It was a Japanese morning...some low clouds hugging the mountain, and many views that looked like a classic Japanese watercolor.

This is the same hike we did on Easter (see Little Santa Anita Canyon), except that instead of turning down and stopping at First Water, we turned up, Karen and Terri heading for the top of Mt. Wilson, and me for Orchard Camp.

Reading the plaques at the base, I see that this trail was first used in 1864 to bring timber down to the rancho, and has been well used since. It is a beautiful trail. The brass plaque, set in 1959, says that at one time there was a national race on this trail. Once again there is such an annual race, to be run in a couple of weeks, from a place in Sierra Madre to Orchard Camp and back. We met runners training for the event.