Mystic Canyon and Lower Monroe Hike - November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a good time to hit the trail and be thankful for creation and the beauty of nature. I’ve done a few Thanksgiving hikes over the years as holiday plans permitted. Since I have the morning free today before leaving to celebrate Thanksgiving with family, I have the opportunity to hike, as do a couple friends.

I drive to Glendora and meet John and Rick at Rick’s house. We pile into the car and take the five-minute drive to the Mystic Canyon trailhead in Big Dalton Canyon. There are lots of cars parked at the intersection of Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) and Big Dalton Canyon Road and at the trailhead. It’s a brisk 52 degrees.

8:10 Begin hike. I forgot how crazy steep the first section of the trail is. I assure my buddies that shortly it mellows out and the rest of the hike is quite gentle. It’s cloudy and brisk and we welcome the generated heat from the steep climb. We enjoy the expanding views of Glendora and think about Thanksgiving preparation happening in many of those homes. We exchange Thanksgiving greetings with others on the trail. Rick and John are engaged in considerable conversation but I hang back a little and just soak in the beauty of my surrounds. There is virtually nothing in bloom and deciduous plants like poison oak are hunkering down for the winter with their leafless stems. Some recent rain has invigorated plants from the arid months while weedy grasses are brown and dead. The chaparral has wonderful fragrance. A sunflower cheerfully greets us. I am so thankful for the splendor of nature!

Our route climbs north along the western side of Mystic Canyon, a tributary to Big Dalton Canyon. We choose to take the two long switchbacks for the final pitch rather than steep use path from Poop-Out Trail.

8:49 - Junction with Lower Monroe Road (aka Truck Trail). Wonderful vistas! Three gals have Rick take their picture. A small America flag attached to the sign post flutters in the wind. Patchy sun peaks through the clouds. Across Little Dalton Canyon to our west, vehicle noise on GMR detracts from the serenity. To our northeast, Summit 2760 stands pointed against the sky, but we won’t bag it today. Our plan is a two-hour hike, so when we get to the 60-minute point, we’ll turn around and head back.

After a few minutes at the junction, we head northeast on Lower Monroe Road and enjoy the expansive view north. Occasionally mountain bikers swoosh by us. I suspect that most are doing the one-way downhill from GMR, about a nine mile ride. A mother and her young daughter (maybe 10 years old), both clad in colorful riding gear, come racing down the trail. The young lady enthusiastically greets us, “Happy thanksgiveeeeeeeing!” as she wizzes by. We reach the sign post for Punk Out Trial and stop for a selfie (does not turn out well so we retry on our return).

9:11 - Reach our one-hour mark and take a brief stop. The view north begs for a panorama shot.



We turn around and head back, now engaged in a lively conversation about creationism. I’m not an expert but I’m thankful for a personal relationship with the Creator! When we reach the Punk Out post, a pair of cyclists offers to take our picture. Our descent is pleasant. Such a beautiful autumn day!

9:35 - Mystic Canyon junction. We linger for a few minutes, chat with a family of cyclists, and enjoy the views. The trails are getting lots of use today. We retrace our steps down Mystic Canyon Trial and continue to appreciate the gifts of rugged scenery and good friends.

10:10 - End hike.

Epilog – What a pleasant outing! Splendid trail, fresh air, brisk temperatures, picturesque clouds, superb vistas, aromatic chaparral, and a sense of holiday set aside for being grateful. We have so much to be thankful for!

Psalm 100 (Holy Bible, English Standard Version)
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
     Serve the Lord with gladness!
     Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God!
     It is he who made us, and we are his;
     we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
     and his courts with praise!
     Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
     his steadfast love endures forever,
     and his faithfulness to all generations.

  Experience the Creator

See Mystic Canyon Trail & Lower Monroe Road to Summit 2760 and Summit 3397 Hike Description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

PREVIOUS > Mystic Canyon and Lower Monroe Hike - January 25, 2014

Mystic Canyon and Lower Monroe Hike - January 25, 2014

See Mystic Canyon Trail & Lower Monroe Road to Summit 2760 and Summit 3397 Hike Description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

The devastating Colby Fire that consumed nearly 2,000 acres of our beautiful mountainside above Glendora and Azusa last week has been occupying my mind. I felt compelled to hit the trail today to achieve a vantage point to survey the east end of the burn zone where it started. Mystic Canyon Trail and beyond is ideal for such a hike.

My wife drives me to the trailhead since it is close to home and she needs the car today. We turn onto Glendora Mountain Road and a lighted sign reads, “Hiking Trails Closed.” I don’t suspect that that applies to where I’m heading, and it didn’t. We turn right onto Big Dalton Canyon Road and drive the half mile to the trailhead. There are ten vehicles parked here. It’s brisk.

