Location: Southern California (Sierra Pelona Mountains)

Cell Reception:  Verizon

Elevation: 5,787′

Hike Time: 1hr (estimated)

Trail Type: Forest Road, Lots of down hill and up hill. Don’t do this one on a hot day.

Temp Start 75F

Temp End 93F

Elevation profile, there and back

I departed Santa Clarita at about 5am. Headed North on I-5 to Lake Hughes road. Followed that for about 24 miles and hooked a left. Not too long after that on the left is the turnoff.

Adventure Starts Here

For this one you are on Forest road 7N23. It would be great if the gate was open or at least closer to the site, but it’s not so that’s why we hike in. If we must. Maybe I need to get a plasma cutter to help open gates?

Parking Area

It’s been a while so I forgot why I don’t do this hike. For one the elevation drops and then the climb begins. Which wouldn’t be so bad but it is a pretty good climb. Make sure to bring plenty of water/energy bars.

View looking at the summit from the parking lot

Once you finally make it to the summit in what seems like 3 days later. You are greeted with some microwave dishes and at the top some sort of aircraft beacon.

Almost there!

Up!

I went to the top and tried to make some contacts on 2m with my tape measure Yagi that I made. But as luck would have it this was too damn cumbersome to make it work. So I went to set up my mast and there was a lot of rock in the ground. This made me move down a bit to the old gate and lash my mast there.

I opted to start on 20m being that is has been somewhat active for other activation’s. What a good choice. Scott came booming in from Granada Hills and the rest followed.

There were a few that were tough to pull out due to the band going up and down but we got all… I think.

It was already getting hot (80 degrees F) so I wasn’t sure that I was going to setup for 40, but being that I don’t like to let those guys down cause god knows they have been there for me I setup.

I had three takers. For me this was enough as I think the temp rose another 5 degrees.  I was in haul ass mode during the tear down.

One thing I always do is bring a lot of water, and a Gatorade.  Sure it’s heavy but you never know. Well today was once of those days.

Going downhill wasn’t so bad but after mile 1 I was wiped. The temps were in the 90’s now and I wasn’t feeling so good. I pressed on and took every damn shade break that I could. I think that and my water is what save my butt.

It really wouldn’t be so bad if you didn’t have such big hills to climb on the way out.

After I got to the car I had a vacuum sealed thermos with ice water. That hit the spot.

It’s amazing how you bring something you think might be useless and it saves you.

FT-817ND Modded

Thank you chasers. Without you I would just be some idiot on a summit.