December 29, 2021
Start/end: Discovery Trail parking lot
Miles: 5.66
Elevation gain: 2602′
This was a bushwhack all the way, and I was glad I decided to do it on the warmest day of the week since it was very slow going. I was able to cross the river using the large downed tree, though it required me to straddle it and hop across on my butt; the river was running fast and strong. The elevation gain was steep and the spruce trees were tightly spaced and very pointy. They enjoyed stabbing and slapping me at every opportunity, including hitting me directly in the eyes 3-4 times. There wasn’t any discernible herdpath except for a small section on the narrow knife’s edge section. There were also endless blowdowns, particularly nearer to the top. It was a grueling and very wet hike, but I found the summit canister and didn’t freeze to death, so it was a win.
Transcending Mountains 