Grey Tahquitz, Red Tahquitz, and South Peak

Hiked: 8/28/2020
Distance: 14.9 miles round trip on trail and cross country
Summit Elevation: 8792' (Grey), 8720' (Red), 7840' (South)
Elevation Gain: 4704'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 3.7
Round trip time: 8 hours 50 minutes
Recommended water: 152 oz.
Parking/Fees: Adventure Pass as Humber Park
Difficulty: Strenuous

This was an effort to climb the unofficial Grey Tahquitz, Red Tahquitz (HPS #39), and South Peak (HPS #79) the final peak I needed to complete the Desert Divide. From the Hundred Peaks Guide: The HPS calls this peak Southwell Peak for Jesse M. Southwell who was the ranger at Tahquitz Peak Lookout from 1946 to 1967. When the Forest Service proposed this name, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names turned it down since Jesse was still alive. The name may formally remain South Peak.

I had planned to start on the South Ridge Trail, but the forest service web site said the last mile of the road was washed out. So, I started at Devils Slide, a nicer trail by any comparison. I arrived just after daybreak and there was ample parking available. The permit system was set go back into effect on September 1, giving me additional incentive to do this now. The hike to Saddle Junction got me warmed up. From there, I took the Caramba Trail to the next junction, then took the unmarked 3E41 connector trail to the PCT. 3E41 goes through the lush Tahquitz Meadow and Little Tahquitz Valley. I met a couple of curious mule deer in this idyllic wilderness. Not far after making the turn onto the PCT, I left the trail to angle for Grey Tahquitz.

Rock window on the Devils Slide trail

Trail 3E41 goes between the tree cut to connect to the PCT

Little Tahquitz Valley

Grey Tahquitz, walk around boulders to the left

The slopes were moderately steep, mostly open, and free of brush. I skirted below large boulders near the top and arrived at the summit with excellent views. The summit boulder was small and a register sat below it. When I first discovered Grey Tahquitz (aka Middle Tahquitz), it was a seldom visited place. Now, it seems to be more popular, and part of the standard trip to Red Tahquitz. After signing in, I continued along the ridge, staying as high as possible. There was a small dip to a saddle before I ran into the use trail to Red. The coloration of the rock around Red was true to the name. The summit boulders for Red were easy class 2 and the views more dramatic. I hunted around for a register without success. None of the peaks had benchmarks. Much of the summit area was burned from a fire a few years back. I took a break on Red and looked down on South Peak, only a mile away as the crow flies. The rugged ridge of the Desert Divide would not allow a direct approach.

Tahquitz from Grey

Red Tahquitz from Grey

Tahquitz and Grey from Red

Desert Divide

Close up of South Peak (top)

Instead of taking the use trail back down to the PCT, I decided to drop off the very steep east side of Red Tahquitz and pick up the PCT below. That drop was about 500' in a quarter mile. There were several varieties of ankle high ground cover that were more stable than the rocks. I tried to stay in the ground cover where possible, moving down slowly. I probably saved a mile or so of hiking, but not sure if I saved time. I reached the PCT and took another 30 minutes to reach the eastern base of South Peak. There was a faint use trail leaving the PCT and I followed it. Buckthorn was present on the use trail and a thorn in the ankle forced me to stop and remove it. I found red register cans on top of the summit boulder. The South Peak summit area was also in recovery from burn damage. The small trees on the summit all appeared dead. The view back toward the Tahquitz bowl was really something and I got a nice look at Antsell Rock from the north. It I ever return to the Desert Divide, it will be for to climb Antsell Rock again from the north. I ate lunch on South Peak and took a 5 minute nap in the sun. The weather was perfect and the days' effort was right in my sweet spot. On the way back, I stayed on the PCT all the way, picking up some new scenery. I met 4 people all day and was somewhat surprised to find open parking at Humber Park when I got back.

Dropping off Red

Antsell Rock from South Peak

Red Tahquitz from South Peak

Upper Yosemite Falls

Hiked: 8/14/2020
Distance: 7.6 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 6526'
Elevation Gain: 3000'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 2.4
Round trip time: 5 hour 20 minutes
Recommended water: 80 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks (good for 7 days for one vehicle)
Difficulty: Moderate

Leisa and I drove in the Valley and parked at the trailhead for Upper Yosemite Falls. We started early since it was going to be hot and the trail was almost empty. Looking up from the start, the falls looked like it might be completely dry. Not the best time for this hike, but it was our only opportunity this year. The trail began immediately with stair climbing. The stonework was remarkable. Care was necessary though, since the steps were uneven, some small, some 2' or more, and rocks of all sizes filled the path. The first mile went quickly and we stopped at Columbia Rock for a break. The heat was already building. A little above Columbia Rock, the trail flattens out, the drops a couple hundred feet as it approaches a ravine where the trail switchbacks the rest of the way to the falls. You have to make this up as gain on the way back.

