The grlz get out for our "season-opener" that turns out to be lupenicious.
- May 21, 2006
- Team: Julie and Jasmine
- Summit: 6694'
- 6 miles round trip
Note: click images to see larger version in new window
After a few wrong turns, it took us 90 minutes to get from our house to where we parked for this climb. We could have driven further than 4800', but the next several mud holes looked intimidating. And it was a nice day for a walk. We left the car right at 10am, and it was overcast and cool. |
 |
It only took about 45 minutes to get to the end of any track or road, and for the real climb to begin. It was immediately quite steep, so we had an immediate great view. |
 |
We got to the top of the ridge at about 6200' without any difficulties. Then we had to swim across a manzanita thicket, all 100' of it, and boy did the guide catch heck. While Jasmine does the crawl, I think Julie is doing the breast stroke? |
 |
| After the brush patch, it was an easy 15 minutes to the lookout. The last little bit was on the road. |  |
And here we are on the summit with the South fork canyon in the foreground and the Trinity mountain on the horizon. As funny as Jasmine looks, her Mom's expression is even better. |
 |
| We opted to make a loop out of it, so we descended the south ridge. It runs for a little over a mile before you drop off. So we got to do this cool ridge walk, including these crenellated towers. |  |
Then it was time to leave the ridge. It is very steep through here... but one could still climb it. After the first drop, you gain a spur ridge that takes some of the steepness out. |
 |
The spur ridge was absolutely lupenicious. There were a lot of flowers out on the entire hike, but this area was incredible. I'm pretty sure, judging by the cow pies, that the tread we walked had been well-fertilized in years past. |
 |
Home | 2006 | Back to top of page | Comments or questions :: e-mail to john platt
