(The Beak, on the right, seen from Sunset Peak)
We have Turtle and Hiking Jim to thank for giving this peak a worthy and memorable name. Turtle's TR from Oct. 2013 stuck in my mind all this time, but I never got around to visiting the Beak until last weekend.
I convinced my girlfriend, Cecelia, to join me, and early Sunday morning we were walking up the Barrett-Stoddard road toward Cascade Canyon.
The entrance to Cascade is 1.6 miles up the road. From this point it's only another 1.2 miles to the Beak. However, the obstacles and scenery will surely slow you down to a crawl--literally in some sections.
If you're into red rock formations, this is the place for you.
And who doesn't enjoy a canyon with an overwhelming supply of climbing opportunities?
The main challenge tops out at difficult class 3 with bad exposure, but more difficult side-excursions abound.
Around the 5800' mark, above a class 3 fall, the canyon splits, and there is a rather colorful rock marking the point of departure for the summit push.
Turning right, with our back to the colorful rock, we started straight up the slope, in the general direction of the Beak. From this point there is another 1000 feet of climbing.
It begins like most steep, slope climbs in the area.
But then the awesome view factor increases exponentially.
And hopefully you'll find the equally awesome climbing route through the rocky north side of the Beak.
After some of the most rewarding climbing in the Baldy area, we were finally at the final approach.
In a few more minutes we finally stood on the Beak itself.
This amazing mountaintop has few rivals for most beautiful in the San Gabriel Mountains.
(Cecelia on the true summit)
I think I enjoyed the peak itself more than the panoramic views.
And that should tell you something.
