Condor Peak, Fox Mountain #2, Iron Mountain #2

5 January 1991

By: Jim Raiford

Leaders: Jim Raiford, Barbara Cohen

Ten hikers met at La Cañada carpool point and departed at 6:30 am., driving via Angeles Crest Hwy and Angeles Forest Hwy to Mill Creek Summit. We turned left and followed the HPS directions to park at the locked gate about two miles east of Indian Ben Saddle. Everyone signed in, gave brief introductions, and began hiking just after 8 am. We took the left fork in the road at Indian Ben Saddle then left through the gate 1/4 mile farther, and down the road to the beginning of the trail at the water tank. The trail to the saddle east of Condor was good and easy to follow. We went up the ridge to the summit of Condor for the sign in and a short rest (too cold to sit around for long). It was back down and then along the ridge with much up and down in fog to Fox. The last 400 feet up Fox is steep but yesterday's rain compacted the dirt so the footing was good. During a short sign in on Fox, the fog to the south lifted somewhat permitting views of the highway and the reservoir. Then it was back down, then back along the ridge to the water tank and gate, then left on the road a short distance to a duck marking the use trail up the ridge to the summit of Iron. We stopped for a short lunch and sign in, returning to the cars at 3:30 pm. The total hiking time was about 7 1/2 hours. The weather was cool with a slight breeze and fog (at times short visibility). All members of the group were in good condition allowing us to make good time. Participants: Jim Kilberg, Mitch Helbrecht, Wayne Norman, Dan Richter, Cesar Michel, Bonnie Michel, Jack Haddad, David Michels.