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White Mountain Peak
As part of my training for Mount Whitney, I decided to do a day hike of White Mountain Peak. I left after work on Friday June 21, 2002 and made the 5 hour trip to the Grandview Campground. Camping is allowed at the trailhead, as I had originally planned, but at 11:30 at night, I was ready to stop. The Grandview Campground is sparse on amenities. Just a restroom and no water, but it's free. My kind of price.
After eating a bowl of Wheat Chex® cereal and throwing my tent in the trunk, I was on the road again. Another hour of dirt and gravel roads to travel. I was surprised to see snow. Apparently it had rained/snowed that Friday afternoon. The new fallen snow really adds to the landscape. It's like being on the moon out here.
I finally reached the locked gate of the University of California, Barcroft Facility. After double checking the contents of my day pack, I was ready. I applied sunscreen to my face as a last minute thought. It's hard to think about sunscreen when it's 40° out. That would become obvious later in the day. I was wearing shorts and forgot about my legs.
Not more than a mile up the road and I came across this. Anybody know how to hot-wire one of these things?
Two miles and 12,470' into the hike already. How time flies. This is the Barcroft Facility – University of California's, <a href="https://www.wmrc.edu/">White Mountain Research Station</a>. I figured here would be a good place to take two Tylenol, just in case.
Passing by these sheep, I wondered if they enjoyed being up here. I suppose if I were a sheep, I'd enjoy it. Great views, three meals a day. Who could ask for more?
Leaving the noise and smell of the diesel generator (and sheep) behind, I pressed on up the hill behind the facility towards the WMRS Observatory.
At last my first view of White Mountain Peak. I should be there in no time!
Who was I kidding? I had another 4 miles to go. I felt a little hungry, this looks like a good a place as any to stop and have a snack.
I stop here again for a much needed rest. I'm feeling pretty good, except for being tired. I got a good night sleep. But it's probably the altitude as I'm sure it's past 13,000' by now. One last decent and its all up hill from here. Shouldn't be long now.
<em>"I lift up my eyes to the hills…where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip…he who watches over you will not slumber"</em> ~Psalm 121:1-3
The White Mountain Summit Facility is so close I can almost touch it now.
Finally reached the summit, 14,246' by most accounts. I remember someone reading the summit marker, but I got side tracked and forgot to check it out myself. Got to be the altitude.
The views from up here are amazing!
I decided to have a little lunch while taking in the scenery. It took me five hours to travel the 7 miles and I wasn't in a hurry to leave.
I noticed a few dark clouds hanging around, but nothing that I felt was too threatening.
After having a light lunch I had to climb the ladder and sit on top of the building. Almost burned my hands and legs on the metal roof! This building is the highest research facility in North America.
I was just getting ready to go when someone pointed to a glider down in the valley (red circle). I had to stick around and see where he would go.
It wasn't too long before he was flying over the summit. All you heard was the "woosh" of air as he flew overhead.
By the time I started back down, the snow had all melted. The terrain takes on a whole new look now. Still quite barren though.
After reaching the car around 5pm, I rested a while, and chatted with a couple that I had met on the summit. Then it was time for the long drive back home. I didn't have the time to check out the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in the area, but did manage to get some pictures of these unique trees. Some are said to be more than 4,000 years old. I learned a few things from this trip that will help me in future high-altitude hikes. First thing…sunscreen. My legs were a little red at day's end. Second thing…drink and snack frequently. I think that really helped in my feeling well the whole hike. <a href="/trailhead/day-hiking-trips/mount-whitney/">Mount Whitney</a> here I come…
Posted
February 25, 2022
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by
“Hikin Mike”
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