Your Bio

Hello family and friends (both old and new) Joe Stewart here, a.k.a. "just-another-joe", and I hope you enjoy this website.

I live in Southern California in a nice area near Corona called Horsethief Canyon Ranch that adjoins the Cleveland National Forest at Trabuco, Santiago, and Modjeska Peaks (elevations 4900-5700 ft). The views are great and the weather excellent almost all year round. This area provides close access to both the southern mountains and beaches, and is ideally suited to those who enjoy outdoor activities. I enjoy traditional strength training exercises, hiking, skiing, and adventure photography as hobbies, among others.

I work as a regional manager for a premium forest products company, International Paper, in Ontario CA. Our facility converts, warehouses, and distributes a wide variety of paper and paperboard sheets and rolls for printing customers in 12 western states, including Hawaii. Our company also proudly supports and is a leader in the sustainable forestry initiative (SFI) where we replant more trees than we harvest each year, and harvest only "crop" tree plantations and not old growth forest.

A limited number of the gallery files will be password protected for family only, so please contact me for the access PIN. My email address is "joe.stewart@ipaper.com".

Please keep in mind that this is "work in progress" and that I will update photo files and galleries approximately every two weeks. The text descriptions of the gallery and individual photos normally take the longest to write and input, so I appreciate your patience and my apologies in advance.

My personal goals are to complete the fifty U.S. state highpoints, the seven (or eight) Global highpoints, and visit both North and South Poles, while simultaneously taking some beautiful documentary photos.

Galleries identified with a " ^^ " double peak in the title indicate Global highpoint hikes.

Galleries identified with a " ** " double asterisk in the title indicate US state highpoint hikes.


A summary of completed Global highpoint hikes thus far is:

Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa (planned September 2008)
Mt Elbrus, Georgia, Russia (planning stages)
Mt Aconcagua, Argentina, South America (planning stages)


A summary of completed US state highpoint hikes thus far is:

Tennessee.................Arizona..............................Massachusetts.........Connecticut (planned)
Arkansas....................California (postponed).......Vermont...................New Jersey (planned)
Georgia......................Hawai'i...............................New Hampshire
South Carolina...........Louisiana...........................Virginia
Alabama.....................North Carolina...................Florida
Mississippi..................Kentucky............................Idaho (postponed)
Oklahoma...................Missouri.............................Ohio
Nebraska...................Oregon...............................Indiana
Kansas.......................Delaware...........................South Dakota
Texas.........................West Virginia......................North Dakota
Colorado....................Pennsylvania......................Iowa
New Mexico................Maryland............................Illinois
Nevada......................Maine (postponed).............Rhode Island (planned)


Southern and Central California regional highpoints of interest that have been completed include:

Stonewall Peak...................San Bernardino Peak.........Bertha Peak
Tahquitz Peak.....................Onyx Peak.........................Toro Peak
San Gabriel Peak.................Twin Peaks
Sugarloaf Mountain.............Cuyamaca Peak
Red Tahquitz Peak..............Sitton Peak
Mt San Antonio (Baldy)........Mt Dana
Mt San Jacinto.....................Ryan Mountain
Mt Baden-Powell.................Mt Williamson
White Mountain Peak..........Mt Islip
Cucamonga Peak.................El Cajon Mountain
Telescope Peak...................Mission Peak
Santiago Peak...................."Big Iron" Mountain
Strawberry Peak..................Mt Langley
Mt San Gorgonio..................Mt Tamalpais
Ontario Peak.......................Cornell Peak
Etiwanda Peak.....................Palomar Mountain


Unique hikes or climbs outside California exclusive of US Highpoints or Global Summits that have been completed include:

Grand Canyon: Rim-to-River-to-Rim
Devil's Tower, WY (postponed)
Crater Lake Rim Road and Mount Scott, OR (postponed)



Happy hiking..............!

Friends & Family

Galleries

password protected gallery

Uncle David Stewart's Funeral, Gallatin TN May 5-6, 2008

Updated: May 07, 2008 7:09am PST

Sightseeing & Lost Horse Gold Mine Hike, Joshua Tree National Park CA May 2, 2008 :

Sightseeing & Lost Horse Gold Mine Hike, Joshua Tree National Park CA May 2, 2008

Updated: May 05, 2008 3:39am PST

Ines at the Team PossAbilities Sprint Triathlon Redlands CA, April 27, 2008 :

Ines at the Team PossAbilities Sprint Triathlon Redlands CA, April 27, 2008

Updated: Apr 28, 2008 11:35pm PST

Ines Family & Ines and Cristina Running the Boston Marathon April 18-21, 2008 :

Ines Family & Ines and Cristina Running the Boston Marathon April 18-21, 2008

Updated: Apr 28, 2008 5:47pm PST

Mt Baden-Powell Snow and Ice Climb Wrightwood, CA April 20, 2008 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150664/baden-powell.html

Mt Baden-Powell Snow and Ice Climb Wrightwood, CA April 20, 2008

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150664/baden-powell. ...

