Vasquez Rocks Revisited

Vasquez Rocks are iconic rock formations in the Antelope Valley that you have probably seen a million times in movies and TV shows. Just because a piece of the outdoors is famous doesn't mean it isn't a killer hiking spot and I recently went back to Vasquez and rediscovered the gem that it is!

Also there was a snow. Snow! Recent winter storms had brought the snowline down to about 3,000 feet and with the park sitting at about 2,800 feet in elevation you better believe I found some snow on my hike.

This time in the park I took the Horse Trail and there are a ton of nooks and crannies off the main trail that you can explore. One of my favorite places in the entire park requires knowing where a particular goat trail is and navigating some boulders but the end result is this view.

In general the Horse Trail is a little rough but plenty of fun (and yes there are reminders that horses take that trail so watch your step!

What I dug most about the park is that while there are plenty of people there enjoying the outdoors, there are plenty of trails to get lost on and enjoy the solitude of nature. What I especially liked was that I wanted to go back. Sure the hikes may last anywhere from 1-4 miles (depending on the loops you take, etc.) but they are FUN trails and putting a little bit of nip in the air with snow covered peaks and I am going back to Vasquez sooner rather than later. Here are a few extra shots for ya:

For more info about Vasquez, be sure to check out this link: https://parks.lacounty.gov/vasquez-rocks-natural-area-and-nature-center/

Saddleback Butte

Saddleback Butte is firmly planted in the Antelope Valley skyline where you have nothing but sage and desert leading to a butte right there is front of ya face. I have hiked a bunch in the Antelope Valley but never spent much time in the Lancaster area. Well color me chagrined for not spending more time there because this hike was...well.. a beaut!

There are two parking lots, one for the day use area and one for the campground. While parking in the campground will cut down on some mileage, I went from the day use area and was promptly befuddled about where to go. I decided to start down the paved Dowen Nature Trail by the restrooms and saw that it connected with the Little Butte Trail to the left and then off I went.

The trail goes through scrub and impossibly old joshua trees and it is slightly uphill. And sandy, very very sandy.

So even if you feel like you are just trudging along, your calves will subtly start barking at you as you slog through the sandy.

The Little Butte trail is aptly named because eventually you gain the "summit" of Little Butte (it really should be named Lil Beaut but no one is asking me :P).

All of this sand and joshua trees and sneaky elevation gains eventually lead you after approximately 1.5 miles to the junction from the Saddleback Butte Peak trail where the REAL hiking begins.

SB always looms before you and it lets you know that you have got to get your legs working to first make it to the saddle and then make it to the summit. The first part is making it to the saddle which is a well marked goat path through the rocks which was pretty easy all things considered.

The second part is making your way to the summit through this mess.

Many people have said in other reviews that you have to do some light bouldering to make this work. I am here to tell you that despite the lack of signage, despite some stepping up on rocks, this really isn't THAT bad, there are goat trails all throughout and when it doubt, just see if someone's footprints are around ya.

Eventually you make it to the summit and enjoy killer views of the AV.

Coming down is a little bit steep so make sure you have solid boots. No ropes are needed or anything crazy like that just take your time and you will be fine. However, since it is an unmarked trail, coming down I got a little lost and start following basically my own mind down a different trail. I quickly recognized I was off kilter when I was coming up against cliff edges and quickly righted myself. Basically you want to stay high on the shoulder because the shoulder meets the saddle much higher than you think.

I have heard tell that this hike can get a might be windy and while it was calm and clear definitely be prepared for adverse conditions when you go. Regardless of the conditions this is an underrated gem of a hike. It is totally worth a drive to Lancaster and your time sloshing around in the sand. I can't wait to go back!

For more info on this fantastic state park, check out the link: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=618

Devil's Chair Photo Essay

Perhaps my favorite hike in all of Southern California is the Devil's Chair hike outside of Pearblossom, California. The hike has it all, through pine trees with vistas of high desert and drop-dead-beautiful scenery at every turn.

There is a lot of scrub brush at lower elevations by the ranger station.

It has been super hot in California the last few years so hiking during the morning become imperative. Hiking that early does have its positives...

The Devil's Chair hike is about 7.5 miles round trip. The Devil's Punchbowl is only 1 miles round trip but the scenery is outrageous.

Part of the DC trail is shared with the PCT which leads to my claim that I have hiked a portion of it.

I am always amazed by trail crews, being able to wrangle a small bit of trail out of a harshly sloping landscape.

Fall (such as it is) makes a few appearances on the DC Trail.

The stark beauty of the trail, scree in shadow juxtaposed with sunrise desert.

The earth folds over itself several times on the way to the chair and this shot might fully capture the geography at play.

The finale of the hike is the chair, just a spit of rock out in the middle of the madness of all the other rock. It is breathtaking and worth the effort.

For more about the Devil's Chair check out the link:  http://parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Devils_Punchbowl_Natural_Area