Very beautiful and dramatic views on this hike. Definitely felt the elevation change and pretty challenging incline. Wind from the Santa Ana winds made this more difficult on the true backbone.
★
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Trail washed out in spots. Lots of graffiti and inexperienced hikers. Very sad example of internet exposure ruining a really cool spot.
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stars
This was a great day for hiking; clear and high 60s. The road from the trail to South Hawkins has several large rock-slides that have come down across the road, and the road is also washed out by a running stream. The stream had a nice waterfall though. The trail up Hawkins Ridge had some snow near the around Middle Hawkins, some of which was deep enough that footing was sketchy. There was also significant snow on the PCT - like 8 feet in places. The snow is definitely contained in several patches and below 7,500' there was no snow. The trail was in good condition, though there were some trees across some sections along Hawkins Ridge.
The views from the various peaks were great, but you can definitely tell that there was a major fire within the last few years.
★
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★
This was a fun and easy hike to Big Horn Mine. I would have given this trail 5 stars, but there was sooooo much trash. Our small group (my hiking family) took trash bags with us, and thankfully so! We picked up about 5 lbs of recycle trash (beer bottles, gatorade, water, and more beer cans), and about 10-15 lbs of trash trash. There were so many glow-sticks, tissue paper, candy wrappers, snack wrappers/bags, trashed clothing, and the worst of all - some person pooped IN THE MINE! It was rank! We doubled bagged that and put it in our large trash bag. I hope those that go on this trail will pack their trash out with them. You carried it full, now carry it out empty.
The views were breathtaking, the mine was awesome, there is bathrooms and trashcans at the trailhead. You go left for the mine and right for the eternal switchback trail to Mt. Baden-Powell.
I recommend this hike.
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Recommended that you do this hike on a cool weather day. No water sources on this trail you have to carry all your water with you. It was 85° and i carried 6L and it was barely enough. Drank 1L the 1st 3 miles stashed 2L at the saddle for the way back kept 3L with me. The uphill is steep and the downhill feels steeper. Pants and boots reccomend you might be able to get away with trail runners. Definitely a Very Strenuous Advanced hike.
★
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stars
