Greetings,
We just "completed" a hike in the same area and have a warning. The landslide is still easily visible at the end of Mueller Tunnel (and pretty amazing...destroyed the fire road and smashed the west portal of the tunnel.) We were trying to do an "ash-walk" since the fire. I THOUGHT the trail was open, but the signs are still up, so we were asking for a nice big citation. We intended to hike down from Eaton Saddle, across Markham Saddle and then follow the trail down into Bear Valley all the way to Switzer's, but after Tom Sloane Saddle (where the trail turns down into Bear Valley) it was completely choked with lupine. Lacking a machete, we edged about 100 feet into the lupine, but soon found ourselves covered with nectar and surrounded by bees. Not wanting to suffer such a romantic fate, we turned back and ended up hiking up to Switzer's Falls from that picnic area instead. All of the trails and fire roads, even the very popular Switzer's, look to be in bad shape. I think the Angeles, like so many places, is going to be for the hardcore only.
jsmog - Jun 22, 2011 6:29 pm - Hasn't voted
Trail from Tom Sloane Saddle to Switzer's FallsGreetings,
We just "completed" a hike in the same area and have a warning. The landslide is still easily visible at the end of Mueller Tunnel (and pretty amazing...destroyed the fire road and smashed the west portal of the tunnel.) We were trying to do an "ash-walk" since the fire. I THOUGHT the trail was open, but the signs are still up, so we were asking for a nice big citation. We intended to hike down from Eaton Saddle, across Markham Saddle and then follow the trail down into Bear Valley all the way to Switzer's, but after Tom Sloane Saddle (where the trail turns down into Bear Valley) it was completely choked with lupine. Lacking a machete, we edged about 100 feet into the lupine, but soon found ourselves covered with nectar and surrounded by bees. Not wanting to suffer such a romantic fate, we turned back and ended up hiking up to Switzer's Falls from that picnic area instead. All of the trails and fire roads, even the very popular Switzer's, look to be in bad shape. I think the Angeles, like so many places, is going to be for the hardcore only.
Augie Medina - Jun 23, 2011 3:13 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Trail from Tom Sloane Saddle to Switzer's Fallsthanks for that detailed update; very helpful. When I get a chance I'll incorporate your information on the page.