Castle Peak

I started out at 7:30 am and was the first person in the lot. The first mile of the trail was wet and muddy with snowmelt. A large portion of the trail a bit further up was completely covered in snow, but it was easy to cross. I did wear spikes and had poles, but you can do it without spikes if you step carefully.

It is quite beautiful right now as the snow melts and new flowers and plants are sprouting. I heard and saw many different species of birds, as well.

After crossing the PCT and heading along a ridge, the trail starts to get quite steep. Most of it is dirt, loose gravel, and larger rocks. I made it to the first section (“Mountain View”) but opted not to scramble to the true summit. It looked treacherous and I wasn’t willing to risk an injury while hiking alone. As I approached the summit I spotted a marmot, many chipmunks, and a large variety of wildflowers.

The hike back down was slippery – poles and shoes with good grips are a must. Going back over the snow wasn’t pleasant as it was much more slushy, but still doable. Overall, this was a fun hike and offered a lot of variety.