I checked the weather report last night and told Sally I'd be wearing shorts and tee-shirt and carrying a fleece. The sound of rain woke me up at 3:30 AM -- a half hour before my alarm. What the heck? Did another weather check -- yes, it was supposed to be nice on top.
It rained steadily on the freeway, then became foggy in Baldy Village. Sally and I arranged a car stagger and headed up Bear Canyon at bit after 6 AM in shorts/tee-shirts. While I appreciated the cool weather and absence of bugs, it was bizarre to be hiking into the void. The switchbacks up through the brush after the creek seemed to go on forever. We reached the rocky section for a rest break right as the sun came out.
Lo and behold -- we found ourselves above a massive cloud bank that covered the entire Inland Empire and Los Angeles basin. It reminded me of hiking in Big Sur and not being able to see the ocean due to low lying clouds. We stopped often to enjoy the beauty and serenity and take pictures. Encountered two hikers who'd come up the Bowl trail and wanted directions to West Baldy. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and the antics of chipmunks in the large rock shelter. On the way down the Bowl trail, we met a nice fellow who recognized me from one of my many blood-letting hikes on San Jacinto.
We made it back to my car without slipping on scree or drawing blood and headed to the PF Changs in Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga. Engaged in a little retail therapy at REI before making our way home.
Thanks to Sister Sally for anther stellar day in the wilderness.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
PS Carried microspikes but didn't need them. Wildflowers are just starting to bloom.
