The drive up ACH was uneventful. The typical white-knuckle experience as bullet bikes screamed closely by at dangerously high speeds. Along Santa Clara Divide Road, the brush has really been cleared around the stretch just before and after Eaton Camp. Place looks like a war zone. There were a few campers at Bandido, a couple of cars at the entrance to Horse Flats, no one at Rosenita Saddle, and no one at Alder Saddle.
I parked near Pinyon Flat at a turn out just up from the gate and started up the PCT following HPS Route #1. At a flat area maybe a couple hundred yards up the trail, I veered right, crossed the low drainage, and started the moderate climb up the ridge. There are two ridges here. They both probably get you to where you're going, but I ascended the more northerly ridge as the travel looked easier. I saw a few cairns along the way and followed a faint use path so I knew I was going the right way.
The ridge leading to Pt. 6168
Looking back down the ridge. The PCT is center right.
At Pt. 6168 I saw one of Sean's triangular signs (pic posted in the thread that collects images of these). The summit area was flat and clear and provided a good view of PVR, Winston Ridge, Pt. 6306, Winston Peak, Mt. Waterman, and the obvious firebreak out to Bare Mountain. Like the ridge leading up to 6168, travel along the firebreak was easy and navigation obvious. There's a short and stout climb to reach the junction with HPS Route #2 at about 6100' but other than that, the firebreak was an enjoyable walk. At the junction with HPS Route #2, there is another triangular sign (pic also in the thread devoted to triangular signs).
The Winston Ridge
Bare Mountain and the firebreak leading out to it.
Little Rock Creek Reservoir.
From the junction with HPS Route #2, it's an easy stroll out to Bare. There, I signed the register, snapped some pics, had myself a cool one, and enjoyed the solitude. On the way back, I followed HPS Route #2 back to Pinyon Flat re-joining 5N04.4 near the old shooting area. I found travel along this route far less enjoyable than HPS #1.
Hauled out about a dozen mylar balloons and 7-8 aluminum cans. Cut myself on one trying to jam it into my pack stuffed with mylar balloons so I probably need a tetanus shot now. Lol.
Pts. 6147 and 6306
Dead Tree Saddle
Final stretch to summit of Bare
Obligatory summit shot
