Picasa Web Albums - Bob in Pasadena

	Problems? We're doing maintenance, but things should be back to normal soon.

Hike up Echo Mountain

I accompanied my friend, Kolby, as he completed hike #75 of the 100 hikes he has committed himself to completing before the end of 2009. We started up around 8:00am amid a heavy ground fog, and while we hiked up the 2.5 miles and 1400 foot gain in elevation, we soon climbed above the fog layer into sunshine and blue sky.

Nov 5, 2009

Photos: 21

Hikes in Search of Mystery Aspen Grove and Largest Joshua Tree

In what was really two separate hikes on the same day, Kolby, Art and I went in search of an Aspen Grove on the Pacific Crest Trail, one of only two known Aspen groves in the San Bernardino Mountains. We found it and rewarded ourselves with lunch in Big Bear City. Then, for our second quest of the day we went in search of a grove with the largest known Joshua Trees, located in Lone Valley east of Big Bear City. We learned that the Champion Tree, what was once acknowledged as the world's largest was destroyed by vandals. We may have located it's remains. But we also saw one very large tree that just may inherit the official title as the world's largest Joshua. The one we saw and photographed was about 30-35 feet high and probably 12+ feet in girth around its base.

Nov 2, 2009

Photos: 51

2-Day Trek Climbing Mt. San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Trail

Nine of us completed a strenuous 2-day, 17-mile trek to climb Mt. San Goronio -- at 11,499 feet elevation, the highest peak in southern California south of the Sierras; we climbed via the Vivian Creek Trail, the steepest approach. Day One we climbed 4.8 miles and 3,400 feet to High Creek Camp. After a chilly night with the temperature hoving near 32 degrees, on Day Two we climbed the remaining 3.8 miles and 2,000 feet to the summit, then returned to camp, packed and hiked back out to our cars -- tired and footsore, but satisfied.

Oct 10, 2009

Photos: 51

4-Day Trek to Chain Lakes

Five of us hiked into Chain Lakes, located inYosemite National Park about 20 miles south of Yosemite Valley. We started from the Quartz Mountain Trailhead, about 15-20 miles north of Bass Lake. Using Middle Chain Lake as our base camp we had four beautiful days of hiking, fishing and rock scrambling. Overall, we hiked 21 miles, with vertical gains of 3,760 feet. We caught enough fish at Upper Chain Lake for Saturday dinner, and on Sunday we scrambled up the ridge between Chain and Breeze Lakes in an attempt to summit Gale Peak, 10,680 ft. elevation.

Sep 25, 2009

Photos: 180

7-Day Trek on John Muir Trail to Yosemite Valley

10 of us treked 53 miles from Mammoth Lakes to Yosemite Valley in a 7-day backpack. We encountered some freezing weather and some hot weather, saw mountains, lakes, and rivers. We had bears and deer enter our camp. We climbed Half Dome. It was a fantastic experience. Total ground covered, including our climb of Half Dome was nearly 60 miles, including 7,611 feet of uphill ....

Aug 14, 2009

Photos: 196

Sam Merril Trail -- aka "The (other) Three T's" ....

Hikers of the San Gabiels have heard of the "Three -T's" Trail (Timber, Telegraph and Thunder Mountains) .... but well, now here's another 'Three T's' Trail.... It could be called that for the three TARANTULA's I saw on the trail ... or for the Ra-TTT-ler that a couple saw about 100 in front of my as I was coming down ... Though this hike started out as just a break-in run for some new Asolo hiking boots I needed for an upcoming 7-day trek on the John Muir Trail .... it seemed to have turned into "The Big Bug-Out of 2009" ....

Aug 11, 2009

Photos: 6

Winter Creek Loop from Chantry Flats

A 6-mile, 1500 ft gain hike with friend and photographer, Kolby, from Chantry Flats up the Lower Winter Creek Trail to Hoegee's Camp, and return via the Upper Winter Creek Trail. The highlight of the day? .... RATTLESNAKE !

Jul 12, 2009

Photos: 41

Hike to the Sea Cave at Rancho Palo Verdes

This was a 5 mile / 1,100 foot hike by about 25 members of the LA Hiking Club down to a sea cave at low tide -- we saw some interesting sea life in the tide pools and some interesting wildflowers on the way.

