ReedleyHiker - May 18, 2010 1:55 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2010
First hike in years
In retrospect I should have prepared a bit more for this hike, but it was a very nice hike. Sunny with a cool breeze all the way up, visuals of the ocean over the western mountains, and beautiful foliage. 6 hours up and 3 down. It certainly got the hiking bug in me! Take plenty of water! Proudly signed the register at the summit :)
Incidentally, once you get in the pine trees, there's a sign posted on a tree that says "Water" and points off the trail to the left. I was low on water so took the bait, but could find no water source anywhere. I assume there's a spring somewhere nearby - anybody know where and how far off the trail that water source is? Might be helpful to other hikers.
mrchad9 - May 9, 2010 5:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2006
Rattlesnake!
After all the hiking on bigger mountains, got the scare of my life nearly stepping on a rattlesnake on the way down, was only 1/2 step away from it and still 5 miles from the trailhead. I backed off and it wouldn't budge of the trail. Had to bushwack through chest high chaparral to get by.
BrendanHickey - May 5, 2010 10:00 am Date Climbed: May 4, 2010
Best time of year to go
Perfect day for this peak: great weather but not too hot, not many bugs, fragrant fields of purple lupine. Trail easy to follow all the way to the summit. Go now before the brush all grows back!
colinr - Dec 26, 2009 6:08 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2009
Again
Came to camp for a night and see the recovery from the fire. Finally came at the right time to avoid ticks.
Dundeel - Nov 10, 2009 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2009
From Memorial
Excellent weather. Sun and temps in the 60's. Lots of brush trying to remove your skin. Yuccas jabbing your shins. Saw cougar tracks on the trail near the summit. There were 20 some geology students scattered across the rocks near Memorial. Saw a large bright green meteor plummet towards the ocean. It disappeared below the ridge to west and was clearly visible in the daylight. All in all, a great hike. CA Cohp 5/58, CA P4k 1/16.
fedak - May 12, 2009 6:16 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2009
Post Fire Summit
Opening day trip after the fire closure lifted.
Pics are here.
Noondueler - Nov 4, 2008 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 1998
Spring '98
Went to Death Valley next day on a 2 week window between the storms.
Lovely hike on a perfect day. Spring flowers in abundance and the ticks even left me alone. Who could ask for more. About 7.5h round trip with lots of breaks for photos etc and an hour on top.
Bob Bolton - May 4, 2008 11:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2008
Santa Lucia Trail
My wife and I tackled this one as the last hike of of our vacation. She had outdone herself on Mt. Wrightson and Hualapai Peak in AZ, and this one proved to be quite a challenge for her as well. But she has an iron will when she starts something, and she was able to summit this one as well. I'm so proud of her! It was a gorgeous day, just a touch too warm but not oppressively so. Great views of an area I've seen very little of. It was my third peak on our trip that is on my highest priority list -- the 100 most topographically prominent peaks in the contiguous US, of which I now have 74. Hoping to work on some of the tougher ones on that list this year, including Stimson and Spickard.
rochonchis - Apr 3, 2008 12:14 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2008
Nice day hike of Santa Lucia Trail
Hiked this back in January (currently April) with the Sierra Club Peak Climbing Section. It was a nice hike with good company. As someone mentioned previously the trail was a little icy at the top in shaded areas and this made for slow progress. However with careful footwork and branches to hold on to we were able to get past these sections. Because of the 3 hour drive from the South Bay I will probably not do this hike again.
colinr - Feb 10, 2008 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Feb 9, 2008
Consider Snowshoes!