Fine stonework

Looking down from Columbia Rock

From the parking lot, you can't see the trail, but part of it can be seen from Glacier Point. The upper part is deceiving, because in many places it looks like you are going to top out, but the ascent seems to go on forever. During this part of the hike, it was clear we underestimated the amount of water we needed. I began rationing to try to preserve it for later when it would be even hotter. The high in the Valley was going to be above 90F. Eventually, we topped out and were the 2nd party of the day to make the falls. There were two large pools of water in massive gorge but only a trickle of water between them and over the falls. It was barely flowing. I walked down to the lower lookout, which involves a slightly exposed ledge traverse with a metal pole handhold in the rock. There is railing at the bottom to keep people away from the cliff. With almost no water, the view was unimpressive. Back at the main overlook, I followed a class 2 section of rock down 50' to the falls area. I stood over what was left of the falls as it flowed between the two major pools. Normally, the whole gorge is filled with water and you could not stand in the middle. A small consolation. Our return trip was very hot and we met dozens of parties on the way up, over 100 people. About 75% were masked. I ran out of water with about a mile to go, but Leisa had an extra water and was not quite as dehydrated. The heat really gave this hike an extra challenge. There were hikers just leaving the trailhead when we got back at noon in the full heat of the day. I didn't think their chances were very good. After getting down, we drove to the Yosemite general store and got ice cream and two cold drinks each.

The upper falls look dry from here, ascent gully on the left

Sheer cliffs played havoc with the GPS

Leisa in the ascent gully

Large pools in the falls

Standing in the center of the falls

Half Dome on the way down

Kratka Ridge

Hiked: 7/31/2020
Distance: 1.6 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 7515'
Prominence: 795'
Elevation Gain: 700'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.5
Round trip time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at turnout on ACH
Difficulty: Easy

Kratka Ridge (HPS #94) is home to an abandoned ski run. From my parking spot along ACH, there was a clear use trail heading up the ridge. I thought the trail would be more rough, but it was well defined. It went past two abandoned restrooms up to a lookout point at the saddle where there was bench. I proceeded up the ridge, following the higher trail when it split. It was steep in places. Fifty feet below the summit, I reached the ski lift. It was in disrepair and the floors and ceiling looked like they might come down at any time. The seats on the lift chairs has fallen apart. I wondered if it now server as a shelter for animals. In satellite views, I saw three runs, but on the ground, I only spotted two. Any of these could also have been used for ascent. After poking around, I went to the summit with grand views of Twin Peaks East and the ridge to Triplet Rocks. I could also see Islip where I was 90 minutes earlier. I found a register tucked in a crack of the smaller of two summit boulders. It was almost new, having been placed only a few weeks earlier. I soaked in some sun before heading down.

Danger sign about icy roads, won't be an issue today

Twin Peaks on the right, Triplet Rocks on left end of ridge

Mt. Islip

Hiked: 7/31/2020
Distance: 6.8 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 8250'
Prominence: 662'
Elevation Gain: 1620'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.3
Round trip time: 3 hours
Recommended water: 52 oz.
Parking/Fees: Adventure Pass at Islip Saddle on ACH
Difficulty: Easy

Mount Islip (HPS #62) is one of the most popular destinations in the Angeles National Forest. It is easily accessible from the Angeles Crest Highway. Little Jimmy Campground sits a short distance below the summit. I started from Islip Saddle at 7 AM and was surprised that only 4 cars were in the lot. I expected more people on a warm summer day. I followed the PCT toward Islip, gaining 800' before the trail leveled off. It remained generally flat for the next mile. Above 7000', the area was mostly large pines and cedars. A few campers were at Little Jimmy, just stirring from their overnight. I continued on the trail to Islip and met two other parties who were on their way down. At the summit were 4 cement blocks that formed the base of an old lookout tower, along with remains of a stone cabin. There was no register, probably because this peak sees too much traffic. It looked like a benchmark used to be set in one of the tower bases. Phenomenal views were on tap in every direction. I hung out on top for 15 minutes before starting down. When I got down, I packed up and drove a couple of miles further on ACH to Kratka Ridge.

Looking over at Mt. Williamson

Approaching the summit

Famous stone cabin ruins

Southwest ridge