East Fork of the San Gabriel River – Hiking Down Stream from Mine Gulch Camp

This columbine flower graces the tumbling stream of the Upper East Fork of the San Gabriel River.

Total trip length = approx. 12 miles round trip

Elevation loss = 2,700′. This hike is all downhill until you turn back around for the return

Trailhead location: Vincent Gap on the Angeles Crest Highway, just west of Wrightwood

This hike descends Vincent Gulch to Mine Gulch campsite, then further down East Fork

Last Wednesday I journeyed back down Vincent Gulch to the stream side shelf of Mine Gulch Camp. Nothing’s at Mine Gulch any more in the way of improvements such as tables, fire pits or outhouses. However, the broad bench alongside the stream bed is shady and very level, offering a great camping spot at a place where you can explore the Prairie Fork by going straight across the wide, bouldery wash or heading down the East Fork toward Alder Gulch, Fish Fork and points further on. My goal was to continue down the East Fork of the San Gabriel River to a spot near the confluence of Alder Gulch and then double back, hopefully returning back up to Vincent Gap before I lost my light.

Heading down the trail in Vincent Gulch toward Mine Gulch campsite.

Really, once you starting heading downstream from Mine Gulch campsite, the East Fork stream bed is one big rocky floodplain for the next thirteen or fourteen miles to road’s end near Follow’s Camp. It is slow going and the stream crossings are numerous. Bring a pair of water shoes with you, so you can just slog across the East Fork without having to make an endless number of risky jumps just to keep your boots dry.

Iron Mountain as seen from the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, just downstream from Mine Gulch campsite.

Part of the character of these upper reaches of the East Fork is the isolation from other hikers. I was out for nine hours and only saw one person, and that one person was within a hundred yards of the trailhead at Vincent Gulch. That was it! Much of the terrain passes through a myriad of beautifully striped metamorphic boulders, piles of fractured rocks that have fallen hundreds of feet from towering cliffs that border the deep canyon. You must pick your stream crossings amongst wide glades of buckwheat, Yerba Santa and mountain mahogany peppered with sunbaked driftwood from times and storms gone past.

Looking downstream, near the confluence of Mine Gulch and the main canyon of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River.

Gentle, onshore breezes pushed up canyon as I continued heading downstream. Occasionally, beautifully twisting sycamores graced my way, sheltering me from the relentless June sunshine. Their leaves quaked gently back and forth in the fresh air. The interplay of shadow and bright pools of warm light constantly and quietly changed the mood around every bend in the canyon. Surprisingly, the stream was flowing much more abundantly than I had expected. Narrow hedgerows of white alder grew tightly along most of the stream course, adding their shade across secret pools of green.

A tranquil setting of white alders alongside the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Near confluence of Alder Gulch.

After finally turning around for the long ascent back to the car, I had fun looking for stacked rock cairns, “ducks”, that had been placed by earlier hikers to mark where they thought the route should be amongst the wide, wide sunbaked washes. It was a tiring, yet exhilerating day in the wild and quiet Sheep Mountain Wilderness. If you want to get re-charged with the peace and quiet of the open spaces of our mountains, this just might be the place to consider.

by Chris Kasten

This clump of columbine has found its’ niche in the center of the stream bed.

Hiking on to Lupine, Guffy and Acorn Canyon, Wrightwood

A weathered Forest Service boundary sign denotes the edge of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness in the Prairie Fork up canyon from Lupine Campground. Both Lupine and Cabin Flat Campgrounds are just outside the boundary.

Once I left Cabin Flat’s abandoned remains, the road steadily and steeply made its’ way up the Prairie Fork. A Dwight Twiley song, “I’m On Fire” (circa 1975), kept running through my head as my route passed through thick groves of buckbrush and sage intermingled with groves of statuesque Jeffrey and Ponderosa pines. Nature had made good on her promise to take back what people had not maintained. The road is designated as 3N39 and is wide enough to drive on for short distances, only to be reduced to single track and even completely missing at a couple of

The old Prairie Fork Road as seen just upstream from Cabin Flat Campground.

stream bed crossings. The Prairie Fork is in many ways a wide flood plain throughout her length. Left and right and left, again, the channel meanders where it will and so do my thoughts. The metamorphic boulders’ grays seemed ever grayer under the flat steel gray skies on my upward trek. Yet, there was a brightness that came flooding in every so often throughout the quiet alpine day. The air continued to be still and fresh. Small bird calls and the crunching of my boots on dry twigs and sand punctuated the quiet scenery. Several miles up from Cabin Flat I encountered the sylvan, forested bench of Lupine Campground. The elevation between the two camps is about 1,200′, yet enough to produce a noticeable change away from the oak-woodland environment into a mature coniferous forest.

