This is my first backpacking trip since November 2008. After the news my husband and I were expecting our first child I decided not to pursue any trail adventures during my pregnancy. Though that January 2009 I did a snowshoe day hike and found out a few days later that I was pregnant. A nursing relationship with my daughter meant that I’d have to wait at least a year to leave her over night as well. I mean there are no laws that state that but its what I felt the most comfortable with. So at 17 months post partum I decided it was time.

I scoured my meetup group Los Angeles Backpackers Club for any trip that didn’t involve climbing mt. whitney or plowing through snow with a 35lb pack. I finally came across Hoegee Trail Camp trip. Twelve of us ventured together on my inaugural trip as a mother though two of the twelve were my nieces.  I packed my bags and left my daughter with her daddy so they could have some bonding time. And by the way after I returned he said he had even more respect for all I do to take care of our daughter.

Hoegee Trail Camp founded at the turn of the century and was designed to be a hiker’s resort. They have fire pits, pit toilets, and picnic benches. This is an extremely popular camp with the boy scouts.

The Trails:

There are many heavily trafficked trails which are perfect for day hiking. The trails are lined with oak, alder sycamore, spruce and willow. Along the trail  to both Hoegee and Sturdevant Falls you’ll find rustic cabins reminiscent of a Hobbit’s house you’d see in Lord of the Rings.  The trails do have about seven stream crossings, though the chilly water isn’t very deep it might be not be toddler friendly unless you can carry them in a child carrier.

We decided to do a day hike to Sturdevant Falls which was a 2 1/4 loop from the trail head and back to the Hoegee Trail Camp junction. From there it was another hilly 1 1/4 mile climb to camp.

After getting to camp we ate our gourmet lunch of laughing cow cheese (my backpacking staple), salami, and pringles. Overnight trips lend themselves well to eating only junk food.  After a short respite me and three other’s decided to day hike up to the top of mt. zion which was a 1 1/2 mile, 900 ft elevation gain. After getting to the top you can see the entire Pasadena area which would have been stunning if it weren’t for all the smog.

I slept like a baby after putting in 8 miles and not to mention the babbling creek nearly at the foot of my tent.

The next day we took the 3 1/2 mile Upper Winter Creek loop back and out to the parking lot. At this point my toes were nearly numb from my Asolo’s being too small. Thank goodness I bought them at REI; even at three years old they’ll still take them back and let me find something that works better. We dodged trail runners, and trail bikers on the narrow path and finally returned to the parking lot. I took a visit to the general shop which resided completely outside even the cash register. Everything was filled with dust and looked like a place you’d run into in a horror film. I quickly grabbed my souvenir Hoegee Trail Camp patch and hustled out of there.

Ate some goldfish on the way home and took a 30 minute hot bath, snuggled in bed for half an hour and went to dinner with my parents. I did it! 11 more miles under my belt. Next month is Sespe Creek to Willet Hotsprings a 19 mile round trip endeavor.

And I think my daughter will be ready for her first trip soon. She’s already testing out mama’s boots.

How to get there:

From the Foothill Freeway(210) in Arcadia, exit on Santa Anita Avenue and drive six miles north to its end at Chantry Flat. The trail begins across the road from the parking lot. There are several parking lots but they all tend to fill up between 7 and 8am so its advised to get there early!