Another seldom visited front range peak

davidwiese · Post by **davidwiese** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 9:19 am

Can you name it? I've tried to include enough contextual terrain to make it possible but not too easy.

Coming into view

Staring down the final ascent, no trails here but evidence of a firebreak at one point

Looking NE, about 1/3 up the ascent

Big views east

Summit ridge, sadly no register - definitely very few visitors even compared to something like McKinley

Summit view west

Summit view north

Summit view east

Summit view south

David R · Post by **David R** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:10 am

Looks like the Pinnacle, used to be a sign-in can up there.

davidwiese · Post by **davidwiese** » Mon Jan 23, 2023 10:43 am

Yep - started from Dillon Divide:

https://caltopo.com/m/3U54B

All of the possible ridges you could take down from the summit end as a 10ft cliff above the fire road/trail below, unfortunately. From the top, however, I did scout out two possible gullies (marked on the map) that you could traverse and safely get onto/off of the trail. If I ever go back, I'll probably try to go up one or maybe just down. It's unclear if there are enough game trails to get through or if it would be a bushwhack sufferfest.

Post by **Sean** » Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:41 am

Thanks for the report. I did this a few years back. It looked like firefighters had cut a rough line straight up the ridge from the Divide. Getting down to the road from the summit required pushing through poison oak.

Post by **Uncle Rico** » Tue Jan 24, 2023 6:54 am

I've come up from the Burma side. I didn't see any reasonable (for me) route to the Pinnacle from the south/east. The road walk isn't terribly interesting to be honest.

Post by **tekewin** » Tue Jan 24, 2023 10:01 pm

I recognized it, but have not bagged it. Thanks for the great photos.

davidwiese · Post by **davidwiese** » Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:03 pm

That last mile once you hop off 3N32 is pretty spectacular ridge hiking, some of the best in the San Gabes. Even the game trails basically disappear about 1/2 way across. Couple false summits with really dramatic views of the way ahead and behind. We got lucky with the really moody weather. Definitely wouldn't do it in the summer though!

Nate U · Post by **Nate U** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 7:01 pm

I am so pumped to do this hike. I've been staring down THE PINNACLE from my neighborhood in the SFV for years where you can see it peaking out behind Kagel. 2 weeks ago I did Burma Road (no fewer than 5 waterfalls, lol) and where it intersects 4N35 road it took some self control to turn around and not start making a go of it along that primo ridge. But my plan is to start from Dillon Divide, take the road out, ridge back, summit, and then scramble the best I can back down. Kinda what this guy did without the 4403 Medenhall peak:

davidwiese · Post by **davidwiese** » Wed Apr 05, 2023 8:41 pm

The scramble down Mendenhall is really fun. The scramble down The Pinnacle? Wear pants and bring thick gloves.

Nate U · Post by **Nate U** » Thu Apr 06, 2023 9:50 am

davidwiese wrote: ↑The scramble down Mendenhall is really fun. The scramble down The Pinnacle? Wear pants and bring thick gloves.

Yeah, particularly after the flush of growth that will be lasting into summer. Gravity is helpful for pushing through that stuff. At least you are exposed enough on the ridge there its probably not going to be poison oak. The tricky part will be finding the right spot where the road cut hasn't created too much of a cliff. I'll aim for the same spot this YouTuber did perhaps.