Snow & More On The Way
With snow "out there somewhere" and my long lens now long gone, I decided to look for a new city-mountain vantage point, which led me to Puente Hills and then the very-closely-related San Jose Hills.
I parked at Galster Wilderness Park, which isn't quite the wilderness access point I was hoping for. They don't seem to much like hikers (or any visitors, really) in their hills. I spent a fair bit of time squishing about in brushy mud before getting shut down by razor wire and chainlink fence.
In hindsight, I think I should have tried the Schabarum Skyline Trail—that looks more promising.
Anyhow, I did get this shot, which confirms that the San Gabriels did in fact get snow this past storm. Sounds like the SoCal mountains did all right, with the BB resorts claiming 17" or so for storm totals, and Mount Baldy hoping to open Chair One. And there are hints something bigger is coming early next week.
Given how far east I drove, it occurred to me I should have just tossed my skis in the car. That remains a work in progress, but hopefully I'll get out there soon.
I'd like to say everything is awesome, but everything is not, and that is not something I can change. The most ordinary of moments can suddenly turn heavy with grief—like reaching for a familiar tool and then remembering that tool is no longer there.
When that happens I'm forced to rewrite the map in my head to better match the reality around me. It's a hard process—I'm human!—but very much a necessary one. In my better moments I try to embrace these changes as simply an inevitable part of life. Other times...I catch myself trying to leap back into the past. And I tell myself that's okay.
I'm glad we have snow in our mountains. I think we're all a little overdue for some time in the hills. I'll take a closer look out there—and I'll let you know what I find.
— March 7, 2025
My family and I are deeply grateful to all of you for your kind words, encouragement, and offers of support. Every message and every gesture—big or small—has meant a lot to us. We're doing the best we can ❤️
RL March 10, 2025 at 9:29 pm
at least you still have yer skis. I hear San G. has good snow now.
Joseph J Gregory March 13, 2025 at 9:31 am
Hoping for these storms to make a dent. There's no place like these mountains and hills.
Take care.