Distance: 3.4 mi.
Elevation Gain: 1400 ft.
We were treated to some very nice weather for November, but with the short daylength and snow up high we decided to keep it short. Melissa suggested High Rock and aside from the long drive it looked like a great option. We took the route that Google Maps recommended to the trailhead up road 8440 from the west but it was super rutted and bumpy (still doable in the Fit). Jim and Melissa had come up from the east and said it would be a lot easier for the ride out (and it was). We were surprised how many cars were parked at the trailhead but there was plenty of room along the road.
We started off our hike by accidentally cutting off a switchback even though the trailhead was well signed, so keep an eye out for that. The trail was fairly steep and consistent, but less than 2 miles each way. It was certainly enough elevation gained to get the heart pumping. There were quite a few folks out on this nice fall day.
Just below the summit we came to some slabby, sticky volcanic rock. We traversed over to the lookout but tried to avoid the crowds. The geology here is amazing, with 360 degree views and absolute sheer cliffs all around. We traversed back along the summit ridge so that we could have a quick lunch in relative solitude. After lunch, we had an easy hike back out the way we came, minus our accidental cutoff near the parking lot.
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Gear Used:
- Day pack
- GPS
- Trail runners
- Trekking poles
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