One can tell that the group is getting a bit tired by the time we get to Bald Peak (there's a lot of elevation and up-and-down, even when hiking this route in the 'downhill' direction). On the plus side, the now late-day sun is providing beautiful lighting conditions.
The many excellent open sections and viewpoints ended as we headed south down off of Bald Peak. The trail descended steeply over slabs until it entered beautiful open forest sections along the lower ridgecrest heading down to route 9. With dusk approaching, we entered a stretch of dark coniferous forest, and at 2 minutes before 7pm (and Dean will witness that I had predicted we'd arrive at the trailhead around 7pm), our hike was finished. A fine traverse with fine friends. Thanks, guys!
Interactive Trackmap, Rocky Peak Ridge Traverse
Hike Data - Rocky Peak Ridge Traverse
Start Time:
9:38a.m.
End Time:
6:58p.m.
Duration:
9h19m
Distance:
16.46 km
(10.23 mi)
Average Speed:
1.8 km/hr
(1.1 mph)
Start Elevation:
1503ft
(458m)
*
Max Elevation:
4657ft
(1420m)
*
Min Elevation:
672ft
(205m)
*
End Elevation:
674ft
(205m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Total Elevation Gain:
4172ft
(1272m)
*
Total Elevation Loss:
5018ft
(1529m)
*
* : +/- 75 feet
Elevation Graph
