(Mountaineer 4) Allison Saddle of Iron Mountain via Heaton Flat

This is the 2nd in a series of 7 hikes, leading to Iron Mountain attempt on 10/5.

Organizer: Mike Cheng

Running/fast hiking pacesetter: Mark

Fast hiking pacesetter: Neil

Nature lover pacesetter: Ledy

Sweep:

_______________________________________________________________________________

Location: Azusa, CA

Hike difficulty: Level 7/10

A beginner hike: Absolutely not

Distance: 9 miles

Elevation Gain: 3600'

Time: 6 hours

Trail condition: mostly single file trail, no shade

Water: Minimum 3 liters (If you bring less than this amount, you will be in big trouble.)

Guest: no

Dog: no

Toilette: At trailhead

Parking: Public and street parking near the trailhead. Adventure Pass is required. If parking is full near the trailhead, you can park at the Oaks Picnic Area and hitchhike to the trailhead. It is only 1 1/2 mile south of the trailhead.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Direction: From the 210 freeway exit at Azusa Avenue (Highway 39) and head north for 10 miles or so. Azusa Avenue becomes San Gabriel Canyon Road and parallels the San Gabriel Dam on the right. Turn right on East Fork Road and continue for another 8 miles until the road dead ends at the East Fork Ranger Station. Park in the lot or beside the road below the ranger station.

What to bring: hat, long pants, sunscreen, energy bar, lunch, snacks, water, hiking poles and the usual stuff.

Proficiency: Anyone interested in participating in this event must share with my your hiking background to substantiate your proficiency before your name will be added to the list.

_______________________________________________________________________________

This is the 2nd in a series of 7 hikes that take us to alpine forest around Mt Baldy and Iron Mountain. Each hike is more difficult than the previous one, allowing us to gradually build up our strength and endurance as we progress in this series.

Our goal is to summit Iron Moutain on 10/5. Only best of the best will be able to join me for that epic hike.

1st hike to Timber Mountain, the elevation gain is 3,400' in 9 miles. (7/13)

2nd hike to Allison Saddle via Heaton Flat, the gain is 3600' in 9 miles (7/27)

3rd hike to 3T, the gain is 4,700' in 10.5 miles. (8/10)

4th hike to West Baldy & Mt. Baldy via Ski Hut trail, the gain is 4,200' in 9 miles. (8/24)

5th hike to Mt. Baldy via Bear Cayon and Ski Hut, the gain is 6,000' in 11 miles. (9/7)

6th hike to Mt. Baldy via Bear Canyon trail and back, the gain is 6,000' in 12.5 miles. (9/21)

7th hike to Iron Mountain, the gain is 7,000' in 14 miles. (10/5)

Priority in future hikes will be given to hikers staying with this series. The last hike to Iron Mountain is considered the most difficult single trail hike in So Cal. After this series, sky will be your limit.

This series are designed for hikers serious about advancing their capability. The group will naturally be smaller. Hence, if you sign up but do not show up, you will be barred from the remainding hikes of this series. Your understanding is appreciated.

If you are not moving up the waiting list while others are, that means I do not have enough information on your past hiking history to know that this hike is within your reach. You need to share your hike history with me to be added to the official list.

_______________________________________________________

Trail description:

Half of this hike will be along the ridgeline. Some short sections of the trail are steep (50-60% grade), sandy and slippery. However, these slippery sections are generally short, less than 20 yards. There is no shade on this trail.

If your legs are not strong enough, one slip could mean serious injury. If you should slip along the ridgeline, you could fall 1,000' to your demise.

Serious injury has happened on this hike before. You need to think twice before signing up.

If your pace is slower, there is a high likelihood that you will not reach the saddle before we turn around. Therefore, you must take your pace into consideration.

Unless you are a strong and experienced hiker, I strongly recommend that you use hiking poles.

_______________________________________________________

Location Overview:

According to John Robinson, author of Trails of the Angeles, "8007 foot 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 local hiking legend's view, "Big Iron" is the most strenuous one-summit hike in the entire San Gabriel range.

Originally, local miners in San Gabriel Canyon referred to the mountain as Sheep Mountain, descriptive of the herds of Bighorn sheep that once roamed its slopes. However, the U.S. Geological Survey, which mapped the San Gabriel Mountains in the 1890's, was apparently not as impressed with the fauna that roamed the surface of the mountain as it was with what lay beneath the surface, iron ore deposits. Thus the present name was bestowed. But the Bighorn were not entirely forgotten for the designated wilderness area where Big Iron is located is named "Sheep Mountain Wilderness."

Warning:

Some sections of the Heaton Flat trail are very steep. These sections are usually short, less than 20 yds, but they could have a 50 % grade with a sandy base.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/6/0/4/event_215750692.jpeg

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/9/1/0/event_215751472.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/7/1/2/event_215750962.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/2/6/event_215749702.jpeg

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/2/c/6/event_215749862.jpeg

............. .................

_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ___

Waiting list priority: People who hike with me or with Los Angeles Hiking Group frequently will be given priority when they are on the waiting list.

No show policy: If you sign up for an event and no show, you will either lose your waiting list priority or not be able to sign up for the next event.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Warning:

If you have prior medical condiction or a family history of illnesses pertaining to heart, lungs, brain, etc. that can be aggravated by heat and physical exertion, this is not the hike for you.

If you have never done a hike of this distance or difficulty before, this hike will be very difficult for you. It may well be your death march. The mountain is not going anywhere. We will schedule this event again in the future. Do it when your mind and body are ready.

Hiking is a recreation, not a suicide mission.

Release of Liability:

The organizer (me) of this trip is a volunteer and is not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/hike/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests.

By signing up for this trip, or any other event organized by me, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer (me) of this hike from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.

In addition, you and your guests are acknowledging that you agree to the Meetup terms of service especially paragraph 6.2: https://www.meetup.com/terms/

Profile Photo:

Members interested in joining this hike must have a profile photo showing his/her face. This is a requirement of the L.A. Hiking Group. Without it, you will not be allowed to sign up.