Ascent of White Benchmark on 2016-09-10| Date: | Saturday, September 10, 2016 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Motorized Transport to Trailhead: | Car | | Peak: | White Benchmark | | Location: | USA-California | | Elevation: | 11324 ft / 3451 m |
Ascent Trip ReportMy goal for today was White Benchmark followed by White Mountain.
Up the use trail from Sonora Pass parking lot, through the steep and loose chute next to the rocky ridge (which I couldn't get up back in May, due to snow). A bit more scary than the shortcut during last month's Leavitt Peak hike.
Then along the PCT, to the saddle north of Wolf Lake. Across a meadow, and up through the boulder field and forest. Then up the barren plateau. And finally up the volcanic boulder field to the summit. Marker was easy to spot. No register though.
As I got ready for the traverse to White Mountain, my stomach started to act up -- altitude or food poisoning... it didn't matter in the end... I decided to go down hill. Worst was at 10,900 ft; then things got better, a little.
Initially the down hill was the same: lava boulder field, barren plateau, granite boulders and forest, then PCT from the saddle. Hit the trail a little further north than in the morning -- so got to see the wilderness sign.
Did not go down the steep and loose chute; instead followed the PCT back to the parking lot. It's longer, and more popular -- several PCT and day hikers. (And I got to visit the other part I couldn't climb back in May, due to snow.)
Overall, despite missing out on White Mountain, it was still a nice day. Lovely granite boulder fields to cross! Wolf Lake was green; I had hoped for blue?
Distance seems right to me, although the track is still a bit "drunken sailor walk" like. Times include breaks -- about 30 min total up, and about 1h total down. (Meet more people to talk to on the way down.) |
| Summary Total Data | | Total Elevation Gain: | 3604 ft / 1097 m | | Total Elevation Loss: | 3604 ft / 1097 m | | Round-Trip Distance: | 11 mi / 17.7 km | | Quality: | 7 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) | | Route Conditions: | Maintained Trail, Unmaintained Trail, Open Country | | Gear Used: | Ski Poles | | Weather: | Pleasant, Calm, Clear | | Ascent Statistics | | Gain on way in: | 2644 ft / 805 m | | Gain Breakdown: | Net: 1684 ft / 513 m; Extra: 960 ft / 292m | | Loss on way in: | 960 ft / 292 m | | Distance: | 4.7 mi / 7.6 km | | Route: | use trail + PCT + open country | | Start Trailhead: | Sonora Pass parking lot 9640 ft / 2938 m | | Time: | 4 Hours 40 Minutes | | Descent Statistics | | Loss on way out: | 2644 ft / 805 m | | Loss Breakdown: | Net: 1684 ft / 513 m; Extra: 960 ft / 292m | | Gain on way out: | 960 ft / 292 m | | Distance: | 6.3 mi / 10.1 km | | Route: | open country + PCT | | End Trailhead: | Sonora Pass parking lot 9640 ft / 2938 m | | Time: | 4 Hours 20 Minutes | GPS Data for Ascent/Trip
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Peaks:  climbed and  unclimbed by Mr. L
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