Exploratory Hike on the Burkhart Trail to the Saddle and Will Thrall Peak

** RAIN OR FALLING SNOW CANCELS ALL HIKES**

Sunday, April 24, 2016 - Exploratory Hike to Burkhart Saddle on the Burhart trail Trail from Devil's Punchbowl

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NOTE: LIMITED GROUP SIZE!!

Distance: ~14/15 Miles total roundtrip (out and back), including Will Thrall Peak

Gain: ~ 3150' to the Saddle, add 850' gain from the saddle to the top of Will Thrall Peak.

Hiking Time: ~7 hours

Difficulty: Strenuous (day hike, at higher altitude)

Description:

From Devil's Punchbowl parking lot, our trail will take us to Pleasant View Ridge. We will hike through Joshua trees, sage, pinyon forest, and into Jeffrey pine along the ridge top.

When we reach the saddle after 3150' gain, we will enjoy great views. Those who would like to bag Will Thrall Peak , will follow a step path up to the top while the rest of the group breaks for lunch under a shade tree.

This is an exploratory hike, so I have not hiked this trail before. Therefor the mileage and elevation gain is a good estimate.

Please review the "Modern Hiker" web page for a great description and photos.

http://www.modernhiker.com/2007/02/28/hiking-burkhart-trail-to-burkhart-saddle/

NOTE: If you are uncomfortable with heights, narrow trails with adjacent drop offs, sections with loose scree (rock chips) or similar, this hike is probably not for you.

Carpooling from Santa Clarita:

Meet at Starbucks, 16548 Soledad Canyon, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 (at Sand Canyon exit from 14 Highway), between 07:10 - 07:25 AM to caravan out to the trail head (directions below).

Please be respectful of your driver's support by contributing something at the end of your carpool to help defray the cost of gas.

Or, go straight there and meet your leader at the trail head:

28000 Devil's Punchbowl Rd., Pearblossom CA 93553

Meet your leader in the corner of the trailhead/ nature center Parking lot (near the porta potty). There are more bathrooms behind the nature center.

We will arrive at ~ 8:15AM for a 8:30AM SHARP departure up the trail.

Directions to trail head:

Take the SR-14 North to the Angeles Forest Hwy exit, Exit 30, and go towards Pear Blossom Highway, keeping on left of the ramp toward Pearblossom Hwy/Littlerock/Victorville. Merge onto Sierra Hwy. Stay straight to go onto Pearblossom Hwy. At the light, turn right onto Pearblossom Hwy/CA-138. Turn right onto 87th St E. Take the 2nd left onto Fort Tejon Rd. Turn right onto Longview Rd. Turn left onto Tumbleweed Rd. Turn slight right on to Devil’s Punchbowl Road.

28000 Devil’s PunchBowl Road is a cul de sac parking lot, at the end of the road.

Bring: Lunch, water (3 liters is recommended), electrolytes, sunscreen, hat, hiking poles if you have them, and your camera. Wear layered clothing as it will most likely be cold and windy, and good boots with tread. No gym shoes.

Adventure Pass: Not required.

Dogs: Not recommended due to distance and elevation.

Leader: Dave Pulsifer

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