![]() ![]() ![]() For the first time, I allowed myself to think: “Maybe hiking Whitney won’t be so tough after all.” Even during the final stretch of my climb to the summit, I found myself passing other hikers. The trail along Icehouse Creek and the views of the surrounding mountains past the junction at Icehouse Saddle were so lovely that fatigue just didn’t seem to register. Baldy, I felt like I was hitting my stride. Cucamonga Peak (8,858 feet high, 12 miles, 4,314 feet of gain)īy the time I worked up to hiking Cucamonga Peak, which proved less crowded than nearby Mt. Baldy may be a good alternative, once the snow melts.ģ. Wilson Observatory by way of Little Santa Anita Canyon, some surrounding areas are closed due to damage from the Bobcat wildfire. Though you can hike from Sierra Madre to Mt. Wilson Observatory felt like a real accomplishment, even though I knew there was more training ahead before hiking Whitney. Little Santa Anita Canyon offers plenty of stunning scenery and interesting historical markers to distract from the aching in your legs. At times, the trail felt like it would never end, which wasn’t a bad thing. There’s no sugarcoating it: The 14.5-mile trek made my three-mile hikes seem puny. Wilson Trail, up to the observatory, from Sierra Madre. The first lengthy day hike I attempted was Mt. Wilson (5,712 feet high, 14.5 miles, more than 5,000 feet of gain) Find your own go-to trails and hike at least three times a week.Ģ. I frequented easy-to-get-to trails such as Temescal Canyon, Los Liones, and Sandstone Peak, all in the Santa Monica Mountains, which offer sparkling ocean views as well as opportunities to train. In the months leading up to my permit date, I took any opportunity to hike - after work, early in the morning on weekends, you name it. If you’re thinking about applying for a permit for Mt. I didn’t encounter much ice or snow on my hike, but it’s important to keep an eye on the conditions and feel comfortable turning around if you get in over your head. To understand the risks of hiking Whitney unprepared, read Megan Michelson’s chilling piece about an early-season attempt in Outside Online. Last November, a 34-year-old nurse, hiking alone, died after a 100-foot fall left her stranded for two nights in the cold. And the trail’s notorious 99 switchbacks above 12,000 feet are every bit as brutal as they sound.Īnd it can be dangerous. About 20% of hikers trying to reach the summit reportedly turn back. ![]() Though speedy hikers tackle the 22-mile round-trip trek in less than 10 hours, others take more than 20 hours from start to finish. ![]() The main trail in summer and fall isn’t a technical climb, but that doesn’t mean it’s remotely easy. (Yep, permits are required May through October, and there are always more applicants than available permits.) Whitney Trail is open until March 15, in case you’re interested in making the trek yourself. Forest Service’s 2021 lottery for the Mt. The staggering beauty of the trail, plus the satisfaction of bagging the peak, is why many people apply for a hiking permit every year. The sights I saw along the way - Lone Pine Lake at dawn, mule deer serenely grazing in a golden-hour meadow - made all my hard work feel worth it. I’ll spoil the ending: I succeeded in reaching the roughly 14,505-foot the summit and made it back to the Whitney Portal safely. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |