I love the Sam Merrill Trail. Depending on the switchback, civilization seems near...
...or very far away.Until you get a ways up the mountain. Then everything below disappears into your note pad, your camera, your thoughts, your breathing, your stride.
The trail is open now, as is the Cobb Estate. J and I went about halfway up Echo Mountain yesterday and the skies were downright blustery. It felt good to be back on my mountain. (I share it with the Hiker.) I don't know how far you can go. Most of the Angeles National Forest is still closed (call 626-334-7582 between 7am and 7pm for specifics). But you can go for a good while.
None of Echo Mountain burned. Have at it. Pack out what you pack in. And no smoking. It's brittle as sun-dried bones up there.
19 comments:
Yay!!!! I'm so glad you were able to climb your mountain again, Petrea.
So glad the back is in working order once more. And that you're sharing the mountain with me.
I went over to the Arroyo yesterday, and I'm sure you know everthing is off-limits now from the ranger houses on.
"As brittle as sun-dried bones" is a very poetic turn of phrase. I like it.
I feel like I just took a hike with you.
LL
If folks blow up that first picture, they can see downtown LA in the misty distance. Or it it Century City?
Yay! It felt good, too, Shell.
Yeah, Karin, unless I'm mistaken it's been closed back there the whole time. That was the first walk I took once the fire had gotten east of us. I stepped beyond the "closed" sign for one photo, and another hiker told me a lot of people were going in there, but I wasn't up for the fines and jail time.
Thanks, Becky. (I already used "tinder" in an earlier post.)
LL, we should do that one of these days.
Hi, J--It's LA.
I love the two bends in the road, together.
Beautiful photos of the re-opened trails, and I love the clouds in the top photo. Looks like a great place to get away from it all.
Very poetic and lovely photographs. Be glad I wasn't along for the hike. I'm a serious whiner. Just ask Maya, Janet and Peter about our haul up to the dome of the Sacre Coeur. I'm a weenie!
V
Glad you noticed, Linda. I admit I didn't.
I was a cloud-picture-taking fiend yesterday, Katie. We get them so rarely. Now go enjoy Paris!
V, I read your post about that climb, you were a trooper. And it was worth it, wasn't it? Yes it was.
It's strange to head up Lake and see the norm on your right then look over to the left and see it all gone.
Glad you were able to get in. Is it crowded?
Glad you made it halfway up! My friend posted photos from the top. I can vouch for the dry as brittle bones, I did the Altadena Crest trail between Loma Alta and Chaney trail yesterday and the brush is really, really brittle.When's the rain coming?
P, be berry careful about allowing too many humans from ADena up on your mountain. The next thing you know those people will be calling it, "MY mountain"!
Some people
Great shots--it was COLD yesterday!
Wow, I'm glad it's open again. That took less time than I thought it would!
Hi PA. As you get a little height you can look to the west and see some of the burn area. But we didn't get high enough to see any to the north. It wasn't crowded on Monday. I never go on weekends, though, for that reason.
From what I've read, Bellis, we shouldn't wish for too much rain at once. A bit at a time, maybe, to avoid landslides.
What can I do, Cafe? The trail head is in their town. Or boundary. Or area. Or whatever. I like that it's a whatever, frankly. Part of its charm.
Layers, Des. With sleeves to tie around the waist as you warm up.
Amy, I am so, so glad.
It looks to be a good stroll.
As ever I so love your walking trails shots. And of course the commentary.
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