What was I thinking? Hiking a shadeless trail under 100 degree weather!

Panorama on top of Henninger Flats

Not really sure what I was thinking when I decided to join a couple friends on a hike for a one-nighter.  I didn't think about my decision until I hit the trail and 500 yards in, I start feeling the heat!

This past weekend, I signed up to join a couple friends on a hike to Henninger Flats but due to other plans, I opted to catch up with them later in the afternoon.  They started their hike at around 8AM.

I got to the trailhead around 3:45PM and began walking.  Ten minutes into it and that's when it hits me...the sun was blazing and the temps were around 100 degrees and I feel like passing out!  

Start of the trail

A look ahead of the trail

Note to self...remember to buy a Golite umbrella and bring more water! Luckily this hike was only 2 somewhat miles to the top but the heat just drains you even after walking for just a few hundred yards.  I was trying to increase my pace but due to the heat, I had to slow down so I don't give myself a head rush.

A little over an hour or so later, I finally reach the top and I am greeted with trees offering me shade...man that was hard (for me at least)

Henninger Flats Campground

At camp looking down at the entrance of the campground

Further look down at where I climbed to reach the camp

A short walk to the upper camp sites, I find my two buddies who had already hiked to Idlehour and back and are now just relaxing.  After relaxing for a bit, we enjoyed a leisurely dinner cook on our alcohol and esbit stoves.

My DIY caldera style cone w/ my DIY Fosters Ridgeline Pot

My friends Trail Designs Caldera w/ esbit Gram Cracker Stove

My other friends DIY caldera cone w/ tea light alcohol stove

The real reason why I wanted to do this trip was because of the people who were on this hike.  The guys on this hike are Ultralight backpackers and joining them on a trip has always been beneficial for me since I am still in the process of lightening up my gear.  

For this trip, my total pack weight was right at 10 lbs. (including food & water) - great right?  The two guys on this trip had a 5 lb total pack load each!  That's Super Ultralight!

Seeing this first-hand was worth the walk under the heat...it's like meeting your favorite singer or actor/actress and getting the chance to spend time with them.  I just couldn't pass up the chance to not see the gear they brought and pick their brains and really learn from them.

After having our dinner, we all just gathered by the benches over looking the city and discussed various things...I'm sure we answered and figured out the "Meaning of Life" a few times and also solved many of the worlds problems.

Photo credit: Don A.

I have to say, compared to my other nights backpacking, this was the first time I slept for 5 hours straight without getting up in the middle of the night.  I had a good night's sleep, perhaps, due to how tired I was.  

MLD bug bivy, polycro groundsheet, zlite pad, down bag

Golite poncho tarp, down quilt, torso length prolite pad, tyvek groundsheet

My tarp setup...

After having our hot drinks and breakfast, we all made quick work of the trail and said our "goodbye's"...till the next time. 

Sunrise at 6:30AM...what a view.

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Escaping the L.A. heat!

These past few weeks, we've been dealing with really warm weather.  This heat wave has caused me to stay home or limit my outings to the mall or anywhere I can get free AC.  Well...I'm not much of a mall guy and my craving to spend the night in the woods were beginning to get the best of me.

The goal of this trip was to find a place to hike in and setup camp where the temps would be a lot milder than Los Angeles.  It also had to be close to home so I don't have to drive all day Sunday.  Wouldn't you know there is a place just like that and within 100 miles of where I live! 

Up the 2 HWY, there is this wonderful trail starting from Islip Saddle that leads to this beautiful campground called Little Jimmy.  The hike itself is only 2.5 miles in and once you reach the grounds, there are many trail to dayhike and explore.  One of the most popular hikes after Little Jimmy is the hike to the Mt. Islip peak which is less than 2 miles.  

I invited a few of my friends to join me on this hike and everyone was looking forward to weather in the 80's and 50's (weather in L.A. was in the triple digits the weekend we went).

The drive to the Islip Saddle parking lot was scenic to say the least, you pass through an area that really looks like Lake Tahoe...it definitely had the vibe and feeling as if you were in the Sierra's.  After an hour drive up the windy roads, we reach our trailhead after passing through the tunnels.