A washed out streamed crossing just down canyon from Lupine Campground in the Prairie Fork.

True to its’ name, the resilient purple and lavender blooms of lupine abound in this forest setting. As with Cabin Flat, there were no people here at Lupine Campground, either. The tables here are the “old style” large dimensional type built by the Forest Service back in the day. Liking them so much, I once copy-catted this design, including the hefty 3″x12″ planks, and built some at Sturtevant Camp in the Big Santa Anita Canyon. There’s the sense of being in a bit of a time capsule in places like this. Over and over, I saw the rock work which used to support the flat plate Klamath style wood burning stoves that each campsite once had. It was amazing how “at home” I felt here in this old hidden camp. One issue, however, kept knocking at the back of my throat… My water was nearly out and the Prairie Fork had been reduced to a dry wash not far above Cabin Flat. If only Columbine

A peaceful campsite as scene here at Lupine Campground in the Prairie Fork. Located at 6,500′ elevation, this forested destination is replete with 12 campsites and nearby Columbine Spring. It is also the ‘jumping-off’ point for hikes into the Fish Fork. Take forest service road 3N39 to access this site.

Spring was running… Time to check it out.

The scuffing of my boots through the sagebrush woke up the sleepy scent and my thoughts would be filled with more mountain places. Up the little canyon behind the camp I followed the broken pipes of the derelict water system. Climbing the upslope wall of the concrete water tank, I peered down into the opening in the roof. It was dry and filled with rocks. So, onward and upward I went, passing squaw currant and more sage. Eventually meeting up with the Fish Fork Trail, the little canyon

Columbine Spring above Lupine Campground in the Prairie Fork. Accessing this water made all the difference in getting back home to Wrightwood. Note the pipe sections from the abandoned water system that once served Lupine Campground. This spot can be accessed by walking up the Fish Fork Trail just up canyon from the camp.

produced the sweetest little sound of trickling water over rocks and mosses. Setting up to filter some of this mountain spring water, a pair of hummingbirds buzzed my red anorak jacket and then went about their work of gently prodding what nectar they could get from the still developing blooms of the currant. They seemed to keep a wary eye on this lone traveler as the three of us took what we could from the oasis.

Happily rehydrated, it was time to get a move-on up and out of the Prairie Fork to Guffy Campground. Munching on almonds and a little apple, I encountered a third washout on the road dropping down from Blue Ridge. High clouds were swarming past Pine Mountain, now looming high up to the southeast. Occasional spits of rain had now turned to sleet and hail. Putting on my rain gear under a cluster of oaks alongside the switchbacking road, the chill was now beginning to soak in. The only thing to do was hike faster, and, of course, I was soon sweating under the rain top. Sunshine

came streaming in as the pelting of hail resonated under my hood. Puddles had formed and red

The Fish Fork Trail near its’ trailhead at Lupine Campground. This section of trail was originally a narrow road that one could drive on to West Pine Mountain Ridge. I drove this road back in the early 1980’s. Today it is all single track, non-motorized trail.

bouquets of Indian Paintbrush speckled the glistening slopes of rock, pine and sage. A thick blanket of clouds had now pushed up so high, Pine Mountain’s (9,648′ elevation) plate-like slide was completely hidden from view. As soon as I reached the top of the road, the moisture was over, replaced with a frigid breeze.

Guffy Campground, like its’ neighboring camps, was devoid of people. Although chilly, a warm light permeated the late day scene. Dropping down to the north side of the campground to find the spring just barely flowing, really more of a drip, at this point in the year, filled me with fiery summertime woes.

Road junction for the descent into Prairie Fork from East Blue Ridge. Photo taken just past (east) Guffy Campground.

