Missing forum member (Colin Walker)

David R · Post by **David R** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 2:35 pm

I have done this hike five times and it is steep especially at the beginning but a pretty clear route. I would expect based on the search done last week that he made it to the ridge, there really isn't many places to get lost on the way up and there are no drop offs. He must be in the East Fork.

lauhikes · Post by **lauhikes** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:05 pm

Hey folks, I'm not a friend of Colin's, but took interest in his MP report as a fellow hiker. I've been following along with the thread and have a possible route theory.

As Colin stated, he was going to "attempt to find signs of the trail at the upper end where it joins Clamshell Road west of Monrovia Peak."

There appears to be an old unmarked trailhead to the west of Monrovia Peak. It also appears to go somewhat SE down the mountain, running parallel and eventually connecting to Upper Clamshell Truck Road at the White Saddle Junction.

Has there been extensive searching around this area to the west of Monrovia Peak on the descent to White Saddle?

Google Maps: Unknown Trailhead
Google Earth Project: Possible route

The coordinates of the trailhead: 34°12'39.3"N 117°58'12.9"W

Might it be possible that he hiked up Clamshell Peak to Monrovia Peak? If so, may he have tried this unknown trail back down? This is especially considering it would connect with the fire road near White Saddle and it would be a smooth descent and a loop-type hike back to Monrovia Canyon?

Thanks for considering my theory on this. I'm interested to hear your feedback.

-Lau

Nate U · Post by **Nate U** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 6:42 pm

lauhikes wrote: ↑ As Colin stated, he was going to "attempt to find signs of the trail at the upper end where it joins Clamshell Road west of Monrovia Peak."

There appears to be an old unmarked trailhead to the west of Monrovia Peak. It also appears to go somewhat SE down the mountain, running parallel and eventually connecting to Upper Clamshell Truck Road at the White Saddle Junction.

Might it be possible that he hiked up Clamshell Peak to Monrovia Peak? If so, may he have tried this unknown trail back down? This is especially considering it would connect with the fire road near White Saddle and it would be a smooth descent and a loop-type hike back to Monrovia Canyon?

Hmmmm, food for thought indeed!

Pros:
• Colins says "west of Monrovia Peak" and not west of Rankin Peak, which is where the old switchback trail into Santa Anita East Fork is located. Granted the historic Santa Anita East Fork switchback trail IS still west of Monrovia peak as well, but there is Rankin in between.
• Your proposed route is a reasonable loop to make on a hot day when you safely only have the morning hours to work with.

Cons:
• Your "White Saddle Junction Trail" route down (which appears on satellite imagery to be a fire break) Doesn't actually join Upper Clamshell Road at it's "upper end" because Upper Clamshell Road swings north to Spring Camp before joining your trail. It appears to be another fire break which joins your trail along the ridge from Rankin to Monrovia Peaks.
• according to Sean, Colin's unsent email was titled "East Fork Trail recon" which suggests Colin was looking for trails into the East Fork of Santa Anita and not on the south face of Clamshell/Rankin/Monrovia.

lauhikes · Post by **lauhikes** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 7:02 pm

Thanks for the feedback, Nate and the info that Colin was only planning to hike in the morning hours.

The Google Maps or Google Earth links above show the marker of the unknown trail and its faint southerly route which connects to what they're calling Upper Clamshell Truck Trail at White Saddle. Older maps called this trail Sawpit. At that fork, it splits into Monrovia Canyon Truck Trail & Silver Fish Truck Trail.

I've attached some screenshots & drawn a green line on the unknown trail located to west of Monrovia Peak.

Post by **Sean** » Tue Jul 25, 2023 11:33 pm

lauhikes wrote: ↑Might it be possible that he hiked up Clamshell Peak to Monrovia Peak? If so, may he have tried this unknown trail back down?

Thanks, Lau. Until Colin is found we can't rule out the idea that he took an unusual route down.

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:44 am

What if Colin made the same mistake that teke made on the descent and got off on that lateral ridge to the southwest of the main ridge route? Ultimately I think he would have hit the lower stretch of Clamshell Truck Trail and realized his error. But instead of backtracking like teke did, what if he tried to cut diagnally across the upper portions of intervening canyon? Or maybe just continue down the steep ridge past the water tank? I know the copters spend a lot of time hovering over that canyon so maybe that thread has played out.

https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=34.1842 ... z=15&b=mbh

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:48 am

See Ze's comment above. I guess that was what I was thinking.

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:41 am

Nevermind my comments above. Colin's body was apparently found by SAR yesterday afternoon. That's all I know.

tonesfrommars · Post by **tonesfrommars** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:48 am

I was just writing a note here for anyone not in our WhatsApp group. Colin was found yesterday and his remains are being recovered this morning. We will know more soon, and I will share here as we learn more. Thanks to you all for your kind thoughts and rememberences and also for helping to brainstorm in the effort to find him. I am heartbroken. I know that Colin really enjoyed this forum and community, and shared his love for these amazing mountains with you all.

Gesendet von iPhone mit Tapatalk

norma r · Post by **norma r** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:57 am

I’m so sorry. RIP Colin. Lover of the outdoors.