Jul 5, 2009

Photos: 49

July 4th Fireworks from Echo Mountain

Several hiking groups and at least 100 people made their way up the Sam Merrill Trail to enjoy the July 4th Fireworks show at the Rosebowl from the 1,355 ft summit of Echo Mountain overlooking Pasadena.

Jul 4, 2009

Photos: 21

Climb of Half Dome -- Yosemite National Park

Don, Jim and I hiked to the 8,836 ft summit of Half Dome, 18 miles round-trip and 4,824 ft vertical gain. An incredible, one-of-a-kind hike featuring two major waterfalls, a view from the top almost a mile straight down to Yosemite Valley -- and the unique experience of climbing "the cables" -- something you won't find anywhere else ....

Jun 26, 2009

Photos: 144

Climb of Mt. Baden-Powell and Bighorn Mine

This was a hike with the Los Angeles Hiking Meetup Group to the summit of Mt. Baden-Powell (9,400 ft elev/ 8 miles RT / 2,800 ft gain), near Wrightwood, CA. There were 17 of us on the hike. When we started at 8:30 it was clear, but it fogged over by the time we summited and the temperature was just above freezing -- a bit chilly for June. After lunch in Wrightwood, 7 of us returned to the trailhead at Vincent Gap and hiked another 4 miles RT to the Bighorn Mine. The fog actually made it an interesting day, and the many wildflowers we saw were all touched with dew drops.

Jun 6, 2009

Photos: 51

Climb of Mt. San Jacinto via Palm Springs Tram

This was a hike by 7 members of the Los Angeles Hiking Meetup Group to the summit of Mt. San Jacinto (elev. 10,834 ft). We first took the Palm Springs Tram, then hiked the remaining 2,404 feet to the summit.

May 30, 2009

Photos: 46

Climb of Mt. San Jacinto via Fuller Ridge Trail

Four of us hiked up Fuller Ridge to Mt. San Jacinto, a spectacular trail and one of the most beautiful in southern California, unfortunately little known to most southern California hikers. The Fuller Ridge Trail is part of the Pacfic Crest Trail that runs from Mexico to Canada. The hike was about 17 miles round trip, with total gains of about 5,000 feet.

May 16, 2009

Photos: 53

Hike to Condor Peak

Ten of us hiked to the summit of Condor Peak, a round trip of 16 miles with vertical gains of 3,700. Although the area is predominately chaparral, I was surprised by the wide variety we saw of vegetation, scenery, wildflowers, and critters....

Apr 25, 2009

Photos: 65

Ice House Canyon to Timber Mountain Summit

This was a solo hike up the beautiful Ice House Canyon Trail to Ice House Saddle, and then on to the summit of Timber Mountain. Trail stats: 9 1/2 miles / 3,600 ft gains.

Apr 18, 2009

Photos: 40

Burbank -- Stough Canyon Hike

Hike in the hills above Burbank, and a walk in Stough Park afterward to catch some spring flowers and a few critters too.

Apr 13, 2009

Photos: 18

Strawberry Peak

This was a hike of 9.5 miles, 2,084 foot gain by a group of 11 people to Strawberry Meadows and a climb up to the summit of Strawberry Peak, elev. 6,164 feet.

Apr 5, 2009

Photos: 30

Desert Hike to Murray Peak

This was an 8 mile out & back hike to the summit of Murray Peak, just south of Palm Springs. The flowers were blooming prolifically.

Mar 29, 2009

Photos: 42

Fish Canyon Falls

This was a hike by a group of 15 people to Fish Canyon Falls, a round trip of about 4-5 miles with a vertical gain of about 1,000 feet. The Falls are about 90 feet high, with four levels.

Mar 21, 2009

Photos: 43

Millard Canyon to the Dawn Mine

The was a hike up Millard Canyon to the Dawn Mine, a now-abandoned gold mine in the San Gabriel Mountains above Altadena, CA.

