Solstice Canyon
Park July 30 2005

Hey Phantom
Hikers,

So glad to see
everyone is enjoying the summer and getting outside. It was a perfect day for
hiking with blue sunning skies and 68º as I pulled into the parking lot. Mary was
already here with Amanda as Katie was feeling a little sick. Since nobody else
seemed to be coming and we wanted to get started we took off at a very quick
pace. Quickly moving up the Sunrise Trail we stopped at Gnome Rock for a pix
stop then on to the Tropical
Terrace Falls
covering the 1.9 miles in 37 minutes.

Next we headed
out on the Sostomo / Deer Valley Loop Trails which is considered
moderate to strenuous and 3.9 miles one way and offer some of the best ocean
views in the Santa Monica
Mountains for anyone
willing to put forth a little effort and walk this trail. After reaching the
top we were rewarded with a beautiful view of Santa
Monica Bay, Malibu and Catalina Island
which turned out to be the Secret Word that day won by Amanda.

We then made
our way back down the Deer Valley Loop to the Old Stone Cabin and enjoyed the
water while eating a great lunch provided by Mary, who has been bringing enough
for several people each week and her lunches are a lot better tasting than
my Cliff Bars by far.

After snacking
out we started back to the parking area 1.1 miles on the road stopping along
the way to snap photos of the butterflies which are very abundant right now.
After getting back to the parking lot Amanda was able to pick from a
Blockbuster Gift Card or a Starbucks one which she decided on picking. It was so nice
hiking with both Mary (51) and Amanda (14) both completed this hike in a very
fast time and pace much better than most of the men I’ve hiked with.

So I hope this
is an inspiration for anyone thinking they can’t hike 10.8 miles as
I’ve received several emails complaining about the location, time,
length, weather, etc… So all I can say is sorry but Solstice Canyon is
one of the easier ones to do, if you can’t handle climbing with a 1700ft
gain you will never complete the hikes I have planned for September-October the
least one is a 2400ft gain and 8 miles going up to 5200ft gain and 12 miles
starting at 4800ft and going to over 10,000ft. I’m trying to help you get
in shape while having fun too but I’m not willing to go backwards with my
training and help if you don’t make a hike then expect it to be harder
next time you come out. Also you should be doing something else during the week
to help with your cardio training and leg strengthening. So just to let you all
see what we are going for the next hike will be at Mt Baden Powell located in
the Angeles National Forest 9.2 miles west of Wrightwood, Ca on State Hwy 2.
Meeting time will be at 7:30am with start time at 8:00am. This will give you a
few minutes to stretch and get ready to hike to the summit 9399ft. You must
bring water, a light jacket or sweater, backpack with something to eat,
sunscreen, and your best attitude for hiking. You need to pick up a wilderness
parking pass at the Ranger Station which is right on the highway by Mountain
High Ski Resort or Big 5 sporting goods store you will drive right by it or if
you come up the back way from Palmdale its on the left at the stop sign its $5
or $30 for a yearly pass. If you don’t pick one up don’t worry just
mail in the money when they leave the envelope on your car. See you all there,
Daniel

Any questions
or if you want to carpool to the hike let me know 310-394-6500.

Mt. Baden-Powell Trail

 Strenuous Hike. 8 miles round-trip from Highway 2 to summit and back
with 2,300 foot elevation gain. Great views of ocean, mountains and desert!
Wildflowers.


Starting at trailhead 9.2 miles west of Wrightwood on Highway 2 at
Vincent Gap parking area. Trail switchbacks up the forested north-east slope of
Mt. Baden-Powell
with 41 switchbacks the most of any trail in the Angeles National Forest.

 Hike may take up to 6 hours round
trip. Carry water and clothes for cool, windy conditions at the summit.

Getting to Wrightwood

Wrightwood is located along scenic
Highway 2 in the Angeles
National Forest.

From San Bernardino/Palm Springs & San Diego

Take the I-215 or I-15 freeway north through the
Cajon Pass to State Highway 138. Go west on
138 to Highway 2 then
south to Wrightwood

From Palmdale/Los Angeles

North on I-5 to Highway 14. North on 14
to junction at Highway
138 in Palmdale. Highway 138 east to Highway 2, then south to
Wrightwood.

From Barstow/Vegas

South on I-15 to
Palmdale exit, Highway 18.
West on 18 to Sheep Creek, then south to Highway 138. East on
138, 1 mile to Highway 2.
South to Wrightwood

© PacificCoastHikers.Com
2005

310-394-6500