There were several snow storms over a few weeks followed by a week of warm weather preceding my hike. All of creeks and springs were running strong. The snow was great for my dogs to cool off in, but was much more of an obstacle than it had been on my trips the previous two years. First it was ankle high and slushy. Next I entered the shady part of the mountain where the snow was knee deep with enough ice on top to support me. This section was fun at first, but slippery enough to slow me down a bit and make the route very hard to find near the top. There were no footprints or crushed down tracks to follow as it appeared I was the first to summit after the snowstorms had ended. In fact I lost the trail for a bit, and had to meander my way gradually toward the top avoiding steep icy slopes as much as possible. Finally as the trail nears the summit and the forest provides less shade, there was deep snow that sometimes supported me and sometimes did not (perfect conditions to posthole 2 to 3 feet down, often without warning and sometimes into branches). Repeatedly finding myself crotch deep in snow took extra energy and determination. I made excellent time in the other sections, but due to the poor snow conditions, I actually spent more time hiking than I had on my other 2 trips here (6 hours car to car with 45 min. relaxation time on the top).
Another issue was the encroaching vegetation, downed branches, and downed trees in all parts of the hike except for the brief meadow section near the trailhead. I suspect the unusual amount of low elevation snow storms the previous few weeks caused an unusual amount of downed branches. I think on my previous trips, I was lucky to come right after trail maintenance had been done (at least on the first 5 miles or so), but this time there were constantly obstacles to move, go over, under, around, or through.
Unfortunately encroaching vegetation and a February trip increases odds of coming into contact with ticks. I found over 50 ticks between myself and my two dogs during and mostly after the hike. None actually succeeded in biting into me, but over a dozen were plucked with tweezers from my dogs over the next two days. Luckily, most were found crawling around on my yellow lab during the drive home, so they could easily be thrown out the car window.
Still a worthy adventure!
emilie - Jan 20, 2008 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2008
Santa Lucia Trail
I did this hike with the Peak Climbing Section of the Sierra Club. Just under 7 hours including a leisurely lunch at the top. There were some surprising long icy sections and I took one big spill (thank goodness for good cushioning). :-) Overall a fun hike.
SFMountaineer - Nov 24, 2007 8:08 pm Date Climbed: Nov 24, 2007
A great, challenging hike!
The 12.5 mile hike felt long, and it was pretty toasty on the way up. You have to climb up the treacherous lookout tower for the best view...a little disappointed there were no really clear views east due to the pine trees. The views south, west, and north were absolutely fantastic though and I'll be posting some of my photos when I get home!
Frankly45 - Nov 22, 2007 4:16 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2007
A Fine Day
A nice 12 mile hike, I didn't research this very well. It had almost 4,000 feet of gain. I enjoyed the views from the abandoned lookout tower and the solitude of the summit.
panweilin - Oct 25, 2007 3:26 pm Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2007
Hike in the rain
Started from TH near Santa Lucia Memorial Park. It was raining, but wildflowers beautiful.
colinr - May 22, 2007 10:20 pm Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2007
1st Anniversary Hike
Living just two hours away, I couldn't resist the nice, cool conditions between two late season storms and decided to climb the peak again exactly one year after my first hike up. This time both of my dogs got to enjoy the adventure, including 2 to 6 inches of fresh snow for over a mile of the hike up. There was much less water to cross this year with many seasonal creeks dry. Arrived in the parking lot a bit before noon and left by five. A great day again!
Peak Baguette - May 6, 2007 2:09 am Date Climbed: May 5, 2007
Route: Santa Lucia Trail, Date: 05.05.07
Perfect day with clear, stunning views... and more wildflowers than a feminine hygiene ad. Quite a bit overgrown - would advise long pants and long sleeves if you don't want to look like you went a few rounds in a boxing ring with a porcupine.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 13, 2006 10:40 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2005
COHP
Normal route from Indians TH. Good views from the summit, but needed to tramp around the summit area to make sure the COHP was attained (lots of boulders within a few feet of each other).
