Angeles National Forest 2003
Detail
Friday Apr 4th, 2003—Day 1
The trip was posted as Interm.Backpack Switzer-Bear Canyon-Millard.
I departed Santa Barbara at 1:25pm to meet with the group at Switzer
parking lot for 3:30pm. I made it there five minutes late, but people
were still assembling gear; so I was ok. After quick introductions, I
found that there was a debate about how to handle the strange weather
coming conditions. When I left Santa Barbara, it was raining and
quite windy. The weather was dry until I reached the Angeles National
Forest, but it was going to turn bad.
The decision was made to car camp at Chilao. Kyle and Emily drove.
I was with Emily, Chris D., and Janet. We had a fun conversation
about kidney stones—always a good topic. On the way over it
was raining; soon it was snowing.
There were eight of us total in one campsite. This made it only
2 bucks (one htf) apiece. I threw in some extra cash for firewood
which Kyle obtained. We set up camp and gathered brush to start
the fire.
It started getting very cold. I am really glad I had my thermals,
fleece, and wool. We stood around the campfire having a jolly
time. Kyle had brought champagne and Emily was making Salty Dogs.
I did not partake in the alcohol, but I did enjoy the humor.
Janet was scared of bears so she crashed in my tent instead of
her bivvy sack. I guess she figured the bear would get me first.
Saturday Apr 5th, 2003—Day 2
Emily walked to the payphone (cell phones didn't work here) to contact
the co-leader of the expedition. The plans were revised such that
the Saturday group would meet us at Chilao instead of us doing the
originally planned trip. This was due to the expectation of wide
creek-crossings due the the inclement weather. Also, Emily's fiancée
was to bring warm food to the campsite.
Kyle, Chris H., and I took off for a little hike before the
Saturday group was to arrive. It was sort of cool walking around
in snow in Southern California, even if it was only a dusting.
We were gone a short while.
Soon after we got back, Emily went back to the pay phone to find
out what was happening, only to find out that the Saturday group
decided to do their own thing. She was a bit miffed, partially
due to being tired I suspect. The new plan was for her to take
a nap while the rest of us hiked to the Chilao Visitor Center.
This accomplished, we returned only to find that Emily couldn't
snooze because of noise around the campsite.
Next on the agenda was a short jaunt to Vetter Lookout. The
road was closed adding some distance to the trek, but it was
paved so it was pretty easy. There was a guy named Ric at the
top with his Dad's dog Katie. We looked around and Ric answered
questions. He showed us this really cool map thing. After a
group photo, we said our good-byes and headed back to camp.
Back at camp we gathered more firewood in preparation of Chef
Dave's arrival. It was dark by the time we dug into the food
he brought—chicken, potato wedges, rolls, macaroni,
cheese cake, wine, Guinness, and otherwise.
The rest of the evening consisted of standing around the campfire
chatting about nothing in particular.
Fear of bears and fear of cold had Janet and Chris D. join me
in my 7 x 7 ft tent. I slept well; I wasn't cold at all.
Sunday Apr 6th, 2003—Day 3
The morning was sunny and the chill was dissipating. It was
a lazy morning of breakfast, coffee, and conversation. Kyle slept
late in his truck. We eventually said our good-byes and
Chef Dave dropped me off at my car. By now, the weather was
turning quite nice.
See some images of the trip.
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