u/PlasticGirl

Got measured at REI, apparently I need an overnight bag (approx 50L) that's 15". They had an Osprey A6 50L youth park, but it hits the back of my head. Like I can't look up without leaning backwards.
The XS size for the REI Flash Air 15 is 16", and a tad too big.
My current daypack is a youth REI Tarn 18, which has been great.

Just looking for 1-2 nights of backpacking.

Pictures here

My friend and I stayed at Coldbrook Campground the night before for easier access to the East Fork Trail. Coldbrook is a diminutive little first-come-first-serve place just off the highway, about 14 miles below Crystal Lake. Real pleasant area, you can hear the creek running where ever you camp. It didn't feel like a highly supervised place - there was a spot for a camp host that was empty, and you paid via dropping cash in an envelope. The fire pits and bear boxes looked almost new, but the bathrooms were not clean at all; some of the dumpster hatches had also been destroyed by bears with trash scattered at one site. More signs of forest management struggling under budget cuts.
It was a big buggy at dusk, but surprisingly, we did not get destroyed by mosquitos. We only saw one raccoon eyeing our campsite, which was a nice change from the absolute gangs we've dealt with before.

We're late sleepers and sunset chasers, so my friend and I slept late and started the East Fork Trail to Bridge to Nowhere at 2 pm. The valley was hazy, and we learned from other hikers there was a fire in the area. Turns out it was a prescribed burn. As we got further into the hike, the haze cleared. In hindsight, it was better we started later because of this.

It was really hot - like low 90s. I think there's a couple days in the 80s ahead, but time is running out to do this one without it being a scorcher. The water crossings were very daoble. The levels were lower than I thought, as a 5 ft tall ish person, they didn't even go to my waist. Water wasn't even as a cold as I expected either, I could plunk down in a patch of sun without my toes going numb.

The area has been marked with a variety of colored arrows to help guide you on the fastest way. We made it to the bridge in about 3 hours, with lots of breaks and dips in the river. I filtered water for a few hikers as well. Once we got to the bridge, we hiked down to the bottom to have a swim and relax. We headed back at 6 pm, and made it back to the car at 8:20. The sunset had set and the bats were out, but it was still bright enough that we didn't need our headlamps! Mosquitoes were minimal. As we were packing up to head out, we were surprised to see someone pull up for a night hike. You go dude.

Should also note that as you got deeper into the mountains, the Bridge Fire damage was much more evident - blackened three skeletons and roasted yuccas everywhere. The offspring of these plants are growing everywhere now, and the area is coming back to life but it is still much more sparse than what it was. There's a few areas in the front part of the trail where giant piles of tree debris have accumulated against other dead standing trees; some of these massive strainers were like 10 feet tall. We were in awe of the power of the water that put them there like Lincoln logs. No doubt a lot of these trees were fire victims. The San Gabriel River remains a dynamic and ever-changing place.