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Do different trailheads (distance/elevation) count for completing peaks?
<div>In other forum discussions, it’s been said that you don’t need to do the exact suggested trail for a peak in order for it to count: https://socialhiker.net/forums/topic/are-the-trails-listed-a-must-to-count/</div>
My question is, would trails from a different trailhead count? To take an example, the recommended hike for Mt. Tamalpais is from Stinson Beach (15 miles; Vertical +/- 3,200 feet), but could you start at say Mountain Home Inn (4 miles; Vertical +/- 1,578 ft) for it to count for the Six Pack of Peaks Challenge? Not necessarily planning to do that particular route since the hike from Stinson Beach is nice, but that’s a good example that could apply to other peaks with multiple trailheads
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1 Reply
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Hi Shane,
Yes, you can hike the peaks from any trail, starting from any trailhead, mainly because it’s not a competition where your time is compared to anyone else’s, or a race to finish “first”. The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge is designed to be a personal challenge. It should be a challenge for you.
We have some people who have completed the challenge for nine consecutive years (2024 will be their 10th). To keep it fresh, some have used different trails and routes from year to year. Others have hiked them (where permissible) as an overnight backpacking trip. Still others have completed summits as winter mountaineering treks (where winter snow is a factor).
And while it’s not a competition, some have strived to hike all the peaks in the shortest time they can, or to complete the challenge twice in the same year.
The common thread? It should challenge you. The definition of challenge can be different. For many, it’s a challenge to simply fit the range of hikes into their busy schedule, plan the drives and get it done while balancing everything else in life.
Hopefully the challenge motivates you to explore a bit outside the areas you might normally visit, or to push yourself a bit. Wherever you are at, I hope you find your challenge.
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