The final peak of the Central Coast Six Pack of Peaks Challenge 2024. Caliente Mountain at 5,105 ft is located in the Caliente Mountain Wilderness Study Area just above the Carrizo Plain National Monument area.
My hiking partner, Laural Brooks and I, arrived at the Selby Campground on Friday, November 15. We spent the evening there in my trailer as the evening rain came down. It was cold, wet and windy at about 2,550 ft.
We rose in the morning at about 0400 and got ready for our long 17+ mile hike to the peak. We drove up the dirt road from the campground to the trailhead, which was about 4 miles. There were no other vehicles or hikers in sight.
It was very cold, foggy, and windy as we began our hike at 0710. I’d say the temps were in the low 30’s at the start of the hike and as we continued to climb up to 5,100 ft it got much colder and windier. The wind chill made the temps feel like it was in the upper 20’s at times.
The ground was wet and muddy most of the way up. We battled mud clots on the bottoms of our shoes for several miles. Which made our boots heavy and walking difficult. Somewhere near the 4-mile mark we encountered some snow on the ground and ice on the branches of the trees and bushes. Nothing significant but enough to know that there was a windy snow storm the evening before.
Once at the summit, the temps began to warm, and the sun was trying hard to break through the low fast-moving clouds. We spent about 25 minutes there, taking photos and enjoying an early lunch. The hike down was much more enjoyable. With the warmer temps and clearing fog, it was like coming down a different trail. All the snow and ice had dissipated at this point, the muddy ground had hardened, and we enjoyed a cool but warming descent.
Once back at the trailer, we cleaned up and enjoyed some warm soup and crackers for dinner before heading to bed so we could get up early on Sunday and head back. 😊
We finished our hike in about 7 hours and 40 minutes (including breaks and time for lunch). For both Laural and I, Caliente Mountain was our 6th and final peak of the Central Coast Challenge.
Responses
Great trip report, Philip! Love that you were able to use your camper to setup a basecamp beforehand, and that you had some snow!
The mud sucks. I’ve had that the last three times I’ve hiked Sutton Mountain in the Oregon challenge. This year I think I’m going to go in January when it’s frozen.