9:00 AM – Begin hike on Upper Mystical Canyon Trail. Within a couple minutes the trail gets crazy steep. I had forgotten how steep it is. But the steepness doesn’t last long and soon I’m out of the shade and views open up to the southwest beyond. A group of about 12 young folks and several adults pass by heading down. I’m enjoying the rich chaparral…such a contrast to my burned mountain in Azusa. It almost feels like summer with so many of the plants being parched from our drought conditions.

I slip and fall and get a nasty scrape on my wrist. Thankful for coagulation. Summit 2760 comes into view at the head of canyon. I snap pics of wild cucumber and purple nightshade flowers, the only thing I’ve seen in bloom so far. Tiny leaves of poison oak emerge from dormant sticks. At the saddle, I turn left (west) take the short spur trail to Poop-Out Trail that runs along the ridge. I get my first good views west across Little Dalton Canyon toward the burn area. What’s encouraging is mountainsides covered with mature chaparral untouched by the fire. I turn north for the steep climb.

9:43 – Lower Monroe Road. Looking north toward Glendora Mountain, I get a good view of the freshly cut dozer lines. I chat with a mountain biker. There are other trail users but it doesn’t feel crowed. The warm sun feels good. I head northeast on the old truck trail, which points directly to Summit 2760. Within a minute I veer right and transition to the ridgeline which parallels the old road, just to follow a narrow path. Views are expansive over the rugged chaparral-covered mountains. Two lone blossoms of California buckwheat bask in the sun. What’s absent is the green grass that would normally present this time of year.

Soon the route rejoins the main trail and I come to a post marked “Punk Out.” The post also says Dalton IHC. I have no idea what that means but later a Google search reveals that it probably refers Dalton Integrated Hotshot Crew. I veer right unto Punk Out Trail to continue my saunter long the undulating ridge. It’s steep in spots, providing an opportunity to catch my breath while enjoying the sweeping panorama.

When I arrive at the base of the steep section going straight up the south ridge of Summit 2760, I sit for a break and treat my abrasion. At 10:40 I begin my climb. I’ve come down this route before but I think this is my first time to climb it. It’s crazy steep and certainly not for the faint-of-heart. Soon I see a young man coming up the trail behind me. His pace is faster and he passes me. I continue up, carefully choosing the spot for each step and stopping occasionally to catch my breath. I’m encouraged when I see bicyclists cross on the trail not far above.

11:02 - Reach Lower Monroe Road again near Summit 2760. What a climb! I chat with the young man, whose name is Clayton. He is student at the Rio Hondo College studying to be a wildland firefighter. We say goodbye and I continue north up the road at 11:27. In a couple minutes I reach the saddle then double back for the finial climb.

11:33 - Summit 2760. This is really a splendid peak. It should have name. I post a pic to FB. Due west across Little Dalton Canyon is Summit 2583, where I was on December 31 before descending Upper Colby Trail. A newly cut dozer line replaced the path I walked up to the summit from Glendora Ridge Road. A helicopter lands on the summit. I suspect it has some function related to the fire.

From this perspective I see only a small portion of the burn area. In contrast, I am surrounded by many thousands of areas of mature chaparral. I’m encouraged because I know that most of this area was incinerated by the 2002 Williams Fire, which burned 37,240 acres. Now it’s thriving nicely. A prime motive for today’s hike was to view Colby Fire damage. What I did not anticipate was the therapeutic value of being surrounded by miles of rich, mature wildlands. It is so peaceful and rejuvenating here.

When I started today, I did not know how far I’d hike, thinking maybe I’d turn around at this point. But now that I’m here, I think I’ll continue on to Summit 3397, which stands north north east and calls me higher.

I leave the summit at 11:55 and in three minutes I’m back on the road. I’m enjoying the scenery and solitude. Three mountain bikers swoosh by. One of the downsides of this trail is that are many segments where the trail tread has been worn into a rounded trench by the bike traffic. It makes it uncomfortable to walk.

Although there is virtually nothing in bloom, some occurrences of ceanothus, purple nightshade, Spanish broom, and current add a few tiny dots of color amidst a vast sea of gray and varied muted greens. Some views open up east toward Mt. Baldy and Ontario Ridge. It’s odd to see them without snow in January. I think about some friends who are hiking there today. As I get closer to the broad ridge dropping south from Summit 3397, I think about my adventure bushwhacking down that route a few years back. Today I don’t see any sign of a clear route. I stay on the trail. As the route bends around the west hip, views toward the north open up. Traffic on GMR puzzles me because it’s supposed to be closed today. Scattered high clouds add interest to blue sky. I arrive at the junction north of the summit at 12:49 and am treated to a striking panorama of the eastern high country. I turn right (south), pass straight through the old beehive area, and begin the gentle climb up the old firebreak. A lupine stands tall with it first purple bloom of the season.

