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Hiking to the top of Viejas Mountain Messages in this topic - RSS

surfponto
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4/10/2016
surfponto
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I know Viejas Mountain is located outside of the Anza Borrego Desert but thought everyone would be interested in this hike.
We are planning on hiking to the top of Mount Whitney in September so this was the first of our training hikes.

While the distance is relatively short I would rate this as a moderately difficult hike due to the quick elevation gain and the loose rocks on the narrow trail. The peak tops out at 4189 feet and once at the top you are treated to spectacular 360' views.

We reached the summit in a little over an hour with a watchful eye on the incoming rain clouds.
Here are some of the trip pictures smile


Hidden trail-head at Viejas Mountain


Mary looking west towards El Cajon Mountain



Looking down towards the Viejas Casino from high atop Viejas Mountain



1938 Geodetic Marker at the summit of Viejas Mountain



Closeup of Geodetic Survey Mark

Wind shelter at the top of Viejas Mountain


Storm clouds looked close enough to touch
edited by surfponto on 4/10/2016

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hikerdmb
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4/10/2016
hikerdmb
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Whitney is a good goal. Have you done it before?
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surfponto
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4/10/2016
surfponto
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No it will be a first time for both of us.
Plan on doing it in a day and being in Lone PIne for dinner at 5PM post hike Toast



hikerdmb wrote:
Whitney is a good goal. Have you done it before?


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rockhopper
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4/10/2016
rockhopper
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I too do local hikes in preparation for a greater goal. My first and only time on Whitney was in back in 1987. It's a great hike. We climbed it from the west side coming up from the Kern river basin after coming over Shepard pass from the north. Climbed Mt Tyndall and Mt Williamson two other 14 teeners also. So when we summit Whitney, here are these 5 Germans speaking German and all smoking cigarettes. Go figure?
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surfponto
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4/10/2016
surfponto
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Ha Ha great story ....
Don't think I will be smoking a cigarette at the summit smile

rockhopper wrote:
I too do local hikes in preparation for a greater goal. My first and only time on Whitney was in back in 1987. It's a great hike. We climbed it from the west side coming up from the Kern river basin after coming over Shepard pass from the north. Climbed Mt Tyndall and Mt Williamson two other 14 teeners also. So when we summit Whitney, here are these 5 Germans speaking German and all smoking cigarettes. Go figure?


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ziphius
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4/10/2016
ziphius
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Nice trip Bob. Good luck on Whitney. Word is that Langley is less crowded (but not as high).

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dsefcik
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4/11/2016
dsefcik
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Bob, you already have your permits, you got space in the lottery? We used to do the mountaineers route when it was permit free but now you need one for any ascent (apparently). We also did Langley one year, I almost preferred it, much less of a crowd. If you have time, I recommend spending a day or two up at the portal or doing a couple of day hikes up to lone pine lake to get used to the altitude. Leave early, 2-3am.

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rockhopper
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4/11/2016
rockhopper
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Agree, Langley is a great hike. Just barely over 14,000 ft. When I solo'd it, there was no one there, anywhere up , at the top or down so it's a pretty empty peak but right next door (south) of Whitney. I have a great shot of Whitney from Langley but need to scan it. I'll hunt thru my piles of stuff. BTW we never did hiking permits for anything back then. Just fishing permits. :-)
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surfponto
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4/14/2016
surfponto
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Thanks Daren
Missed out on the lottery so had to choose an available date. Will be late September, so hopefully we won't have an early winter up there. upset
Plan was to stay the day before in Lone Pine then leave around 2AM like you said so we can summit and get back to Lone Pine for dinner.

That's the plan anyway.....

dsefcik wrote:
Bob, you already have your permits, you got space in the lottery? We used to do the mountaineers route when it was permit free but now you need one for any ascent (apparently). We also did Langley one year, I almost preferred it, much less of a crowd. If you have time, I recommend spending a day or two up at the portal or doing a couple of day hikes up to lone pine lake to get used to the altitude. Leave early, 2-3am.


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surfponto
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4/14/2016
surfponto
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Would like to see that picture .....
Doing Whitney for a "Bucket List" thing Violin

rockhopper wrote:
Agree, Langley is a great hike. Just barely over 14,000 ft. When I solo'd it, there was no one there, anywhere up , at the top or down so it's a pretty empty peak but right next door (south) of Whitney. I have a great shot of Whitney from Langley but need to scan it. I'll hunt thru my piles of stuff. BTW we never did hiking permits for anything back then. Just fishing permits. :-)

edited by surfponto on 4/14/2016

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surfponto
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4/14/2016
surfponto
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Thanks. I am a fast hiker so hopefully will leave the crowd behind.Just Kidding

ziphius wrote:
Nice trip Bob. Good luck on Whitney. Word is that Langley is less crowded (but not as high).


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rockhopper
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4/15/2016
rockhopper
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Hi Surf,
I found the pics! From June 1986. I climbed Whitney the following year in 1987.
Photo taken from Mt Langley elev.14,042 ft. looking at Mt Whitney elev. 14,505 ft. , Mt Tyndall elev. 14,025 ft. and Mt Williamson elev. 14,494 ft beyond a scant 11 feet lower than Whitney!
Cheers





Photo taken from Arc Pass looking north at Mt Whitney



edited by rockhopper on 4/15/2016
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dsefcik
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4/16/2016
dsefcik
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Love rockhopper's old photos..thanks for posting..!

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surfponto
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4/16/2016
surfponto
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Awesome photos.
I need to start training wink
edited by surfponto on 4/16/2016

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dsefcik
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4/16/2016
dsefcik
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Make sure to bring your wrestling masks....


and make time to visit alabama hills


and always remember who's #1


it will be hot


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edited by dsefcik on 4/16/2016

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