Updated: Apr 22, 2008 3:20pm PST

Jose and Ruth Velasquez Wedding at the Edward's Mansion, Redlands CA April 12, 2008 :

Jose and Ruth Velasquez Wedding at the Edward's Mansion, Redlands CA April 12, 2008

Updated: Apr 14, 2008 5:48pm PST

Death Valley CA Visit with Easter Weekend Hikes to Fossil Falls and Corkscrew Peak....March 21-23, 2008 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154960/pyramid-peak-death-valley-.html weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153731/corkscrew-peak.html weblink3: http://www.furnacecreekresort.com/furnace-creek-inn-1222.html

Death Valley CA Visit with Easter Weekend Hikes to Fossil Falls and Corkscrew Peak....March 21-23, 2008

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154960/pyramid-peak- ...

Updated: Mar 23, 2008 8:35pm PST

Desert Wildflowers #2...Trip to see Tax Advisor: Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, and Indio CA with Orocopia Mountains March 16, 2008 :

Desert Wildflowers #2...Trip to see Tax Advisor: Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, and Indio CA with Orocopia Mountains March 16, 2008

Updated: Mar 17, 2008 2:29am PST

Wildflower Season in the SoCal Deserts...March 2008 : weblink: http://www.abdnha.org/03flower_main.html

Wildflower Season in the SoCal Deserts...March 2008

weblink: http://www.abdnha.org/03flower_main.html

Updated: Mar 10, 2008 5:20am PST

Santa Rosa Mountain--Toro Peak Hike, Anza CA March 2, 2008 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/307132/toro-peak.html

Santa Rosa Mountain--Toro Peak Hike, Anza CA March 2, 2008

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/307132/toro-peak.html

Updated: Apr 07, 2008 7:09pm PST

Spitler Peak Hike #2, Idyllwild CA February 17, 2008 :

Spitler Peak Hike #2, Idyllwild CA February 17, 2008

Updated: Feb 18, 2008 6:09am PST

West Fork San Gabriel River Canyon Hike, Azusa CA February 9, 2008 : weblink1: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/WestFork_4472.asp weblink2: http://www.nearfield.com/~dan/sports/bike/mountain/sgwf/index.htm Hard to believe looking at some of these photos over the past week around the plant in Ontario and day of the hike around Azusa Canyon and the river that the temperature was almost 80 F....! It was supposed to be a beautiful, sunny weekend, and warmer than over the past several months, so I wanted to get out and explore a new hike but not tackle more snow climbing.....at least this time. I had originally wanted to do this hike in the fall, as I am sure the wild trout stream would be very scenic with some fall colors and leaves layered all around it......but it turned out better than I had thought since in winter there are no leaves to block the incredible view of the surrounding mountainscapes, especially when snow covered. The hike is pretty level on a single lane paved forest access road, gaining only about 800 vertical feet from the trailhead to Cogswell Dam, my target for the hike. Roundtrip mileage across the dam and back was approximately 15-16 miles, and definitely quick for me.....even with photos and a 40 minute stop at the dam, a roundtrip time at almost exactly six hours. I saw several pairs of mountain and street bike couples, a few picnicking families with small children, a group of young Boy Scouts setting up for an overnight outing at Glenn Camp, and the USFS and LAMWD personnel managing the facilities. An absolutely beautiful day to be out in the San Gabriel mountains!

West Fork San Gabriel River Canyon Hike, Azusa CA February 9, 2008

weblink1: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/WestFork_4472.asp weblink2 ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2008 8:24pm PST

Visit to Oak Ridge TN and Bowling Green KY January 19-27, 2008 :

Visit to Oak Ridge TN and Bowling Green KY January 19-27, 2008

Updated: Feb 06, 2008 10:31am PST

The Desert Divide: Spitler and Apache Peak Hikes, Idyllwild CA January 13, 2008 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/222689/spitler-peak.html weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/253966/apache-peak.html

The Desert Divide: Spitler and Apache Peak Hikes, Idyllwild CA January 13, 2008

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/222689/spitler-peak. ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2008 7:13pm PST

Bertha Peak, Big Bear Lake CA Hike December 30, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/308287/bertha-peak.html I had not ventured up to Big Bear lake for several years, and wanted to do that along with a hike.....so a little research later resulted in choosing the Cougar Crest trail to local highpoint Bertha Peak, starting at the Big Bear adventure center located off of Highway 38 on the north shore of the lake about 5 miles east from the dam. I had hoped for a long-awaited heavy snowstorm for some classic "postcard quality" photos of the Big Bear area, but only light to moderate snow up to this weekend point in time. The extended weekend following this visit and hike, January 4-7, was the first major snowstorm of the season, 1-2 feet worth above 7000 ft elevation. However, for the hike, sunny weather and temperatures around 45 degrees at the lake level, and natually slightly cooler moving up into the surrounding higher mountains. The hike started out as scheduled, other than the extra full hour it took to get there, 2 1/2 hours total driving time from Corona.....the rest of SoCal was out to sightsee and sled with the kids this weekend as well. Temperatures were around 48-50 F at the adventure center, with a stiff breeze of about 20 mph blowing from the south. A short interpretive ranger hike was gearing up about the same time as I started my hike to Bertha, approximately 7 1/2 miles roundtrip from the center. Views were excellent over Big Bear lake as stated in the LocalHikes.com and summitpost.org website hike summaries. Just about the time I intersected the PCT, there was a distinct snow level line of about 4-6 inches that hung with me the balance of the hike, especially on the north facing sides of the mountains. I brought, but did not put on any crampons for this hike, although the thought crossed my mind in several of the icier spots. The peak has an FCC air traffic control station and several other government relay stations on it, along with great views of both Big Bear lake and the Mt San Gorgonio complex (10,600-11,500 ft elevations). Temperatures had dropped along the way and hung around 35-36 F at rthe peak with the wind still blowing, so a final wind chill reading of approximately 26-28 F. I made it down just after dark having started at around 12:30 pm, and did not end up needing a headlamp. There was still a man, his son, and a large Irish setter headed up at the point I was already a mile down, and about 20 minutes or less before sunset. They did not have any lights, extra food, or footgear for ice, so I sincerely hope they made it down safely. I told the rangers after loading up the car that there were still hikers on the mountain, in the event they called or were not soon seen and accounted for. Overall, a beautiful day at a high lake (7000 ft elevation) and a nice hike to view the entire area...!

