Hiking!!

[HowToDisappear]

Mythbusters busted the water bag/pennies thing. Doesn't work. Allegedly, an orange studded with cloves will keep them away, but I've never tried it myself.

Have fun camping.

[algunz]

The orange thing (Pomander) was originally created during the plague because the stench of the corpses. I don't know if it helps with flies, but it was believed to keep disease away.

[djbionik]

I use mosquito coils. Insect repellant in incense form, so technically, not really fire so not considered an open flame.

I did a bit of hiking last week during our trip out to Candy Rock in the Calaveras County. Holy hell I had SooOOooOoooooo much fun. I'm banged up pretty good- bruises, cuts, about 5 shades darker as well, but I couldn't be happier! Didn't take as many pictures, since I was having too much fun and also didn't want to get my devices wet. I completely fell in love with that area and will gladly drive 12 hours and back to do it again.

[chairmenmeow47]

i can't see the pics at work

someone told me about mythbusters when we were there. at least there weren't many flies period!

i had fun going to the lava tube and kachina trail near snowbowl in flagstaff. the lava tube was about 3/4ths of a mile. it's what it sounds like, a tube-shaped cave formed by lava. the entrance is pretty rocky and a few parts are low and require you to kinda bend over. the end of the line is so worth it though. it was completely dark when we turned our lights off and we tried to sit in silence for periods which was really cool. sensory deprivation.

i will post some pics later!

[footixy]

got back from a weekend hike to Mono Hot Springs

[Buddha99]

got back from a weekend hike to Mono Hot Springs

That's a nice way to spend summer days, Footixy...

[djbionik]

Wowza. All that looks gorgeous and way fun!

[bmack86]

Damn dude! With Mono in the name I should be close, but I feel like that's probably an 8+ hour drive away?

Edit: Looks like it's about 30 miles from where I live, and it'd take me 7 hours to get there driving. It'd probably take the same amount of time to hike Rock Creek until I got there.

[amyzzz]

Wow, great pictures. That looks like so much fun.

[chairmenmeow47]

beautiful! my favorite is the shot of water falling into the bathtub

[HowToDisappear]

Dang, footixy, that looks fantastic! What temp was the water? Did you have to fill the tubs and then let them cool, so it was doable for your little one? Or does it flow at a manageable temp? Soaking in hot spring water is the best --- we'll totally have to check this place out.

[footixy]

Thanks guys, the tubs are natural flowing springs that were only concrete lined (only about 3 springs are that way) "old pedro" being the hottest at 100 degrees. My little guy was perfectly fine in them. Getting there is a different story. You take the 168 until it ends, from there take kaiser pass which is a one lane lightly paved road tightly hugging the granite mnt about 3 times (this keeps most people away) once there, all the springs are free for the taking along with a crystal clear river to take plunges in after getting out of the hot water. There is also a gorgeous 20 min hike to Doris or Tule lakes where I swear you can see the bottom of the lake, it's that untouched, plus so secluded you can skinny dip at will...The trails around the springs are very marshy btw due to the constant seeping mineral water, oh and the mud baths are amazing (pic above)...we hogged that bathtub daily, wife and I doing a lazy cowboy bath photo shoot in it hah!

Good times...

[algunz]

That looks beautiful.

We were up in Tahoe at the beginning of the month, and took the Squaw Valley Tram to the top of the mountain. We decided to hike down, and it was awesome. It was really rocky and quite a challenge, but nothing that a couple of 9 year olds couldn't handle.























The last picture shows pretty much the distance that we hiked down.

[HowToDisappear]

Went out to Kelso Dunes in the Mojave National Preserve last weekend. We came to make the sand sing (the dunes are "singing sands" or "booming dunes" and they resonate with a sound like the drone of low-flying aircraft or a digeridoo when it slides), but the rain and damp sand prevented that from happening. But the area is so beautiful, and the clouds and sky and fog were so spectacular, we didn't care that the sand wouldn't sing for us. We'll try again another time when conditions are drier.

[1litro]

Yum, espresso atop of Kelso Dunes

[algunz]

Awesome.

[HowToDisappear]

Made a trip out to Mt Pinos (8848') in the Los Padres National Forest, just 1/2 hour west of the Grapevine, Frazier Park Mountain Rd exit. It was supposed to be for a mtb video shoot, which was then canceled because of weather, but we elected to come up anyway to check the place out. I've been up and down the Grapevine a million times in my life and it's generally just a nightmare that you want to get through - which means you never get off the freeway unless you're out of gas or overheating. So we never knew there's beauty that awaits just a few miles off the road. Best of all, because of the weather, we got SNOW.



The summit is an easy two mile walk up from the Nordic Base, and it's the highest point in Ventura County.



Instead of going back down the 5, we elected to return home via the east-west traverse (another thing we never knew existed in that area!) on Lockwood Valley Rd to the 33 - which takes you to Ojai (and on to Ventura). The drive to Ojai is really beautiful, twisty two-lane road with virtually no cars, but a few motorcycles. We saw lots of trail heads and a great climbing spot along the way. This entire area would be worth more exploration - by mtb, by foot, by motorcycle.



One of the great glories of CA is that you can do this - mountain snow to balmy sea - in the course of a weekend or a day.

[algunz]

I always love your pics, HtD.

[HowToDisappear]

It really was an enjoyable trip. We were wholly unfamiliar with the area, and were genuinely surprised with what we found. I mean, who knew it was so pretty out there??? (I presume Los Angelenos know.) Another thing I learned was that during the spring/early summer, Tejon Ranch now allows the public onto the conservancy with guided hikes/drives (you have to register in advance). I signed up for the last spot on an all-day 4WD tour for Memorial Day weekend. Camera will be at the ready.

[looseccp]

can still walk on the desert sand barefoot. It's not too hot yet. Off-trail is where you find the bigger lizards as they seemingly don't expect to encounter you. I was like "dang, you huge *****" and he looks up and says "you huge too" before taking off.

just opened hikesupply.com . I provide a transportation included two day hike tour of the Coachella Valley, both known and secret spots, and you provide the money and/or trade items. IPO soon.

[looseccp]

Anyone done Strawberry Junction Idyllwild? Which campsite of the three (Sky, Pine, South views) is best? Got the Tallon 44 loaded, and heavy heh, ready to go in avo.

Already came up with this philosophy for the overnight trek: "Better to have too much booze than not enough and run out wanting another drink".

THis thread is rated "three stars". What a bunch of lazy, unappreciative cocks. Probably lay on the couch watching Big Bang Theory reruns all day (ie the worst show I've ever had to endure).

[algunz]