Mile 356 to 369

Section D

A view of Pine Mountain (I think) from the trail.

Inspiration Point to Gobbler's Nob – Sobo

Miles:  13 miles

Hiking with: Rob & Mark

Lodging:  Best Western Cajon Pass

Shuttle: Mark lives in Pasadena so we had 2 cars to shuttle.

Start:  Hwy 2 Inspiration Point trailhead parking lot.

End:  Mile 352 -- road from Sharp?'s Ranch.

People along the trail:  Hunters & a few hikers.

Description:

We saw on the weather report that there were going to be 50 mph winds on our hike -- they were right.  From Inspiration Point to Wright mountain we were on the ridge line or just below it with spectacular views going through beautiful pine forests with the wind howling, temperatures in the 30s and the windchill at who knows what -- but it was cold.  We passed some hunters that had down jackets, face warmers & gloves and they looked cold -- we had on light fleece jackets and baseball caps.  Despite the cold temps it was very impressive.  When we got to Wright Mountain the trail dropped in altitude and the sun was higher and we warmed up nicely -- in fact the rest of the hike had perfect temperatures.  As we got to mile 356 I realized we had parked our cars at a different point further down the trail which added another 5 miles onto our hike.  We were all feeling pretty good and no one complained.  The additional 5 miles were easy miles anyway.  There was a little of poodle dog bush along the trail but it was never a problem.

Mountain High Ski Resort Chair Lift

Rob looking south towards LA

Mark , looking northbound on the trail.
Note the trail marker to the right of Mark.

1 of 3 water retention ponds to make snow for the ski resort.

2 of 3 water retention ponds to make snow for the ski resort.

Rob & me near Wright Mountain.

Looking down at Lytle Creek and the canyon south of the PCT near Gobbler's Nob

PCT south of Gobbler's Nob.

Mark & Rob back at the car.

Mile 390 to 398

Section D

Trail closure signs at Eagles Roost

Cloud Summit to Eagles Roost – Sobo

Miles:  8 (+ detour miles)

Hiking with: Rob & Mark

Lodging:  Best Western Cajon Pass

Shuttle: Mark lives in Pasadena so we had 2 cars to shuttle.

Start:  Hwy 2 Cloud Summit trailhead parking lot.

End:  Hwy 2 Eagles Roost trailhead parking

People along the trail:  No one.

Description:

Endangered Species Detour!!!!  This is the prettiest section of the San Gabriel Mountains.  Cooper canyon has a running stream with huge pine trees.  The southern section has been closed since 2005 because of the endangered yellow-legged frog.  I hear the closed section of trail hasn't been maintain and has some downed trees and narrow trail on the canyon side where there has been some erosion.  Of primary interest to me was the history of the closure.  Here are some pics of the frog copied off the web:
 
I'm from Michigan where frogs are all over the place -- so I ignorantly think there is no reason why any frog show be endangered.  Yet after some research here's what I've found from wikipedia:

The mountain yellow-legged frog or southern mountain yellow-legged frog[1] (Rana muscosa) is a species of true frog endemic to California in the United States. It occurs in the mountain ranges of Southern California up to the southern Sierra Nevada. It is a federally listed endangered species.[2] Once a common species, Rana muscosa was absent from much of its native range by the 1970s. Over the course of the last hundred years, 90% of its populations have been eliminated.[5] The frog was known from 166 locations in the Southern California mountains, and as of 2007, only seven or eight remained.[1] The 2009 discovery of R. muscosa at two locations in the San Bernardino National Forest was newsworthy.[6] The frog is represented in the Sierra Nevada by three or four populations.[1] Its decline is attributed to many factors, including introduced species of fish such as trout, livestock grazing,[7]chytrid fungus,[8] and probably pesticides, drought, and ultraviolet radiation.[7]
From what I've read the biggest problem with the frogs is that non-native fish were eating their eggs.  The forest service has zapped the stream killing all the fish which has brought back the frog better than ever.  However the forest service has still kept humans out -- even though they weren't the problem (in my opinion).  The Forest Service is considering reopening the PCT through this area and installing a bridge to cross the critical stream where the frogs are.  They are also going to open another trail that provides access to rock climbers (bigger users of this trail than PCT hikers I assume) that gives them a more direct access to the Williamson Rocks.  Here is what is being proposed:

Hopefully this passes as the current detour goes along Hwy 2 which has vehicles going fairly fast with very little shoulder on the road.

Group pic at Cloud Summit

Cooper Canyon Camp Site

Cooper Canyon Camp Site