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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
I've caught up to only being 3 mos. behind on my TRs. Woo hoo!!
OK, so for my b-day I took the day off & went hiking (of course!) before having a dinner celebration w/friends in the evening. Like last yr., I concocted a loop in the Laguna Mtns. but this time decided to expand upon a trail I'd hiked a few mos. earlier. I parked @ the Redtail Roost TH & started up the RTR Loop Spur trail.
The trail gently climbs up onto a ridge through the trees, w/peek-a-boo views to Wooded Hill & the Giant Golfball.
The big white ball
After a little while the trail drops off the ridge & meets Escondido Ravine Rd., where I turned left. A short distance later it meets up w/the Agua Dulce Rd., & in this area there are some of the biggest trees I've seen yet in the Lagunas.
Big trees Forest pano Forest pano
I turned right/north, & entered the meadow area where I would make a left turn onto the Big Laguna Trail.
Meadow pano Froggy enjoying the meadow view
Once I hit the junction w/the Chico Ravine Trail, I turned left/south to begin my loop back around.
My next junction was w/the Old County Rd., where I turned left/east for a bit, pausing for views to the north.
I made my way up to Pk. 5,961', which had what appeared to be a summit register but it turned out to be empty.
Aptly named Wooded Hill across the way Empty boxes Dog tags BC atop Pk. 5,961' Froggy wondering why no register inside
I dropped off the summit, picked up the rd., & found a nice rock for a snack since I realized I was well past halfway thru the hike & hadn't stopped for a real break yet.
Blue hole Morteros Froggy wondering if a bear will come up that rd.
I found some morteros nearby:
Morteros
I made my way down to the Agua Dulce pumphouse next.
Agua Dulce Creek
I crossed the edge of a little meadow, then headed for Pk. 6,010' but missed the turnoff cuz it was super obscure & I was distracted by a guy asking where the pumphouse was. When I realized I'd overshot it, I headed xc to meet up w/the trail to the summit. The path gets wicked steep before topping out @ a water tower & gravel rd. Around this time a t-storm was moving in so I didn't waste much time. From this point it was just an easy walk back down to the parking lot.
Meadow Pk. 6,010' Looking back up the rd. Storm clouds Rain to the south Water tower Stats
The drive back home was pretty wild. I experienced sideways rain, lightening, thunder, & smoke. I'm guessing that one of the lightening strikes that seemed awfully close wound up setting some chaparral on fire.
Smoke & rain
After stopping by home to freshen up, I met peeps @ the restaurant for a well-deserved marg (or 2).
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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whitebark Member
Joined: 08 Jul 2005 Posts: 1864 | TRs | Pics Location: Seattle |
I'm glad to see that some of the forest in the Lagunas has survived all of the forest fires.
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ups n downs Member
Joined: 13 Dec 2019 Posts: 4 | TRs | Pics
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Nice pictures and loop. I was a Laguna Mountain Volunteer back in the early 90's. This was always a great getaway.
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Bloated Chipmunk Cock Rock Searcher
Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 2993 | TRs | Pics Location: Margaritaville |
Yes, the Lagunas are always a nice, fairly close-in getaway.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
Home is where the hiking is.
"Peaks that have come and gone four times should halt a man in his steps." -- William O. Douglas
A balanced diet is a margarita in each hand.
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