We started bright and early at 5:45. The moon was still out and the tops of the peaks were golden in the sunrise. Hiking up trail canyon, we turned onto North Loop at the junction. The air was nice and cool, albeit a little damp. The trail was nicely damp also, a nice change from the dry dusty conditions of last week. I had never been past Lee Peak before, so the views after that turnoff were new and beautiful. There was one down tree after Devil’s Thumb that was a bit of a pain to scoot under. The switchbacks at the top of the peak were so long and we were all a bit tired by then, but the final push didn’t last too long.
Taking pics at the flag felt like such an achievement! What euphoria. But we quickly started down South Loop as dark clouds were massing overhead right around 10:30. Then lightning started. We were just past the plane crash site and on top of a rocky exposed ridge when it started to HAIL. HARD. The hail was razor-sharp and hurt my skin through my raincoat. The mountain makes its own weather! By the time we got 1/4 of the way through the burn section, it was much drier. That route is longer, but it’s gentler and was actually one of my favorite parts of the hike. Finished around 5:30…it was warm and humid once again but at least no more rain or hail! Bring a LOT of water as there is none anywhere on the trail…and don’t forget your rain gear!
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Responses
Great job, Zara. Great reminder about the unpredictable weather on the mountains. Glad you made it out safely.
And I LOVE the title you gave this hike log! 💪