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| Hiking | 12.10 Miles |
3,192 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.10 Miles | 5 Hrs 6 Mns | | 2.38 mph |
| 3,192 ft AEG | 1 Min Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Kern Peak was on the radar and one of the highlights of the Golden Trout Wilderness backpack. Early morning departure at 530 with the goal of getting back in about 5 hours. The first 2 miles is easy hiking with limited AEG. About 2.5 miles up trail it begins to ascend more steeply up Kern Peak canyon. Nice section with small meadows, cascades, and very lush. Eventually the trail reaches switchbacks near the canyon end at about 9800 feet. The switchbacks are in great shape and make for even grade up to the main ridgeline that leads to the summit. At about 10,600 I reached the main ridgeline and about 10,800 the tree line and first large snow drifts. None were that difficult to navigate around however at about 11,200 there was a large snow field that covered most of the trail so I just picked my way through boulders to the summit.
Reached the summit and found an old structure. May have been lookout but was in complete disrepair. Took some pics on the summit and enjoyed the views with a good 360. After about 10 minutes headed back down and this time I tried to follow the trail more which if you look at the track goes down the south side initially. Then it wraps around the north but I lost it again in the snow field around 11,400. I made my way around and sometimes across the snow field and eventually made it to the bottom where the trail reappears. After that it was a quick descent back the same way. Arrived back at camp right about 5 hours even. Great hike with excellent trail and depending on snow conditions the top 500 feet could be very easy ascent. |
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