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I've been to the summit of Baden Powell two other times. This time, I was tricked into summiting again - I thought we would shortcut down to the trail from the west side of the summit. But no - we doubled back on the main trail. No shortcutting when you are hiking with a veteran trailbuilder!
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My anti-peak-bagging crusade began in earnest as we strolled past Mt. Burnham with only a quick side glance. The trail here has amazing views in all directions as it is - no need for extra elevation gain!
Lunch was at a nice switchback in the trail with views to the south. Isis, a Queensland Heeler, kept watch over her "herd" of hikers from a nice high boulder.
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The newly opened section of ACH far below:
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We made good time down the fairly level, and smooth section of trail from here. Toward Throop peak, there is a bit of a climb. However, it conveniently skirts around Throop itself - so, no need to bag peak #3!
Here we enter post-fire landscape. The charred bark has been blown off the dead pines, leaving them looking like bleached skeletons. We saw several varieties of tiny, delicate wildflowers growing from the ashes.
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This late in the game, Mt Hawkins doesn't stand a chance of pulling me up to that peak. We began a steep, but short descent to Windy Gap (it was). Another few minutes brought us to the sweet water of Little Jimmy Spring. We all enjoyed a drink, and a short rest, and Isis found a tasty deer bone to gnaw on.
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The hike back to the cars was uneventful. The drive home was not - unfortunately, we came across an accident with one vehicle OTS, and another pickup truck smashed and spun around. The foggy, damp conditions combined with speeding commuters was a terrible combination. The man in the truck had neck and arm pain. He said he was from New Hampshire, and said in a sad, bewildered voice "Why does everyone go so fast here??".