Aspen Grove II

7/16/20  Second time up the Aspen Grove trail, but much different looking than last time after a huge fire a few years ago on this side of the mountain. But 23 miles and more than 4,500' of gain is always fun.
IMG_3195 Burnt out, but still beautiful in its own way.
Burnt out, but still beautiful in its own way.
IMG_3196 Crossing Fish Creek.
Crossing Fish Creek.
IMG_3203 Still some wildflowers out.
Still some wildflowers out.
IMG_3205 Green and a little overgrown, perfect.
Green and a little overgrown, perfect.
IMG_3211 This is where my Dad and I got briefly lost last time I was here. There's a sign now, but it's still pretty confusing.
This is where my Dad and I got briefly lost last time I was here. There's a sign now, but it's still pretty confusing.
IMG_3210 Fish Creek Meadow.
Fish Creek Meadow.
IMG_3213 Leaving Fish Creek Meadow.
Leaving Fish Creek Meadow.
IMG_3219 Starting to climb out of the burn zone.
Starting to climb out of the burn zone.
IMG_3220 Finally onto some nice unburnt singletrack.
Finally onto some nice unburnt singletrack.
IMG_3224 The plane wreck.
The plane wreck.
IMG_3226 Looking down the valley.
Looking down the valley.
IMG_3237 One of my favorite views of San Jacinto.
One of my favorite views of San Jacinto.
IMG_3236 Panoramic view of San Jacinto.
Panoramic view of San Jacinto.
IMG_3250 Made it! I had the summit to myself.
Made it! I had the summit to myself.
IMG_3244 A look at Big Bear Lake in the distance, and the last patch of snow. Not bad for mid-July in a dry year.
A look at Big Bear Lake in the distance, and the last patch of snow. Not bad for mid-July in a dry year.
IMG_3246 Don't even think about it dude...
Don't even think about it dude...
IMG_3249 This guy was very photogenic.
This guy was very photogenic.
IMG_3254 A look at Dry Lake on the way back.
A look at Dry Lake on the way back.
IMG_3262 All the way back down to Fish Creek.
All the way back down to Fish Creek.
IMG_3264 All that remains of the Aspen Grove. They're more like Aspen bushes now, but at least they're making a comeback! End to a long but fun day.
All that remains of the Aspen Grove. They're more like Aspen bushes now, but at least they're making a comeback! End to a long but fun day.