Led by Gail Wise and Jennifer Dooley
By Jeff Johnson
The hike that was planned and scouted for Sept. 27 was from Dawson Saddle to Mt. Baden-Powell, a favorite high altitude hike on the main ridge of the San Gabriels, and a great hike for hot weather. The stretch of the Angeles Crest Highway that reaches the trailhead had been closed for months and had finally reopened, so it was a good hike to celebrate.
If you recall that weekend, there was that big early storm that wetted the whole area enough to ease our worries about fire season. As the hike day approached and stormy weather was forecast, it looked like it was not going to be safe to hike on a ridge over 8000′. The leaders switched to a hike right above La Canada, from the Angeles Crest Fire Station, up the Mt. Lukens Truck Trail to the Grizzly Flats Trail, then on to the Dark Canyon Trailhead on the Angeles Crest Highway. It was about the same mileage and gain/loss as the Baden-Powell hike, but at half the elevation.
Though it was raining at the start, hikers showed up ready to go and had a good time in good company. They were hiking through clouds the whole time, so no desert or ocean views. At least there was the San Gabriel version of fall color beside of the trail.
The Baden-Powell hike will likely be scheduled again next summer.