ReedleyHiker - May 18, 2010 1:55 pm Date Climbed: May 15, 2010
First hike in yearsIn retrospect I should have prepared a bit more for this hike, but it was a very nice hike. Sunny with a cool breeze all the way up, visuals of the ocean over the western mountains, and beautiful foliage. 6 hours up and 3 down. It certainly got the hiking bug in me! Take plenty of water! Proudly signed the register at the summit :)
Incidentally, once you get in the pine trees, there's a sign posted on a tree that says "Water" and points off the trail to the left. I was low on water so took the bait, but could find no water source anywhere. I assume there's a spring somewhere nearby - anybody know where and how far off the trail that water source is? Might be helpful to other hikers.
mrchad9 - May 9, 2010 5:42 am Date Climbed: Sep 22, 2006
Rattlesnake!After all the hiking on bigger mountains, got the scare of my life nearly stepping on a rattlesnake on the way down, was only 1/2 step away from it and still 5 miles from the trailhead. I backed off and it wouldn't budge of the trail. Had to bushwack through chest high chaparral to get by.
BrendanHickey - May 5, 2010 10:00 am Date Climbed: May 4, 2010
Best time of year to goPerfect day for this peak: great weather but not too hot, not many bugs, fragrant fields of purple lupine. Trail easy to follow all the way to the summit. Go now before the brush all grows back!
colinr - Dec 26, 2009 6:08 pm Date Climbed: Nov 8, 2009
AgainCame to camp for a night and see the recovery from the fire. Finally came at the right time to avoid ticks.
SkyPilot84 - Dec 14, 2009 12:43 pm
Santa Lucia TrailMade it all the way up the tower.
Dundeel - Nov 10, 2009 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Nov 7, 2009
From MemorialExcellent weather. Sun and temps in the 60's. Lots of brush trying to remove your skin. Yuccas jabbing your shins. Saw cougar tracks on the trail near the summit. There were 20 some geology students scattered across the rocks near Memorial. Saw a large bright green meteor plummet towards the ocean. It disappeared below the ridge to west and was clearly visible in the daylight. All in all, a great hike. CA Cohp 5/58, CA P4k 1/16.
fedak - May 12, 2009 6:16 pm Date Climbed: May 1, 2009
Post Fire SummitOpening day trip after the fire closure lifted.
Pics are here.
Noondueler - Nov 4, 2008 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Mar 15, 1998
Spring '98Went to Death Valley next day on a 2 week window between the storms.
vancouver islander - May 13, 2008 10:54 pm Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2008
Springtime funLovely hike on a perfect day. Spring flowers in abundance and the ticks even left me alone. Who could ask for more. About 7.5h round trip with lots of breaks for photos etc and an hour on top.
Bob Bolton - May 4, 2008 11:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 26, 2008
Santa Lucia TrailMy wife and I tackled this one as the last hike of of our vacation. She had outdone herself on Mt. Wrightson and Hualapai Peak in AZ, and this one proved to be quite a challenge for her as well. But she has an iron will when she starts something, and she was able to summit this one as well. I'm so proud of her! It was a gorgeous day, just a touch too warm but not oppressively so. Great views of an area I've seen very little of. It was my third peak on our trip that is on my highest priority list -- the 100 most topographically prominent peaks in the contiguous US, of which I now have 74. Hoping to work on some of the tougher ones on that list this year, including Stimson and Spickard.
rochonchis - Apr 3, 2008 12:14 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2008
Nice day hike of Santa Lucia TrailHiked this back in January (currently April) with the Sierra Club Peak Climbing Section. It was a nice hike with good company. As someone mentioned previously the trail was a little icy at the top in shaded areas and this made for slow progress. However with careful footwork and branches to hold on to we were able to get past these sections. Because of the 3 hour drive from the South Bay I will probably not do this hike again.
