Re: Alternative Route (skip Bowen Ranch?)???

All this has been discussed on the board if you search for the trail name. There is really no "less steep" way - some people by mistake take a spur trail down a _really_ steep canyon, into Family Canyon to be more precise, as opposed to continuing on the only a bit less harrowingly steep regular ridge trail. This is at the trail's end, it's last 1/2 mile or so. It's easy to see on a topo map. Trail reports? There were some crazy bees on the trail a few years back. No reports of them lately. It's too hot to be on the Bradford Ridge trail, to my mind! Maybe more will report on it in the winter. It can be a fun hike after you get over that descent/ascent.