Hiked: 8/7/2022
Distance: 6 miles round trip on dirt road
Summit Elevation: 7736' (South), 7727' (White)
Elevation Gain: 1289'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.0
Round trip time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Recommended water: 40 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free on Forest Road 3N11
Difficulty: Easy
In July, Leisa and I finished a training hike to Mount Baldy. We had elaborate training plans for a late Whitney attempt. Then came a string of bad luck. Leisa broke her pinky toe and the doctor told her it could take two months to heal. While she was resting, I knocked out the Hell For Sure loop. Then, we both tested positive for covid-19. I got sick first, and she tested positive three days later.
Nine days after testing positive, I felt recovered enough to do the easiest hike left on the HPS Star Emblem list: White Mountain (HPS #84). White is north of Big Bear and the trailhead begins after 7 miles of unmaintained dirt roads. The roads got worse as I drove, with tense lateral angles, a couple of near wash outs, big rocks, ruts, and several 2' deep mud puddles. Driving was the crux today. Because of the mud, 4x4 was required. If you are unsure about driving up 3N11, you can stop at Big Pine Campground and hike two extra miles. Before I started hiking, I did the hard work of turning the truck around, smashing a few soft bushes in the process. I could have driven a little farther, but I could not have made it to next intersection. The road was beyond my driving ability and maybe my vehicle ability.
It was a typical road hike. The first stop was South Peak (White Mountain South Peak). At 7736', it was slightly higher than White Mountain itself. I found no marks, but there was a 10-year old register with only a few entries. The previous entry was from 2015. There was a reference mark stamped "White" on South Peak pointing at White Mountain. I continued on to White Mountain where the benchmark was still in good shape. I could not locate a register on the flat summit area. I searched all the trees and rocks without luck. Views were decent toward the San Gabriel Mountains and Gorgonio. I saw a mining operation at the bottom of the mountain, not sure if it was still operational. While I met no one on the hike, I was swarmed by off road vehicles on the drive out. I pulled to side of the road to let them roar past. I appreciated the remoteness, but I'm not sure what qualified White as a Star Emblem peak.
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