Christopher Marolt
The review is pretty accurate. The grade is definitely steep the whole time with the only let up being when you cross the saddle after chicken out ridge. Additionally, you have to pretty much climb a rock face to even get to chicken out ridge (maybe that's included as part of it). Watch out for those stacked meditation rocks that sometimes mark trails since they actually don't in some cases on this hike. I got duped by one and ended up doing a whole lot of extra climbing. I recommend trekking poles big time. Stash them in your pack to cross the ridge, but you'll definitely need them for that last half mile with all the loose rock to the summit. The hike took me 9 hours. I anticipated the downhill taking half as long as the up, but that was not the case. It's way too steep and doesn't allow for any running like I prefer. I fell twice just walking (with trekking poles) since the dirt and rock were so loose) and almost fell another 5 times. I do a lot of mountain hiking and this one turned my legs to jello at the end.
5.0
This hike really wasn't that difficult. 4 miles round trip is about right (GPS said 3.6 total). It's very easy to find. The most difficult part is definitely the beginning switchbacks and the end trail leading to the pool, but there are stairs here and there. There was nobody nude swimming up there (all were clothed). Additionally, there's several campsites near the bottom, two with an immense amount of shade. One person was camped above the highest pool (probably closer than allowed, but nobody seemed to be enforcing it). It is pretty exposed for a good portion of the hike, so just bring some water to not overheat.
5.0
My hardest hike I've probably ever done is Cactus to Clouds up the side of Mt San Jacinto, and I was not able to complete this hike. Additionally, I've never had to turn around on any hike and I did in this instance. BRING A WATER PURIFIER!! Additionally, this is not a sanctioned hike so the trail is not denoted on the sign at the trail head. Don't go by "at the .8 mile mark, take the trail to the right). There's several forks off the trail and trying to gauge .8 miles and trusting your GPS could put you off on a side horse trail instead of where you want to be. At the beginning trail head (super easy to find), there will be an initial fork, one leading into dense trees by the creek. Turn right and you'll come around the side of the hill. Continue down the trail as if Marshall Lake is your destination. There is a sign for Marshall Lake, though it fell down between the time I started and the time I finished. Once you get to that Marshall Lake sign, hang a right. You'll continue through a field and get your first real elevation climb of the hike. This does take you to a ridge as mentioned, however, the trail is on the side of the ridge where you can't readily see the beautiful views without stepping off to the side of the trail. Continue on this trail for a good amount of time. The wilderness permit box had no permits inside and was not checked in recent history based off the stash and dates of the filled out permits, so don't count on anyone to save you if you get stuck up there. I was hiking solo so I was a little more cautious than usual. There will be several times where you'll have to go around fallen trees. No, those aren't the forks mentioned in this article. The fork that is mentioned is very obvious. There are two logs spaced 5 feet apart to the left that lead to an open clearing with a decent amount of elevation gain, that's the left fork you want to take. Continue through the meadow and start climbing. You'll end up on the side of a steep hill with a still noticeable trail and a decent drop off to your left. Follow this for a good chunk of time in an exposed area. Eventually, you'll come across a bunch of rocks where the trail is not noticeable at all anymore. There is a small creek flowing down the side of the hill, follow that to the top to get the hanging meadow mentioned in the article. Again, the trail becomes impossible to find once you get through the grassy area. It becomes a ton of rocks up the side of a decent grade hill and strenuous. I just pulled up Google maps (download the offline version) and pointed it toward the peak and walked that direction. There is actually a faint trail that leads left if you can find it and orient yourself toward the last pine tree on the edge of the ridge to help you out. I made it from there up to the saddle, assessed my 2 liters of water was not enough to ascend the peak and come back down, and then laid next to the lake to relax a bit before descending. My GPS said this was 6.5 miles in (I had a slight detour on the horse trail) when I turned around, so I would venture to say this trip is longer than 13 miles considering it appeared to be a good 2000 ft more to the top and no discernible trail. That's my two cents at least! I hope other people who attempt have better luck.
4.0
Overall this article was fairly accurate. Follow the road to where it ends and you'll see the Iron Creek Trailhead. Just stay to the right on the dirt road leading up to it. There were a lot of people trying to hike this (it was a Saturday), however, I went later in the afternoon so they were all on their way back. Make sure to stay to the trail on the right when the sign for Alpine Lake comes up. You can see it as you ascend and don't necessarily need to go down to it. Additionally, when you're almost to Sawtooth Lake, you will come across another lake, just go past it and you'll run into the beautiful lake you set out to see. Make sure to take a picture of the sign before you go to know which lake you're passing en route.
5.0
Community
Mobile Apps
© 2024 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy