Jones & Hastings Peaks - a new route for me

Girl Hiker · Post by **Girl Hiker** » Tue Dec 05, 2017 11:06 am

For many years I have hiked the fun way to Jones Peak via the steep Bastard Ridge. I love this route because it's a great workout. However, recently, I was introduced to an easier, still steep, but longer way to Jones & Hastings Peaks. I did this hike on Thanksgiving day and had so much fun that I decided to take a small group on Saturday. We met at the west end of the Bailey Canyon parking lot.

We made our way up the road past the debris basin to the trailhead. The views were gorgeous. We were surrounded by trees and ascended the trail via switchbacks, about 75 of them.

A good view of the Monastery below.

A view from the trail.

A view of the ridge to Hastings Peak.

After bagging Jones Peak we headed towards another semi-steep trail where the Mt. Wilson trail and the Mt. Hastings Trail splits.

Heading towards Hastings.

Whoohooo summit pose.

Hastings BM.

View from Hastings Peak

On the descent we stopped at the ruins of George's Cabin. Unfortunately the plaque was removed.
It was a perfect day for this hike. Another great workout with many switchbacks, and the route is not entirely exposed (until you head towards Hastings) which makes it nice.

gardonj · Post by **gardonj** » Wed Dec 06, 2017 12:46 am

Nice trails and scenery. Would love to go there also.

oldcoot · Post by **oldcoot** » Wed Dec 06, 2017 3:51 am

Nice report and pix!

I did the opposite…all my Jones and Hastings hikes were from Bailey Canyon via the route you describe here, while I did it just once via Bastard Ridge (on my 67th birthday in 2013, after learning about it from a report on this forum)…

I never scaled that summit rock on Hastings ;o)…but did photograph the benchmark...

That section between Jones and Hastings used to be really pretty before the Station Fire…

Thanks for the report!

oldcoot

Girl Hiker · Post by **Girl Hiker** » Wed Dec 06, 2017 6:57 am

oldcoot wrote: Nice report and pix!

I did the opposite…all my Jones and Hastings hikes were from Bailey Canyon via the route you describe here, while I did it just once via Bastard Ridge (on my 67th birthday in 2013, after learning about it from a report on this forum)…

I never scaled that summit rock on Hastings ;o)…but did photograph the benchmark...

That section between Jones and Hastings used to be really pretty before the Station Fire…

Thanks for the report!

oldcoot

Thanks, I was told that the best time to hike this trail is in the Spring because there are lots of flowers

Girl Hiker · Post by **Girl Hiker** » Wed Dec 06, 2017 6:57 am

gardonj wrote: Nice trails and scenery. Would love to go there also.

Thanks, you should definitely check it out!