak from Robb Boyle on Vimeo.

Hot Springs Mountain

As a peakbagger, one of the things you do is bag peaks to complete a list. A list here in California is to summit the tallest peak in each of its 58 counties. In San Diego county though, the tallest peak is located in the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, and for the past 5 years, the reservation has been persona non gratis to outsiders. So when the reservation opened up again, I knew I had to grab this peak, just in case they close it up again. Why did they close it? A mixture of people not respecting tribal lands, and also some inter-tribal disagreements.

So I contacted Derek of 100peaks.com and asked him if he was up for the task to get this peak, though really it isn't much of a task, it's more about getting there, and being able to summit a peak that was off limits for so long. Cassie and Matilda joined me on the trip.

We met at the admission office ($9 per vehicle) on the reservation, and then made our way up the mountain. Now the GPS has Hot Springs Mountain on it, so we aimed for that, but after a bit of a walk, and getting up to the summit, we soon realized, that the infamous fire lookout was over on another ridge. So it was like covering our bases, but we actually summited a nameless peak. We then shifted to drive over to the lookout. The drive up on the road is a bit rutted on the "Alternate Route" out of the campground, and getting up to the tower is a bit more straining on a vehicle. I'd say you need some clearance, all wheel drive or 4x4 to get up to the parking below the lookout, especially at this one part that is very rocky. Coming down the "Lookout Road" is better, and has some nice views, but it is a bit sandy in parts and at the bottom is a chain that can be placed on the poles. Something to consider when going this route.

The slight walk up to the tower is good, and the views are pretty incredible. We stayed for a bit and took in the moment a bit before going towards the true summit of Hot Springs Mountain. The path is a bit hard to follow, but if you stay to the north of the summit, you can see some ducks that will take you there, once at the rocks you have to climb up, and it is a bit exposed, but nothing too bad. You'll see a benchmark to your right as soon as you climb up, and there is one in the box in the concrete where the summit register is, there is also one more if you are counting on another rock to the Northeast of the summit. Also this was my first Cheeseburger Summit, though the author of that site has still yet to contact me so I can post it. The goal of that site is to have a cheeseburger eaten on every summit. A fun idea.

After signing in, we made our way down back to the vehicle and eventually all the way back down the mountain. It was nice seeing Derek again and look forward to hiking with him again though really it wasn't much in statistics. 650 Vertical feet in 1.36 miles. I think today, just having the privilege to summit this peak was the adventure, and also it was nice to check off another county. Peace!

Hot Springs Mountain from Robb Boyle on Vimeo.

Suicide Rock

I met up with the Southern California Hiker, Backpacker and Peakbagging group in Idyllwild, CA. Left around 5 am, because meet time was 8:00 am at the Deer Springs Trailhead, and after getting there at 7:45, there were only a few spots left - make sure to bring your Adventure Pass. The objective today was Suicide Rock, and I saw it as I was descending the Devil's Slide the week before, and it's an HPS peak, so I had to do it. The name Suicide Rock comes from a Cahuilla version of Romeo and Juliet who legend says ended their lives here.

The hike to the summit is almost 4 miles, and vertical ascent is gradual. It is a pretty gentle hike, and really I didn't feel that I had to really work hard. The trail is in good shape, just make sure to keep a sharp lookout for the sign that points you in the direction of the peak. A few people who were in the back of the pack, missed the sign, and headed a different direction. Opps. At the front of the pack, we made it to the top in an hour and a half.

Towards the top, you move out of the forest, and start to see the San Jacinto Mountains that surround the area. If you aren't into grabbing the peak, you can ignore getting to the register, you can go to the south of the peak and relax on the grand area that overlooks Tahquitz Peak, Marion Mountain, Jean Peak and Lily Rock. The views here are incredible. Truly a wonderful spot to have a snack, a snooze, or just be inspired, like one member of our group who pulled out a flute and just started to play for awhile. Of course I also went to sign the summit register. Also I fixed a few cairns that some people kicked down. If you are not a big fan of cairns, I'm sorry.

The hike down is quick, and not hard on the legs. Overall the hike was 7.63 miles and 1934 of vertical feet. A really nice day. Peace.

Suicide Rock from Robb Boyle on Vimeo.

Desert Divide

"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." ~ Edmund Hillary

On day one, I met Mike and Heather at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild, and from there we dropped off a vehicle at Humber Park, we then left and headed south to pick up the trail off of Forbes Ranch Road. It is a bit rutted, so a high clearance vehicle is advised. Time to pack up and head up a minor trail that hooked up with the Pacific Crest Trail. It was pretty warm getting up to the ridge, but once on there, the breezes cooled us down. The incredible views of Palm Springs made for a nice day. All the peaks we got are on the HPS list. First stop was Spitler Peak at 7440 feet, and soon enough we got to Apache peak at 7567 feet. Both peaks are off the PCT, and so take some getting to. Plus, after once on the ridge, carrying a backpack, it starts to wear on you, at least it did me. The summits of both are very nice, but also take some cross country to get to, and it zaps your energy. I really didn't have the energy to tackle Antsell Rock and South Peak, so I will have to grab them another time. We were shooting for a camp closer to Red Tahquitz, but found a spot about a half mile away, on a flat open spot right off the trail. We all were pretty tired, and after doing 4210 vertical feet in 11.85 miles, it actually felt like more. Tried out a new bivy sack, and it worked out OK. Though during the night the winds kicked up, so really I didn't get much rest, with the rattling of the fabric over my head.

On day two I saw it was getting light so decided to get up and get the Jet Boil going for coffee. I needed it after really not sleeping well. After breakfast, we saddled up, and headed for Red Tahquitz, which is at 8720 feet and has a splendid view. The Salton Sea was illuminated from the sun and glistened brightly, and made for a pretty sight, but also made for bad pictures. Found the register, took some pictures and we were off for Tahquitz Peak. The trek was pretty good and we ditched the bags to do the last part to make Tahquitz Peak at 8846 feet. The nice thing was that there is an operating fire lookout at the top, but I was a bit apprehensive to go in as the last time I did that at Vetter Mountain, it burned down a month and a half later. The trip down the Devil's Slide to get to Humber Park was pretty good and I think made easier as my pack was getting lighter and lighter with less and less water. Finally reaching the park we clocked in 1508 vertical feet in 8.86 miles for the day making the whole trip, 5710 vertical feet in 20.71 miles.

We stopped in town for a burger and beer before heading back to the other trailhead to pick up my truck. Bagged 4 more peaks, but I'll be back in the area to get the two that "got away." Great trip and great memories though I was pretty tired, but a good tired. Peace.

Desert Divide from Robb Boyle on Vimeo.