Cajon Pilgrimage 2009

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The annual Pilgrimage was by far the smallest, coldest, and wettest outing to date but was nevertheless an enjoyable event thanks to the friendship and good humor of those who attended.

The day began ominously when at approximately 5:30 AM, we punched through an intense thunderstorm north of San Bernardino on our way up. Arriving atop Pilgrim's Hill at 5:46, we discovered that somehow the raging storm seen just minutes before was nowhere to be found. All was eerily calm as a fog bank rolled in from the west and snuffed out the deep blue hues that heralded the coming new day. As the fog slowly brightened, I began the tasks of cleaning, deploying the hut, and decorating.

Ultimately, the elements had their way with me and my decorations had to retreat to the safety of the duffel bags from which they came even before everything could be deployed. What followed was a day of small deployments when possible and retreats when necessary.

Still, we did get our picnic lunch in between storm cells and managed to laugh at each less than ideal situation as they unfolded.

Seen here, is our small camp at its attendence peak.

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Bob captures one of the early trains of the morning rolling downgrade under the low, gray skies.

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A long, quality UP manifest grinds its way up the pass under gorgeous skies.

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Danny greets a BNSF stack train working downgrade.

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The Pilgrims rejoice in the sunlight soon after deployment. Little did they know that the elements were conspiring against them to bring their celebration to an early close.

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The family of wild turkeys doesn't seem to mind the photographers in their midst.

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Both the westbound train and mountains to the west are seemingly decorated for Christmas.

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Uh oh.... A storm cell approaches from the northwest. At about the time this photo was taken cold air running out ahead of the storm cell dropped the temperature at least ten degrees in about one minute.

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Everyone retreated to their vehicles when the rains came. Bett's handy computer, Molly, sat scrunched in the food box in Bob's truck making announcements about train movements on the pass which we relayed to everyone via walkie talkies.

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Back in bright sunlight, everyone captures a BNSF stack train in the middle of the afternoon.