April 15

We loaded up with Gil dropping us off at Mint Canyon Road on the far end of the town of Agua Dulce. We chose not to ride through town but rather trailer to the trailhead and head northwest from there.

The elevation went from 2,500’ to 3,000’ in no time and we watched the ranchettes grow smaller as we pulled away.

One ranchette stood out as possibly a motion picture setting with part of an airliner all set up. I envisioned a plane scene like many I have seen in the movies. The tread wound along the hillside of several canyons and across a few fire breaks with switch backs teasing me to look over my shoulder at the views of Mt Baden Powell

and even Vasquez Rocks.

We climbed to over 4500’then dropped off towards Bouquet Canyon Road passing through chaparral which included my favorite Manzanita trees.

Covering almost 10 miles in about 4 hours, we arrived ahead of schedule.

When we got onto the road a kind fellow allowed us to put our animals in his round pen to wait for Gil who arrived 30 minutes later.