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Trip Report: ONYX EXCURSION
(Page 2)
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Leaving Onyx Summit, at an elevation of 8443 feet, we journeyed further upward on a mild dirt road to the first waypoint. It marked the beginning of our adventure and a narrow, steep downhill trail of loose rock, which continued for about one half mile.
Personally, I was in no hurry to leave because I knew what lied ahead - the notorious and ever-changing Rattlesnake Canyon, with its lower elevations and higher temperatures. But soon, and without saying any words to provoke an exodus, I watched the group begin picking up their belongings and packing them up to continue. We went back the way we came, down the rocky slope to the main road and on past the National Forest boundary. Soon we were at the T in the road by the observatory. Right goes out through Devil’s Gate or Burns Canyon. We turned left, through the Joshua tree grove, toward Rattlesnake Canyon.
At this point, we are off most maps. The only maps I’ve found that cover this area are topographic maps and a mountain bike map, which classifies Rattlesnake Canyon as being less than 40 inches wide. Fortunately, the GPS kept us from ever getting too far off track and soon we were at the very top of Rattlesnake Canyon Wash. |
Bruce and I found this trail on the prerun, coming from
the other way. So, we had it planned to give everyone the chance to go
back up the hill, since climbing is always more fun. I made the
announcement for anyone who wanted, to go for it. My wife, Chi, bailed and
let Austin ride with me. To my surprise, when we got to the top, Bruce in
his Cherokee was the only other vehicle to do it. Austin enjoyed one of my
famous shortcuts in an attempt to get back in the lead.
We
shot this photo and then continued on through the
beautiful tall pines, in the cool, clear, fresh air and beautiful scents
of the high elevation San Bernardino National Forest. Our route took us
past an old but well-maintained cabin, past Juniper Campground and out to
a main dirt road. There we shifted out of low range and hightailed it to
2N89Y, which is rated “most difficult” by the Forest Service. The
initial long, rocky climb from the main road was negotiated well by all.
From the prerun,
we knew where the tough spots on this trail began, and stopped short of
them. The terrain there
was a mixture of medium pines and Joshua trees, with cactus mixed in here
and there, and the fresh wild smell of the forest still prevalent. This
was a beautiful, shady spot, where we set out folding chairs and enjoyed a
relaxing lunch. We spent some time talking and enjoying each others
company in God’s wonderful creation.