[Bloated Chipmunk]

This day hike was a precursor to the real bday trip to come, a multi-day adventure in Yosemite (stay tuned for TR!). Since my bday always occurs on or near LDW, I saved Yosemite for just after the holiday wknd. as to avoid the crowds...or @ least as much as one can expect to avoid the masses in a very popular natl. park. I studied the map the night before & concocted a plan to link several trails together in order to knock out a pk. I hadn't been up before, as well as get a mix of desert views, forested areas, & meadows. This hike is best done on a weekday as parts of the Mt. Laguna area can get quite busy on the weekends as people seek areas w/shade. I parked @ the Storm Canyon overlook platform, snapping a couple pics before setting off.

Storm Canyon

I dropped below the platform to pick up the PCT & turned south.

Looking back @ the parking area & viewing platform

On the PCT

On the PCT

I reached the side trail to Foster Pt. & decided to check it out as I hadn't been there before.

Side trail to Foster Pt.

Foster Pt.

Sign @ Foster Pt.

I retraced my steps to the PCT & continued along.

Moving along...

When the PCT reached a point close to Pk. 5,958', I left the trail & bushwhacked over to the summit which was just a short distance away & not much higher up.

Summit register

Summit views

Summit views

Summit views

It was a nice summit but the peace & quiet was periodically disrupted by some guy yelling somewhere in the vicinity of the bump just NW of Monument Pk. I looked over in that direction but never saw the source of noise.

Incessant yelling coming from over there somewhere

I bushwhacked back to the PCT & continued south, pulling over briefly @ an overlook near where that guy must've been yelling. By now I didn't hear him anymore.

Back on the PCT

Pano from a nearby viewpoint

Big drop

On I went, passing below Monument Pk. (been there, done that) & dropping down to where the PCT meets the Big Laguna Trail.

Continuing south on the PCT below Monument Pk.

Gettin' woodsy now

Turning west on the Big Laguna Tr.

I turned west on the BLT, crossing S-1 a short distance later.

Shrooms

Continuing on the BLT after Xing Sunrise Hwy.

Some flowers were blooming in a burnt area along the trail.

I reached a rd. & turned rt., then later crossed Los Huecos Rd. The BLT dropped south down a pretty forested area & then swung more westerly as it approached Boiling Spring Ravine & the eastern edge of Big Laguna Meadow.

I reached the edge of the meadow & kept to its eastern edge, heading in a northerly direction now. I passed cows grazing in the meadow along the way.

Meadow & cows

Meadow & cows

Meadow & cows

Big pine

Big pine

Mortero

I turned right on the part of the BLT that goes on the western edge of Little Laguna "Lake". I put it in quotes since I've never actually seen a lake there, just a slight depression in the grass.

This is supposed to be Little Laguna Lk.

Next, I made another right turn to start heading toward El Prado CG. I came across a bathroom & peeked inside, finding that rodents had pretty much taken it over. Needless to say I did not use it.

Very old pisser

I reached the CG roads & made my way north & then east, passing by a historic cabin.

The home stretch

I reached S-1, & then just had a short walk along the shoulder back to my car. This was a nice mellow loop w/lots of variety; will prolly take my group on it someday.

Stats

Rt.

Then, a quick drive home to shower & get ready for my bday party.