I did my first hike with the local Sierra Club chapter up to Villager Peak.  After reading about the Villager and Rabbit Peaks in Schad, I have wanted to hit these peaks. However, the trip seems pretty daunting due to the lack of an established trail.  Having a guided trip was the perfect solution.
The nine members of the group met at Kendall's Cafe in Borrego Springs at 6:00a.  After breakfast (just coffee and chocolate milk for me), we headed out to the trailhead along S22.
The first part of the trail is quite flat as you cross a plain to get the "trail".  The trail is started up the ramp via a series of switchbacks.  It then leveled a bit for the next 5000' of elevation.  There was a faint use trail and ducks for most of the way, but portions, especially along the knife edges were mostly cross-country.
After several false peaks, we finally got to the summit in 4.5 hours.  All but one of us made it (the other stopped due to injury).  After a lunch break, we headed down.  Going down the step and rocky trail was at times more difficult than going up.  My carpool partner and I made it down in 3 hours.  The others came in over the next hour.
Overall, this is one of the most difficult day hikes I have been on.  It is essentially 7 miles and 5000' feet straight up.  One of the highlights was seeing a pair of bighorn sheep.  Although it was a from a good distance, they were unmistakable as they cross a canyon wall.  I enjoyed the hike to Villager, but don't intend on going back anytime soon.
See my track and pix here.

• Plenty of beach time - water is still warm
• Safari Park - loved the new Lemur Walk exhibit
• Hike with the kids and Sophie in the La Costa Preserve - dusty but nice views
• Dart practice after a long layoff

The biggest name in audio recently passed away. His LA Times obitiuary has a very interesting section on how even young people, motivated and with imagination, can make great impacts in science and business.

While still in high school, he started working for the ground-breaking Ampex Corp. in Redwood City that made audio tape recorders and was developing new uses for magnetic tape. "I made a deal with my high school," Dolby said. "I was so far ahead in my credits that I didn't have to worry about getting into college, so I went to school three hours a day and worked five at Ampex."
He worked at the company with Charlie Ginsburg, who headed a small team that developed the first broadcast-quality videotape recorder, according to an MIT profile. Ginsburg, who died in 1992, said in a 1988 Times interview that Dolby played a vital role.
"I'd say that Ray essentially was the inventor of that whole system," Ginsburg said. "He had virtually no formal education then, no college, but he was already an outstanding inventory."

I have started to compile a list of good places to take the Scout troop backpacking in the local backcountry.  San Diego is challenging to find good weekend or multi-day hikes because of the water situation and lack of long trails.  The PCT is one obvious option, but for young scouts it is too much; it is also logistically challenging.  We have had good trips in the Cuyamacas going to Granite Springs and Arroyo Seco.  But I want to find some other options.
My first recon hike was the PCT between Boulder Oaks campground and Cibbets Flats campground.  It turns out be 7.5 miles each way with a 1300' elevation gain.  Pretty good for experienced scouts.  One option for beginners would be to start the junction with Kitchen Creek Road about halfway.  The trail is in good shape.  There is little shade so in hot weather is quite miserable.  Water is only found reliably at the endpoints.  Although Kitchen Creek had some tepid pools, they are difficult to reach and for survival purposes only.
Full intel on my hike can be found at Trimble Outdoors here.

Courtesy of Andrew Skurka…this is funny!

http://andrewskurka.com/2013/pre-alaska-water-cooler-conversation-with-a-co-worker/

Weekend Activities

• Lots of beach time
• Jogs and bike rides - knees finally feeling better
• Work around the house
• Great potluck on Saturday night