In the continuing quest to become a lighter weight on mother earth and prepare for this summers trek in New Mexico, a few friends and I went on an overnight backpacking trip. This weekends trip was to Dry Lake for the night and a day hike for the younger and more adventurous to the peak of Mt San Gorgonio.
We left the city and fought our way through the holiday traffic. We made it to the South Fork trailhead. We then began the 7.1 mile trip to Dry Lake.
On the trail to Dry Lake
It was a warm afternoon and as the sun moved lower in the sky the air became cooler. It was also fairly breezy which felt good. The sun set and it became twilight as we moved further up the trail. Within a quarter mile of Dry Lake we came upon patches of snow on the trail. We then came upon a group of girls camped in a spot that they should not be. As they were cooking dinner they heard a bear. It was about the same time that I was telling Bret, who I was hiking with about Eric E. and his bear impersonation on our adventure last year. They were grabbing their food, protecting their dogs and scared to death that this bear was going to get them. About then, we saw Greg S. and I asked is “Eric the Bear” around. The answer was yes. Eric showed up, apologized to the girls and helped them hang the remainder of their food in a bear bag as their bear canisters were full.
Upon arrival, we made camp and cooked dinner. The wind was still blowing. Oh, how I have never been able to sleep well when the wind is blowing. Everyone was in a tent except for me. I slept on the ground and had a great view of the stars. It was a beautiful evening.
The next morning came too soon. I was up just after 6 and started some after to boil some water so I could make my breakfast. Camp was fairly quiet. A few were up, but several were still in their tents.
Camp next to Dry Lake
After breakfast and packing up Bret and I took a walk around Dry Lake. It was a gorgeous day in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.
Dry Lake
The views of the surrounding snow covered peaks were beautiful. Just think, three members of our party were attempting to get to the top of Mt. San Gorgonio.
San Gorgonio, Jepson and Charlton peaks
Because there was time to burn, I did a little more hiking. My first stop was Lodgepole Spring. The water that comes from the spring travels to Dry Lake and disappears back into the ground before it makes it to the lake. As for Dry Lake, as the year wears on, it to will disappear for the most part.
Lodgepole Spring
From Lodgepole Spring, I continued hiking up towards Fish Creek Saddle. I was going to go to the top of Lake Peak but I thought better of the time. I returned to camp to find that two of our party had hit the trail back down. Bret was there resting and we decided to head back as well.
Below Lake Peak adn above Dry Lake with Jepson Peak in the background
With about an hour left in our trip back down the last three in our group caught up to us. They had made it up to the peak of San Gorgonio. It was difficult for them as they climbed up. The highlight was the descent. They got to slide on their backsides for about a thousand feet making for a quick descent. Being an average of twenty years younger helps getting to the top of the peak and getting down as well.
We all made it safely to the cars and off to A&W for a root-beer float. It was then off to home for a nice Saturday evening.