colinr - Feb 10, 2008 5:53 pm Date Climbed: Feb 9, 2008
Consider Snowshoes!There were several snow storms over a few weeks followed by a week of warm weather preceding my hike. All of creeks and springs were running strong. The snow was great for my dogs to cool off in, but was much more of an obstacle than it had been on my trips the previous two years. First it was ankle high and slushy. Next I entered the shady part of the mountain where the snow was knee deep with enough ice on top to support me. This section was fun at first, but slippery enough to slow me down a bit and make the route very hard to find near the top. There were no footprints or crushed down tracks to follow as it appeared I was the first to summit after the snowstorms had ended. In fact I lost the trail for a bit, and had to meander my way gradually toward the top avoiding steep icy slopes as much as possible. Finally as the trail nears the summit and the forest provides less shade, there was deep snow that sometimes supported me and sometimes did not (perfect conditions to posthole 2 to 3 feet down, often without warning and sometimes into branches). Repeatedly finding myself crotch deep in snow took extra energy and determination. I made excellent time in the other sections, but due to the poor snow conditions, I actually spent more time hiking than I had on my other 2 trips here (6 hours car to car with 45 min. relaxation time on the top).
Another issue was the encroaching vegetation, downed branches, and downed trees in all parts of the hike except for the brief meadow section near the trailhead. I suspect the unusual amount of low elevation snow storms the previous few weeks caused an unusual amount of downed branches. I think on my previous trips, I was lucky to come right after trail maintenance had been done (at least on the first 5 miles or so), but this time there were constantly obstacles to move, go over, under, around, or through.
Unfortunately encroaching vegetation and a February trip increases odds of coming into contact with ticks. I found over 50 ticks between myself and my two dogs during and mostly after the hike. None actually succeeded in biting into me, but over a dozen were plucked with tweezers from my dogs over the next two days. Luckily, most were found crawling around on my yellow lab during the drive home, so they could easily be thrown out the car window.
Still a worthy adventure!
emilie - Jan 20, 2008 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2008
Santa Lucia TrailI did this hike with the Peak Climbing Section of the Sierra Club. Just under 7 hours including a leisurely lunch at the top. There were some surprising long icy sections and I took one big spill (thank goodness for good cushioning). :-) Overall a fun hike.
SFMountaineer - Nov 24, 2007 8:08 pm Date Climbed: Nov 24, 2007
A great, challenging hike!The 12.5 mile hike felt long, and it was pretty toasty on the way up. You have to climb up the treacherous lookout tower for the best view...a little disappointed there were no really clear views east due to the pine trees. The views south, west, and north were absolutely fantastic though and I'll be posting some of my photos when I get home!
Frankly45 - Nov 22, 2007 4:16 pm Date Climbed: Nov 17, 2007
A Fine DayA nice 12 mile hike, I didn't research this very well. It had almost 4,000 feet of gain. I enjoyed the views from the abandoned lookout tower and the solitude of the summit.
panweilin - Oct 25, 2007 3:26 pm Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2007
Hike in the rainStarted from TH near Santa Lucia Memorial Park. It was raining, but wildflowers beautiful.
colinr - May 22, 2007 10:20 pm Date Climbed: Apr 21, 2007
1st Anniversary HikeLiving just two hours away, I couldn't resist the nice, cool conditions between two late season storms and decided to climb the peak again exactly one year after my first hike up. This time both of my dogs got to enjoy the adventure, including 2 to 6 inches of fresh snow for over a mile of the hike up. There was much less water to cross this year with many seasonal creeks dry. Arrived in the parking lot a bit before noon and left by five. A great day again!
Peak Baguette - May 6, 2007 2:09 am Date Climbed: May 5, 2007
Route: Santa Lucia Trail, Date: 05.05.07Perfect day with clear, stunning views... and more wildflowers than a feminine hygiene ad. Quite a bit overgrown - would advise long pants and long sleeves if you don't want to look like you went a few rounds in a boxing ring with a porcupine.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 13, 2006 10:40 am Date Climbed: Apr 30, 2005
COHPNormal route from Indians TH. Good views from the summit, but needed to tramp around the summit area to make sure the COHP was attained (lots of boulders within a few feet of each other).
rhyang - Sep 18, 2006 2:22 pm
January 2001, November 2003Nice hike in cooler conditions.