Friends of Caltech Libraries present guided hike to Lookout Mountain

Albert Michelson, America’s first Nobel Laureate, made many measurements of the speed of light. His most accurate and final measurement was made in the San Gabriel Mountains, using mirrors on the summit of Mount Wilson and Lookout Mountain. Wayne Steinmetz, a member of the FOCAL Board, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Pomona College and a US Forest Service volunteer, will conduct a hike to the summit of Lookout Mountain on Saturday, 10 April. The route will follow an unmaintained trail and will cover a pristine canyon, rugged sections of the Sheep Mountain Wilderness, and the historic summit. We might see Nelson bighorn sheep. Hikers considering the 10-mile hike should regard it as strenuous. See map.

WHEN: Saturday, 10 April 2010 at 8:00 a.m.(rain cancels)
Please sign on via email to wsteinmetz@pomona.edu. A head count will be helpful.

WHERE: The hike will begin in the parking lot by the Community Church in Baldy Village. If you are coming from Pasadena or Los Angeles, take the Towne Avenue exit off of the 210. Turn left and head north over the freeway to Baseline. Turn right onto Baseline and head east to Mills Avenue. Turn left onto Mills and proceed north until Mills ends at a stop sign. Turn right onto Baldy Road which first heads east and then turns north in the vicinity of San Antonio Dam. Continue north on the Baldy Road until Baldy Village. The Community Church is on the left (west) side of the road, after the fire station and before the USFS visitor center.

WHAT: Be prepared for a strenuous but memorable hike. Wear good hiking boots and long pants (chaparral!). Bring 2 Liters of water, a lunch, and the usual 10 essentials. A hiking stick is recommended. The hike leader will provide a map for the route.

WHY: The trail is disappearing and the hike leader is moving away from Southern California. This may be your last chance to see the route.


For more information, email Wayne Steinmetz at wsteinmetz@pomona.edu or call 909-624-6981.

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