Copter Ridge 1/19/15

[AW~]

Nice sunrise on the desert side as I walked along the ACH from Islip Saddle. I was looking to get on the PCT to MtHawkins from Little Jimmy Spring, but I just ignored it. Now it was too late so I tried to ascend MtHawkins directly. Met a wall of whitethorn as expected...but no other choice but to keep going up. Finally on the PCT, Hawkins was just a few mins walk.

My third time on Copter, but my first time where I have to reascend. I get to the summit 7499, and register is gone. Its a long ways to get here, but while you are here, check out the terrain...really nice forest. Really worth a separate trip of its own rather than chain peaks together. I kept on going and wasnt disappointed....I stopped at lookout point(probably 6800 elevation) but the way down was still open. Got back to Hawkins at 11:30 or so after some XC travel. The XC travel...the thing about that was it ended with a 30ft fast slide into a young pine tree on the snow covered eastern slopes.

Youd think Id just play it safe and go back down to the ACH, but instead I descended the PCT. That would take 3 hours and maneuvering on super steep slopes wishing I had crampons or anything LOL.Overall amazing, since the travelled path was to the T as to how the PCT goes. I got back to Windy Gap and it was considerably easier from there on.

Up from the ACH, past the whitethorn

Almost to the PCT

Copter


Hawkins, 8200, & Copter summit


South Fork Iron Fork...kinda funny since its the same patch of land that can be seen from the Hawkins ridge pk 6327 across the way.


Baldy,etc

Past lookout point..its looks brushy, but theres its clear. A small section of narrow exposed ridge too.


Baden-Powell


This one scared me too...being on the opposite side of a tree(next to me) as I was walking back up the ridge. Took off when it heard the camera.


Little Jimmy Spring....

[Uncle Rico]

Nice Canyon Man. Copter Ridge is another bucket list adventure for me. Sweet Ursus americanus californiensis sighting. I probably would have soiled myself if I came as close as you did.

[cougarmagic]

Great photos. Wow, that bear should be asleep! Cool experience to see her though.

I've only been up there once in the snow. I forgot what Little Jimmy looks like when it isn't lush with columbines.

[tekewin]

Super nice trip. There is more snow up there than I would have guessed.

What a moment with the bear. Scary and exciting!

Thanks for posting.

[Sean]

Thanks for the pictures. Now I'm going to wonder if there is a bear clinging to the opposite side of every big tree I encounter.

BTW - The Copter Ridge register was destroyed by the Register Ripper. Last July I found and retrieved several pieces of it.