14.5 miles of hiking • 4250' elevation gain •
Finally got back to the Coast Range, and remembered just how enjoyable it is! Day started out far sunnier than any of us expected, but as we climbed the clouds enshrouded the mountain and eliminated any hopes of an ocean view from on top, only to part again as we returned to the trailhead hours later.
We started at the Elk Creek Campground, taking the Wilson River Trail westbound for a couple miles past the regular Kings Mountain Trailhead, and took a new route (for me) to the summit along Coronary Ridge. Despite the name, I ended up thinking it was actually less taxing than the regular trail. Hmmm.
As we climbed, we entered the zone where snow had fallen overnight. Depths varied up high, from 4-8" of fresh slush, and the trails were slick as snot due to the warm-ish temps bringing on rather rapid melting. One group told us, "We got soaked standing under the trees!" Well, duh. Heh... Seemed like they'd signed the summit register under the trees as well, given how wet it was.
The traverse along the dreaded "backside of Kings" was a good challenge. Ground was so slick, and trail was so steep... Not sure how folks were doing it without microspikes, because even with them there wasn't much in the way of traction. Following the rope climb, and the return to the frontside near the pinnacles, things finally got a bit less tension-filled.
Lots of snow at the 3-way junction, and really for the next couple miles down towards Elk Creek. Passed a fresh rockslide along the way, and saw some other cool erosional features. All in all, another incredible day in the woods!