Heading east on the Pacific Crest Trail, the gold light illuminated the ancient “flag” trees growing out of Blue Ridge’s gentle and meandering rocky trace. A yellowed little poem from the Mountaineer Progress Newspaper, that lays on my desk, came to mind. There is no author attached to this little beauty, except the words: “Thanks Blue Ridge, Holiday Hill and Table Mountain.”

Where is the magic?

Pristine, shimmering snow

Slopes no prints have crossed

Breathtaking view

And peace, utter peace.

What is the magic?

About a mountain mantled with fires.

Arms reaching to the heavens while we traverse snowy paths.

Can there be magic?

In loving my Blue Ridge, schist clad bare faces

Paths skirted by buck brush offering redemption and renewal.

I once felt the magic of her sensuous slopes shining beneath my long skis

Offering of herself

Assuring the restoration of my soul.

Once, down the Acorn Trail a few hundred feet, the temps seemed to have bumped up a good 15 to

Late afternoon view of Guffy Campground. At 8,300′ elevation, this is the highest “drive-in” camp in the Angeles National Forest.

20 degrees. Finally. Dusk was rapidly falling on the north side of Blue Ridge as the trail made its’ rapid descent of 1,500′ down into Acorn Canyon. The Swarthout Valley cradled Wrightwood, far below, in a story book dream. The yawning had begun. Too lazy to walk the entire distance home, I called my wife from the mountainside to see if I could get a short ride home from the trailhead. Just before Joanie met up with me, the walk past large homes, lit from within, was almost over whelminging reminiscent of how a

The situation looks bleak at the little spring situated downslope and north of Guffy Campground. This spot can be accessed by walking steeply down a north-facing path that drops into a draw below the campground. The old pump house is your landmark.

lone traveler sees everything from the outside. Truly separated from another’s hearth fire. For a few moments the wildness of the day seemed to not know how to marry with the world of seemingly big, quiet houses and pavement. When

A range and township benchmark located alongside the Acorn Trail, just below the Pacific Crest Trail. This “monument” shows that you are at the point where sections 17,18, 19 and 20’s four corners come together south of Wrightwood, CA. This spot is marked on the Mt. San Antonio 7.5′ topographic quadrangle offering the map reader a “sense of place.”

the little car pulled up to greet me, the scent of home-made lasagna wafted up from her hair and clothes. Ever better, comfort of home had arrived to me. I was back home as a traveler from the near, yet distant lands of our mountains.

by Chris Kasten

5/15/15

We have SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!

We have about 2-3 inches in the snow play areas this morning. I just came back from the snow play areas and the picture was taken this morning at about 9am. Click on the picture for a larger view.

The conditions look good. Roads are open with no controls. The temp this morning was in the mid to upper thirty’s.

So come on up and get some Snow play in May in Southern California.

Should not be any crowded.

Always make sure you carry chains that fit your car and that you know how to install them. Only play in the snow on Public lands, (stop to see us at Mountain Hardware and we can provide you with a map and info where the best conditions are currently). Please respect private property and do not play there. You will also need an Adventure Pass $5.00 per day or $30.00 for a year we can supply that for you. Please remember to always pick up and take home any trash as this will make it nicer for the next visitor.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at Mountain Hardware 760-249-3653 Mon – Sat 8:30am-5:30pm and Sunday 8:30am-4:30pm. We are located at 1390 Hwy #2 in Wrightwood on the north side of the highway and have a large parking area and restrooms

Mike

Hike to Vincent Gap – Mine Gulch – Prairie Fork – Cabin Flat

Viewing Mt. Baden-Powell from confluence of Mine Gulch, Vincent Gulch and the Prairie Fork.

Just last week, on Earth Day, I hiked down the Mine Gulch Trail from the Vincent Gap trailhead.

Common wall flowers alongside the upper Mine Gulch trail.

My goal was to reach dilapidated Cabin Flat Campground, up in the Prairie Fork. This would be an

Vincent Gap Trailhead. The approach to Big Horn mine, Mine Gulch and the greater East Fork of the San Gabriel River is past the white fire road gate to the left of the split rail fence.

“out and back” day hike, with the hope of returning back before dark. Vincent Gap is a great jumping off place for everything from the Manzanita Trail down the desert side of the range, Mt. Baden-Powell’s summit, exploring the Big Horn mine or, in my case dropping into the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. The day was still and the air crisp. The small leaves of the ceanothus (buck brush) were tipped with the silver pearls of water droplets from the previous night’s light rain. Looking up, only the tiniest puffs of cumulus clouds peeked out from behind Pine Mountain to the east. Perfect.

