Hiked: 5/29/2022
Distance: 4.6 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 8209'
Prominence: 609'
Elevation Gain: 1220'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.0
Round trip time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks Fee (one car for 7 days)
Difficulty: Easy
Our final hike in King's Canyon for the weekend was Big Baldy. The trailhead is immediately off the Generals Highway at a hairpin turn. There was a big sign, easy to find. Several other vehicles were parked at the large turnout so we weren't alone on the mountain. The trail was mostly a north to south ridge walk with some gentle undulations. Because it was late afternoon, clouds had formed over the mountains and we would be hiking up into the them. We debated whether to continue knowing our summit views might be zero, but decided to roll the dice. Fire damage was visible and serious from the start. Hundreds of trees stood in charred ruins on the western slopes. Parts of the trail were covered in ash and it felt like walking through a cold fire pit. As we got closer to the summit, the trail got steeper. We arrived on top with partial views to the west, which were the most dramatic. The benchmark was undamaged but we found no register. On the way back, the clouds cleared enough that we got a great view of the mountain we had missed on the way up. Leisa spotted a curious marmot. We got back to the truck, then drove to Grant's Grove for some pizza, burgers, and beer.
Hiked: 5/29/2022
Distance: 8.1 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 5688'
Elevation Gain: 1060'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.8
Round trip time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Recommended water: 32 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks Fee (one car for 7 days)
Difficulty: Easy
Mist Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Kings Canyon. The trail starts at Road's End where there was plenty of parking. Leisa wanted to get ahead of the crowds. The first couple of miles were flat, walking along the King's River between towering granite walls. It reminded me of a smaller version of Yosemite Valley. The trail turns north to follow the south fork of King's River. Before we reached the turn, Leisa spotted a large black bear ahead of us moving the same direction. It was walking slower than us so we were able to get closer before we were spotted. The bear had an ear tag, so was known to the rangers, but was uninterested in us. Mr. bear continued on the trail, stopping to sniff the trees and ground now and then. Eventually, it left the trail to do bear things, only glancing our way once or twice. We always appreciate wild life encounters.
As we moved toward Mist Falls, we started gaining some elevation. The river was roaring and dangerous, with several small falls to enjoy. After one major switchback, we got a fantastic view back down canyon to the Sphinx, some 4000' above the river. It looked unclimbable, but it has been done following a route from behind. We hiked through intermittent shade and sun as the forest ebbed. There were a handful of people milling around Mist Falls when we arrived. We took a short use trail to get closer to the falls with mist hitting us immediately. The falls were bigger than I imagined from photos. An impressive display of power. We took a short break before heading back. Throngs of people, some groups of more than a dozen, were making their way out while we were going in. We passed at least 150 people, proving Leisa's wisdom for the early start.
Hiked: 5/28/2022
Distance: 6.5 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 10365'
Prominence: 1205'
Elevation Gain: 2235'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.8
Round trip time: 4 hours
Recommended water: 54 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks Fee (one car for 7 days)
Difficulty: Moderate
Mitchell Peak is an obscure Sierra peak just outside Kings Canyon in the Jennie Lakes Wilderness. While not technically in a national park, you need to drive through Kings Canyon to reach the Marvin Pass trailhead, incurring the entry fee. We've been buying national parks annual passes the last few years to save a bundle. To reach the trailhead, we drove the Generals Highway to forest road 14S11 (paved single lane road) to 13S12 (dirt single lane road). The dirt road portion was 2.7 miles. While high clearance is recommended, someone got an Audi crossover there. We were one of four vehicles at the trailhead, a welcome break from the Memorial Day crowds at easier to reach attractions.
Leisa and I started at 8:00 AM at the same time as a solo hiker. The solo hiker pulled ahead of us at the start of the trail, but everyone was breathing heavily from the high elevation (9104') start. The Kanawyer trail goes through dense cedar and pine forests and we were in shade until we reached the north ridge of Mitchell. There was quite a bit of deadfall along the trail, but none of the obstacles were serious. The Mitchell peak trail cuts across the west ridge and goes well north of the peak before circling back. It looked possible to pick your way directly up the ridge, but the trail was short enough that I didn't suggest it. The trail got less distinct on the ridge and we found the sharp south switchback with a quick GPS check. There were patches of snow lingering in various places along the trail. The trees thinned as we got closer to the summit. The final section was above the tree line across a jumble of gray granite.
