February 24th, 2024 – my second hike of the challenge!

My Garmin tracked 10.43 miles and 2186 ft of elevation gain:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/14116854577

AllTrails Route & My Activity Recording:

Mount Saint Helena Trail

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-mount-saint-helena-trail-61d009d

This hike was an endurance test for sure, with incredible views every step of the way! The first mile wound through the forest, with a fairly steep, rocky uphill climb to the fire road. The fire road gradually climbed uphill for about 4 miles to the summit, and on a clear day (which I’d definitely recommend, although there’s little reprieve from direct sunlight), I could see from the snow-covered Sierras to San Francisco and Mount Diablo. As I gained elevation, I caught glimpses of the trail winding below, and it was exciting to see the progress I’d made.

Out of the six peaks that I hiked during the challenge (Mission Peak, Mount Saint Helena, Mount Diablo, Mount Tamalpais, Black Mountain, and Mount Umunhum), this trail had my favorite summit views! The radio towers on the summit were a bit noisy, but they didn’t take my attention away from the surrounding views, especially the Sierra Nevadas! 

I learned so many valuable lessons from my experience hiking the Bay Area Six-Pack of Peaks challenge, and what I learned most from Mount Saint Helena is that every single step gets you closer to the summit. For me, fire roads tend to feel like the toughest trails to climb because there’s such a consistent burn in your legs. This hike was also early in the challenge for me, so I was still building up my stamina, and it was an excellent lesson in patience and perseverance.