[pct-l] Islip Saddle heads up

[montypct]

Hi Donna

This is the alternative route you and I talked about when I did that section 
southbound in 2005.  That was the year we had all the snow on Baden Powell 
and everyone talked about a roadwalk or a desert route.  I took this route 
which included part of that desert route.

It does go away from the road and down to a lower altitude.  I think it's 
longer, but easier.  The trail is good, pretty straight and gradual, though 
there were a few minor slides to hop over.

The trail is pretty easy to follow until you get to the bottom, then you 
simply take a left and follow the river through a campground there until the 
South Fork Trail becomes clearly defined up the river.  The views up this 
trail are awsome.

At the top you run into the road, a bathroom and the PCT.

It's a great route to bypass dangerous snow conditions, or if you simply 
like taking a dip in a pool mid day.

mt






Lightweight Backpacking
The fun goes up when the weight goes down
-Warner Springs Monty

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna "L-Rod" Saufley" <dsaufley at sprynet.com>
To: "montypct" <montypct at gmail.com>; "Wes Rose" <wb104475 at sbcglobal.net>; 
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Islip Saddle heads up


Monty, does it take you away from the road (Angeles Crest) more than the 
PCT?

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
>From: montypct <montypct at gmail.com>
>Sent: Mar 10, 2009 6:26 AM
>To: Wes Rose <wb104475 at sbcglobal.net>, pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] Islip Saddle heads up
>
>Or for those without a GPS simply go UPHILL behind the bathroom.
>
>The other trail is called the South Fork Trail.  If you had dropped down on
>a trail at Vincent Gap instead of heading uphill to Baden Powell, this is
>how you would have reconnected with the PCT.  There's a map on a plaque at
>Vincent Gap.
>
>I've taken it twice.  I like it more than the PCT.  Last year when hikers
>were freezing and tromping
>through slush going over Baden Powell in some freak weather we had, I was
>down below hiking with my shirt off with plenty of water.  There's even 
>some
>pools to jump into.
>
>Monty
>
>Lightweight Backpacking
>The fun goes up when the weight goes down
>-Warner Springs Monty
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "Wes Rose" <wb104475 at sbcglobal.net>
>To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
>Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 11:15 PM
>Subject: [pct-l] Islip Saddle heads up
>
>
>2009 PCT Hikers,
>
>I've noticed over the past few years that some hikers seem to get lost at
>a particular road crossing in section D of California, at the base of Mt.
>Williamson at the Islip Saddle, which by my count is the 3rd crossing of
>the hwy, just past Little Jimmy Campground.  The coordinates are:
>34°21'25.30"N 117°51'6.15"W.
>
>A quick examination of the topo map, zoomed in, shows why... there is
>a north bound *descending* trail, but the PCT ascends WNW towards Mt.
>Williamson.  Who knows, this just might save you a few hours of wasted
>time.  : )   A link to a topo:
>
>http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripID=28636&mode=TripMap
>
>Best success!!
>
>Wes
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