We drove up to Vincent Gap and hit the trail about 8:15am (given the full/supermoon thing, we intended to be out long after dark). Pine Mountain had that blue tint that mountains have when they're really far away... this is gonna be a long day.
Pine Mountain from Vincent Gap
Despite this being one of my favorite areas in the range, I had never been down the Mine Gulch Trail. Its an absolutely gorgeous stretch of trail, and pretty easy all the way down to the river, too. We flew down this stretch in no time, ejoying the gentle slope knowing the tough part was ahead. Came across the plane wreck and some nice spots along the Prairie Fork with views opening up to Baden-Powell above.
Glider Wreck from 1974
Mt Baden-Powell above Mine Gulch
If you're not experienced in cross country, bushwacking, route finding, etc., stop reading, turn around, and head back to Vincent Gap.
One of the toughest parts of Pine Mountain Ridge is getting on the damn thing. Where it meets the East Fork, the entire ridge is covered in an impenetrable wall of whitethorn/ceanothus, probably the last plant you'd want to bushwack through. The brush was often times several feet taller than us, and at times we found ourselves crawling on all fours around huge piles of bear scat to get through it.
Crawling through Knives
You can sort of see me in there...
The initial climb from the river to about the 5000' level is some of the thickest brush I've ever encountered. Kind of goes without saying, our paced dropped to a point where we were envying snails, and it really wouldn't pick up much until we reached Pine Mt.
Eventually, once we finally gained the ridge proper, the brush loosened up slightly. It was still pretty horrible, but nothing like that first part. And the views from up here are absolutely incredible, wildflowers everywhere and the surrounding peaks becoming more and more grand.
Plummers Mariposa Lily
Iron Mountain and Rattlesnake Peak above the East Fork
There were a few stretches that were free of whitethorn and manzanita, but they still had that spiky grass that get stuck in your shoes and socks. There is a decent stretch that used to have some kind of jeep road or something. It's fairly easy walking here. Baldy also starts coming in to view here; it can't really be captured in pictures how massive it is from this side.
The "Easy" Part
Getting Closer
Matilija Poppies on Pine Mountain Ridge
There's one knife edge ridge as you approach the final couple steps that's particularly unnerving. It's tilted slate, probably about a 20 yard stretch, slippery and crumbly with only a couple inches to work with. A fall to the right would land you a couple hundred feet down in thick brush, and a fall to the left would get the job done quicker.
Knife Edge Bit
Baldy from Pine's West Slope
Past this, it's more of the same. Nothing easy about it, but extremely rewarding and an incredible relief when you get to the top.
Summit Shot
Back on familiar ground, we took a nice break at the top and made sure to get down the sketchy parts of the North Backbone Trail before sundown. We timed it perfectly and had some incredible views of the sunset and the full moon rising.
Setting Sun over Baden-Powell
Supermoon Rising
Mt Baden-Powell illuminated by the full moon, with the glow of LA on the left. (10-second exposure)
From the North Backbone, it was a leisurely 10.5 mile stroll down Blue Ridge Rd and Highway 2 back to Vincent Gap (car shuttles are cheating
)
Disclaimer: All in all, this hike totaled 22 miles with 6000'+ of gain. I carried 6 liters of water and drank all but about 8oz. If I did this again, I'd carry more. All four of us are experienced hikers and it took us 16.5 hours to complete this loop. Due to the brush and obstacles encountered, we averaged less than 1mph on the ridge itself. I would say without hesitation that this hike is much more difficult than Iron Mountain from Heaton Flat. Do not attempt this route unless you're absolutely certain of your abilities.
More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wattifoto/ ... 300207320/
Cheers
