Melting on Dobbs

[Ellen]

Howdy All

To quote Hikin' Jim -- "It's Wed, so it must be Dobbs."

Sally, Marilyn, Heather (from San Diego) and I headed up yesterday a bit after 6 AM. Scuttlebutt has it that Alex (antagonistic gate guard) has been removed I was hoping to be feel better than I did when I went up Dobbs, Jepson and San Gorgonio with Cindy over a week ago -- didn't happen.

Since it's January, I wore long pants and a lightweight Patagonia long sleeved shirt.




By the time we reached Dobbs, I changed into a short sleeved shirt and wished that I'd worn shorts as did Sally. At least we didn't find any pink tape. Joined the trail and headed over to San Gorgonio. A bit over 5 hours after starting, we were lunching on the peak.







On the descent, I tried one of the shortcuts down to High Creek. Those endless switchbacks drive me crazy.



This turned out to be a mistake. When I was trying to step over deadfall, I slipped and went under it feet first. The long pants didn't offer adequate protection.



This is one of those shortcuts that you have to "nail" perfectly or you wind up bushwhacking. We finally found the correct route near the bottom where it empties out near High Creek campsites. I'm now calling this a "longcut."

From High Creek down, we ran into several nasty spots of ice on the trail. In keeping with the day, I fell flat on my back twice -- even connecting with the back of my head. This did not help the headache that had started at High Creek.

Finally got back to our vehicles at 4 PM. I purchased medicinal Arrogant B**tard at the Elkhorn Café, then enjoyed wonderful Chili Verde at El Mexicanno.

Sally had worn shorts and t-shirt and didn't have a scratch. Figures

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Sally]

Although I escaped relatively unscathed except for some superficial scratches, I did manage to get sunburned on my legs and arms. I always put sunscreen on my face, but not on legs and arms in winter unless I'm on snow. I should know better.

Whilst on the "long-cut" I thought we were surely on one of Hikin Jim's routes on his interactive map, but I couldn't figure out which one.

Thank you gals for kidnapping me and getting me out of my funk.

[Hikin_Jim]

To quote Hikin' Jim -- "It's Wed, so it must be Dobbs."

For those not "in" on the inside joke, Ellen regularly does four hikes: Falling Rock Canyon, Dobbs, Skyline, and Register Ridge. I tease her that she's on a "schedule" and therefore "It's Wed, so it must be Dobbs." Of course when she does branch out then she goes and gets all bloody and I feel bad.

It's probably good that Alex was taken out of that position. He really wasn't a good "public face" for the Forest Service. People will think I'm crazy, but I feel bad for him in a way. He can't have too many options in life. I do hope he finds something more suitable.

Despite the blood, it looks like a good trip, but dang it we need some snow. That looks like June not January.

HJ

[zippetydude]

HJ, you actually used the term "branch out" right after Ellen was attacked by a tree? Then you said it sounds like she "had a good trip"? I'm surprised you didn't suggest the route be called "deep cut"!

Ellen, from that pic it looks like you were way too far east. The undergrowth is all on the right hand side as you head down. It took me a few tries to figure that out, but if you angle a bit farther to the west next time you'll be able to avoid picking your way through like that. Sorry about your crash.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

HJ, you actually used the term "branch out" right after Ellen was attacked by a tree? Then you said it sounds like she "had a good trip"? I'm surprised you didn't suggest the route be called "deep cut"!

Zip,

I see you've gotten right to the root of the matter, but rest assured that no matter what route Ellen chooses, I'm always rooting for her.

HJ

[Ellen]

HJ, you actually used the term "branch out" right after Ellen was attacked by a tree? Then you said it sounds like she "had a good trip"? I'm surprised you didn't suggest the route be called "deep cut"!

Zip,

I see you've gotten right to the root of the matter, but rest assured that no matter what route Ellen chooses, I'm always rooting for her.

HJ

Groan

[HH8]

Howdy All



Miles of smiles,
Ellen

What kind of treats are you feeding that pussy?
I see it used the coupon for $10 off

[arocknoid]

Zip and Ellen, go easy on HJ. (I sawyer groaning commentries.)

After I fell prey to Jim's smilin' click-thru link to trace my family tree, I paid $200 to find out I was the sap.

The favor was returned when he applied for a position as a cartographer in Arizona. In my letter of recommendation for him, I said that he was reliable, knowledgeable, and professional, but that he had a skewed sense of Yuma.

meretriciously mercatorially yours,
arocknoid

[zippetydude]

...these posts leaf me no choice, I was going to be a treetotaler this year, but I'm boughing out of that. I'm heading out to get trunk.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

HJ