Mt. Lukens
This is the hike I did alone that nearly crippled me for about 4 days. It was a great hike, despite the post-insane-climb disorder that developed, showing symptoms such as waddling, wincing, buckling knees, and lots of whining. It was a little too tucked away to do alone, perhaps, even though it is the highest peak still inside the city of Los Angeles. I'll do more populated hikes in the future when I go alone. Brian had to work that day, and I did not; it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
About 3,500 foot ascent, 4.2 miles one way, .7 miles of flat surface, the rest, and I mean ALL of the rest, uphill. I was concerned about it getting dark when I turned around to go back down the mountain at 2:30pm, so I jogged down, and made it to the base at 3:30pm, meaning it took me half the time to descend the mountain as it did climb it. That's what ended up being painful later. The descent, not the climb. Anyway - pictures to follow!
The view of Mt. Lukens from the freeway. I can't help but point at it and say, "I'm gonna hike you, mountain!"
What the trail looked like most of the time, when it wasn't open to the canyon. It followed the ridge of the mountain pretty much the entire time, which made for incredible views throughout most of the hike.
A view into the San Gabriel Mountains...
4.2 miles is a decent hike in only one direction, so when I saw this I knew I was close to the peak, and stepped forward proudly. Being at the top with the peak in view is a great, great feeling. You know you've already accomplished it, and with just a little more to go, you can savor that accomplishment.
A view from the top, looking north.
I found this interesting seal - a seal of the Survey Control System to mark that they have indeed surveyed this mountain.
Back down at the bottom, in canyon dusk, I took a picture of the very beginning of the trail. This was a great hike. I had the heebie jeebies every now and then being alone because the wind was howling in the canyon, but the trail was perfectly difficult, with amazing views and a clear trail. I'd love to do it again, but next time with Brian.
About 3,500 foot ascent, 4.2 miles one way, .7 miles of flat surface, the rest, and I mean ALL of the rest, uphill. I was concerned about it getting dark when I turned around to go back down the mountain at 2:30pm, so I jogged down, and made it to the base at 3:30pm, meaning it took me half the time to descend the mountain as it did climb it. That's what ended up being painful later. The descent, not the climb. Anyway - pictures to follow!
The view of Mt. Lukens from the freeway. I can't help but point at it and say, "I'm gonna hike you, mountain!"
What the trail looked like most of the time, when it wasn't open to the canyon. It followed the ridge of the mountain pretty much the entire time, which made for incredible views throughout most of the hike.
A view into the San Gabriel Mountains...
4.2 miles is a decent hike in only one direction, so when I saw this I knew I was close to the peak, and stepped forward proudly. Being at the top with the peak in view is a great, great feeling. You know you've already accomplished it, and with just a little more to go, you can savor that accomplishment.
A view from the top, looking north.
I found this interesting seal - a seal of the Survey Control System to mark that they have indeed surveyed this mountain.
Back down at the bottom, in canyon dusk, I took a picture of the very beginning of the trail. This was a great hike. I had the heebie jeebies every now and then being alone because the wind was howling in the canyon, but the trail was perfectly difficult, with amazing views and a clear trail. I'd love to do it again, but next time with Brian.
posted by Sara | 10:07 PM
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