San Juan Hill

March 2012

[I apologize for the lack of updates, I've been out of town for work. Now I'm back and with a renewed fury. I've gone Super Saiyan and I'm taking anyone willing with me. I've been back home for approximately 2 weeks and already gone on 2 hikes. Trying to keep up this pace, let's go!]

I planned this hike, I studied the map, I organized it and it turned out better than expected. The target hike was suppose to be Gilman Peak [nobodyhikesinla.com link] but a wrong turn and our group [all 10 of us] charged up San Juan Hill [nobodyhikesinla.com] instead. Gilman Peak is the 2nd highest location in Chino Hills State Park. However, being the AP/MERITS/A-type personalities kind of group, we took that wrong turn and went up THE highest location. The hike turned from a moderate 7 miles to a blistering 10-miler. 

That incident aside [where no-one is to blame, especially me], we all had a good time and kept an optimistic outlook. Except for Dan, he discovered his own mortality and limitations. The hills were steep. Muscles crunching under the pressure. Beads of sweat racing down the side of his face as he took each agonizing step. His sunglasses were stifling, it narrowed his vision. And he must see far. His backpack was heavy. It threw him off balance. And his target is far away. The world will know that free men stood atop a hill, that few stood against many, and before this hike was over, even a god-king can bleed. [/300]

Reaching the top of San Jual Hill, Dan found a spot to himself. Overlooking Orange County, surveying everything the light touches is his kingdom. What about that shadowy place? That's Santa Ana, you must never go there. [/Lion King]

Like I mentioned, I organized and planned this hike. The only reason Dan went on this hike was because I promised him we could go to Berkeley Dog [Yelp link] afterwards. One thing I learned, actually two things. One, is that I can bribe Dan with food [which I won't hesitate to do]. Two, for new hikes I need to scout/recon the trail before bringing a big group or use a strip map [they save lives]. Top Dog was delicious and perfect for an after-hike reward, totally makes the 10 miles worth it, right guys? Guys?

Proof!