[pct-l] Hike above Wrightwood report/Oh, the joys of no ice axe and/or crampons

[Scott Herriott]

   Hiked southbound and back between Hwy. 2 (mile
369.5) and the junction with the Acorn Canyon Trail
(mile 363.6) above Wrightwood yesterday.  When I got
to what the data book refers to elegantly as "dirt
road beside an artificial lake" (mile 366.8) the trail
heads on over to the north side of the ridge where,
apparently, some jackass had dumped tons of snow. 
Lost the trail after about 100 yards and upon
attempting to kick steps and move down the slope I hit
a slick spot, fell, slid about 5 ft. into a tree,
resulting in a bloody boo-boo on my shin and a
corresponding ego gash.  Neosporined, bandaged and
convinced the tread on my beloved Vasque Velocities
could handle moderate snow slopage, I headed on and
found the trail again where, this time, it ended in a
very steep slope of snow. Since, like the subject
heading of this post states, I had no strong gripping
apparati, I turned back, got up to the dirt road on
the south side of the ridge and kept going.  It was
back and forth the whole way...a little trail, a
little road, very little trail, whole lotta road. 
Finally got to where the Acorn Trail apparently was
but saw no sign like I did last year (gone?).  What
confirmed I had been to the spot, though, were the sad
remains of a dumped vehicle at the bottom of the north
facing hill.  I suspect the snow on the north slopes
up there will remain "crampon and/or ice axe
advisable" at least for a few weeks.  But there is,
indeed, the road.









Squatch
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