Mar 14, 2009

Photos: 62

The Bridge to Nowhere

This was a 10-mile out & back hike up the East Fork of the San Gabriel River to the famous Bridge to Nowhere ( north of Azusa, CA -- NOT the infamous one in Alaska ).

Mar 7, 2009

Photos: 41

San Diego Harbor at Sunset

This was an evening stroll with my camera along the San Diego Harbor during a beautiful sunset.

Mar 4, 2009

Photos: 24

Wild Animal Park

This was a tour organized by the Tournament of Roses in Pasadena as part of a planning retreat for the 2010 Rose Parade. The main purpose of the Wild Animal Park is to act as a breeding facility for other zoos, and it was also instrumental in bringing back the California Condor from the point of extinction -- helping to breed them in captivity for release into the wild.

Jan 31, 2009

Photos: 40

Echo Mountain -- Inspiration Point -- Castle Canyon Loop

A 12-mile hike by the Happy Hour Backpacker Hiking Club -- up the Sam Merrill Trail to Echo Mountian, then along the old Mt. Lowe Railroad bed to the site of the Old Alpine Inn, then to Inspiration Point, then down Castle Canyon to Echo Mountain, and finally back down the Sam Merrill Trail.

Jan 17, 2009

Photos: 27

Allison Gulch

This was a hike by THE WILD WEST HARDCORE SLOWPOKE CANYONEERS up the East Branch of the San Gabriel River to Allison Gulch, and a climb up the Gulch to Allison Falls. Round-trip, about 9 miles / 1000 ft. vertical -- of which about half was rock-hopping up Allison Gulch to beautiful, 80-foot Allison Falls -- a beautiful and wild place. Despite it being mid-October we saw many flowers and a lot of wild life.

Oct 18, 2008

Photos: 36

Whitney Combined Album

These are the combined photos of Chris, Katherine and Bob, who did a two-day climb of Mt Whitney on Sept. 7-8, 2008.

Sep 20, 2008

Photos: 97

2-Day Trek Climbing Mt. Whitney

A 22-mile, two-day, 6.700 foot climb to the summit of Mt. Whitney -- at 14,495 feet, the highest point in the contiguous 48 states. On Sept. 7 we hiked 6 miles in 7 hours with a 3,700 feet gain and overnighted at Trail Camp. On Sept. 8 we started at 7:00 am, hiking the remaining 2,800 feet to the summit in about 5 hours. While at the summit the weather changed abruptly, and we experienced snow, sleet and rain during our 3-hour return to Trail Camp. After quickly packing up, we continued our trek down to Whitney Portal, arriving at 8:00 pm, finishing our final hour in the dark with headlamps. An incredible experience, considering the months of conditioning -- awesome does not even begin to describe the Mt. Whitney Zone. We saw our last tree at about 11,000 feet, and beyond that is another 3,500 feet of -- just rock!

Sep 7, 2008

Photos: 108

Eagle Creek Trail to Tunnel Falls, Oregon

Located not far from where the Pacific Crest Trail descends to the Columbia River Gorge, the Eagle Creek Trail is a beautifully verdant place abounding with streams, waterfalls, shady forests, ferns and moss -- a photographer's dream. Hiking solo, I did this 12 mile (RT) out & back hike (gain - 1,640 feet) in about 8 hours.

Aug 28, 2008

Photos: 47

Climb of South Sister in Central Oregon

South Sister is a 10,360 foot volcanic peak, the 3rd highest in Oregon after Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson. It's part of a trio call the Three Sisters -- a hallmark of the Cascade Skyline which has made Bend, Oregon famous. It's a non-technical climb, but the steep trail gains nearly 5,000 feet in the 6.0 miles to the summit. Tom, Ryan and I climbed her together on August 23rd with perfect weather.

Aug 23, 2008

Photos: 68

Alcatraz

Kate, Bobby and I visited Alcatraz on a cloudy day that set the tone for what we saw.

Aug 16, 2008

Photos: 44

2-Day Trek Climbing Mt. San Gorgonio

A 2-day backpacking trip along the Fish Creek Trail to the summit of Mt. San Gorgonio, which at 11,500 feet is the highest peak in Southern California. We camped at Mineshaft Flats and drew water from the nearby spring. Just after summitting the clouds gathered, threatening a thunderstorm, so we came down quickly. Total distance hiked over the two days was about 24 miles.

