Bridge to Nowhere - I'm a Billy Goat

Not Sarah Palin's Bridge to Nowhere, but the one on the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Azusa in California that used to go somewhere, or was supposed to-the road that led to it was washed out before any cars could drive over the bridge.

Lauded by Modern Hiker magazine in 2007 as "one of southern California’s best hikes – a 9 mile river-hopping trip along an abandoned, flooded out roadway. Plenty of mines, swimming holes, and a giant bridge in the middle of nowhere."

This was an intense hike, in a good way, for me, the beginner backpacker who is learning to trust her knees again--legs really--and getting back in shape!  It included frequent climbing over rocks,  a small section of trail that was barely the width of my boot, and several river crossings.

Yup, those rocks are the trail.

This was the Billy Goat section of the trail.  Scary!

I really feel like I accomplished so much on this trip; and, that had much to do with the Meetup group I was with--Los Angeles Backpackers Club--they were very encouraging and helpful.  If you are interested in something, I would suggest checking out the meetups in your area--it really is a great way to pursue your interests with people who are like-minded.

It was long (longest I have done so far--9 miles round trip) and beautiful (I love hiking along rivers).  I'm beginning to really appreciate the chaparral (a shrubland community), and I saw the biggest Yucca plants I have seen thus far.  Oh!  and the rocks, beautiful striated rocks.

I was testing out some new gear (new tent, different sleep pad, clothing in prep for the possibility of 45 degree temps, and a new alcohol stove) and my pack ended up being top heavy on the way in.  At one point, climbing up and away from the Billy Goat area my pack was pushing my head forward and I couldn't see where I was going and it was terrifying.

Very pleased with my new tent.

The trip organizer was patient, calm (either I was not as panicked as I thought or he was angel--I think angel), and supportive, as were the other members on the trip.  Everyone on the trip was willing to put out their hand, or trekking poles, to help me up or over, or carry my pack, on what I perceived as a particularly hairy area--and I was worried I would pull them down as they helped me.

I tossed my pride twice and let someone take my pack so I could survive!  It truly is mind over matter.  Someone commented on one of the river crossings that if the log was a painted line on the street, it would be no problem (and I kept chanting that to myself as I "walked the line"), and another reminded me, "momentum is your friend" (just keep going and don't stop to think about it).

There was shocking amount of trash above where we camped.  There were tents,  piles and piles of cans, bottles, and other trash.  The worst was the "bathroom" that someone (or many someones) had made above the camp--they didn't even bury it--and there was toilet paper everywhere. I just don't get it.

In the morning my legs were wobbly and I felt generally shaky all over.  I hoped that the Mountain House bacon and eggs would fix that, but it didn't. At the first stream crossing, over a log, I was sure that the organizer could see my legs shaking during my several false starts, but at least in the still pictures, I didn't look shaky.

It was a great trip and I would definitely do it again.  I was almost too tired to notice the clean house (with mopped floors!) that I came home to, thanks to my daughter.

Backpacking!!!

This is info from my 2nd backpacking trip--I've now been on 4. This trip was to Cedar Glen Trail Camp via Icehouse Canyon Trail.

You know what I think about when I am backpacking or hiking?  Just that -- backpacking or hiking -- and I love that!

I watch the birds and think about mountain lions, and snakes and bears.  I look for game trails and observe scat (a couple weeks ago I would have said animal poop).  I even notice the scars on trees, and I know what it looks like when a bear makes those scars.  I look at foliage and wonder if it is friend or foe.

I listen to, and observe, the other backpackers, even if they are newbies like me, because it teaches me.

I was utterly surprised at my excitement level when I committed to the trip.  I can't remember being that excited about anything in a very long time. I was even brave enough to hitch a ride with two other attendees.

I was excited to try out my vintage Kelty backpack that some kind soul, from freecycle, passed on to me.  It was a little top heavy on the way up making me a little off balance (especially near the top) and it bonked me in the head a few times.  But I packed it better on the way down--no knocking me over and no bonking me in the head.

More than 3/4 of the way up the trail I began to wonder if this really was for me.  Not because I was miserable, but because I felt bad lagging so far behind the group.  The trip leader backtracked from time to time to check on me, and reassured me that my pace wasn't a problem.   I did get my first blister (from hiking/backpacking.  It happened maybe half way up the trail and I kept going because tending to it would have made me even farther behind, but it was getting worse so I stopped to fix it up and was bummed I hadn't stopped as soon as I felt it.

I drank half of my water going up and stopped at a creek that crossed the trail to fill up.  This was my first time getting water from a creek to drink.  It was ice cold.  Now I had to decide whether to boil it or to use my pills.  Some of the group drank it straight from the creek and others treated theirs.  I would treat mine this time just to be safe.  Next time, I might try it without treating it. Boiling it meant no aftertaste, but if I were on a longer hike, fuel should be for cooking and I should find start.  experiment so I can see what works for me.  have to have an aftertaste

I felt like a slacker when I opted out of the day hike so I could nap--was 2.2. miles really all I could do? But when 2 others came back to camp shortly after embarking on the day hike I didn't feel as bad.

I discovered a saying , "hike your own hike," (HYOK), and it was one of those moments when you just "get it". I may be slower, but that is okay. I have to find my own groove.

I can't wait for the next trip!