This hike almost didn't make it! Jim Raiford and I had originally scheduled a climb of Hawkins, Middle, and South. Earlier in the week, I had received calls from three Sierra Club members warning me that Crystal Lake was closed and there was no way to get in to the area. The Forest Service confirmed this information due to giardia contamination. The day before the hike, Jim called me to tell me that he still had the flu and couldn't hike. This was great news - no scheduled hike and no assistant leader. Luckily, Brent Washburne showed up at the Azuza carpool point and agreed to sweep a hike of Rattlesnake Peak.
It was a very cool, humid, overcast day, and we moved rapidly, summiting within three hours. The route was much brushier than I had remembered, and those in shorts showed evidence of manzanita, chinquapin, and other nasties. The group was very congenial and they were fun to lead. Many were beginners. The participants were: My buddy Bob Sumner, Scott Hamilton, Helen Thompson, Phil Reber, Bob Northrup, and George Emrick. Thanks to Brent for the assist.