Bertha Peak, Big Bear Lake CA Hike December 30, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/308287/bertha-peak.h ...

Updated: Dec 31, 2007 8:45am PST

Christmas with My Children and Grandchildren, White Hall AR December 22-25, 2007 :

Christmas with My Children and Grandchildren, White Hall AR December 22-25, 2007

Updated: Jan 01, 2008 11:01am PST

Lynne's Birthday, Livermore CA and Manager's Meeting, Memphis TN December 6-14, 2007 :

Lynne's Birthday, Livermore CA and Manager's Meeting, Memphis TN December 6-14, 2007

Updated: Dec 26, 2007 2:04pm PST

Palomar Mountain Summit Firetower & Observatory Hikes, Fallbrook CA December 2, 2007 : weblink1: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/guides/31d.htm weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/243656/palomar-mountain.html Weather forecast below for the SoCal area the weekend following my 4WD and hike adventure that itself was plagued with road closures on both East and West entrances from CA Hwy 76 due to severe mudslides and dam break flooding. The only open road in the area was the fire road to the summit firetower on Palomar Mountain...a 14 mile one-way adventure at about 5 mph in 1st gear due to the condition of the rutted and washed out dirt base, and presence of boulders that had rolled across the road, even forcing me to get out twice and roll some out of the way for passage! Needless to say, another full day's adventure by the time I had nearly circumnavigated Temecula twice, failed to get to the Observatory, and completed the roundtrip to the firetower. Positive factors and some saving grace for the day involved great weather, a lack of solid snow and ice on the road for more than I have shown in the photos, and a section of the road in the middle that had a base coating of asphalt over the dirt. THE SNOW LEVEL WILL START ABOVE 7000 FEET BUT WILL LOWER TO NEAR 5000 FEET IN THE SAN BERNARDINO MOUNTAINS BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THERE COULD BE LOCAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OVER TWO FEET AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS BUT WIDESPREAD TOTALS SHOULD BE IN THE HALF TO ONE FOOT RANGE IN THE SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY MOUNTAINS. THE SNOW LEVEL WILL LOWER TO NEAR 4000 FEET BY SUNDAY. THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF THE SAN DIEGO MOUNTAINS (i.e. Palomar) COULD EVENTUALLY GET UP TO HALF A FOOT OF SNOW. IF THE STORM CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AS EXPECTED...IT WILL ONCE AGAIN POSE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT OF MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN AND BELOW RECENTLY BURNED AREAS AND ON STEEP TERRAIN. SINCE RAINFALL RATES ARE LIKELY TO BE HIGH AT TIMES ON FRIDAY...THE DEBRIS FLOW THREAT WILL BE ENHANCED. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL RECHARGE OF SURFACE MOISTURE AND AQUIFERS BELOW RIVER BEDS FROM THE STORM LAST WEEKEND...SO MORE OF THE RAIN THIS STORM WILL RUN OFF INTO STREAMS... RIVERS...AND NORMALLY DRY WASHES. IN ADDITION TO POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND DEBRIS FLOWS...SHORT PERIODS OF VERY HEAVY RAIN CAN PRODUCE URBAN FLOODING OF POORLY DRAINED...LOW LYING AREAS.

Palomar Mountain Summit Firetower & Observatory Hikes, Fallbrook CA December 2, 2007

weblink1: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/guides/31d.htm weblink2: ...

Updated: Dec 02, 2007 10:46pm PST

Mt Baldy Training Hike November 18, 2007 :

Mt Baldy Training Hike November 18, 2007

Updated: Nov 20, 2007 8:15pm PST

Southern California Wildfires October 2007 : Informational, but not high quality photos in this gallery. The Santiago and Siverado Canyon fires were the closest to my home, immediately behind Santiago Peak on the Orange County side, located up-and-over-the-mountain on the west side of Horsethief Canyon Ranch neighborhood. Note the twin peak "V" shape in several of the first six distance photos, this is formed by Santiago and Modjesca peaks. The photos show what the smoke plume looked like from downtown Corona with the wind still basically flowing off-shore. When the flow reversed to a more typical on-shore SW flow, the neighborhood got pretty smoky and ashed for several days until a light rain and fire containment significantly improved air quality. Between the clouds and smoke, the sunsets were beautiful, albeit during a major tragedy.