Just below Vincent Gap (trailhead) the Vincent Gulch trail enters into a tranquil forest of Ponderosa, Sugar pine and Incense Cedar. Squaw currant abounds on the forest floor.

Contouring the red dirt mountainside, I followed the old Big Horn mine road to a point where the single track Vincent Gulch trail begins its’ descent. A short ways further, the trail enters a sylvan green sanctuary of mature incense cedars and pines. Steadily the trail descended into healthy stands of oak woodland while manzanita began to make its’ presence. The ends of switchbacks afforded views into the expansive rocky run-outs coming off the northeast slopes of Mt. Baden-Powell. Vincent Gulch’s steep, brushy tributaries continued to merge under canopies of canyon live oak. Within a couple of miles, the murmur of a small stream could be made out before arriving at the bright spring greens of a healthy riparian environment of white alders and big leaf canyon maples. The shaded stream is bounded by a steep and fractured geology.

A section of the Vincent Gulch trail travels under the shade of bays, alders and Big Cone Spruce.

Dark banded metamorphic rock twisted and turned, leaving the stream and trail no choice but to follow. So, on I went through groves of laurel bay and Big Cone Spruce. Eventually the trail gave out to a wide, barren wash of bright rocks of all size and shape. Bright, bright sun was everywhere. The clouds had eclipsed a bit more of the deep blue sky near both Mt. Baden-Powell’s summit and Pine Mountain as well.

A leveled-out campsite at Mine Gulch campground. There have been no improvements here for decades.

Just before approaching Mine Gulch Campground, you’ll find the wreck of a small private plane that went down many years ago. By now I was thirsty and was half way through the water, but no problem, had thrown my water filter into the pack at the last minute. However, had forgotten to bring a hat, and could already feel the sun beginning to burn the top of my head.

Wreckage of a light plane in lower Vincent Gulch. This fuselage and wing sections have been here for decades.

Was soon at the Mine Gulch Campground, about 4 1/2 miles in, essentially a shelf at the confluence of Mine Gulch, Vincent Gulch and the Prairie Fork. Back in 1978, about the only improvement at this camp was an outhouse. Now, even that was gone. It appeared that folks still camped here, for some of the small flats looked recently swept clean from tents and tarps. There were some abandoned camping supplies, buckets and even a fairly new looking pick axe. Not all that surprising. The East Fork still attracts amateur miners looking for that elusive gold. However, no people were to be seen or heard. Just the constant murmuring drone of the East Fork doing its’ river thing, grinding out the mountains over the eons.

Trail sign at mouth of Prairie Fork. Located directly across wash from Mine Gulch campground.

Directly across the wide wash from the campground is a wooden sign telling me that Cabin Flat lays this way, not to mention the rest of the broad Prairie Fork. Hopping from rock to rock, lizards flitted about the dry sycamore leaves. The leaves and wash were paper dry in the way that September seems to conjure up. It was only April…

Prairie Fork. Just the name evokes images. And, true to its’ name, there are places so wide that it almost beckons the name “valley.” This is a very big drainage that has miles of timber stands, grassy meadow-like flats, chaparral and high ridge lines all around it. Starting on up from its’ mouth, the ascent is easy, yet the trail’s about non-existent.

Rock cairn markers, known as “ducks” have been left by prior hikers alongside the Prairie Fork trail between Mine Gulch & Cabin Flat campgrounds. The trail is nearly non-existent in most places.

Periodically there’d be a rock cairn or “duck”, marking the way that previous travelers had taken. Sometimes the placement of these markers made sense, and when they didn’t, it was time re-think my next move. The area between Mine Gulch and Cabin Flat Camps is a little better than two miles in distance and really, pretty much cross-country hiking. The lower part of the route is made up of glades of Yerba Santa interspersed with Yucca, blossoming buckbrush and the ever-present wide wash.

This section of the Prairie Fork trail is covered with downed trees that have been bleached by seasons of sun. There’s lots of stepping up and over downed trees, brush and boulders between Mine Gulch and Cabin Flat campgrounds.

