Sally has never done the Momyer cut off or Alger trail so (laughing maniacally)...
Crossing Mill Creek over a rock bridge is always interesting in the early morning. We followed the serpentine trail and finally started climbing up the ridge. After a brief traverse, we reached the Momyer cut off (trace trail). There has clearly been lots of human activity (pink ribbons and footprints in ash) there due to the fire. At one point we could see that the trail had been used as a fire break -- burned area below but healthy flora above. Sally was justifiably impressed with the steepness of the route. Sometimes I call the trace trail "Skyline on Steroids."
At about 8800 ft, I donned pants in preparation for the overgrown manglenita (aka manzanita) and f----thorn (aka buckthorn). The bottom section wasn't too bad. Once we passed the little forested open area, we were in for it. The brush kept catching our legs and untying my boot laces. At last we rounded the bend below East San Bernardino peak and started the long traverse up to the ridge trail.
The final stretch had new downed trees added to the previous ones, so we just headed UP and joined the ridge trail. Made our way over to Anderson peak and ate lunch on top. This was only Sally's second time up Anderson -- the first time the register box was covered in snow. We made our way back to the ridge trail and headed over to Dollar Saddle. I love this section of the ridge, especially the views to the north where the trail has literally been cut into the side of the mountain.
Reached Dollar Saddle and started down Alger. I'd promised Sally lots of wildflowers near the streams on the way down. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the overgrown brush had been cut back. especially since I'd changed back to shorts on the summit of Anderson. The wildflowers at the first stream crossing weren't as spectacular as last year, but we did see some gorgeous Lemon Lillies, Sadly, we left the water behind and continued down the mind-numbing dry part of the trail. Compared to when I was here a year ago, there were new downed treea small rock avalanche, and significant trail erosion.
It was a relief to reach the Dobbs camp signage and get off that never-ending traverse along the ridge. I kept a sharp eye out for the old Dobbs trail. Before reaching it, I had donned pants again. Good thing, as this part of the trail featured a tremendously overgrown head-high section of f----thorn on each side. It was like trying to run a gauntlet. Shortly after this, we found the old Dobbs trail and made our way down it to Mill Creek. Had a great dinner at El Mexicano before heading home.
Miles of smiles,
Ellen
I always dream of a helicopter spraying RoundUp when I'm thrashing through that brush 
I don't like seeing the aftermath of fires, but wouldn't have minded less brush.
