My friend and I decided to take the SoCal challenge in 2021 in order to prep for a Whitney summit in August. The plan is to hike one peak a month for 7 months, starting with the lowest altitude peaks and working our way to the higher peaks as weather and trail conditions steadily improve

Well I may have gotten a little excited to get started, and when I noticed a storm front coming in to Los Angeles County in late December, I triggered an “early” start  to the challenge in order to beat the snow and on Saturday, December 26, I completed my first peak. Does it still count?! 😉

Conditions on the trail we’re excellent. Visibility was incredible. The trail was relatively empty – only crossed paths with a handful of individuals. ACH is closed currently up to Red Box which may have something to do with that. I live in La Crescenta so this is only a 20 minute drive from my house to the trailhead. My friend, unfortunately, was unable to join me due to a work emergency so I ended going solo for my first peak.

Had an incredible 7+ mile hike and can’t wait for the rest!