Weather: Clear, 65-70F
Miles hiked: ~30 mi.
Vertical feet: ~4000 ft.
I am quite pleased with the effort. And very sore.
Night 1:
Arrived at camp about 9:15 pm. Got set up after paying the iron ranger and finding my campsite. The night was cool, clear and nearly moon-less. I could see thousands of starts and simply enjoyed lying on the picnic table and picking out the constellations I recognized and trying to the remember the ones I couldn't. Reminder: bring a star chart next time.
Day 1:
Had to wait until 9:30 for the visitor center to check in. After that and getting the camp squared away for the day, I took off at about 10 am. Unfortunately, I forgot my map.
I took the Bench Trail out of the campsite and then followed the South Wilderness Trail, hoping it would intersect with Chalone Peak Trail. It didn't, dead-ending at the boundary fence.
The trail was a nice, level walk, crossing Chalone Creek a few times. Great for bird watching and seeing wildflowers. I stopped for lunch on a log crossing the creek, watching lizards and minnows and butterflies all wandering about. This is a very quite trail, unmaintained and not often traveled, though I did run into some people on my way back.
Reconnecting with the Bench Trail, I hiked over to the High Peaks Trail, figuring that I didn't want to take on the Chalone Peaks after the previous ramble. The High Peaks is steep climb over about 2.2 miles, but with some great views of the surrounding area. Near the summit I ran into a rattlesnake sunning itself in the middle of the trail. I climbed on and around a boulder to avoid it, but I still got picture as proof.I came down the Tunnel Trail, which shows off the gorgeous west side of the peaks. It was covered in places with wildflowers and incredible rock formations.
Walking out to the west entrance of the park, I refilled my water (I'd already gone through 5 liters), and sat to rest and have a snack. Deciding I was tired enough, I hiked around the north end of the peaks, which is relatively level instead of going back through Bear Gulch. This took me through the Balconies Cave Trail, a short cave that winds down until it emerges in a creek.
Walking out to the west entrance of the park, I refilled my water (I'd already gone through 5 liters), and sat to rest and have a snack. Deciding I was tired enough, I hiked around the north end of the peaks, which is relatively level instead of going back through Bear Gulch. This took me through the Balconies Cave Trail, a short cave that winds down until it emerges in a creek.
From there I walked back to the campground, where I proceeded to collapse on the picnic table for at least 15 minutes before wanting to move again.
Dinner that night was "Whatchagot Stew," a camping concoction of whatever ya got. I had a few nicer ingredients on hand, given that I was car camping, but the principle is the same. My recipe follows.
- 1 can Clam Chowder
- 1 celery stalk
- 2 radishes
- 3 oz salami, cut into wedges from a link
- 2 oz sharp cheddar cheese, in chunks
- 1 sourdough round
Serves 1 very hungry camper.
Day 2:
Since I never got to do the Chalone Peaks, I decided to finish my trip by hiking them. I checked out at 9:30 (again), and parked my car at the Peaks View Picnic Area. I took the Bench Trail to the Bear Gulch Trail and up into the Bear Gulch Cave.
I was very lucky to visit this time of year, because both caves were open, which only occurs 2 months out of the year and I just happened to hit it right. Normally they close the caves to protect the bats that live there most of year, but this time of year they are elsewhere.
The cave is split into lower and upper sections, and has stairs through parts of it. You have to crouch low and wade through a couple inches of water in the upper portions (yeah, Gore-tex!).
Once out of the caves, I headed up towards North Chalone Peak. This climb is not as hard (mostly) as the High Peaks Trail, but it about half again as long.
The view from the top of the North Peak was amazing. You can see the Salinas Valley for miles. To the east you can see the mountains up to 218 miles away!
I rested on top of the Peak and looked at the South Peak. I knew I could make there. I just wasn't sure about making it back afterward. I also only had about a liter of water left, and it had taken me three to get there.
Turning back, made it back quickly to the Bear Gulch Day use area, drank some water, and rested some more. Finally, I dragged myself all the way back down to my car. I stretched and started the drive home.
(More photos available in my Picasa album.)
End Log
I would like to thank the National Park Service for maintaining a beautiful park, and being generally helpful and informative; my MP3 player, for keeping me entertained and on pace; How to Succeed in Evil, for giving me gleeful laughing fits that frightened the local wildlife and other hikers.
I will be posting some tips and tricks in the blog, along with some packing lists, later this week. So tuning in next post, same Mountain Blog, same Mountain URL.