Southern California Wildfires October 2007

Informational, but not high quality photos in this gallery. The Santia ...

Updated: Nov 08, 2007 9:57pm PST

**Mt Mitchell, NC** Highpoint Hike with Visits to Linville Falls and Grandfather Mountain NC October 10-11, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150539/mount-mitchell.html weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153329/mount-craig.html weblink3: http://nuwrayinn.com/ weblink4: http://www.switzerlandinn.com/ The summit tower and all access trails are closed to the public as of mid-October 2006, in preparation for the new summit tower construction with an estimated completion date of September 2007. Two new tunnels are also being built along the Blue Ridge Parkway during this same time, so winter access to this entire area will be limited. An unpopular decision for me, but will have to postpone the visit and hike and wait the new projects out.

**Mt Mitchell, NC** Highpoint Hike with Visits to Linville Falls and Grandfather Mountain NC October 10-11, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150539/mount-mitchel ...

Updated: Nov 08, 2007 9:41pm PST

**Clingmans Dome, TN** Highpoint Hike(s) Circa 1964-1972 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150543/clingmans-dome.html Well, the appearance is a little different now.......but maybe some things don't change as much as we think they do....and couldn't resist the opportunity to post these "rugged" photos from a few years back. Here is a young highpointer, long before it was fashionable, dressed in then state-of-the-art Tennessee summer hiking attire......high performance Keds, and matching socks, shirt, and shorts....the shorts with the requisite ironed creases....and finally, the obligatory high performance digital (sorry...that's Polaroid instamatic) camera in hand ready to go...! Other photos......a even younger hiker with his Mom posing as we go across the Little Pigeon River on the way up the Chimney Tops trail, and the infamous "need another hand or two" camera action with a film change on the Polaroid beside Highway 441 on the way to Alum Cave Bluffs in the fall. Enjoy.............!

**Clingmans Dome, TN** Highpoint Hike(s) Circa 1964-1972

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150543/clingmans-dom ...

Updated: Aug 28, 2007 6:15pm PST

White Family Reunion, Omaha NE October 6-7 and **Hawkeye Point, IA** Highpoint Visit October 8, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152530/hawkeye-point.html weblink2: http://highpointers.org/newsletter/62/sterler-interview.shtml

White Family Reunion, Omaha NE October 6-7 and **Hawkeye Point, IA** Highpoint Visit October 8, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152530/hawkeye-point ...

Updated: Oct 09, 2007 9:05pm PST

Yosemite National Park: Sightseeing Hikes to Mono Lake and Green Creek Lake & Canyon, Lee Vining and Bridgeport CA September 29-30, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.yosemitegatewaymotel.com/default.htm weblink2: http://www.terragalleria.com/california/california.mono-lake.html weblink3: http://www.geocities.com/johnwako@sbcglobal.net/east-green.html weblink4: http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=HGS372-057

Yosemite National Park: Sightseeing Hikes to Mono Lake and Green Creek Lake & Canyon, Lee Vining and Bridgeport CA September 29-30, 2007

weblink1: http://www.yosemitegatewaymotel.com/default.htm weblink2: h ...

Updated: Oct 02, 2007 9:22pm PST

Visit to Oakland CA Area and American Heart Association Benefit Walk September 22-23, 2007 :

Visit to Oakland CA Area and American Heart Association Benefit Walk September 22-23, 2007

Updated: Sep 24, 2007 6:10am PST

Etiwanda Peak, Mount Baldy CA Hike September 16, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/222267/etiwanda-peak.html A very strenuous 17 mile round trip hike originating from the Icehouse Canyon trailhead, which completed my Inland Empire ridgeline traverse quest....the entire 8000 ft (+) elevation ridgeline located due north of the Ontario airport and dominating the area skyline....and the last of three day hikes over a two year period for a total investment of 43-44 miles! Also a serious tme investment this trip of almost 15 hours accompanied by our newest accountant at the plant, Stephen Smith. The views were impressive and expansive, stretching from the ocean back through Orange County, past Corona and Riverside, and out to San Bernardino and Palm Springs. What a bright and beautiful fall weather birthday weekend to hike in SoCal! Less than two weeks on the heels of the hottest weather of the summer with Inland Empire temps consistently in the 105-108 F range, expectations were for a clear and sunny weekend with surface temps around 80 F, and mountain temps (>7000 ft) around 70 F. So another surprise.....morning temps were in the high 40's in Mt Baldy village and at the trailhead. As we climbed, the temp never went above 55-60 F, falling to 50-55 F most of the upper portion of the hike and at the summit along with a fairly stiff 15-20 mph breeze, finally dropping to 40 F by midway down that evening. A total (and welcome) contrast to the previous weather pattern and feeling a lot more seasonal almost overnight! Despite the daylight savings time advantage, we descended the last three hours of the evening with headlamps, and made it to the Mt Baldy lodge and restaurant at 10:55 pm.

