Rocky Peak blew me away.
Or, at least it tried to. This was, like many things I do, somewhat of a mistake. I had originally planned to do Los Angeles' answer to the DeCaLiBron, a loop of four HPS peaks starting at the Monte Cristo campground. As per usual I hadn't checked anything first and when I got off the freeway and started heading up the Angeles Crest Highway there was a sign saying the Angeles Forest Highway was closed due to damage from the heavy rains we'd had for a few days.
After a few days of cold and wet I was looking forward to something at least semi-warm and semi-dry. I didn't want to drive further up the Crest for even more cold, wet weather.
So, I decided to do the Las Llajas trail again, even downloading the map. Without referring to said map, I started up the short asphalt road that leads to the ridge I took before. To make sure I didn't miss the turnoff, I looked at the map I'd downloaded and, well, it said I was way off. I was confused: had I forgotten how I'd done the earlier trip? I decided to follow the map, which involved turning around and then walking up the road until it ends. There's a gate there and the trail goes across a flat area. None of this rang a bell but I continued anyway. Before long, it seeped into my brain cage that I wasn't on the same trail as before. On the plus side, this trail - the Chumash Trail - put me closer to Rocky Peak so it was OK. It would make a good return trail after doing the ridge trail, rather than four miles through the Canyon.
The main problem with the hike was the wind. While it was somewhat warm in the sun, the incessant cold wind wiped that out. When I got up to near the peak, the wind got a lot worse. In fact, it was so strong I didn't feel comfortable scrambling upright on the boulders near the top. Instead I butt scooted there since it was safer than getting blown down into a gap between rocks. I made it to the top boulder where there's a sign and the register, but unlike the last time I didn't feel comfortable getting on top. I already had the peak anyway. I snapped a few shots and headed out of there.
Maybe next time I'll get both the views and warm, non-windy weather.
