I've been to the summit of Baden Powell two other times. This time, I was tricked into summiting again - I thought we would shortcut down to the trail from the west side of the summit. But no - we doubled back on the main trail. No shortcutting when you are hiking with a veteran trailbuilder!
My anti-peak-bagging crusade began in earnest as we strolled past Mt. Burnham with only a quick side glance. The trail here has amazing views in all directions as it is - no need for extra elevation gain!
Lunch was at a nice switchback in the trail with views to the south. Isis, a Queensland Heeler, kept watch over her "herd" of hikers from a nice high boulder.
The newly opened section of ACH far below:
We made good time down the fairly level, and smooth section of trail from here. Toward Throop peak, there is a bit of a climb. However, it conveniently skirts around Throop itself - so, no need to bag peak #3!
Here we enter post-fire landscape. The charred bark has been blown off the dead pines, leaving them looking like bleached skeletons. We saw several varieties of tiny, delicate wildflowers growing from the ashes.
This late in the game, Mt Hawkins doesn't stand a chance of pulling me up to that peak. We began a steep, but short descent to Windy Gap (it was). Another few minutes brought us to the sweet water of Little Jimmy Spring. We all enjoyed a drink, and a short rest, and Isis found a tasty deer bone to gnaw on.
The hike back to the cars was uneventful. The drive home was not - unfortunately, we came across an accident with one vehicle OTS, and another pickup truck smashed and spun around. The foggy, damp conditions combined with speeding commuters was a terrible combination. The man in the truck had neck and arm pain. He said he was from New Hampshire, and said in a sad, bewildered voice "Why does everyone go so fast here??".
(0 peaks per hour).
