Beautiful Day for a Hike

Rebecca suggested that a hike in the mountains near Wrightwood would take us to an elevation where the weather would be cooler and the scenery spectacular, which it was. She and Catt drove to our place, and we all drove to Wrightwood in our truck. We stopped at the Angeles National Forest Grassy Hollow Visitor Center to get information about hikes and to see their displays.

 Then we drove to the Vincent Gulch trailhead, where several trails begin. We sat on a bench and ate our picnic lunches while enjoying the dramatic view and the clear mountain air.

Then we started down the trail. We found ourselves on a steep uphill, not what we were expecting, and soon realized that we'd taken the wrong trail, so we went back to the trailhead and started out again. We were trying to take the Mine Gulch trail, but ended up deciding to take the Big Horn Mine trail instead. It follows an old fire road to an abandoned gold mine.

Some of the way is relatively easy going, fairly wide and level, but other sections are more challenging. The old road has deteriorated over the years, so in parts it's covered by rock slides from above, and in other parts it's been undercut and fallen away.

Some parts of the trail are quite narrow, uneven, and steep, but Catt didn't seem to have any problems with them. She is a martial arts expert and very fit.

The hike is two miles out and two miles back. We were encouraged along the way by returning hikers who wre enthusiastic about the mine. Finally we arrived.

Of course the mine shaft is blocked off, but a group who had arrived before us had found a way around. They brought their own rope to assist in the descent. All we took was photos and a rest in the shade. We could feel the welcome cool breeze emanating from the mine.

The trip back seemed much shorter than the trip out, but by the time we got back to the parking lot, all of us were ready to head home. It's tiring hiking at 7,000 feet!

Here's a photo of Catt showing off her Taekwondo black belt moves. Impressive!

We'll see Rebecca and Catt again tomorrow night, when they are planning to come over for dinner.