Paul Ayers · Post by **Paul Ayers** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 9:43 am

Colin working the Station Ridge Trail, 3/23/2018.

courtney · Post by **courtney** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 9:47 am

to ian, sean, paul, and all who knew and loved colin, my deepest condolences. may his memory live on in the sharing of his knowledge, passion, and adventurous spirit.

K_Sabo · Post by **K_Sabo** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 9:53 am

Rest well, Colin. Peace to you and your entire family, Ian.

davidwiese · Post by **davidwiese** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 9:55 am

Oof, this one hurts. RIP Colin.

Post by **Sean** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:02 am

GPhiker · Post by **GPhiker** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:05 am

Ian, my condolences to you and your family for your great loss. Condolences also to the others here and elsewhere who knew Colin. It sounds like he was a great guy.

(I didn't know Colin but I hike with a friend of his wife.)

Post by **Sean** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:26 am

I'm creating a slideshow for Colin. If you have photos I can use, please email them to eispiratenforum(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks.

AngelMount · Post by **AngelMount** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 11:27 am

Very sad outcome; ? I really hoped there was a chance he'd be found alive. Rest in Peace Colin Walker as you walk and immerse yourself in the celestial mountains, replicas of the San Gabriels which you loved so much, and where you spent so much time communing with nature and clearing the paths for others to enjoy. May your love for your family and friends be felt in a special way by them as the rush of memories abound. My deepest condolences to them.

Post by **Hikin_Jim** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:11 pm

Well, this is a bad deal.

RIP.
HJ

K_Sabo · Post by **K_Sabo** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 2:00 pm

If the helicopter activity this morning is any indication, it appears he wasn't very far up the ridge from where he had started when something happened.

I know people complain about InReach, but I use mine in really narrow canyons and it still does a pretty good job. I hope everyone uses something that can be tracked in an emergency.

lauhikes · Post by **lauhikes** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 3:15 pm

Ian, thank you for your open communication in sharing this very solemn news. I'm holding space and sending love to you and your family at this time of loss.

jesmeza · Post by **jesmeza** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 5:35 pm

RIP Colin.

Post by **tekewin** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 6:55 pm

RIP Colin. Very sad news.

Post by **dima** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:21 pm

Here's the recovery flight: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N14 ... /KPAI/KPAI

And the map: https://caltopo.com/m/3KN56

Looks like Colin got into trouble very early in the hike. Be safe, everyone.

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 7:37 pm

Or on his way out?

Post by **tekewin** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:07 pm

dima wrote: ↑Here's the recovery flight: https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N14 ... /KPAI/KPAI

And the map: https://caltopo.com/m/3KN56

Looks like Colin got into trouble very early in the hike. Be safe, everyone.

Appears he was near the start or on the steepest part of the ridge. It is also at a junction of a trail I didn't know was there. Maybe he was trying to find or use that trail that headed down to North Canyon. That would have made a loop and gotten him back before the afternoon.

David R · Post by **David R** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:14 pm

Super surprised they didn't find him until now that is right at the beginning of the climb up. I would assume a medical situation separate from the hike or heat exhaustion on the way down. It is the steepest section but can't see you dying on that section unless a fluke fall and hit your head on a rock but you should be found right away in that case.

courtney · Post by **courtney** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:28 pm

i recall them saying the last ping on his phone was only a mile from the car, two whole hours into the hike. that seems to match up with these findings?

Post by **HikeUp** » Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:00 pm

Could have been looking for the Bill Cull trail.

clamshell-rankin-monrovia-peaks-1-17-09-t1144.html

viewtopic.php?p=1526#p1526

Post by **Sean** » Thu Jul 27, 2023 4:48 am

HikeUp wrote: ↑Could have been looking for the Bill Cull trail.

When I hiked Clamshell and Monrovia in 2011, I must have done the top piece of this trail, because it was super sketchy and led over to the palm trees. They call it Four Palms now. I thought it was an animal track at the time, and was confused for a few minutes until I realized I was off route.

Ze quotes Robinson on the linked thread:

Then I read this again about 'trails that once were'

"Monrovia Peak Trail: This was once a favorite of Big Santa Anita Canyon hikers, going from Fern Lodge up the East Fork to Clamshell Ridge and on to the summit. Today, the middle stretch from the East Fork up to the Clamshell fire road is completely overgrown and impassable."

"Deer Park-Monrovia Trail: Ben Overturff built this trail from Deer Park Lodge up the long southeast ridge of Monrovia Peak to the summit in 1914-1915. It fell into disrepair when Deer Park was abandoned after the 1938 flood."

I wonder if Colin read that, because he didn't refer to it as the "Monrovia Peak Trail." In the '34 USGS, the trail hits the ridge, then forks. One branch contours around the head of the canyon to Spring Camp, the other continues straight up the ridge, along a firebreak, to Monrovia Peak.

CA_Chileno Canyon_289189_1934_24000_geo.pdf: (14.55 MiB) Downloaded 249 times

That's interesting about the trail out of Deer Park. Kevin Singleton emailed me a map of it during the search. It has been abandoned longer than the East Fork Trail. Anyone seen signs of it?