Etiwanda Peak, Mount Baldy CA Hike September 16, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/222267/etiwanda-peak ...

Updated: Sep 17, 2007 12:07pm PST

New Babies! Trip to AR to See My Children & Grandchildren September 2007 :

New Babies! Trip to AR to See My Children & Grandchildren September 2007

Updated: Sep 11, 2007 3:36am PST

**Charles Mound, IL** Highpoint Hike September 1, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152963/charles-mound.html

**Charles Mound, IL** Highpoint Hike September 1, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152963/charles-mound ...

Updated: Sep 03, 2007 7:14am PST

Cornell Peak, Palm Springs CA Hike and Rock Climb August 26, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153715/cornell-peak.html weblink2: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2813488-thai_smile_palm_springs-i;_ylt=Ageu9yjEs6.fM42R5lXXCSc_FmoL

Cornell Peak, Palm Springs CA Hike and Rock Climb August 26, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153715/cornell-peak. ...

Updated: Aug 27, 2007 9:07pm PST

password protected gallery

Dad Stewart's Funeral August 5-6, 2007

Updated: Aug 13, 2007 4:42pm PST

Mount Tamalpais, San Francisco CA Hike June 30, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150862/mount-tamalpais.html weblink2: http://www.mtnhomeinn.com/home.html

Mount Tamalpais, San Francisco CA Hike June 30, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150862/mount-tamalpa ...

Updated: Jul 02, 2007 8:27pm PST

The Home Landscaping Project May-July, 2007 :

The Home Landscaping Project May-July, 2007

Updated: Aug 25, 2007 3:08pm PST

Mt Langley, Lone Pine CA Backpack Camp and Climb May 26-28, 2007 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150246/mount-langley.html A very unique and beautiful 21-22 mile backpacking, camping and climbing trip over three days Memorial Day Weekend to Cottonwood Lakes and Mount Langley CA, one of the fifteen "fourteeners" (peaks over 14,000 ft elevation) in CA at 14,026 ft. The hike involved a five-step plan from car camping at the Olancha rest stop along CA-395 Friday evening; backpacking to Cottonwood Lakes from Horseshoe Meadow and setting up camp Saturday; hiking to the summit of Mt Langley and returning to camp Sunday; packing up camp, returning to the car at Horseshow Meadow, and driving back to Lone Pine Monday afternoon, where I left a suitcase and work clothes at the Comfort Inn; then a return drive straight to work in Ontario Tuesday morning to start the new week! Hiking conditions were excellent during the entire three day adventure, with heavy thunderstorms forming late Monday afternoon moving out of the Sierras and looming over Lone Pine, but without any precipitation there. Daytime temperatures were around 65-70 F and night was cool (let's say almost cold) at 30-35 F, as camp was located at 11,000 ft elevation. I met some incredibly great people along the way, including Homer, Debra, Allie, J.P, Dave, Matt, Fiona, and Loren on the hike up and back from Mt Langley, and Bill and Cass on the return hike to Horseshoe Meadow. Best wishes to all of them on their future endeavors.

Mt Langley, Lone Pine CA Backpack Camp and Climb May 26-28, 2007

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150246/mount-langley. ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2007 10:43pm PST

Grand Canyon National Park AZ: Visit and Rim-River-Rim Hike May 10-14, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/show_photo.php?photo=bright_angel_lodge weblink2: http://www.grandcanyonlodges.com/Phantom-Ranch-704.html weblink3: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm#CP_JUMP_144036 weblink4: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/day-hiking.htm

Grand Canyon National Park AZ: Visit and Rim-River-Rim Hike May 10-14, 2007

weblink1: http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/show_photo.php?photo=br ...

Updated: May 25, 2007 6:41pm PST

"Big Iron" Mountain, Azusa CA Hike April 22, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150975/iron-mountain-1.html weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/route/264070/heaton-flat-trail-and-south-ridge.html John Robinson, author of Trails of the Angeles, states that "8007 ft elevation Iron Mountain is by far the least accessible peak in the San Gabriels....No trail approaches its isolated summit, and to climb it you must start miles away and thousands of feet below." In this SoCal hiking legend's view, "Big Iron" is the most strenuous one-summit hike in the entire San Gabriel range. The route along the Heaton Flat Trail, then along its south ridge is the most frequently used route to Iron Mountain, a.k.a. "Big Iron". But the route is demanding....a round-trip by this route is over 14 miles with 7,200 feet of elevation gain. The last mile to the summit packs 2,000 feet of gain itself. My own words and take on this hike......well....."difficult", "strenuous", "demanding", "aggressive" all come to mind.....how about "ABUSIVE"....that seems to fit pretty well! Total time invested from the trailhead was 13 hours 17 minutes, including three meal breaks and (as always) lots of photo stops. There is an extra 1/2 mile each way from the parking lot to the trailhead, making the total hike distance closer to 15 miles. Temperatures started out around 58-60 F at the San Gabriel river trailhead, but steadily dropped down as I climbed hitting 30 F at the top with a stiff 30 mph SW wind blowing, and wind chill around 15 F. I got rained on once, and snowed on twice during this time as well! Needless to say, I did not hang around too long, plus needed to start back from an "overspent time" standpoint. The trail itself was straightforward on route finding, except a few areas on the several thousand vertical feet of "bumps" along the ridgeline between the main trail and summit, and the main climb to the summit itself. The trail was tough going up, rock chutes, scree, and crumbling clay etc, but I was actually having an excellent "vertical" day, personally. However, coming down with all the slime created from the rain and snow was both difficult and very slow, especially as night took over and the headlamp came out. Having started the hike at 9:56 am it felt really good to be back at 11:13 pm that evening, with the accomplishment of BIG IRON behind me!

