The day started out wonderful. We ran into these fellows before we even started the hike. We were able to watch them for 5 minutes before they got board with us and moved on. This is part of the herd above Wrightwood.
This day was one the hotter days we had in 06. In fact summit temperatures this day were pushing 85 plus even at 10,000 feet! This hike has no water available during the hike. I recommend in the summer time no less then 100 oz. of water. The day these pictures were taken I carried 148 oz.s and had roughly 16 left over I had given some to the boys hiking with me. So I figure I drank 100.
This hike is 10 miles from the Pine Mountain side. You summit 2 other peaks before reaching Baldy. This hike is not for the faint of heart!
You are greeted with this ridge within the first mile of hiking. As you can see this is not a walk in the park. Much of the trail is little more then a 'goat path'. There are moments when one is wondering, what am I doing here?
Once past the ugly ridge known as Pine back bone. You start to enter the lodgepole forest. These trees are among my favorite to walk among. The path is better defined here yet give it time it will disappear again.
Once atop Pine the goal is in site. Roughly 3 miles walking left yet now Blady stays in your view from this point forward. The views from this summit atop Pine are magnificent! There are rocks stacked in circles on top where hikers camp for the evening to protect themselves from the winds. It is a great place to just kick back and enjoy the view. Remember anyone can be a "trail pounder" Take your time and enjoy this hike it is not a foot race.
Baldy looms the whole way across Dawson peak. Dawson is not a hard part of the hike quiet and beautiful would be the words to use for Dawson. The trail on this part of the hike once again becomes a game trail.
Yes this is the base of the beast. There is this low saddle between Dawson and Baldy which you cross in short order. This area is the quietest of the hike. Fully surrounded by these two peaks. Not far from civilization yet far enough to feel you are in a wilderness far from any city.
Look steep? Well it is, you will be about half way up the side of this mountain and start asking yourself, what am I doing here? This part in short spurts becomes a class three scramble. For the most part though it is just STEEP!
The mountain on the right is Dawson and the one on the left is Pine. You can see the ridge you come will come down off of Pine. And yes you must go back the same way. This hike is not hard one way, it is hard both ways. This is what really makes this hike strenuous. Once tired from the hike to the summit, then you must turn around and do it all over again.
Closer getting closer!
Yes! Victory!
These images are of Baden Powell in the far right half shaded by the clouds. The image shows all the way to Mt. Wilson over by Pasadena.
This hike is a great hike if your are looking for a good work out. Be sure to bring lots of water. As I stated earlier 100 oz.s minimum. You may want to bring more though depending on the weather.
This hike can take upwards of 7 to 8 hours to complete. Remember there is no water on the trail you must bring it all.
2 comments:
Hi Dave,
Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you had your pics up. This looks like a great hike! I remember taking a dayhike in Arches in almost 100 degrees in 2006. It was about 6 miles but we sucked down water, our entire Camelbak as well as 2 extra bottles a piece, like we were in the Sahara! Too many times I see people out hiking and they have just a 16oz bottle with them, that's it! I would be in BIG trouble!
I enjoyed the Bighorn Sheep pictures. We have seen those quite a bit, hiking in Glacier and Yellowstone. The babies especially are cute!
This is definitely a strenuous hike you showed but I would probably enjoy it!
Hey, I just thought of a book I bought in Yosemite last year that was pretty good. It was
"Missing in the Minarets" and it was about Pete Starr who went missing in the 1930's. If you haven't read it, it might be worth taking a look at!
Thanks for sharing such great pictures and memories!
Connie
Maybe one of these days I will do the Baden Powell hike with you.
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