Mt. Baden-Powel

Mt. Baden-Powell
9,406 ft elevation
8-ish miles

Guide: http://www.modernhiker.com/2009/06/18/hiking-mount-baden-powell/

On our way up we passed police search and rescue helping two guys over a railing and talking to them.  When we got to Vincent's Gap, there were search and rescue police with two other guys, and when we pulled up, they told us they were looking for lost hikers.  A moment later the police that we had passed pulled up behind us and reunited the group.  We heard them tell their story, about how scared they were, got off path, etc.  Turned out the dudes got high and decided to go on a hike, totally unprepared.  They ended up getting lost and spending a night in the cold.

Lessons:
1. Don't smoke pot and then go hiking people.
2. Come prepared
3. Tell someone where you are going
4. Don't go off trail
5. If you get lost stay in one spot- don't wonder

 At the top

  

A scary part... the icy ground was very slippery... It's very straightforward and deceptive at the same time.  

* Winter closure of Angeles Crest may make things difficult.  Check out directions here: http://california.hometownlocator.com/maps/distance-directions2.cfm?vincent%20gap@34.3736113,-117.7522817

Random fact: "People who have positive core self-evaluations like themselves and see themselves as effective, capable, and in control of the environment. Those with negative core self-evaluations tend to dislike themselves, question their capabilities, and view themselves as powerless over their environment.... [as a result] People with positive CSE perform better than others because they ate nor ambitious goals, are more committed to their goals, and persist longer in attempting to reach these goals." Robbins and Judge, Essentials of Organizational Behavior 12 ed, p68

Downtown Los Angeles

Another adventure today: exploring downtown Los Angeles via the Metrolink. Some of the pics are sideways... sorry.

The Metro to Union Station.

Take the Red Line to Little Tokyo

Walk down to the City Hall

And to Grand Central Market

Pupusas

Went over the bridge

To China Town and Calle Olvera

Went back and ate Udon noodles and had some beer.

Devil's Punchbowl

Here we go again, hiking into the middle of nowhere. 

Got some equipment this time.  

Devil's Punch Bowl, Pearblossom, CA

We did 13.2 miles in total.  

Official Site: http://www.devils-punchbowl.com/

I would recommend going here and printing up a map.  The official trail goes on for 20+ miles, so you want to be careful and watch your mileage if you continue on the trail.  There is also a smaller loop, down in the canyon, that is about a mile long, starting right past the main center and bathrooms.  

Hiking Guide: http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/12/12/hiking-the-devils-chair/

4 miles in- The Devil's Chair

And the view from there. 

This is such a beautiful place!

There was an amazing moment, when we were 6.5 miles into the canyon, 2.5 past the Devil's Chair, and we heard, what we thought was wind swooshing through the canyon.  A few minutes later it got louder, and then deafening.  We stopped to see what was going on, and then a fighter jet came flying low, right above us.  The echo of the jet in the canyon, the breaking of complete silence, and the fact that we don't often see these jets, except for on special events, made it an awe inspiring moment.  

Falling scares me, and my legs are short, but I made it up a boulder... finally!

The whole entire loop, past the chair and all, is 20+ miles so watch your mileage an take a trail map we went 6.5/7 miles in to te other side of the canyon and then back

Turnbull Canyon

Turnbull Canyon Hike, Whittier, CA

5 Miles

Hollywood Hike

Finally made it to the Hollywood Sign!  ...but was not able to touch it... It is surrounded by a large fence and lots of surveillance.

It is a short hike, maybe 3-4 miles, with lots of visitors.  It was funny seeing some trying to walk up the path in designer shoes, and/or heels.

Info to get to the sign: http://hollywoodsigntrip.com/

I was watching the news coverage of Mr. Mandela's death, and they were showing footage of the crowd gathering outside of Mandela's house... as it grew the crowd began dancing, and then the camera focused in on a lady holding a picture that said "It's in our hands now". As the coverage continued, the news program began interviewing leaders and prisoners that worked and served jail time alongside Mandela, and something just struck me- Mandela gave voice to the struggle, but was not the sole figure that brought about change. It took a coalition of leaders and everyday workers, to take a stand and challenge injustice. Mother Teresa once said that God did not call us to be successful in life, but to be faithful, and to be faithful in the little things first. Mandela was a great man, who was surrounded by other great men and women, who all, I believe, mastered the art of being faithful with even the smallest responsibilities that they were given. And before they could achieve what they did, they had to start small... Large things always begin small. You don't have to be Mandela to change the world... you just have to be awake, aware, ready to be challenged, and willing to sacrifice, even if its a few minutes of your time.