Got together with Toad and Offtopic for a leisurely run along Upper Lytle Creek Ridge Trail (South Coast #9 in the Southern California Backcountry Adventures). We met at the AM/PM at Sierra x I15 at 10am and headed up Lytle Creek Road to Sheep Canyon Road and aired down, more for a comfortable ride than anything, and then started across 3N31.







We did stop for a geocache along the route.







We took an alternate route to climb decent hill at one point (honestly not sure if it was supposed to be an alternate route but it looked like it and had a lot of recent travel...there was a tractor up around the corner so they were doing some sort of work) and found a big berm at the end. I went around but bullfrog opted to go over.







When we got to the junction of 3N31 and 3N33, we decided to head back down into Lytle Creek Canyon and go up Pauite Canyon to the cache there and the waterfall that's nearby. Everyone was glad we did. What a great spot. The waterfall was a trickle but there were several icicles and a lot of the moss was iced over and looking like slime.









On the way out of Pauite Canyon, we came upon a Cherokee parked on the trail. We didn’t see anyone in it as we approached. I pulled along side to make sure all was OK and that’s when I saw the female in the driver’s seat with her head in the lap of the guy in the passenger seat. She sat up with a surprised look and said they were just taking a nap. We moved on and I promptly warned my two older kids that napping in the forest is not allowed.





We went back up and over 3N31 and down to Lone Pine Canyon Road, where we aired up. We then headed into Wrightwood and had an early dinner at The Grizzly. The food, service and atmosphere were great and we highly recommend it for anyone heading to the area. The kids really enjoyed the talking moose (OK....so did Bullfrog). It was a beautiful day and a relaxing run.

 

Wow great pics! Looks like it was a great run, I wish we could have joined. Don't be jealous now, but I got to go to South Coast Plaza and waste more potential Jeep mod money on crap that people will probably return.

 

Great pics Jeepcacher. We had a really fun day up there - what beautiful scenery and we lucked out with a nice clear day. The side trip into Pauite Canyon was definitely our favorite part. It was cool driving through the river bed/wash whatever it was, and Jeepcacher even found a rock garden for us on the way out I have a new respect for Bullfrog since he'll try to drive over anything, and I don't think that Toad said "I told you so" once. It was fun for us to see a little snow and hit a few patches of ice since we don't get that down here, and the frozen waterfall and creek were cool too.

We found some yellow post camp sites in really great locations up there.

Notice the Christmas theme - we had a red, green and silver jeep. Toad and I thought that was funny.

+1 on the Grizzly Cafe in Wrightwood Great atmosphere, the friendliest staff I've ever seen, and the food was wonderful.

Thanks again for inviting me on this run. We had a really fun day with everyone and would love to go back and do some more exploring in the area.

 

Bummed I missed out on hanging out with you guys! But, thanks for sharing the great pics. Sounds like a fun time!

 

I wasn't there but I think I have a video on my computer of that girl taking a nap!

 

Hehehe.... I love naps.

 

I know I just woke up a little while ago, but I think I could use a nap already!

 

Wow, lots of great shots in there Toad. I forgot about the money and the mistletoe!

 

How did I know you'd be focussing on the nap ....oh ya...one of the item's on the menu at the Grizzly is a "Tim Sandwich" I tried but only one of the three ladies would order it...now thats not a sandwich

 

Nice shots Toad...waiting to see Offtopics...I forgot to cover the $20.00 to.