"Big Iron" Mountain, Azusa CA Hike April 22, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150975/iron-mountain ...

Updated: Apr 23, 2007 7:34pm PST

Livermore, CA Wineries Tour April 7 and Mount Diablo, CA Preview Visit April 8, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150863/mount-diablo.html weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/route/158088/four-summits.html

Livermore, CA Wineries Tour April 7 and Mount Diablo, CA Preview Visit April 8, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150863/mount-diablo. ...

Updated: Apr 14, 2007 1:34pm PST

Mission Peak--Fremont, CA Hike April 6, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/MissionPeak_7362.asp weblink2: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151511/mission-peak-ca.html

Mission Peak--Fremont, CA Hike April 6, 2007

weblink1: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/MissionPeak_7362.asp weblin ...

Updated: Apr 07, 2007 9:28am PST

Devils Tower--Hulett & Sundance, WY Area Visit March 28-30, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150309/devils-tower.html weblink2: http://www.devilstowerlodge.com/

Devils Tower--Hulett & Sundance, WY Area Visit March 28-30, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150309/devils-tower. ...

Updated: Apr 02, 2007 10:04pm PST

**White Butte, ND** Highpoint Hike March 26, 2007 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151926/white-butte.html

**White Butte, ND** Highpoint Hike March 26, 2007

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151926/white-butte.ht ...

Updated: Mar 27, 2007 10:00am PST

**Harney Peak, SD** Highpoint Hike & Mt Rushmore Sightseeing March 25, 2007 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150511/harney-peak.html

**Harney Peak, SD** Highpoint Hike & Mt Rushmore Sightseeing March 25, 2007

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150511/harney-peak.ht ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2007 11:25am PST

Mt Rushmore and The Badlands Region--Rapid City, SD Visit March 24-27, 2007 :

Mt Rushmore and The Badlands Region--Rapid City, SD Visit March 24-27, 2007

Updated: Apr 01, 2007 11:13am PST

Borrego Springs Badlands and Julian, CA Visits March 10-11, 2007 :

Borrego Springs Badlands and Julian, CA Visits March 10-11, 2007

Updated: Mar 12, 2007 8:58pm PST

El Cajon Mountain, El Cajon-San Diego, CA Hike February 25, 2007 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153145/el-cajon-mountain.html

El Cajon Mountain, El Cajon-San Diego, CA Hike February 25, 2007

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153145/el-cajon-mount ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2007 7:23pm PST

Joshua Tree National Monument & Palm Springs Tramway February 24, 2007 :

Joshua Tree National Monument & Palm Springs Tramway February 24, 2007

Updated: Feb 26, 2007 9:19am PST

Mount Islip, Angeles Crest--Crystal Lake, CA Hike February 17, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152603/mount-islip.html weblink2: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/guides/14c.htm

Mount Islip, Angeles Crest--Crystal Lake, CA Hike February 17, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152603/mount-islip.h ...

Updated: Feb 18, 2007 1:38pm PST

Mount Williamson, Angeles Crest--Valyermo, CA Hike February 4, 2007 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152023/mount-williamson.html weblink2: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/guides/13f.htm

Mount Williamson, Angeles Crest--Valyermo, CA Hike February 4, 2007

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152023/mount-william ...

Updated: Feb 05, 2007 2:45pm PST

Christmas Holidays #4 January 2007, Livermore, CA :

Christmas Holidays #4 January 2007, Livermore, CA

Updated: Jan 26, 2007 8:42pm PST

Bighorn Gold Mine and Stamp Mill, Mt Baden-Powell, CA Hike January 14, 2007 : weblink: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/BigHornMine_4472.asp A nice way to start the SoCal winter and New Year out....a day hike of about 4 miles roundtrip to the SE side of Mt Baden-Powell along an old mining road and foot trail.....with lots of fresh air and excellent surrounding peak views from the trail. The weather also cooperated in being cold, but fairly quiet. And yes.....I look cold in my photos because it was...(!)..I couldn't figure out why my hands were getting cold and a little numb through my gloves, albeit only medium grade Polartec.......it was only 19 F at the trailhead, 14 F during the hike, and finally dropping down to 10 F on the return trip, all with a light 5-10 mph breeze making the wind chill about (-4) F. Not too bad for no heavier clothes than I had on. About 3-4 inches of snow average, and of course it varied as you see in the photos.....bare ground in the sun to maybe 12" with some previous hard ice on the ice chutes and canyon washes along the way. There were about three or four "dicey" areas to navigate for a relatively short hike, made somewhat easier with my Yaxtrax Pro snow grips. After passing the first ice chute, I noted that I was the only set of tracks in the snow from that point the balance of the way to the mine building. And to top it all off.......a "true SoCal winter weekend" with a one hour plus traffic line going up AND back through Wrightwood, with two photos depicting some of the local activity!

