Following Jon and Blaine Down Buckthorn 7-28-2024

Buckthorn is a chunky monkey (technical term) trail that descends off of Modjeska Peak back to Main Divide. There are two parts to the trail. The first you rattle over softball-sized rocks while side-cutting the mountain through a dark oak forest. Then you emerge into the promised land where you blast out through a perfectly clear passage of the trail's namesake buckthorn. On this part you can really pick up the speed, but if you go too fast you will miss enjoying one of the best views in the Santa Ana's. There are two finishes; we took the left one which drops you above four corners, as we were headed back up to do Joplin.