The Family of Bears

This report from our friend, Steve Burns, on his encounter with the bear family:

Last weekend, (May 19th, after the Progressive at First Water, which was great), I headed up the Lower Winter Creek Trail around 5:00 p, a trail that I have hiked many times. The sun was low and the light was spectacular as I walked up the trail. It is a 2 ½ mile hike to my cabin which takes an hour or so. I don’t often hike this late in the day, and I thought, “This is a good time to see wildlife”. Well, I was right...

Just below Cabins #126 & #127, about half way in, I heard a sound in front of me on the trail and, through the shrubs, I saw the rumps of two Black Bears. They were no more than 40 feet away and I stopped in my tracks. I could not see their entire bodies through the brush, but I knew that they were on the trail and I decided to try to get an image. I carry my small digital camera on my pack within easy reach, and when I unzipped the case, they both stopped eating and turned towards me. They stood motionless staring my way and I decided I should take a couple of steps back. As soon as I moved, the two bolted down into the stream bed and up the opposite slope. It was only then that I saw their size. One was a typical small 2-3 year cub, no larger than a big dog, but the other one was huge! I have seen several bears in the canyon over the years, but this one was full sized. If a smaller one is 150-200 lbs. the “mother” was at least twice the size! I was impressed to say the least.

As they were on the other side of the canyon, my concern was diminished, and then I heard a sound to my right. Not 20 feet away, through the brush I saw what I assumed to be another cub. Small, but big enough, and being between a mother and a cub is not a good place to be! I headed up along the trail and stopped about a hundred feet up and turned to look back. The light was not strong enough to get a shot with my camera, but the two, and the one, were all up on there haunches looking my way. An amazing sight and straight out of a nature feature! I was witnessing a scene that not many have seen. To see one bear is unusual, two rare, but a mother and two cubs: it was my first time. I felt blessed.

Your friend and trail guide,
Steve

Steve and the Three Bears

We have been notified, through what we consider to be a very reputable source, that Steve Burns has spotted three bears in the Upper Winter Creek. More to follow.

Let the Games Begin!

Are you sitting? 'Cause this will stun. Please sit... Ted had never been on the Kenyon-Devore Trail. Its true. We actually introduced Ted to one of the most magnificent trails in the Angeles. It went like this:

Us: C'mon, Ted we can start in at Red Box and if we do an easily coordinated car-shuttle we can catch the Kenyan-Devore up to the top of Mt. Wilson.

The King: I don't know that trail. How long is it? How steep? If its so good how come I've never been there?

Us: C'mon, Ted! It's not that steep and its shady all the way! You'll love this one. Trust us!

The King: I just don't know, it's hot today. Are you sure its shady? How can it be shady all the way? I've never heard of this trail.

Us: ooooo look at that Bobcat! Its a sign... let's go, Ted.

And so it went that we convinced Ted to give it a go. And what d'ya know? He LOVED it. I think. Anyway it was shady.

Kenyan-Devore is one of our faves. We must note that the blackflies are coming out and headnets will soon be in order. Also, the gain is about 2500. Well... did I mention it was shady?

Meet Steve Gaiser!

HI STEVE!

The not-so-annual Walk of the Flowers

This weekend we ran into Canyon Dave and Daniel while hiking on what was a perfectly beautiful Southern California morning. We haven't seen our good friend Dave in a very long time and it was fun to catch up. Dave has seen lots of mountain lions and can't believe we haven't seen one yet. But Dave, we've been up on Manzanita Ridge and San Oleane and no we have not seen any lions! We'll have to get Dave to come with us sometime and show us where they are.

We haven't seen Daniel since the last celebration of botany at Chris' camp and personally I can't remember exactly how long ago that was but I do remember Sharon and I washed dishes and there was lots of spaghetti. It was good to spend some time talking with Daniel and hopefully we'll see him again soon.

This years celebration will be this coming Saturday and we're looking forward to seeing some old friends. Sharon and I will be washing dishes again and I'm told that there won't be any pasta but instead the menu will include soup and sandwiches.

See you there!