Six Pack of Peaks

Where do I even begin to describe what this challenge has been for me? I had been hiking sporadically in the past and I enjoyed it. I loved the view from the top and the sense of accomplishment once you made it. It wasn't until this year that I realized it was a hobby of mine and that I should actively pursue it. I remember coming upon the challenge on social media and decided to do it. I told myself if I complete this challenge then I can call myself a hiker. I wasn't an active hiker at the time. The most hiking I had done was hiking Torrey Pines here locally which looking back isn't really much.

Mt Wilson

The biggest hike I had ever done before this was Potato Chip rock which is roughly six miles. However, on August 2nd my friend and I drove to Chantry Flats and were ready to begin this challenge. We didn't exactly know where the trail started so we kind of stood in the parking lot for a bit until we found some women there and asked them about it. They looked at us with doubtful looks that we could accomplish this hike but they showed us where the trail began. 

We decided on the longer route because we wanted to see the waterfall but once we arrived there we were very uncertain of where the trail led next. 

 

Though very long, this was such a beautiful first hike. There were so many trees providing shade 90% of the way which was wonderful. We were alone on the trail and got to experience the sound of nature. (Squirrels eating pine cones and jumping from tree to tree). It truly was beautiful. We definitely underestimated Mt Wilson. I thought it was "just" 5,000 feet in elevation, it can't be that bad. Well, our knees were killing us by the end of our hike. We could barely walk but it was definitely worth it. The view from the top made it worth it and we got to walk around the observatory on top.

You can barely make out the observatory at the top

Huffing and Puffing but we Made it Back Down

Side note: Mt Wilson has the best bathrooms on top hehe. There's actual restroom facilities ;)

Cucamonga Peak

[August 30] I was excited to begin hiking Cucamonga. I had seen pictures before of the peak and it was absolutely breathtaking. I loved how you could see the clouds down below. I was excited to take one for myself. This hike though beautiful, was a bit stressful because my friend had class at 5pm and it was a 2 hour drive back home. I'm happy to say she made it back on time. This hike also boosted my confidence because on our last hike my friend was the one leading and I was dragging behind but on this hike I was able to take the lead and summit before her.

Pictures can't even compare to the actual beauty before us!

Not many clouds on this day but still beautiful

Found some awesome caves!

Side notes: there were so so so many mosquitoes on this hike that I actually had to wear my sunglasses because I got some mosquitoes stuck in my eyelashes!

Mt Baldy

[September 24] September was a busy month for my family. I hadn't been hiking in three weeks when I decided to go on Mt Baldy. This time I decided to go with a group of girls from Girls Who Hike LA. I had been part of the group for a little while but had never been to an event. I had read so many good things about previous meet ups but I was a bit worried as I didn't know anybody. Lesson learned, be open to new hiking partners! There are so many amazing people out there who share the same hobbies as you. I was so happy to have gone. These girls were amazing and such an encouragement because I literally thought I wasn't going to make it to the summit. I was also able to learn a lot from them such as investing in trekking poles, bringing different types of snacks, and I finally learned what a switchback was!! (Like I mentioned before I am quite new to the hiking scene so I still have a lot of terminology to learn.) 

In Love With The View

Side note: gloves are your friends at the summit! Would've been nice to have some

Mt San Jacinto
[October 14] By this time I didn't think it would be possible to finish the challenge. I didn't think I would be able to make 3 trips to LA just to go hiking. However, things fell into place and next thing you know I'm on my way to San Jacinto. We were lost for the first 20 minutes because we weren't exactly sure where the trail started but soon enough we were on our way. We did the Marion Mountain Trail which in our experience, a tough hike. But we found many deer along the way. I thought they were completely adorable. I was fascinated by them and just wanted to observe them! The view didn't disappoint but it just felt very long. Especially on the way down my knees and toes were killing me.

Started Off With a Great View

I could sit here for hours

Sometimes its better to go behind a bush... DO NOT ENTER!

Side note: There's a reason that a map is part of the 10 essentials, bring one! & don't break in your hiking shoes on such a long hike!!!! :(

[October 26] Not even two weeks later and I was back at San Jacinto. Completely different experience when you go by the tram! Take the tram!!! Before we summited in 5 hours and via the tram we summited in about 3 hours! Big difference and a much more wonderful experience! This didn't start as a group hike but it ended being so! Met some wonderful hikers along the way! It was such a beautiful day we actually spent about 2 hours enjoying the view from the summit.

Already snow on the mountain

San Bernardino

[October 15] I was a little nervous starting this hike because the longest I had done was 14 miles at Mt Wilson and I could barely walk afterward. I had a rough start when I started to feel sick and Negative Nancy came for a visit on the way up. These hikes really are a mental challenge as well. I was trying so hard to stay positive and focused but I didn't think I would make it. However, slowly but surely I made my way to the summit. It was so so beautiful. Autumn leaves, howling wind, crisp and fresh air, mountains, mountains, and more mountains! What a sight. 

Beautiful Fall Colors

Side note: sometimes it's the snacks your bring that keep you going! Pack some good ones 

San Gorgonio

[October 27] At last the day for me to complete my last hike was here. The plan was to start around 5:30am. We arrived at 6:15am but we were to scared to start hiking in the dark. So we decided to take a nap until the sun came out. I checked the weather beforehand and there was supposed to be a storm that night so that was in the back of my mind. I had also forgotten my rain coat and none of my clothes were waterproof so I was a bit worried. Actually, I was a lot worried throughout the day. I had a lot of fears for some reason and so the whole way up I kept praying asking God for his protection and to watch over us. I have a crazy imagination and so I kept thinking if we got lost or something happened to us during the storm that nobody would be able to find us. When we were about 3/4 of a mile away we found some hikers coming down and they told us to hurry up because a storm was coming. This got me in more of a panic and I was speed walking to the summit. I knew that the summit was not the place to be in the middle of a storm but other than that I didn't know much about surviving on the mountain during a storm. So we reached the summit and I was in a panic. I was desperately looking for the sign so we could take a picture and get going but it was nowhere to be found. Just as we were about to give up and head back down I saw the sign and we got our pictures. We rushed down and ran where we could because it would also be getting dark in a couple hours. It took us 7 hours to summit but we were down in 3.5 hours! We only hiked in the dark for 40 minutes which was a new experience for the both of us. Yay for headlamps! Also, to our surprise the hikers we passed on our way to the summit were waiting for us in the parking lot! Immediately I knew it was God who had answered our prayers and was watching over us this whole time. He is always in control <3

Ladybug Dating Season

I thought beehives were in trees

I sat on the edge of the trail for a scenic picture but I almost ended up sliding down

I have weak arms.
The sign is heavy.
I'm tired.
Jumping and holding that sign up high isn't easy

Side note: If you come prepared and know what to do in any emergency, there is no reason to walk in fear

Overall, this challenge has been amazing. I feel so proud of myself for being able to conquer all of these peaks even when I felt I couldn't do it. I'm amazed to see how far I've come and the progress I've made. Towards, the end of this challenge my legs weren't killing me like they were the first time. Also, the views from the top didn't disappoint once and I met many wonderful people along the way. I learned that I love hiking. Before this challenge I had no interest in hiking the biggest or highest mountains but now things have turned around. Everyday I'm adding more mountains to my list of places to hike. I'm learning along the way and I'm thankful for this challenge. You can do anything you set your mind to! Si se puede! 

The mountains are calling and I must go! - John Muir

Mt Whitney... see you next year!!