Rik Christensen cowboy camping backpacking

As part of a VWR trail survey, Rik and Paul hiked the 7 mile Sweetwater Trail from the Sierra Madre Road to SouthFork Cabin. With no water resources and shade, and hot weather, they planned their hiking times in the early morning. The trail was in great condition and passable, helped by cows in search of feed and multiple stock trips to support the CCCs stationed at SouthFork at the beginning of the summer. There are wonderful views of the north slopes of the Mission Pine Ridge, Hurricane Deck, and Sierra Madre ranges in their photo gallery.

September 21, 2011 — Brian Fryer