Aug 2, 2008

Photos: 56

Climb of Mt. Harwood, Mt. Baldy & West Baldy

This is a photo-blog of a solo hike from Baldy Notch to the summits of Mt. Harwood (9,552 ft), Mt. Baldy (10,064 ft.), and West Baldy (9,988 ft.).

Jun 22, 2008

Photos: 43

Climb of Mt. Cucamonga via Chapman Trail & Icehouse Saddle

A solo hike up Icehouse Canyon, using the Chapman Trail to Icehouse Saddle, then on and up to the summit of Mt. Cucamonga (elev. 8859 ft.). Using U. S. Forest Service information and topo maps, I estimate the round-trip distance at 13.6 miles, and vertical gain at 4,550 ft.

Jun 8, 2008

Photos: 85

Conours d' Elegance -- Pasadena CA

3rd Annual Los Angeles Concours d' Elegance of the Assistance League of southern California

Jun 1, 2008

Photos: 18

Climb of Timber Mountain

A hike 3,400 feet up Icehouse Canyon to the summit of Timber Mountain (elev. 8,303 ft) on June 1, 2008.

May 31, 2008

Photos: 37

Icehouse Canyon

Combined photos from several hikes up Icehouse Canyon and Chapman Trail.

May 31, 2008

Photos: 30

Climb of Mt. Baden-Powell

An 8-mile, 2,834 ft climb to the 9,399 ft summit of Mt. Baden-Powell from Vincent Gap, located near Wrightwood, CA.

May 18, 2008

Photos: 44

Climb of Mt. Baldy

We climbed Mt. Baldy on the Manker Flats trail up San Antonio Canyon, stopped at the Sierra Club Ski Hut for a break, then pushed on to the summit. We came down via the Devil's Backbone trail to Baldy Notch, then took the ski lift down to where our cars were.

May 10, 2008

Photos: 57

Monrovia Falls and Sawpit Canyon

A two-part hike totaling 10.4 miles and 2480 vertical rise.

May 4, 2008

Photos: 59

Save the Trees -- Griffith Park, and Mt. Hollywood

On this hike we carried as much water as we could to the top of Glendale Peak to water new trees planted there, then a number of us hiked on to the peak of Mt. Hollywood.

May 3, 2008

Photos: 36

Strawberry Peak via Colby Canyon

Apr 19, 2008

Photos: 36

Eaton Canyon/ Idlehour Camp via Henninger Flats

Apr 13, 2008

Photos: 29

Temescal Canyon Hike to Skull Rock

Apr 5, 2008

Photos: 35

Hike of Millard Canyon

This was a loop hike up Millard Canyon past Millard Fall, up past the Dawn Mine to the Lowe Railway, then over to the Sunset Ridge Trail and back down to the base of Millard Canyon.

Apr 5, 2008

Photos: 31

Henninger Flats and Idlehour Trail

Mar 15, 2008

Photos: 46

Sandstone Peak and The Grotto

Mar 9, 2008

Photos: 40

Santa Anita Canyon to Mt. Zion

This hike began at Chantry Flats, down to Santa Anita Canyon, up to Sturtevant Falls and beyond to Camp Sturtevant, then up to the summit of Mt. Zion (3575' elev.), back down to Winter Creek Canyon, and back down to where it meets Santa Anita Creek at this dam. Total: 11 miles and 2323 ft. vertical gains. Click on 'View album map' for location.

Mar 2, 2008

Photos: 47

Strawberry Peak

Hike up Stawberry Peak in the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains above Pasadena, CA. -- 6 miles round trip, 2700 ft gain in elelvation.

Feb 23, 2008

Photos: 42

Eagle Rock, Topanga Canyon

A 6 mile hike round-trip with 926 vertical gain.

Feb 17, 2008

Photos: 23

Inspiration Point Hike via Millard Canyon

This was a solo 10-mile, 2800 ft gain hike up the Sunset Ridge Trail and Mt. Lowe Road to Inspiration Point, coming back down through Castle Canyon and the Mt. Lowe Railroad Trail.