W6/SS-371 Morris Peak

 It had been a hot few days in the desert, and I wanted to get out of the heat, so I decided a higher peak in the Sierra would be the answer. Morris Peak fit the bill, a pleasant 9 mile round trip high enough to get out of the heat. I drove up to Walker Pass where I parked below a Joshua tree in the large dirt pullout.

PCT northbound trailhead.

My plan was to take the PCT to the col below the summit, then the use trail the last half mile or so to the top. It was pleasantly warm, with a nice breeze at the trailhead and I headed north on the PCT. It had been a while since I last hiked on the PCT, and I forgot how well graded it is. Great for running.

So many flowers.

As I rounded the side of the first hill, the trail began crossing a field of yellow flowers. Very pretty. I enjoyed the flowers, the the switchbacks up to the ridge. Once I reached the ridge, the trail flattened out and began traversing below the peaks. It was mostly on the north side, which meant trees and views towards Lake Isabella.

Looking north.

Views of the summit.

From the col southwest of the summit I stepped off the PCT and quickly found the use trail that goes up the south face to the top. It was a lot steeper than the official trail, but not too bad. Having a trail, even a steep one, made the final ascent much faster. At the summit I signed the register at the high point, then descended slightly to a shady flat area. Here I put up an antenna and started calling CQ.

On the air.

I had cell service, and had no trouble making contacts. Even in the cooler temperatures up at 7000 feet I was glad there was some shade to stand in. I tried VHF, but didn't get any takers. The desert VHF community doesn't seem very active. Once I was done I packed up and headed back the same way I came up. 

PCT cutting across the mountain.

The run back down was much faster than on the way up. I passed one or two people backpacking, but I think it was too early in the season to see any thru hikers. Back at the car I enjoyed the cooler temperatures before heading back down into the hot desert. Little did I know it was about to cool down.

 

Trailhead: Walker Pass (CA 178)

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the PCT up to the col southwest of the summit, then the use trail up to the top.

Red Tape: None.

W6/ND-337

 This desert peak is a short distance east of Ridgecrest. It is unremarkable, other than having the prominence required to be a SOTA peak. After a late night, I woke up and headed out. It was hot, but I was looking to get a little heat training in, so I didn't mind. Since I wanted to get some distance, I parked on the side of Trona Road, just south of the intersection with Randsburg Wash Road.

Near the start, looking towards the summit.

I could see some roads and use trails on the satellite view of the area, so I figured it would be an easy run through the desert. It took a little searching to find the road I wanted, parallel to Randsburg Wash Road, but once I did it was smooth sailing. The road was fairly straight, going through a few washes as it crossed the desert. 

About to head up the hill.

At the base of the hill there is a road that leads from the paved road to the col. This is where most people seem to start the hike. With some clearance you could drive to the col on the sandy road, otherwise it would be a shorter hike from the pavement. I took this road up to the col, then picked the slope to the top that looked best. Probably whichever you pick will be fine, the mountain is not too steep.

Looking towards the Owens Valley. Southern Sierra on the left.

The top was a bit rockier, but still class 1 the whole way. The view on top was pretty nice. On one side I could see the southern Sierra, China Lake, and even Telescope Peak in Death Valley. Views south were blocked by higher hills. There was good cell service on top, and I had no problem spotting. Band conditions weren't good enough to get everyone who wanted to work me, but I was able to make enough contacts. 

Looking back at where I came from.

I took a different ridge back down to the col. It didn't seem any better or worse than the way I had gone up. From there it was a quick jog along the col road to the parallel road and the car. The A/C had nearly cooled the car back down by the time I got back to the hotel in Ridgecrest.

Trailhead: Along Trona Road or Randsburg Wash Road, depending on how many miles you want to hike.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Head across the desert, taking roads if available, to the col northwest of the summit, then go straight up to the top.

Red Tape: None. Some areas are part of military bases, so watch out for signs.

W6/CT-266 Mt Bliss

 After activating Monrovia Peak I was hot and starting to run low on water, but I was still on top of the ridge and had a long way down. I had enough, though, to swing by Mt Bliss on the way down. From the road on the ridge below the Monrovia summit, I headed down. At the Sawpit Truck Trail (2N30.1) I turned right and started really going down. This road switchbacks down the southeast face of Monrovia, and had some nice views. I didn't enjoy them very much since I was getting hot.

Mt Bliss seen from the side of Monrovia Peak.

I did pass another running heading up, which surprised me. I thought the area was fairly remote. After a few miles of quick switchbacks I reached White Saddle and turned left onto 1N36 for the climb up to the summit. This was a gentle climb. From studying maps beforehand, I hadn't seen a trail to the summit, so knew I'd have to bushwhack to get to the firebreak along the ridge. I picked a spot that looked good, and went up through the brush.