Bighorn Gold Mine and Stamp Mill, Mt Baden-Powell, CA Hike January 14, 2007

weblink: http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/BigHornMine_4472.asp A nic ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2007 10:27pm PST

**Hoosier Hill, IN** Highpoint Visit and Hike January 4, 2007 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152524/hoosier-hill.html

**Hoosier Hill, IN** Highpoint Visit and Hike January 4, 2007

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152524/hoosier-hill.h ...

Updated: Jan 05, 2007 8:44am PST

**Campbell Hill, OH** Highpoint Visit and Hike January 3, 2007 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154109/campbell-hill.html

**Campbell Hill, OH** Highpoint Visit and Hike January 3, 2007

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/154109/campbell-hill. ...

Updated: Jan 05, 2007 9:10am PST

Christmas Vacation, December 2006-January 2007 :

Christmas Vacation, December 2006-January 2007

Updated: Jan 16, 2007 6:10am PST

Bridge to Nowhere, East Fork San Gabriel River Canyon: Azusa, CA Hike December 2, 2006 : weblink1: http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=8&GetHikesStateID=1&ID=4038 weblink2: http://beckettmw.com/2004/01/hike_the_bridge_1.php

Bridge to Nowhere, East Fork San Gabriel River Canyon: Azusa, CA Hike December 2, 2006

weblink1: http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike ...

Updated: Apr 21, 2007 8:43pm PST

password protected gallery

Dad Goldman's Funeral November 9-10, 2006

Updated: Dec 10, 2006 1:13pm PST

**Mt Rogers, VA** Highpoint Hike and Little Switzerland, NC and Norris, TN Visits October 26-28, 2006 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150778/mount-rogers.html

**Mt Rogers, VA** Highpoint Hike and Little Switzerland, NC and Norris, TN Visits October 26-28, 2006

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150778/mount-rogers.h ...

Updated: Oct 31, 2006 5:03pm PST

Yosemite National Park: Mt Dana and Devil's Postpile Hikes, and Mammoth Mountain, CA Area Sightseeing October 13-15, 2006 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150284/mount-dana.html At 13,053 ft elevation, Mt Dana is the second highest peak in Yosemite National Park and has good highway trailhead access from the Tioga Pass road (CA-120).

Yosemite National Park: Mt Dana and Devil's Postpile Hikes, and Mammoth Mountain, CA Area Sightseeing October 13-15, 2006

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150284/mount-dana.htm ...

Updated: Oct 18, 2006 4:49pm PST

Bodega Bay, Sonoma Coast, and SF Bay, CA Visits September 30-October 1, 2006 :

Bodega Bay, Sonoma Coast, and SF Bay, CA Visits September 30-October 1, 2006

Updated: Oct 09, 2006 8:09pm PST

Iron Mountain, CA and San Gabriel River Canyon Preview, September 24, 2006 : weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150975/iron-mountain.html weblink2: http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/guides/15d.htm New territory explored in my area on this pleasant, clear early fall Sunday afternoon, traveling North on Highway 39 from Azusa into the San Gabriel mountains! I located and did short walks from three new trailheads to plan future hikes. Iron Mountain is not the highest peak (8007 ft elevation), but is the least accessible and most remote peak in the San Gabriel mountain range, with a full day commitment 15-plus mile roundtrip hike and over 6600 ft vertical elevation gain. It joins the Mt Baldy massif from the west side creating a very deep gorge for the beautiful San Gabriel river to flow through. The San Gabriel river in these photos bring back memories of Hell's Canyon and the Snake River in Idaho earlier this year, just on a slightly smaller scale.

Iron Mountain, CA and San Gabriel River Canyon Preview, September 24, 2006

weblink1: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150975/iron-mountain ...

Updated: Oct 06, 2006 6:49am PST

Blazing Saddles Horseback Ride and Tour of Upper NH, VT, and Canada September 16, 2006 :

Blazing Saddles Horseback Ride and Tour of Upper NH, VT, and Canada September 16, 2006

Updated: Sep 19, 2006 9:15pm PST

**Mt Mansfield, VT** Highpoint Hike and Stowe, VT Visit September 15, 2006 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150938/mount-mansfield.html

**Mt Mansfield, VT** Highpoint Hike and Stowe, VT Visit September 15, 2006

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150938/mount-mansfiel ...

Updated: Sep 18, 2006 6:47pm PST

Maine Driving Tour: Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, ME Visit September 12-14, 2006 :

Maine Driving Tour: Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, ME Visit September 12-14, 2006

Updated: Sep 18, 2006 7:33pm PST

**Mt Washington, NH** Highpoint Visit September 11, 2006 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150248/mount-washington.html

**Mt Washington, NH** Highpoint Visit September 11, 2006

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150248/mount-washingt ...

