Story:
Forgot my Garmin handheld... Damm! Finally figured out I had GPS Privacy set to E911 Only
We met at the appointed hour at 5:30am and got going about 5:40am with a spring in our step.
Making good time past the badly mis-located Sheep Mtn Wilderness Boundary marker, past the helipad to "Laurel Saddle" in about 2:10min. Took a 20min break, cached ½ my 6 liters of water and headed up the very steep route to Iron Mtn at 8:10 am.
Bernd was fading and told me to go on, he'd go as far as he could and wait for me at "Laurel Saddle".
I was OFF!
I'd been training for this and other more difficult hikes to come later in the summer mostly by riding my Mtn Bike (I'd soon regret this error).
I seemed to be making good, steady progress. The weather was starting to warm up more than forecast, but previous experience hiking to "Laurel Saddle" and many many many other hikes in the San Gabriel Mtns, I was not surprised.
I deployed my Golite "Chrome Dome" trekking umbrella and pressed on. About 5600' It finally dawned on me I had changed the GPS Privacy set to E911 only. VIOLA! It's finally working.
The brush as I expected, started to thin, and cleared mostly by the X6138' on the USGS topographic map.
There was a group behind be I could hear from quite a distance, but I seemed to be staying ahead of them, my bike riding was paying off. I was off on my estimate of 10-10:30am to the summit but I could see the summit.
I had the idea," I'd get to what I thought was the summit an see I had lots more to go", but no. I made it at 10:55am.
My initial thought was "The reputation of Iron Mtn greatly exceeds the reality" Yes if you are not prepared, it could be hell. But the views are great. I puzzled as to why it is "Iron" Mtn, There isn't any Iron here... Sheep Mtn seems more appropriate.
Had lunch and talked a bit with 2 hikers who marveled at the umbrella (I'm gonna bring an extra one and start selling them!) Getting going about 11:30am... Oh I'll be back by 2:30-3 pm! (Oi Vey!)
It really started heating up and was glad I'd left the trailhead at first light. Going down is not going up and I should have tightened my laces for the down hill portion, but being a stubborn old fool I didn't.
By the time (1:40pm) I met Bernd I was out of water and my big toes where killing me. The front of my thighs hurt but not too bad (yet) Of course being a stubborn old fool I didn't tighten up my laces (I'ts not that steep now)
We got going about 1:52 pm and Bernd was burning up the trail, no way I'm keeping up with him. I finally stopped and tightened up my laces and Bernd put more distance between me and him. It was friggin hot but I wasn't going up! (mostly)
My thighs where done. I was slowing down with miles to go. This was about 2:40pm (near BONITA VABM 3983) . Well unless Bernd carried me I wasn't going to get back.
Slogging on the temps where hitting the afternoon high, got to the saddle down to the road, wishful thinking had it 1¼ miles to the trailhead it's closer to 1¾ miles. That's probably why it seemed much longer, hurting didn't make it any shorter either but the flatter parts where welcome relief.
Got to the road and did the ½ mile getting to the trailhead @ 4:30pm so despite the stats it took 10hrs 50min.
We stopped at Camp Williams for a cold drink and the thermometer indicated 85° in the shade. I estimate 90-95° on the ridge then add 10°-15° for 100°-110° apparent temp. Any way you look at it, it was hot.
Forgot my Garmin handheld... Damm! Finally figured out I had GPS Privacy set to E911 Only
We met at the appointed hour at 5:30am and got going about 5:40am with a spring in our step.
Making good time past the badly mis-located Sheep Mtn Wilderness Boundary marker, past the helipad to "Laurel Saddle" in about 2:10min. Took a 20min break, cached ½ my 6 liters of water and headed up the very steep route to Iron Mtn at 8:10 am.
Bernd was fading and told me to go on, he'd go as far as he could and wait for me at "Laurel Saddle".
I was OFF!
I'd been training for this and other more difficult hikes to come later in the summer mostly by riding my Mtn Bike (I'd soon regret this error).
I seemed to be making good, steady progress. The weather was starting to warm up more than forecast, but previous experience hiking to "Laurel Saddle" and many many many other hikes in the San Gabriel Mtns, I was not surprised.
I deployed my Golite "Chrome Dome" trekking umbrella and pressed on. About 5600' It finally dawned on me I had changed the GPS Privacy set to E911 only. VIOLA! It's finally working.
The brush as I expected, started to thin, and cleared mostly by the X6138' on the USGS topographic map.
There was a group behind be I could hear from quite a distance, but I seemed to be staying ahead of them, my bike riding was paying off. I was off on my estimate of 10-10:30am to the summit but I could see the summit.
I had the idea," I'd get to what I thought was the summit an see I had lots more to go", but no. I made it at 10:55am.
My initial thought was "The reputation of Iron Mtn greatly exceeds the reality" Yes if you are not prepared, it could be hell. But the views are great. I puzzled as to why it is "Iron" Mtn, There isn't any Iron here... Sheep Mtn seems more appropriate.
Had lunch and talked a bit with 2 hikers who marveled at the umbrella (I'm gonna bring an extra one and start selling them!) Getting going about 11:30am... Oh I'll be back by 2:30-3 pm! (Oi Vey!)
It really started heating up and was glad I'd left the trailhead at first light. Going down is not going up and I should have tightened my laces for the down hill portion, but being a stubborn old fool I didn't.
By the time (1:40pm) I met Bernd I was out of water and my big toes where killing me. The front of my thighs hurt but not too bad (yet) Of course being a stubborn old fool I didn't tighten up my laces (I'ts not that steep now)
We got going about 1:52 pm and Bernd was burning up the trail, no way I'm keeping up with him. I finally stopped and tightened up my laces and Bernd put more distance between me and him. It was friggin hot but I wasn't going up! (mostly)
My thighs where done. I was slowing down with miles to go. This was about 2:40pm (near BONITA VABM 3983) . Well unless Bernd carried me I wasn't going to get back.
Slogging on the temps where hitting the afternoon high, got to the saddle down to the road, wishful thinking had it 1¼ miles to the trailhead it's closer to 1¾ miles. That's probably why it seemed much longer, hurting didn't make it any shorter either but the flatter parts where welcome relief.
Got to the road and did the ½ mile getting to the trailhead @ 4:30pm so despite the stats it took 10hrs 50min.
We stopped at Camp Williams for a cold drink and the thermometer indicated 85° in the shade. I estimate 90-95° on the ridge then add 10°-15° for 100°-110° apparent temp. Any way you look at it, it was hot.
Tips:
prepare, prepare, prepare.
Pick as cool a day as you can. The clear, cool days without snow / ice are few and far between.
I'm sticking with my initial opinion (Iron Mtn Fail!) that hiking in the evening before, summiting early 8-9am and getting back before noon is the way to go.
prepare, prepare, prepare.
Pick as cool a day as you can. The clear, cool days without snow / ice are few and far between.
I'm sticking with my initial opinion (Iron Mtn Fail!) that hiking in the evening before, summiting early 8-9am and getting back before noon is the way to go.
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