Monrovia Peak.

It was steep, but I soon got to the ridge. Turning around, I could see that if I had continued a little farther along I could've taken a use trail the whole way. Oh well. A few more feet of climbing and I was on the summit. This peak was even sunnier and hotter than Monrovia had been a few hours before. I didn't waste time getting on the air, since my water was running low. I had some cell service, but it wasn't great.

Summit sign and register.

Once I had made my contacts I headed down, taking the trail this time. It was a quick jog back to the Sawpit road. I was pretty happy the road has some stream crossings, I was able to dip my hat and arms in the water to cool off a bit. The dirt ends at the entrance to the boy scout camp, but there is still a few miles back to the car. At the Monrovia Canyon Park I saw a water fountain and stopped to drink and fill up my bottles. From there it wasn't far back to the car, but having plenty of water made it much more pleasant.

Trailhead: Intersection of North Canyon Blvd and Ridgeside Dr.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: From Monrovia, head down the Sawpit truck road to White Saddle, then up to the summit. There is a use trail, so no bushwhacking required.

Red Tape: None.

W6/CT-028 Monrovia Peak

 I was down in southern California for a visit, so it was time to do some peakbagging. My goal for this day was to get Monrovia Peak and Mt Bliss, and the other small summits along their ridges. Based on other trip reports, I decided to do a big loop. From the airport I drove to Monrovia, and parked on North Canyon Blvd at the intersection with Ridgeside Drive. From here it was a short walk up Ridgeside to the start of the Lower Clamshell Truck Trail.

Start of the trail.

 

The gate was open, which was good, and I headed up. It wasn't very busy, but I did pass some people out for their Easter morning walks. After about a mile the truck trail reaches a saddle. The trail continues down the other side but I turned right and followed the fire break up the crest of the ridge. It started out ok, but, as expected, became quite steep.

Someone put a flag at this viewpoint.

It took a while to hike up the steep fire break, and it got warmer as I hiked. As I climbed I started to get views of the forested ridge top, and other peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains. It was a relief when I reached the top. I took the short spur to Clamshell Peak, then returned and went down the steep hill to the fire road below. The road was generally in the forest, which was a nice break. 

Final section of fire break.

Finally I reach the spot to rejoin the firebreak along the ridge for the final climb. It felt steep since I was hot and tired, but it wasn't too long. First I went over Rankin Peak. There was a wooden sign on the summit. I'm not sure why, the summit wasn't remarkable in any way. One last small col, and I was on the summit. The views were nice, but it was hot in the sun and the bushes weren't big enough to provide any real shade.  

Summit sign and register.

I signed the register and put up my antenna. Cell service wasn't very good, but I had enough to get out a few spots. Once I was done playing radio, it was a short and steep trip down the fire break to the road. Back on the road, I headed over to my next summit, Mt Bliss.

 

Trailhead: Intersection of North Canyon Blvd and Ridgeside Dr.

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Head up the Lower Clamshell truck trail to the col, then follow the firebreak to the ridge. On the next road, go up, then take the firebreak to the summit.

Red Tape: None.

W7A/MN-135 Javelina Summit

I was on my way back home, but I had time for one more summit before heading to the airport. This peak in the suburbs of Phoenix fit the bill. I drove to Skyline Regional Park and parked in the main lot at the end of the road. From here it was a pleasant few miles up to the summit.

First view of the summit. 

I took the Quartz Mine trail to the Tortuga trail, then up the Javelina Summit trail. Quartz Mine was relatively flat, lots of small ups and downs. About half a mile from the main parking lot the trail passes another, smaller parking lot. If you were looking to minimize distance, that would be a better place to start. 

Getting closer.

After a short jaunt on the Tortuga trail I turned onto the Javelina Summit trail. This is where most of the climbing is. It was still early enough it wasn't super hot yet, and that made the climb a lot more pleasant. The trail was in good shape, like the others in the park. After a few days of peakbagging off trail, or with unmaintained trails, it was like being on a superhighway. Its amazing how much easier travel is on a trail.

Summit post. All the junctions were well marked with similar posts.

There wasn't anyone else on the summit. After taking in the view of the western Phoenix suburbs, I set up the radio. As I expected there was good cell service on top, and I had no trouble spotting. 

Just below the high point.

To get back to the car I simply retraced my steps. It seemed like the park was more crowded when I got back. There were still parking spots available. I took advantage of the flush toilets at the trailhead, the headed out to the airport for my flight home. 
 

Trailhead: Main parking lot of Skyline Wilderness Park

Website: SOTA Site.

Maps: AA6XA SOTA Hikes map.

Route: Take the Quartz Mine to Tortuga to Javelina Summit trails. Or pick your own way for a longer hike.

Red Tape: None. 

One more saguero picture