Updated: Sep 18, 2006 7:07pm PST

**Mt Greylock, MA** Highpoint Visit September 10, 2006 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150465/mount-greylock.html

**Mt Greylock, MA** Highpoint Visit September 10, 2006

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150465/mount-greylock ...

Updated: Sep 11, 2006 4:46am PST

New Hampshire Driving Tour: Portland, ME to Jackson, NH and Area Photos September 9-14, 2006 :

New Hampshire Driving Tour: Portland, ME to Jackson, NH and Area Photos September 9-14, 2006

Updated: Sep 23, 2006 1:29pm PST

A Return Trip to Mt San Gorgonio, CA September 3, 2006 : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150533/san-gorgonio.html A long Labor day holiday weekend was another perfect opportunity to work in a long local hike, as has been my tradition over the past several years. One day of rest prior to the hike and another full day of "recovery" afterwards, and prior to the start of the heavy work routine, this week beginning on Tuesday. The real objective here was to climb this mountain "clean", and end it without the drama of the prior Fourth-of-July hike in 2005 ending in a San Bernardino-Forest Falls rescue team heli-pickup in Mill Creek Canyon on the fourth day following. Long and difficult it is.....17-18 miles car-to-car and a total of 15 hours 15 minutes elapsed time from start to finish to SoCal's highest mountain at 11,500 ft elevation. A very full-commitment day from 8:30 am to 11:45 pm with a 4 hour headlamp return trip. Trail quality of 80-90% "rockfall" wash rock with some pleasant streamside dirt hiking and log crossing in the earlier portion following the first long rock wash type uphill trek. Weather, which is normally a "non-issue" in SoCal, started out as a nice sunny 65 degrees F at the trailhead, but over the course of the afternoon became a 43 degree F thunder and lightining ice storm, actually turning the trail and forest white for about a half an hour while many of us waited out the ice pounding under heavy tree cover. Needless to say, "cold and soaking wet" were the operational words of the moment! Apparently Hurricane John down in the California Baja Peninsula was pumping up unseasonable moisture into the SoCal area and this was reacting as it passed over the highest mountains in the area. Following the storm(s) which actually moved east to west (a little unusual in itself) the weather cleared somewhat and the temperature moved up to 45 F and finally to around 50 F as we approached the summit several hours later. Cloud formations and the views were pretty incredible, as was the sense of accomplishment. I met several interesting and very nice groups of people (and some rude ones as well that I will leave out of this story) including one very pleasant and energetic young couple, Kyle and Hanna, that I had previously met on Mt Baldy several weeks ago. Kyle works for REI Inc and will be participating later this week (Labor Day week) in an 8000 meters vertical challenge in 24 hours between REI and another outdoor outfitter with all locations in SoCal participating. What does this mean? He will be attempting to climb Mt San Gorgonio, Mt San Jacinto, and Mt Baldy back-to-back-to-back in a 24 hour period in a physical contest. All individually 1/2 day to full day hikes in themselves! Best wishes! Also, my thanks to "Stuart" and his family from San Diego for allowing me to be added to their hiking permit, or I would not have been able to go at all.....quota was already filled by 7:30 am! All-in-all, a wonderful and exciting day. Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone!

A Return Trip to Mt San Gorgonio, CA September 3, 2006

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150533/san-gorgonio.h ...

Updated: Sep 04, 2006 10:27pm PST

**Borah Peak, ID** Highpoint Climb August 19, 2006 : Weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150190/borah-peak.html

**Borah Peak, ID** Highpoint Climb August 19, 2006

Weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150190/borah-peak.htm ...

Updated: Aug 22, 2006 10:23am PST

Ketchum-Galena Summit-Redfish Lake-Stanley-Challis-Mount Borah, ID Driving Tour August 18, 2006 and Return to Boise August 20, 2006 :

Ketchum-Galena Summit-Redfish Lake-Stanley-Challis-Mount Borah, ID Driving Tour August 18, 2006 and Return to Boise August 20, 2006

Updated: Aug 21, 2006 8:35pm PST

Hell's Canyon, ID Visit August 17, 2006 :

Hell's Canyon, ID Visit August 17, 2006

Updated: Aug 19, 2006 10:47pm PST

Las Vegas, NV Visit August 6-7, 2006 with Josh and Suzanne :

Las Vegas, NV Visit August 6-7, 2006 with Josh and Suzanne

Updated: Aug 12, 2006 8:25am PST

A Return Trip to Mt Baldy, CA July 30, 2006 as Training Exercise for Borah Peak, ID : weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150444/mount-san-antonio-mount-baldy-.html

A Return Trip to Mt Baldy, CA July 30, 2006 as Training Exercise for Borah Peak, ID

weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150444/mount-san-anto ...

Updated: Aug 02, 2006 8:03pm PST

SF Bay and Oakland CA Area Visit July 21-23, 2006 :

SF Bay and Oakland CA Area Visit July 21-23, 2006

Updated: Jul 25, 2006 9:56pm PST

Sitton Peak, CA Hike July 16, 2006 : Weblink: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152268/sitton-peak.html

Sitton Peak, CA Hike July 16, 2006