Ascent of Hot Springs Mountain on 2016-05-21| Others in Party: | Larry Edmonds -- Trip Report or GPS Track
Neal
Jim Leckie
Ranchita Ted
Debbie
Marty
Sandi
Sandy
Greg Rising
Beth
| | Date: | Saturday, May 21, 2016 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Motorized Transport to Trailhead: | Car | | Peak: | Hot Springs Mountain | | Location: | USA-California | | Elevation: | 6533 ft / 1991 m |
Ascent Trip ReportReservation guard showed up at 8:13am. After swapping $10 fee per vehicle for a day pass, we drove the nice dirt road (easy for 2wd cars) to the campground. Parked across the main road from Sukat/Rough Rd intersection. Eleven of us hit the trail about 8:40am. When driving in the upper half of the mountain was in the clouds. Winds were forecasted to pick up during the day to about 20mph. Temps at start was about low forties. The roads beyond the campground are now locked with chains. You can get a key for an fee of $25/vehicle (minimum of 2 vehicles) and also hold your driver's license as collateral for the key. We didn't need a key as we are hikers/peakbaggers. Started up the Sukat/Rough Road and hopped over the chain. The road was in good shape...good enough for 2wd...which is likely due to less 4wd drive traffic with the gate. About half way up the clouds started lifting, leaving heavy dew and moisture on the windward sides of trees and brush. It finally cleared enough to see the old fire lookout when we started the final approach. The top of the fire lookout is completely gone; this wasn't the case 16 months ago. When we reached the fire lookout, the gusts of wind was blowing ice down on us. Heavy moisture laden clouds, winds, and freezing temps made for ice buildup on the fire lookout (as well as nearby brush). We took some pictures; the view limited by the low cloud layer as well as the occasional passing cloud getting pushed up and over the peak. We headed over to the true high point. I'm surprised a more formal trail hasn't been put in to the high point. There are quite a few use trails. Some of us signed the register just below the high point summit block. It wasn't in great shape and needs a new container. We returned to the large dirt parking area between the high point and the fire lookout for lunch. We saw a couple other hikers and a jogger. We returned the same way. Five of us (Larry, Neal, Jim L, Ted, myself) took a side trip to bag peak 6400. Just a few small sections of scrambling (class 2) but nothing hard. The granite rock mesa was neat and the views spectacular; especially since the clouds continued to clear. We returned to the mtn road and descended some more. Three of us (Larry, Ted, myself) took another side trip to bag Corral Benchmark. There is an old use road and firebreak along the ridge (like a giant S) which made easy access. There was a summit post, register, and benchmark. Signed the register. The sky was mostly clear so the views were even better (especially to the east and west). We returned down to the mtn road, taking the turn back onto Sukat/Rough road to the campground. We had our custom hike celebration (drinks, food, etc.) before parting ways and heading home.
Time up includes a stop at the lookout tower ruins & view.
GPS track includes Peak 6400 & Corral Benchmark; but does not include those mileages. See those reports. |
| Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 2661 ft / 810 m | | Extra Gain: | 309 ft / 94 m | | Round-Trip Distance: | 10 mi / 16.1 km | | Route: | Old Rough Rd | | Trailhead: | Los Coyotes Campground 4490 ft / 1368 m | | Grade/Class: | Class 1 | | Quality: | 3 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Road Hike | | Gear Used: | Ski Poles | | Weather: | Cool, Breezy, Low Clouds | | Ascent Statistics | | Time: | 2 Hours 31 Minutes | | Descent Statistics | | Time: | 1 Hours 45 Minutes | Ascent Part of Trip: 2016 Hot Springs Mtn
Complete Trip Sequence:
Total Trip Gain: 3145 ft / 959 m Total Trip Loss: 3145 ft / 959 m | GPS Data for Ascent/Trip
 GPS Waypoints - Hover or click to see name and lat/long
Peaks:  climbed and  unclimbed by Jim Wick
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Note: GPS Tracks may not be accurate, and may not show the best route. Do not follow this route blindly. Conditions change frequently. Use of a GPS unit in the outdoors, even with a pre-loaded track, is no substitute for experience and good judgment. Peakbagger.com accepts NO responsibility or liability from use of this data.
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