After a year of negotiations, six days of scouting, 20 letters, and several
telephone calls, we finally found the right people and found them very cooperative
and willing to let us pass through their property to these
never-before-scheduled-and-climbed peaks. We think it very fine of these folks who
keep up the roads and gates to let us use them after the vandalism they suffer
during deer season.
Twenty-three members, no guests, drove to within 4 miles and a 2000' gain of
Cummings Mtn. for a pleasant hike through Christmas tree forest, Jeffrey Pine
and White Fir, colored by falling Kellogg Oak leaves. Although skies were
cloudy, visibility of Los Angeles, Los Padres, and Sequoia Forest mountains was
unusually good.
Sunday, the same group (with 2 guests and some exploration over wrong roads)
found the owner on the Bear Mtn. Ranch, C. J. Harasta, a friend and former
member of the Sierra Club. He hopped into his Jeep and directed us over the best
route (cow and deer trails) to the summit of Bear Mtn. The big rain that started
that weekend kindly held off with a slight drizzle just as the last stragglers
were getting back to the cars.
We wish to thank the Austins, Campbells, Keenes, Cummings, and Harastas for
their kindness, cooperation, and directions that made two very enjoyable days
for us. We hope that neither this write-up nor other oral accounts will spur
anyone to trespass or bother the owners with requests. We want to keep our good
relations so we can schedule another trip sometime.
