Get Outside and Explore
The Bridge to Nowhere is one of the iconic hikes in Southern California that everyone talks about, so I felt it was something I needed to see. The bridge was built in the depression era in 1937, to connect Wrightwood with the San Gabriel Valley. I arrived at the trailhead for Heaton Flats and set out for the Bridge just before 9am. The sun was just starting to rise as I continued down the wide trail, heading towards the Sheep Mountain Wilderness.
There are a few peaks in the area around Lake Arrowhead, and one of these, Mill Peak, sits at 6657 feet, towering over San Bernardino below. It is located between the small mountain enclaves of Arrowbear Lake and Running Springs. After driving up SR-330, past fire charred hillsides, I eventually made a turn onto Hilltop Blvd. I would park at the trailhead for both Mill Peak and Exploration Trail, located just past the Deer Lick Fire Station, along Keller Peak Rd. I started hiking rather late, around 11 am.
I decided to embark on a new hiking challenge, I had never before faced before, which was to hike up Mount Baldy in the snow. This was during May, in the late winter snow season. I had no idea the snow would be knee-deep in areas. I was not ready for mountaineering, but had all the right gear for a snow hike. This was a new challenge to face, and challenge was accepted. I was excited to attempt Mt Baldy in the snow, using my best judgment of course.
I feel the best time to hike to a place like Pleasants Peak (Elevation 4007 ft), or anywhere in these mountains is between late fall, and early spring, which is from Mid November to Early February. As soon as snow begins to dust the peaks of Mount Baldy, anywhere from Late November to December, is my cue to switch to hiking in the foothills. The weather is always milder in the foothills below 5000 feet, versus up at high altitude.
It was early December of 2023, and I decided to hike to Tahquitz Peak, within the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Wilderness. My plan was to hike there before winter set in, but plans got delayed. In my search for backpacking partners to hike the PCT with, I met a woman in a hiking group… Continue reading Tahquitz Peak in Snow
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