A fine hike under blue sky, with cool air and a busy breeze. What a welcome change from the weeks of heat and humidity in the flatlands. A number of our hikers put on wraps as they waited at Dawson Saddle for the shuttle to return from Vincent Gap, where our hike would end.
Twenty-nine eager hikers soon gained the ridge of the pine forested slope leading southward to Throop. About a half mile short of our trail's junction with the Pacific Crest Trail, we turned right onto the old trail that works steeply up to Throop Peak. We reached Mt. Burnham and Mt. Baden-Powell by the way of their westside use trails instead of using the regular routes to these peaks. These steep but short use trails were a more interesting and entertaining way to reach our summits.
After a pleasant lunch across the top of Baden-Powell, we made a leisurely stroll down the four miles with twenty-eight hundred feet of loss to Vincent Gap. A refreshing jaunt high in our splendid nearby San Gabriels.
We thank our group of good humored, cooperative hikers who made our lead most enjoyable.