12:59 - Summit 3397. The large, flat summit is the highest point in this section of the range. I’m surprised that it’s not named. It offers commanding views except toward the northwest, which is obscured by vegetation. I sit in a clear spot on the southwest edge, post a pic to FB, and soak in the beauty. Far below me I see my trail. Summit 2960 looks tiny from here. Beyond the mountains to the south, the vast human sprawl disappears into haze. I look over the expansive San Dimas Experimental Forest which covers 32-square miles to the south and east of where I sit. I ponder its peaks, ridges, canyons, and waterfalls…most never or rarely visited by humans and off limits to the public. Which begs the question, how would I know that I can’t just leave this summit and descend into the forbidden furrows below? There are no signs anywhere en route. Of course if I was arrested for trespassing and pleaded ignorance, they would take one look at my website and quickly realize that I’m far for ignorant. So I guess I’ll be a good boy and stay out, at least today.

I leave the summit at 1:30 and begin to retrace my steps. When I arrive at the road, I wander north for a few minutes to get some different views. Back at the junction I continue my homeward trek. I’m always amazed that I can hike in such a splendid local and have it virtually to myself. Where are all those hundreds of Garcia Trail hikers now that it’s closed?

I pass by the Punk Out junction near Summit 2760 at 2:25, choosing to walk back via Upper Monroe Road rather than down Punk Out…it’s just too steep for downhill, at least today. I enjoy the zig-route down the west-facing slope. A sticky monkey flower is in bloom. A couple mountain bikers pass. Stop and chat with three hikers; one is Tommy, who I met on Garcia Trail a couple years ago. I pass the spur trail that connects to the bottom end of the Punk Out steep section at 3:15. I pass the Punk Out post at 3:25. I’m aware that a good section of this return route is new track for me today since I walked along the ridgeline earlier.

At 3:35 I reach the Upper Mystic Canyon Trail junction. I chat with a gal who just hiked up. I head down Mystic (new section for me today) then at the saddle I transition unto Poop-Out Trail for my descent, just to keep mixing things up. And I figure since I’m being picked up, I’d save the half-mile walk between trail heads.

The first part of Poop-Out is mild. Then there are a couple steeper sections which require some careful steps. Then I reach the nightmare. The route is absurdly steep with precarious footing. It’s just crazy! Note to self: Never descend this way again! I cautiously pick my down, sometimes with all fours and on my butt, and sometimes backwards. About halfway down I put on my leather gloves for protection. I’m not having fun. I reach the landing at the switchback and can see my wife parked below. The route gets sane. I make it safely to the bottom in one piece with no falls or injuries. Thankful!

4:35 - End hike.

Epilog - A most rewarding day! I covered about 8.5 miles with 2,300 feet in elevation gain. That’s a good workout. I loved the solitude and serenity yet enjoyed some interaction with others. The weather was amazing and the snowless backcountry in January was strange. I was able to view some of the Colby Fire areas but was rejuvenated being surrounded by miles of mature plant life.

See Mystic Canyon Trail & Lower Monroe Road to Summit 2760 and Summit 3397 Hike Description on Dan’s Hiking Pages

See Colby Fire - January 16, 2014 blog post

Lower Monroe Road Hike - February 27, 2011

I watched carefully as they forecasted another winter storm hitting Friday into Saturday with snow dropping below the 1,000-foot level. The storm did hit and by Sunday the skies were clear, air was brisk, and there was plenty of snow on the mountains. I wanted to do a hike with great views of the snow-covered mountains, so I decided on Monroe Truck Trail and its two unnamed summits. And it had been five years since I hiked to them, so I figured it would be good to revisit. I drove from my home in Azusa to Little Dalton Picnic Area on Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) just above Glendora.

10:30 - Begin hike heading north on Lower Monroe Truck Trail. The name is a misnomer since this footpath heading along the bottom of Little Dalton Canyon has no semblance of ever being a truck trail. The air is brisk and sun feels good. I love the beauty and aromas after a rain. In my hike description I had mentioned "some boulder hopping along the way," but it did not prepare me for what I would encounter. A few minutes into the hike I arrive at my first creek crossing. The water is swift but I am able to cross with no difficulty. Minutes later the next crossing is deep and wide. I find a long, hefty tree branch to help stabilize me in the precarious crossing. I keep it. There are a total 11 crossings en route, really slowing down my pace and threatening to drench me nearly every time. I manage to safely ford each one. About a half mile in I stop to check out the old mine on the west bank...not much to see.