Often, the pattern was following a remnant trace of trail or even the old jeep track, then coming to a turn in the canyon and being forced to cross the smallish stream. Stream crossings in this part of the San Gabriels invariably means thrashing through thickets of young white alders. Yet, that’s just what it is. What really was amazing was just how very wide this canyon is. Lots and lots of hidden terrain. Occasionally, the canyon bottom would tighten up and so would the foliage, bringing on thoughts of fat, black rattlers just waiting under my feet… I balanced and walked across dozens of fallen trees and the detritus of drift wood from storms in earlier times. Just before

Dry stack rock wall still supports a remnant section of the Prairie Fork trail. Photo taken just downstream from Cabin Flat campground.

approaching Cabin Flat, when the going seemed to be getting easy, there was a thicket of willows to pass through. Then the young stinging nettles came into play. Memories of having gotten stung by huge nettles back in ’78, meaning eight feet tall or more, came back sharply through the backs of my calves. Quickly as I could, I jumped over a muddy expanse of more nettles and was free of the creek bed and climbed up the bank into an abandoned parking spur at my long awaited destination.

A small piece of the old jeep track in Prairie Fork that once went downstream to the East Fork of the San Gabriel River from Cabin Flat campground.

Completely still air and a sky that had become almost completely gray framed what was left of the old Cabin Flat Campground. An occasional water drop made its’ way to me, yet it was the most refreshing sort of spring-like warmth mixed with the water. The light drops seemed to wake up the scent of the sagebrush that had crept through most of the campsites that now sat idle. Finding a few picnic tables under some shade trees, it was time to finish more of my lunch as drops turned to drizzle. The sadness of the place had begun to soak

Cluster of tables and fire pit, which appear to be an actively used site at Cabin Flat campground.

into me, it was time to walk off the ’70’s. The second liter of water was now gone and this thought kept surfacing… maybe, just maybe, I could go on further to Lupine Campground, just a few miles on. There might even be water at Columbine Spring. And so I walked on,

A sun-baked picnic table is taken back by encroaching Great Basin sagebrush at abandoned Cabin Flat campground.

not heading back quite yet…

by Chris Kasten

4/17/15

THE HIGHWAY IS OPEN!!!!!!!!!

The Angeles Crest Highway is open. I was just at Vincent Gap and the gates are open. So come on up for a drive and a Great time in the Mountains. Be carful while driving the highway as since it just opened you may see some wild game such as Bighorn Sheep, Deer, Bobcat and Mountain Lions. On my way back to the store I saw 2 deer crossing the road. So come on up and have a great day also swing by Mtn Hardware and say hello. Let us know how you trip was.

Mike

4/5/15

Happy Easter

The weather is Great. Come on up for a hike, Picnic or a drive in the Mountains. The road to Blue Ridge is open at Inspiration Point. I am not sure at this time how far the road is open but I would image it is open to Guffy Camp Ground. We are starting to get some PCT hikers coming through so if you see someone on the PCT Trail they may be on there way to Canada.

Mike

Unbelievable Weather!

This weather is unbelievable! This is a couple of pictures of Inspiration Point and Mt Baden Powell this morning. It makes you want to come up and hike.

3/8/15

Come on up

We have snow so bring the kids, grandmother, neighbor kids, and the dog. Enjoy the snow while we still have it. See the pictures from yesterday’s post.

Mike

3/7/15

Come on up the snow conditions for SNOW PLAY are GOOD. The road are open with no controls so today would be a great day to jump in the car with the kids and head to the Mountains.

Mike

3/6/15

Yes we have GREAT Snow. So come on up this weekend. The weather is blue sky and light wind. I just took this picture (below) this morning. You can click the picture to see a larger view.

Mike

Mountain Hardware Outdoor Report

1390 Hwy 2 PO Box 398 Wrightwood, California 92397 760-249-3653 Summer hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm. Sunday 8:30am-4:30pm.

East Fork of the San Gabriel River – Hiking Down Stream from Mine Gulch Camp

Hiking on to Lupine, Guffy and Acorn Canyon, Wrightwood

5/15/15

Hike to Vincent Gap – Mine Gulch – Prairie Fork – Cabin Flat

4/17/15

4/5/15

Unbelievable Weather!

3/8/15

3/7/15

3/6/15