|
HIKE |
Kendall Peak |
|
ROUTE |
|
|
DATE |
8/11/2005 |
|
ATTENDEES |
Chris, Damon and Mark. |
|
NOTES |
PHOTOS
TRAIL REPORT
It was a somewhat dismal, overcast day when TNAB headed for Kendall Peak. May, or early June, I can tolerate this kind of weather...but August? Fine, we'll go hiking anyway. Chris, Damon and Mark were on the scene by 6:00 PM. The plan was to take Commonwealth Basin, then catch the PCT up to Kendall. The "alternate" route has been sufficiently blocked into extinction. :(
The trail out of Commonwealth Basin is in fine condition, although a little dusty in spots. The spiders are working way too fast these days, however. The temps stayed cool throughout - I barely broke a sweat. It didn't seem right.
Somehow, we ended up heading for Red Mountain again, but fortunately we turned around for corrective measure before significant damage could be done. What time we saved by traveling the Commonwealth Basin vs. the PCT had been erased. All that was left was to slog it out on the PCT ot Kendall Peak.
It was well after 8:00 PM when we finally got to trail up to Kendall Peak. Amazingly, we could see large patches of blue sky above the summit. Summit fever set in quickly. The terrain steep and slippery with loose dirt and rock. Still, a nice change from the leviathan-sized switches we had just traveled. We gained the summit by 8:30 PM, just in time to witness the racing fog beneath us and an outstanding sunset.
With all the pomp and circumstance TNAB can muster (ummm, not much), we placed the NW Hikers Traveling Summit Register atop Kendall (www.nwhikers.net), and laid it down next to the Kendall-specific one. (I had retrieved the register from Gothic Peak just last Saturday). Our stay at the summit was shortened by decidedly unsummerly breeze that threatened to freeze my hands. We were back on the PCT by 9:00 PM. It was only then that I realized that I hadn't included what peak the register was on now. Acck!
***So, please, next NWHiker, enter Kendall Peak into the log (as of 8/11/05), and then put the NWHTSR into motion! Can't wait to see where it ends up next...***
Back on the PCT, we began a very loooong hike out, punctuated by a couple thunder rumbles. A short, light rain fell, but not near enough to cause problems. It was past 11:00 PM when we finally returned to the car. Still, a very nice hike that will definitely be on the docket for next year!
Next Week: West Granite Mountain. The weather should be good, so should the hiking. Plan to be there!
Oust,
-Mark