11:26 - Reach the end of the canyon-bottom route and switch back to the south and begin to climb the east slope of Little Dalton Canyon. Even though it was a truck trail at one time, nature has reclaimed this route and it has the feel of a single-track trail. The climb is gentle and views are expanding. Not much is bloom. Horry-leaved ceanothus and wild cucumber are the predominate blooming plants, with mountain lilac starting to make its appearance. Vehicles can be heard on GMR across the canyon, particularly motorcycles. Aside from a jogger and his dog and several mountain bikers, I enjoy relative solitude. To the north up canyon, Glendora Mountain comes into view, where I was last weekend.

12:36 - At 2.3 miles from the start, I arrive at the junction with Upper Mystic Canyon Trail coming up from the south from Big Dalton Canyon. A happy sunflower greets me. Haze mutes the view of the urban sprawl to the south. To the east, snow-covered Ontario Peak pokes up over the ridgeline. The trail heads northeast pointing directly to summit 2760, my first summit destination for the day. I wander along at a causal pace and stop often to photograph plants and scenery. This cool day is perfect weather to hike this sun-drenched trail. After awhile the trail contours to the northwest across the southwest flank of summit 2760. In the canyon below I can see the trail I ascended. A lone blossom of California buckwheat makes an appearance; in a few months this creamy white flower will dominate the landscape here. I take a 20-minute break at a vista point. Now climb the switchbacks east. Encounter eight other hikers in four parties. The snow-covered high country to the north comes into view. Swing around the east side of the summit and up the use path on its north side.

2:18 - Summit 2760. The unobstructed, 360-degree vista is striking. I'm concerned about the time. I still have several more miles and 800 feet of elevation gain to bag summit 3397 with a little more than 3 hours till sunset. I assess the situation and decided that I have enough time to continue on if I move at a good pace and don't doddle snapping plant photos. Leave the summit and continue northeast with earnestness.

I see the summit up ahead. The area has rebounded nicely since the 2002 Williams Fire. Chaparral is resilient. More views of the eastern high county open up. Mountain bikers heading downhill occasionally swoosh by me. I pass along the southwest flank of the summit, reach a hip, head northeast, and arrive at the ridge north of the summit. What a magnificent panorama from north to east! I take a right, walk past the apiary (no beehives are present) and climb the old firebreak south. It's not too steep.

3:19 - Summit 3397. I've made it. The broad peak offers commanding views of the heart of eastern San Gabriels. It's odd to me that this peak has no name. I have a bite to eat, tend my feet, and study the scenery. I'd like to linger longer but the sun is quickly dipping and I don't want to be finishing this hike in the dark with frigid winter temperatures.

3:45 - Leave the summit and descend using the old firebreak south. This is the route I took five years earlier. It's a lot brushier now and some steep sections require vigilance. I reach the main trail in 23 minutes. The question is, Is this really a short cut? It took me 30 minutes ascending from here to the peak on the main trail. It would be faster of course coming down. So the time saved with the shortcut is negligible. I have made that observation over the years trying various "shortcuts."

4:35 - Arrive at the shortcut junction south of summit 2760. The route heads directly down an old, steep firebreak to intersect the main trail. Again, this is a situation where the distance is much shorter than taking the main trail, but is it actually time-efficient? I go for it. This short cut is quite steep with precarious footing. It takes me 15 minutes to reach the main trail. It took me 36 minutes ascending from here to the upper junction on the main trail. Probably could have done it in 25 coming down, so I saved maybe 10 minutes.

Continue down the trail. The warm late-afternoon lights makes for nice photos. I arrive at Upper Mystic Trail junction at 5:13. Rather than returning via Little Dalton Canyon, my plan now is to descend the ridge via Poop-Out Trail. I know this is indeed a short cut, particularly with all the creek crossings in the canyon. I put on my fleece and gloves and begin my descent. Blue dicks and showy penstemon add to my blooming plant sightings for the day. The first half of the trial is pretty decent, but then it becomes crazy steep. The going is slow. I take a shot of the sun dipping out of sight at 5:43.

5:51 - Finish the hike, sort of. Poop-Out Trail deposits me at the intersection of GMR and Big Dalton Canyon Road, 0.8 mile from my car. I saunter slowly up the road, snack on trail mix, and reflect on a thoroughly enjoyable outing.

See Hike Description at Dan’s Hiking Pages
(Detailed trail guide includes driving directions, recommended season, map, notes, links, and photos): Mystic Canyon Trail & Lower Monroe Road to Summit 2760 and Summit 3397 (via Big Dalton Canyon)