There were snow plants all along the route
Approaching the summit boulder pile
As we reached the top, 360 views of the central Sierra unrolled. Immedfiately south, we saw snow covered Alta Peak (11204') that we had climbed the previous year, and Mount Silliman (11188') that was on our to do list. Mount Maddox was next door, the Kaweahs and North Palisade were also visible, though distant clouds made some them hard to see. It was a huge payoff for the effort. Several reference marks were intact as well as the benchmark. A square concrete platform was all that remained of the fire lookout. We didn't find a register on top, but there was a register at the trailhead (for forest service use). While resting on the summit, the solo hiker that pulled ahead of us at the start appeared at the bottom of the boulders. He wondered how we had beaten him to the top, then realized he had lost the trail and gone too far north. He did not have a GPS for assistance. We all started down together. Near the bottom of the ridge, the solo hiker passed us again, having missed the trail turn a second time. Advantage GPS, even on trail. This was a wonderful hike through a remote part of the Sierra.
Mount Silliman on the right, Alta behind Silliman to the left
Solo hiker in blue shirt on his way up, North Pal in the far distance
Hiked: 5/28/2022
Distance: 0.6 miles round trip on dirt road
Summit Elevation: 8502'
Elevation Gain: 350'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 0.3
Round trip time: 30 minutes
Recommended water: 0 oz.
Parking/Fees: $35 National Parks Fee (one car for 7 days)
Difficulty: Easy
When forest route 13S04 opens in late spring, you can drive within a quarter mile of Buck Rock Lookout. A locked gate prevents you from driving all the way to the tower. Leisa and I drove up from the Generals Highway, then hiked the road to the lookout. The dirt road has a bad reputation but was not really difficult or challenging with high clearance. A sedan or two had made it to the top. Unfortunately, afternoon clouds were blowing through and had engulfed the top of the tower. The lookout was built on top of a 300' rock spire. It would have a been a difficult rock climb to reach without metal stairs with wooden steps built into it. We walked to the top and found two rangers manning the lookout. We didn't bother them, but walked around the top hoping for a break in the clouds. After a few minutes, we cursed our bad luck and descended. According to a plaque at the bottom, wooden ladders were used when it was first operational in the early 1900s. We got a mostly clear photo of the lookout as we were leaving. Leisa talked me into chancing the northern exit on forest road 13S04 that connects to 14S02 (paved), then eventually Quail Flat. We drove out to the north and the road was no worse than the southern part and more scenic.
HPS Star Emblem Peak
Hiked: 5/20/2022
Distance: 9.8 miles round trip on dirt road and cross country
Summit Elevation: 7920' (Grays), 7854' (Hanna)
Elevation Gain: 2250'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.8
Round trip time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Recommended water: 64 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at 2N13 gate (unsure if Adventure Pass needed)
Difficulty: Moderate
Drove out to Big Bear Lake for Grays Peak (HPS #74), the closest remaining star emblem peak on the list. It was a bizarre weather day, with a strong marine layer extending deep into San Bernardino County. It rained the entire drive until I rose above 6000' on highway 38, then blue skies and sunny sunshine. The forest around Big Bear is mostly large evergreens making an idyllic impression. The official trailhead for Grays Peak was near Fawnskin, but was closed for eagle nesting. I had to use the back door. I took Rim of the World (eventually a dirt road) to 2N13, which was gated. There was ample parking at the gate so that was my starting point.
I walked up 2N13 until I spotted a line on the north ridge that looked good enough, then left the road. Grouse Creek was gurgling, but low, and easy to cross. My intuition was that the slopes around Big Bear were mostly open and that would cost me later. I wound around large patches of buckthorn and some deadfall. About 30 minutes later, I intersected the trail. It eventually circled the peak to ascend from the south. There was a witness post at an overlook 50' below the high point. I found a geocache below the summit block. Views of the lake and the San Bernardino Mountains were better at the overlook.
I planned to get Hanna Rocks next. The Garmin showed a road/trail nearby that turned out to be non-existent. That, plus my underestimation of the brushy slopes led me to waste an hour attempting a cross country shortcut. It ended in a mess of buckthorn with one thorn too deep in my thigh to remove with tweezers. It's still there as I write this. The only good that came from it was I retrieved a mylar balloon. I backed off and descended generally the way I came up, before following roads to the base of Hanna Rocks.
Following the ridge
Grays summit
There were only a few ascents of Hanna Rocks in Peakbagger (always a motivation!), and no GPS tracks. It looked like a fun cross country scramble. I started up the south ridge, dodging brush and climbing rocks. There were several class 3 sections before a false summit. When I reached the summit area, I thought the nearest two boulder piles were the main candidates for the high point. I picked the higher of the two, realizing at the top that an even higher pile was on the north side of the summit. I climbed down and approached the highest point, discovering a register underneath. The register had been placed by Dave Comerzan and George Christiansan on 8/10/2018. I signed in as the 6th entry, then continued up the final 15' to the true summit. Big, fat holds all the way. Views were awesome and airy. On the drive back, I descended back into the gloom of the marine layer that rained on me again.
Hanna Rocks from the north ridge of Grays
First, I had to get back to the road
Base of Hanna
Hanna summit behind the pine trees, from the 2nd highest boulder pile
Hanna summit block, register visible under boulders
San Gabriel Mountains in the distance, above the marine layer
