Anderson Peak via Forsee Creek Trail

[Sally]

Alternate title: UnFORSEEn Trials on the Forsee Creek (un)Trail

Ellen and I met at the Mill Creek ranger station at 5:00 Wednesday AM. It's a good thing that we had planned on doing the Forsee Creek Trail because all the other permits were already taken (people must be hoarding permits!) I drove us to the trailhead, and we were on the trail at about 5:45.

We stayed on the trail until about the first major switchback, and then began our cross country ascent up the ridge. It was pretty steep, but manageable. Early on we encountered small patches of snow. At one point we came to an outcrop of rocks laced with snow, and Ellen, apologizing profuseley as she always does, said "Don't worry, we'll come down a different way." Soon after, we put on microspikes. The snow was drifted around the trees, much like waves, and eventually, as the ridge steepened again, we switched to crampons. As we approached the San Bernardino Mountain ridge we got into some cupping which made the going even more tiring than it already was. Finally we were on the last leg to Anderson Peak. The Peak (10,864') actually has a few different high points, and we chose the one with the best view and some nice rocks to sit on for our lunch spot. It was about 9:30.

While we basked at the top Ellen consulted her map for a better short cut that would take us back to the trail west of our route up, and save us the steep climb back down the ridge we came up.

After a bit we took off down a different ridge. At first it seemed right. Then as the dirt patches became larger and more frequent things started getting messy. The dirt got steeper and looser, and we started to get into more and more brush and rocks. We thought we saw the trail to the west of us, but a large outcrop of rocks, and a steep revine separated us from it. We were forced to go down the ridge in an east-ish direction towards the ridge we had tried to avoid. At times we wondered if we might end up having to push the button on my SPOT. I made a comment that certain brethren from the board probably do hairrier stuff than this all the time. Finally we came upon a comparatively nicer little draw. We followed it down and, praise the lord, there was the trail. Ellen bowed down and kissed it. We schlepped back down to the car and were soon on our way to cheeseburgers at The Oaks Restaurant. I headed for home at about 3:30 PM.

I had told Ellen I was ready for an adventure, and boy, did I get one! But you know what? It was a great day because I was in the mountains with my friend!

[zippetydude]

Sweet TR Sally. It gets scary real fast sometimes, doesn't it? I'm glad all went well, but hey, what was that with the permits? I've never seen any trails full on a Wednesday. Strange.

z

[Sally]

Thank you, zip. Ellen told me you know the REAL shortcut up Forsee Creek Trail. I think we need a refresher course.

About the permits, since the ranger station is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the permit kiosk isn't refilled until Thursday. I'm suspecting that folks who have experienced finding the permits missing have been taking extras when they can.

By the way, that George Carlin's Ghost guy is totally off his rocker.

[lilbitmo]

I made a comment that certain brethren from the board probably do hairrier stuff than this all the time.

Some of us "resemble" that remark

Nice TR Sally, nice work both of you, glad you made it back in one piece.

[Ellen]

Howdy Sister Sally

Thanks so much for getting us safely down Formidable Forsee Next time I get a wild hair to take a shortcut, I'll make sure I KNOW the shortcut

My hind quarters are sporting all sorts of brusies and scratches from that descent.

I promise that next Wednesday we'll do something easy, like donate an organ

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Lcpl Hughes]

Nice TR Sally and great job getting back to the trail!..sounds like a hike you and Ellen will remember for a long time..

[tinaballina]

great tr sally.

[bluerail]

"By the way, that George Carlin's Ghost guy is totally off his rocker."

Sally, we had him dealt with.

[zippetydude]

My hind quarters are sporting all sorts of brusies and scratches from that descent.

I promise that next Wednesday we'll do something easy, like donate an organ

Ellen, you do get the most adventure possible out of all your outings, don't you? Great post, sure made me laugh.

Sally, thanks! I think so too.

bluerail, so you guys really did that? I mean, I knew Fern had a sinister side, but ...

z

[Hikin_Jim]

Ellen bowed down and kissed it.

Must've been a heck of a hike.

HJ