Looking into this hike beforehand, I knew that I had to be at the trailhead as early as possible to get a parking spot, especially on a weekend. However, getting out of bed was a little difficult that morning. That small amount of hesitation to get started turned into an experience I couldn't have asked for. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. To my dismay, but not surprised, I found the trailhead parking lot overflowing at 6:30 AM and had to park a little ways down the road. I grabbed my gear and set it down on a picnic table just past the trailhead sign and began to warm up and stretch. There were plenty of people starting to mosey their way over and get their hikes started but two guys in particular stopped and stretched alongside me. I had greeted them and we casually exchanged conversation as we stretched. I usually hike alone because most people I know don't enjoy walking up the side of big rocks for the fun of it. But at the end of the day, I usually am never really alone.

That blessing in disguise was in the form of these two guys, just older than I, and grad students at UC Riverside — neuroscientists of all people. All of us were former athletes and all of us are currently studying the human body (I am an Exercise Science major). We quickly hit it off as we began along the bottom of the trail. The sun began to crest over the canyon and we were treated to amazing views of Baldy and the surrounding area. It was a beautiful day and the perfect temperature in the morning. There was plenty of traffic on the trail and we were setting a decent pace, so we passed most and were also passed by others who I aspire to be someday (that level of fitness). The three of us took a break at the Icehouse Saddle and shared the oranges that one of the guys, Jordan was his name, had been eager to eat since he had gotten there. It was there that we sat together on a log and exchanged backgrounds and the reasons why we were here. Jordan, from Washington, has already completed the SoCal 6 Pack unregistered this year. He is now doing it a second time with his friend Lucas, who is from New Jersey, and who has never experienced the sights we saw that day.

We then made the final push from the Saddle up to Cucamonga Peak and I was surprised how rocky the whole area was, but nothing too bad. The trail was well packed, even in some slide areas. Jordan had just been to the peak recently and remembered sections of the trail and kept reassuring that we were getting close, but would then realize that we still had to get close. There was playful banter exchanged over whether we were really close or not because we “had been close” about 10 minutes ago. The good vibes and enthusiasm from joking around made it easy to keep pace and keep pushing up to the peak. There were plenty of people up taking pictures with the elevation signs and the infamous rock where you see many people's pictures of them standing in seeming mid-air. I happily obliged by getting my pictures with both, helping others to take their pictures of proof.

After the picture taking was finished, we settled down together and soaked in the view of the entire San Gabriel Valley. We could see from LA all the way to San Jacinto and up to Baldy. It was spectacular. I ate the sandwich I had brought with me and we talked photography as we sat in the dirt. And then we started to talk hiking. I told them I loved hiking for the outdoors but also the people you meet out on the trails (case and point being these two). They agreed and shared that it was incredible how friendly everyone was and the sense of community that people share with one another. Jordan had been greeting people that we passed on the trail with a friendly, “Happy trails.” It seemed silly at first to me, but the more I talked about it, the more I liked it. A simple, friendly gesture. It brought smiles to a few people we passed. That's what it's all about. Being friendly to one another. Pulling for one another. No matter your experience level. There is a mutual respect shared among those on the trails… a sort of unwritten/unspoken phenomenon. I can't begin to describe it but it makes me want to experience it more and more and offer my support to others who are taking the same challenge. To spread the sense of community. (I appologize if this is getting rambly). But if I have learned nothing else by hiking, it is that everyone is equal on the trails. No one is better or above anyone else. There are stories to be shared, people to meet, hugs to be shared, pictures taken, memories created. It is so much fun to learn where people have come from and their backgrounds. Things that cannot be expressed in words. You have to go out and experience it yourself, and inspire others to do the same. Anyways…

The other two had somewhere to be that afternoon so they had to get going, so I followed them back to the Saddle where we took another short break. We shook hands and exchanged information, hoping to hike together again and conquer another Six Pack peak. The sappy selfie of the three of us is a result of that. They headed back down to the parking lot but I had other plans. I was feeling ambitious and it was only 1 PM. I decided that since I was already in the area, that I would take on Ontario Peak as well. After I felt refreshed, and talking a bit with a lady I met while resting at the base of a tree, I tightened the straps of my pack and headed over to Ontario Peak… (Part 2)