Winston Peak, Winston Ridge, Mount Akawie

28 April 2001

By: Susanne Weil

Leaders: Peter Glover and Susanne Weil

Sad, but true, in these days of Dilbert: there are times when work interferes with one's hiking! The Lookout arrives in the mail and, wistfully, one gazes upon delightful descriptions of exciting hikes to peaks yet unbagged in Los Padres or Desert Divide, only to realize that a six day schedule of labors precludes that long drive to a strenuous trek on one's only day off... at least, if one would like to stay awake on the way home! To offer peakbagging diversions during these (let's hope, short-term) phases of the working hiker's life, we thought we'd better pitch in and start leading moderate weekend walks here in our own gorgeous backyard: the Angeles National Forest.

We were amazed to find that twenty-six eager hikers had converged upon the La Cañada rideshare at 8 a.m. on April 28th for our amble up the Winstons and Akawie, of whom quite a few were would-be Hundred Peakers seeking their first twenty-five on The List. We placed and inaugurated a can on Winston Peak and assessed the use trail leading down its north side. Ruefully, we concluded that a large group with quite varied experience might have problems dealing with the snow conditions. The group agreed that drier footing was called for, and we decided to take the fire road, PCT and use trail approach to Winston Ridge. Much fun ensued as relative newcomers learned about kick-stepping care over slick spots of the season's last snow.

Winston Ridge: one beautiful vantage point in the Angeles that I probably would not have come to know without the HPS List. It's also a great place for a picnic lunch. Glorious visibility favored us with stunning views of the surrounding Angeles High Country, where we pointed out great future hikes to relative newcomers to these peaks during a relaxed repast. Akawie: the twenty-fifth peak for six in the group. Congratulations to you all, and many happy trails - and peaks - to come!