I cut it close and was worried I wouldn’t complete the 2021 NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge by the end of the year because of the increased amount of rainy days. Each time I planned to do this hike it poured and I re-scheduled 5 times. When I realized on Christmas Eve day there would be a break in the weather I canceled my other plans and dragged my daughter with me. This area is my hiking stomping ground and I know it very well – which came in handy later when the weather changed and we were loosing daylight. Previously, before I signed up for the challenge, I had hiked a 15 mile and a 17 mile loop route from Stinson to the top of Tam.  I loved the NorCal Six-Packs of Peaks Challenge because although I am an avid hiker, I had only hiked this route and Diablo before I joined the challenge and I got to experience 4 other hikes that I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't signed up.

So on December 24, 2021 we got a late start since this was a last minute decision. We arrived at the trailhead at 10:00 AM and it was full so we decided to drive back and start from Pan Toll. I also liked that this starting point splits up the down and uphills. We were feeling ambitious and decided to take the longer route down to Stinson on the Matt Davis Trail instead of the Dipsea. The trees and foliage were glistening from the rain. I think because of the rains and so few humans on the trails, the wildlife had the area all to themselves. We found ourselves within only a few feet of a family of deer – never before have I been that close. We headed back up on the Steep Ravine to Pan Toll. I have hiked Steep Ravine at least 50 times and have never seen the creek raging like I did this day. The noise from the creek was so loud we could barely hear each other talk.

Back at Pan Toll where we parked the car we stopped for a quick lunch break before heading up. The wind picked up, the temperature dropped and dark clouds rolled in,  it was tempting to quit (at least for my daughter) but that was not an option knowing the wet forecast for the remaining days.  We checked the weather app and were assured no rain for hours so we didn’t collect our rain jackets from the car.  After lunch we continued to West Point and realized our pace slowed considerably and we could possibly run out of daylight before finishing. As dark clouds hovered over us, it started to drizzle and then rain. We weren’t dressed warm enough and considered skipping the summit and looping back down to Pan Toll. We then calculated if we booked it to the summit, we could make it back before nightfall and heavy rainfall. By taking Old Stage Fire Road instead of Rock Springs Trail back to Pan Toll, we probably cut 2 miles out and saved us 40+ minutes – critical as we arrived back at the car with 10 minutes left of daylight. Miles:15, Elevation Gain: 2,759 ft, Time: 5:58.

I have hiked in the dark before but I with the rain I felt hiking conditions could be treacherous. Happy to have completed my final 6 peak for 2021! Ready for the next challenge!