Slow and Go or Snow And Go?
Today my plan was originally to finish my Six Pack of Peaks Challenge by hiking Mount Baden-Powell in the snow. Then sit around in the parking lot at Vincent Gap and hand out a little “Trail Magic” to the PCTers as they headed up.
Unfortunately, the road heading into Vincent Gap was closed and I had to change my plans. Instead, I decided to head up to Idyllwild and hike the Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto summit. Of course, in the snow! 😉 😉 So, not only was I able to summit my favorite peak for the 23rd time, but I also completed my SoCal Six Pack of Peaks Challenge for the 8th year in a row. In addition, yesterday’s hike was my 52nd hike in 2023 of the 52 Hike Challenge. I didn’t plan it that way, it just kind of turned out that way. In fact, over the past 8 years I have finished the six pack of peaks challenge with San Jacinto Peak as #6 while at the same time completing my 52 Hike Challenge with San Jacinto Peak being #52.
I also took the time during this hike/climb to test out some new gear. A pair of K10 Hiking Crampons, not to be mistaken for Micro-spikes or Mountaineering Crampons. And my new Obos Bridger 10” waterproof boots. Both performed amazingly! Although I did get a blister on the back of my right heel.
Today began at the Marion Mountain Trailhead. There were only a few cars and hikers there. No snow at 6300’. I started off around 6am and planned to take the whole day getting up and down. Mostly because travel in snow is “slow”. Plus I want to explore a little bit and see how my Hiking Crampons would work versus my Micro spikes. My plan was to replace the micro spikes in favor of the hiking crampons.
It wasn’t until just before my 2nd mile that hit snow. Others had stopped opting to put on their micro spikes, so I decided I’d go ahead and put on my hiking crampons. In hindsight, I should have put on my micro spikes instead and waited until I hit the Deer Springs Trail/PCT. There were too many areas where there was significant gaps between the snow and dirt/rock trail. The hiking crampons were great in the crunchy snow, but terrible to hike in over the dirt and rock areas, whereas micro spikes are a bit better for the transition between the snow and dirt and rock.
Once I hit the Deer Springs/PCT merge at 8640’ the snow was continuous to the summit and deep. Traction in the hiking crampons was great. I spent most of the time purposely off trail, going up and down various slopes just to put some time with the hiking crampons and my new boots, under my feet. I skipped going to the shelter and then to the summit. Instead, I took a more direct route up the southwest side of the summit. This climb is normally a steep boulder, however there were only two or three visible boulders as I climbed up.
I spent about 30 minutes at the summit. There were several other hikers there as well. More than I thought there would be. Including a group of PCTers whom I was able to hike down as far as the Fuller Ridge Trail, before continuing back down to the trailhead. Coming down the snow was getting very soft and slushy. We all post holed a few times. I carried snowshoes with me, but like a dummy I didn’t stop to put them on. I’m not sure, with all of the slush and slipperiness, they would have been very effective anyway.
This was an all-day event for me. The weather was perfect. I never wore more than one layer all day. When I was done, I was done. My body was tired, and I was ready to drop my pack and take my boots off. I ended the day with 13.5 miles (felt more like 18.5 miles) and I’m pretty sure my elevation gain was more than the 4689’ listed. I took a lot of shortcuts and went straight up, but I also add another 1.5 miles or so to the hike. 😉 😉
Responses
Amazing. Congratulations!