Tag Archives: Islap Saddle

Aug 1 2022 PCT Between 374 to 386

Martha brings me back to Islip Saddle early in the morning. At the beginning of the trail we have the sign below. I keep wondering why I can’t seem to get a good picture of it and I remember latter that I still had my headlamp on in red light mode. Seems appropriate for the sign however.

No Problem

Martha captures the start of my hike with my headlamp still on. Just a red light moving up the hill.

Spooky

A little later I take a picture of the sign below. Headlamp still on!! I’m climbing up to the top of Mt. Baden-Powell.

Vincent Gap is goal for today. Must climb pesky mountain first
I’m making great progress

Just love the PCT in the morning!! Do you wonder why I never get a picture of a sunset? Because by the time the sun sets I have generally been asleep for at least 2 hours.

Sunrise on the PCT
Early morning view

I kept going past the plant below and one time brushed up against it and ended up with spines in my pants. A nasty little plant.

Golden Chestnut. Sharp spines of this pretty plant

Working my way up to the top of Mt. Baden-Powell I take some pictures.

Tree on left has had a hard life
Looking down into the desert

The video below is me at the top of this part of the world. And now it is time to start the long walk back down to Vincents Gap along Hwy 2. 4 miles down about a 13% grade. Lots and lots of switchbacks. There are some people I see on the way down that are working their way to the top and some that just go up part way and make a lot of noise and then walk back down to Vincent gap.

View from Mount Baden-Powell

About 2 hours from the top I see a couple deer and manage the get a picture of the backside of one. Can you see it?

Find the deer

I finally make it down to Vincent Gap on Hwy 2 which has a picnic table and toilets. I make sure of each. Martha has left a cache of water here as well and so I fill up on water and camp here for the night. Pretty good day of hiking. Nice views at the top of the mountain.

July 31 2022 PCT Between 386 to 404

The plan all along was for Martha to pick me and transport me around the closure of the PCT to protect an endangered species. Now this section of the PCT has been closed as long as I can remember and YET there are still no good options go get past the closure. The PCT organization lists 3 BAD options for getting around this closure. Might be about time to figure out a good option since I don’t think this frog is going away. So Martha actually transports me from mile 403 to 390 and provides me with the trail magic and some cold water.

Trail closed

Signs are nice

So after I am dropped of I have two significant ascents to overcome. One of them is 3.4 miles with an average incline of 13%. It takes me forever! I have have to stop often just to try to catch my breath and get my heart to settle down. The first real test of my lungs and I don’t like the result. But I eventually make it to the top. Takes me over 3 hours to do 3.4 miles. About a mile an hour. Try to walk on a treadmill set at 1 mile per hour. It will drive you crazy.

Looking down at San Gabriel Canyon

After getting to the top it is back to go back down. That is a little faster and I end up back on Hwy 2 at Islap Saddle. Martha has actually enjoyed the area this whole time and picks me up and takes me back to Palmdale to sleep in the hotel for the night. Next morning she brings me back.