This was my first hike to a “13er”. I’ve been on many that were close so I was stoked to get on the trail. The Trailhead starts just inside the park entrance so you can drive up to but not in the park. If you don’t have a pass, this can save you some $$$ and time waiting in line to get in if you start after “timed entry”. Go early and just park in the lot. Great views of the entire area!
Summary:
The trail is well marked in the beginning but you can loose it at times when you get into the large tallis slope in the top third of the hike. You start at 10,000 feet and head up so if you are not acclimated to the altitude yet, it might be a tad slow going like it was for me. I slowed my normal excited fast pace to match my ability to oxygenate. I passed a few people getting an early start but not many. This is not a difficult hike but the 6 mi RT hike and elevation weed out the casual guests.
On the trail:
I’d say the first two thirds was very pretty hike and then you get into a talus slope with large rock in the last third.. The large ones rarely move but you do need to be careful that you don’t twist or break and ankle. An extraction from here is going to be hard. You’ll lose the trail at times in the talus slope, but just look for worn rock or break out your map on the phone. If you are going up, you’re probably going in the right direction. 🙂
The views from the top provide some of the best views in the park, looking toward the east over Mono Lake, and you’ll see the summit of Gaylor to the west.
I setup at the top away from where most people come up and congregate so I was out of the way and got to work. I meant to leave my chair at the car but was glad I brought it. I setup, got to work on CW and ate my sandwich. A hiker came by, looked at me, and said “You are my hero.” I think he got a kick out of me sitting on a chair just kicking back.
The summit is right next to Mount Gibbs. I was tempted to go accross the talus to the south and then up Gibbs for a double. I cancelled those plans given there would be nobody in that area, it was getting late, and I hadn't done that much research. I'm glad I just headed back to the motel with the win.
I made a lot of contacts and accomplished one of my biggest goals of the trip.
Summary:
The trail is well marked in the beginning but you can loose it at times when you get into the large tallis slope in the top third of the hike. You start at 10,000 feet and head up so if you are not acclimated to the altitude yet, it might be a tad slow going like it was for me. I slowed my normal excited fast pace to match my ability to oxygenate. I passed a few people getting an early start but not many. This is not a difficult hike but the 6 mi RT hike and elevation weed out the casual guests.
On the trail:
I’d say the first two thirds was very pretty hike and then you get into a talus slope with large rock in the last third.. The large ones rarely move but you do need to be careful that you don’t twist or break and ankle. An extraction from here is going to be hard. You’ll lose the trail at times in the talus slope, but just look for worn rock or break out your map on the phone. If you are going up, you’re probably going in the right direction. 🙂
The views from the top provide some of the best views in the park, looking toward the east over Mono Lake, and you’ll see the summit of Gaylor to the west.
I setup at the top away from where most people come up and congregate so I was out of the way and got to work. I meant to leave my chair at the car but was glad I brought it. I setup, got to work on CW and ate my sandwich. A hiker came by, looked at me, and said “You are my hero.” I think he got a kick out of me sitting on a chair just kicking back.
The summit is right next to Mount Gibbs. I was tempted to go accross the talus to the south and then up Gibbs for a double. I cancelled those plans given there would be nobody in that area, it was getting late, and I hadn't done that much research. I'm glad I just headed back to the motel with the win.
I made a lot of contacts and accomplished one of my biggest goals of the trip.