Getting our packs ready at the Trailhead

Once at the trailhead, you smell the fresh air and the breeze was absolutely refreshing to the skin.  At this point we were at around 7000 ft. in elevation I believe and it was amazing to be up here.

The first mile of this hike can be a little tiring as you gain a bit of elevation.  However, you seem to forget this because the view is just overwhelmingly gorgeous.

Start of the hike

A view of a meadow just after a few yards in

A shaded trail the whole way

It's amazing that this place isn't that far from me but yet I never thought of coming here in the past...I was really missing out on this place.  The campground had bathrooms, picnic tables and a lot of choices where to pitch your tent or hammock.  My friends and I chose to setup camp on a small ridge that looked over the Antelope Valley facing North.

Amazing views from here

My buddies view in his Tarptent Contrail

After setting up our camp and after having some snacks, we all decided to take a leisurely stroll to the Mt. Islip peak.

Our snack/lunch before the dayhike to Islip

Like a kid in a candy store!

The walk towards the peak was a bit challenging for me but it was such a joy to hike.  The weather was perfect, the views were amazing...I was so happy to be on this trail and felt sad for the people below us suffering from the heat!

Me at the last turn to the peak

A cabin at the peak (8250 ft. elevation)

A window view to Antelope Valley

I wouldn't mind camping up here...

Me at the peak!

We stayed at the peak for a good half hour or more just mesmerized by the view.  Though the sun was out in full force, the cool breeze helped cool us off.  It was really nice day and I couldn't have asked for anything more...perhaps an extra day up here?

After eating our dinners at camp, all of us spent some time near our tents to look up at the stars and see the lights of Palmdale.  Oh, we saw a satellite too...never knew they would be visible, it was really cool to see that.

At the fire road below camp

It was a wonderful night, cool breeze and temps that dipped to the high 50's...I was in heaven for sure.  So sad we had to leave already but I'm definitely coming back here.

My view from my tarp

Can you smell that?  Ahh...pine trees!

The walk back to our cars later that morning seemed fast.  Even after taking our time for breakfast, it just seemed to end to quickly...time does fly when having fun.

My buddy back to where we started.  He had a total pack weight of 10lbs. on this trip.

Back to our cars enjoying a few cold drinks.

This was truly a beautiful hike and a very well maintained trail...big props to the Trailbuilders that maintain this.  I'm coming back here for sure...

Photos Courtesy of: Julie B and Lisa Z...thank you for sharing the pictures you guys took with me :)

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One person shelter testing and my 13 pound backpack load.

A few weeks ago, on a whim, I decided to go for a quick overnight trip to test out my backpacking gear.  I specifically wanted to test out my one person shelter system due to the fact that I have only used it once prior on my trip to Middle Fork in Lytle Creek.  In addition to the gear testing, I also wanted to see how it would be like to backpack alone...I've never done this in the past.

This trip took place at 3PM on a Saturday afternoon after receiving the green light from the wife that I could go.  Since this was to be a short trip, I chose to go to Hoegees Campground once again.  I know I've been there many times but I truly feel safe going there because I have become very familiar with the terrain and the trail itself. Plus it's a few minutes away from my house.

Me at the Upper Winter Creek Trailhead

Total pack weight for this trip was 13.3lbs. which includes food and water along with my gear.  Below is a quick video of the gear I brought with me on this trip.

Finally, the reason why I wanted to go on this trip.  Here's some shots of my one person shelter which is comprised of an 8x8 Guide Gear Tarp and a Do-It-Yourself Bug Bivy

Half Pyramid Pitch with Doors

A look inside with Bug Bivy deployed

Quite roomy for one person

I was really happy with the performance of my shelter, just like a tent, it made me feel secure and I was able to sleep comfortably.  However, if I were to improve one thing, it would be my Bug Bivy setup.  From the picture above, you can see that it has a cinch closure at the head; this system works but it can be a PITA to get in and out at times because the opening can be small.  For now, this system works and I am, as mentioned, happy with the results.  Oh and this was my first trip carrying less than 15lbs and boy what a difference from my regular load out of 18lbs.

Till next time...see you on the trails.

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