Brazen critters on San Gorgonio

[Ellen]

Howdy All

Went up Vivian > Dobbs > Sky High Trail > San Gorgonio > Vivian with Perry A yesterday. I LOVE the Dobbs ridge -- it's my summer Skyline replacement Once on the Sky High Trail, the wind was blowing pretty good. We ran into two hikers (board members?) doing the 9 peaks as a backpacking trip (the sensible way to do it) They'd spend the night on San Gorgonio -- noted it was windy and that the wind changed during the night -- great We continued on to the summit and found a great spot in the rocks out of the wind.

As soon as I pulled out my lunch bag, I had company. Chipmunks or small field squirrels started darting around begging for pistachios. One particularly fearless little critter crawled up my calf and stood on its hind legs on my left knee, begging for food. Since my knee was bent, it lost traction trying to go onto my thigh. I straightened out my legs. I couldn't get the pistachios shelled fast enough -- at one point the little critter was hanging onto my thumb with both front paws as I lifted up my hand. His/her cheeks kept expanding. Perry noted there must a critter's version of Fort Knox somewhere in the summit rocks. On a human note, we met three real nice hikers who were on San G for the first time.

All good things must come to an end, so we packed up and headed down. It became warmer and more humid as we descended. We did our good deed of the day and carted out empty water bottles left on the trail. The area around the dumpster was an absolute mess -- trash strewn everywhere. Completed the day with a great meal at the Oaks restaurant.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Good thing you took such decisive action to discourage the little beggar.

HJ

[zippetydude]

The area around the dumpster was an absolute mess -- trash strewn everywhere.

It was that way when I was up there last weekend. The ranger was picking it up, and he told me the bears have figured out how to open the latch on the "bearproof" trash cans. He said one even opened the dumpster lid, climbed in, and then was trapped when the lid clicked shut.

Glad you had fun on your hike and with your critter encounter.

z

[Hikin_Jim]

one even opened the dumpster lid, climbed in, and then was trapped when the lid clicked shut.

That must have been a real eye opener for the next guy who tried to throw away an empty pop can.

HJ

[zippetydude]

Yep. Seems like the bear could be pretty agitated after being stuck in there for a while. Could lead to someone getting hurt. The other side of the coin is bad as well...if the trash truck came and dumped the dumpster, trash, bear and all, into its bay, it very well might kill the bear. Chances are the driver would never even know it, and when it did the compaction process, well, that would almost certainly be the end. Maybe switching to the carabiners like they do in Yosemite would be a good idea.

[Ellen]

That is really sad -- I was hoping it was humans making the mess, not a bear Don't want wildlife hurt.

[jfr]

We ran into two hikers (board members?) doing the 9 peaks as a backpacking trip (the sensible way to do it) They'd spend the night on San Gorgonio -- noted it was windy and that the wind changed during the night -- great

Hi Ellen! Yes, that was me and my wife. We met long ago on my first Skyline and again last October on my second round when my wife decided that she was in good enough shape for Skyline after a summer of strenuous backpacking. She reads this board, too. So of course we've seen your photo many times (thanks to Sally and others); we feel like we know you personally, and we recognized you immediately on the trail. And it was really nice talking to you! We were all covered in windproof goretex hardshells, shivering around our stove as we drank hot chocolate while hiding in the lee of a huge boulder out of the blasting wind, when you came striding around the corner wearing shorts and a T-shirt! I realize that you claim to belong to the Polar Bear Club, but wow! I'm a believer now. It wasn't until the two of you hiked away that I slapped myself on the forehead and said to my wife "I never introduced us! She had no idea who she was talking to!" And I must admit, you were still quite friendly. But, in retrospect, you had the look of someone wondering whether their mind was going, saying to themselves "Do I know this person?"

I couldn't get the pistachios shelled fast enough -- at one point the little critter was hanging onto my thumb with both front paws as I lifted up my hand. His/her cheeks kept expanding. Perry noted there must a critter's version of Fort Knox somewhere in the summit rocks.

But, to keep the thread on topic, here's a photo of the Chipmunk that hung out with us that night. She was very obviously pregnant. We didn't feed her while we were camped, but when we packed up we relented: We found an old rusty tin can from a previous (slob) camper and filled it with water. I also left a couple of cheese crackers that would provide her with some salt to go with the water. Maybe I'll bring some wine and cheese next time!

[Hikin_Jim]

It wasn't until the two of you hiked away that I slapped myself on the forehead and said to my wife "I never introduced us! She had no idea who she was talking to!" And I must admit, you were still quite friendly. But, in retrospect, you had the look of someone wondering whether their mind was going, saying to themselves "Do I know this person?"

Oh, you know, famous celebrities like Ellen get that all the time.

Funny thing though is that from Ellen's description I half wondered if it might have been you two. Odd thing how I might have guessed that based on a description from someone who had no idea who you were. Truth is stranger...

HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy JFR

Hallelujah! Thanks for clearing up the mystery. I was really embarrassed that I couldn't introduce you to my buddy Perry In addition to being the bloody blonde, I'm also nearsighted.

I absolutely remember meeting you that time on Skyline If I recall, you'd posted a picture of a guy carrying a pair of clipppers and photoshopped "St. Florians" on them to honor St. Florian's trail work on Skyline -- it was hilarious. I love your trip reports and photos.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

Hi Ellen! Yes, that was me and my wife. We met long ago on my first Skyline and again last October on my second round when my wife decided that she was in good enough shape for Skyline after a summer of strenuous backpacking. She reads this board, too. So of course we've seen your photo many times (thanks to Sally and others); we feel like we know you personally, and we recognized you immediately on the trail. And it was really nice talking to you! We were all covered in windproof goretex hardshells, shivering around our stove as we drank hot chocolate while hiding in the lee of a huge boulder out of the blasting wind, when you came striding around the corner wearing shorts and a T-shirt! I realize that you claim to belong to the Polar Bear Club, but wow! I'm a believer now. It wasn't until the two of you hiked away that I slapped myself on the forehead and said to my wife "I never introduced us! She had no idea who she was talking to!" And I must admit, you were still quite friendly. But, in retrospect, you had the look of someone wondering whether their mind was going, saying to themselves "Do I know this person?"

[Florian]

If I recall, you'd posted a picture of a guy carrying a pair of clipppers and photoshopped "St. Florians" on them to honor St. Florian's trail work on Skyline -- it was hilarious.

Wasn't photoshopped. Florian is a real company that makes clippers and pruners ..

http://floriantools.net/

I don't have my own pair yet. Someday.

-St. Florian