Jim

December 28, 2014 8 miles 3,250 feet gained

Second attempt to reach table mountain resulted in futility due to weather. This route started at the power lines (Aldrich Butte TH). It was cold and raining starting out but by the time I got to the steep, loose rock section of the west approach, the snow was coming down and the wind blowing hard. After losing the trail several times near the top, common se...

December 27, 2014 4.5 miles 1,000 feet gained

This was my first trip to this network of trails. Starting at the Aldrich Butte TH, my goal was Table Mountain. I missed the trail turn off past Carpenter Lake and ended up exploring some trails in the Cedar Creek drainage. Not a total loss however. I found the connector to Cedar Mountain-Hamilton Creek Overlook loop which I intend to explore in the future.

December 23, 2014 6 miles 1,250 feet gained

Initial plan was to hike to 3 Corner Rock then make a loop of sorts using some of the old logging roads. Instead I headed N on the PCT until I reached Snag Creek which was too flooded to cross. Turning around, I headed S on the PCT past the starting point until I reached FS 2090. It was raining steadily and too foggy for any views so I made the decision to r...

December 19, 2014 3 miles 750 feet gained

Threw 50# of sand in the pack and went for a short but punishing hike up to the cliffs. Beautiful day for a workout.

December 18, 2014 6 miles 2,000 feet gained

Took a quick up and back to Silver Star. I decided to take the old jeep trail on the east side of Pyramid rock on the way up to make a partial loop. It turned out to be a bad day to bet against the weather report as the top was not only socked in by fog but there was freezing rain and sleet coming down as well.

December 3, 2014 7.5 miles 1,750 feet gained

First trip to Hardy Ridge, first post on Went Hiking. Cold and windy though surprisingly, the wind was worse coming down the east side than it was at the summit. I've done Hamilton on snowshoes before but otherwise have no experience on these trails. The frost heave in the road beds was as much as 4 inches deep making for some rough going at times -- similar...