Starting off hot in April for my first of the Six Packs of Peaks Challenge (So Cal)! It was a balmy 70ish degrees day to start in Sierra Madre. Since last time in July I nearly got in trouble due to the sun and heat, I brought my trusty hiking umbrella with me this time around.

Originally I wanted to head up the turnoff of Bastard Ridge and YOLO to Jones Peak for an alternate path up to the summit to avoid crowds and see something new. Unfortunately I missed to very hard to see turn to Bastard Ridge and found myself at the end of “Charle's New Trail” and back on Old Mt. Wilson Trail. I was a bit disappointed at my navigation snafu but decided the regular Trail was fine, too.

Shortly before the halfway point, I saw there was a marked turnoff that leads to Jones Peak. I consulted my GAIA GPS map and saw I could do that and then head back a bit to connect with another Trail to heads up to the Mt. Wilson Toll Road which eventually joins up with the trail I was already on.

Excited about the prospect of getting to see Jones Peak afterall, I headed up the steep series of switchbacks that eventually hit the Mt. Wilson Connector “Trailhead” and saw Jones Peak directly ahead. I had to go down the saddle and then back up to Jones Peak to get to my lunch spot goal, but everything looked very safe and doable.

After partaking my packed lunch and looking around for the infamous Bastard Ridge from the top of Jones Peak (never did spot it. Weird), I made my way back across the saddle to the connector trail and veered left to the trail that would connect to Mt. Wilson Toll Road. It was a rough looking rolling hike through and up more saddles and peaks to Hastings Peak / Ruby Olivia Wilson Point, where a comfortable looking bench had been installed in memorial of Ruby. I took a break, thought about my late mother, then pressed on.

Of course that was not the end of the rolling hills, but the trails were still mostly manageable, even if a bit tougher than I expected… until I got to the final uphill to the Toll Road.

I've been told this was very much a route, and even discussing with others after the fact I found a good number of people were comfortable–even excited–at making this approach. I, on the other had, am a less adventurous hiker, and wondered how I let myself get in this position.

I was facing a 46% grade sandy scent over loose dirt that looked to me like the aftermath of a recent landslide. Sure, it was no more than .2 miles long, but I had never climbed anything that steep without microspikes. Another difference with this vs the last time I did something this steep was that I was NOT on a well traveled trail. I had not seen anyone for 2 miles, and this was some random side route. I could try this, or I could turn around and go back the 5 miles I already did.

I gathered my wits and carefully made the ascent, only transferring my weight when I was sure the 3 points connected would hold. I wa very thankful I left the snow attachments to my hiking poles because I needed them today for sand! Somehow I made it all the way up and sat down to collect my thoughts for a bit.

I made it… and now I have 11 miles to go.

My next goal was to get to the Coamic Cafe before they closed. I couldn't remember if they closed at 4 or 5pm. I may not make 4pm, but I would make 5…

I made my way up the rest of the trail, now looking pretty easy compared to what I just went though since I was in no mortal danger and I had my handy hiking umbrella keeping me cool.

I summited at 4:07, craned my neck and saw the Cafe shutters firmly in the down position. So no soda for me, but I was thankful to be there.

I took a break at the tables at the Cafe, then headed to Echo Rock to find a survey marker and a new viewpoint I did not see last time. It was very nice indeed.

I went back go the Cafe to refill my water before heading down. There, I saw a Cosmic Cafe regular talking to the person who manages the Cafe. She said to him that they closed early so he could have a soda on the house. Thirsty for an ice beverage, I blurted out “Oh my god, can I buy one, too?” She explained they closed the tills already but extended her offer of a free soda to me as well in hopes I'll return. I gladly accepted and thanked them both for me getting a nice cold soda after all.

I chatted with the mountain biker for a bit before starting my hike back down. I've done this downhill before and knew I just needed to get halfway down before the dark since that would get me past the one sketchy rock crossing. I made that goal and then did the last several miles after sunset. My legs were tired, but still overall better than last year when the heat and sun kicked my butt. I got to enjoy some nice night views from above Sierra Madre as I finished at 9:30pm.

(Also apologies for the residents near the end of the trail. I know the trail is closed at sunset, but I really didn't mean to finish this late. I hope my headlamp didn't give anyone a scare!)