Pt. 3,650 via South Ridge
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:37 am
When Sean, Jeff and I hiked out to Burnt Peak on New Years Day, we eyed the south ridge leading up to Pt. 3,650 and agreed that from that vantage point it looked doable. So last Sunday morning, I went back to test that theory.
I arrived at the entrance to Switzers around 8:45 a.m. to find the cars all up and down the road. At first, I thought I'd arrived too late, but then discovered that the road down to the day use area was closed. So everyone was forced to park up top. I parked at an open spot along the ACH and began the walk down.
There was a bunch of search and rescue activity going on up the canyon. There were several helos circling what looked the Cloudburst Canyon area and multiple S&R vehicles passed me as I was getting my gear together. I surmised that maybe the search for Zach Crehan had moved further away from Mt. Wilson, but I don't know.
Anyway, the canyon was cool and uncrowded and the walk down the Arroyo uneventful. At the junction with the trail into Bear Canyon, what few hikers there were went low as I stayed high and then I was alone on the Gabrieleno. I've always liked this stretch of trail. It offers really nice looks into Bear Canyon, the Royal Gorge, and the back side of Brown, and this day was no different.
In no time, I found myself at the toe of the southern ridge. Going south here will take you to Burnt Peak; going north leads to Pt. 3,650 and ultimately Pt. 4,202 (is that the peak known as Washburn? That has always been unclear to me). Anyway, here I had figured I would just start up the ridge before getting out the clippers further up. Instead, I was required to cut an entrance to the ridge right away as there were really no clear and easy access point.
As I ascended, I followed the path of least brush resistance, staying as much as possible on the crumbly white rock (which meant my track was not a straight line). That only worked so well, and I had to routinely cut a path through the chamise and sumac. It was a steady climb with a couple of steep and crumbly spots.
About 3/4 of the way up, there is an unnamed/unmarked bump where things flattened out briefly. I cut a path to the saddle separating this peaklet and 3,650 and then ascended a steep and loose face until I hit an impenetrable wall of brush. Dismayed, I almost gave up to come back another day because my arms were more tired than my legs from so much clipping, but I sensed I was close even though I couldn't see anything on account of how high the brush was. So after a short breather, I cut a path through the last bit of brush, swung around to the west a bit, and then popped out on top. There are two bumps a short distance from each other and I couldn't tell which of the two was the higher so I dropped my gear and scampered over to the other bump to make sure I actually made it to Pt. 3,650.
There was a triangular sign post on the first bump, but I saw not benchmark or register. In fact, I didn't see any sign that anyone had been up there is a long time. I snapped a couple of pics from the summit, drank a cold beer I had brought, and then descended the way I came.
Back on the Gabrieleno, I saw that someone had scratched "HELP" into the side of the trail. I noticed it on the way in, but didn't pay it much attention. Now I stopped and snapped a pic. I thought it odd given the location on a well maintained and traveled trail so near to a major trailhead, but then Zach Crehan came to mind. I doubt very seriously that this has anything to do with him given the location, but reported it anyway just in case.
The Arroyo was super crowded on the walk out. Back at the trailhead, the road had re-opened and every parking spot was now taken. That didn't help me much as I parked along ACH above. So I then had to endure the misery of the asphalt road walk back to my car to finish off the day.
I can't seem to upload any images right now, so I'll try to add some pics later today.
I arrived at the entrance to Switzers around 8:45 a.m. to find the cars all up and down the road. At first, I thought I'd arrived too late, but then discovered that the road down to the day use area was closed. So everyone was forced to park up top. I parked at an open spot along the ACH and began the walk down.
There was a bunch of search and rescue activity going on up the canyon. There were several helos circling what looked the Cloudburst Canyon area and multiple S&R vehicles passed me as I was getting my gear together. I surmised that maybe the search for Zach Crehan had moved further away from Mt. Wilson, but I don't know.
Anyway, the canyon was cool and uncrowded and the walk down the Arroyo uneventful. At the junction with the trail into Bear Canyon, what few hikers there were went low as I stayed high and then I was alone on the Gabrieleno. I've always liked this stretch of trail. It offers really nice looks into Bear Canyon, the Royal Gorge, and the back side of Brown, and this day was no different.
In no time, I found myself at the toe of the southern ridge. Going south here will take you to Burnt Peak; going north leads to Pt. 3,650 and ultimately Pt. 4,202 (is that the peak known as Washburn? That has always been unclear to me). Anyway, here I had figured I would just start up the ridge before getting out the clippers further up. Instead, I was required to cut an entrance to the ridge right away as there were really no clear and easy access point.
As I ascended, I followed the path of least brush resistance, staying as much as possible on the crumbly white rock (which meant my track was not a straight line). That only worked so well, and I had to routinely cut a path through the chamise and sumac. It was a steady climb with a couple of steep and crumbly spots.
About 3/4 of the way up, there is an unnamed/unmarked bump where things flattened out briefly. I cut a path to the saddle separating this peaklet and 3,650 and then ascended a steep and loose face until I hit an impenetrable wall of brush. Dismayed, I almost gave up to come back another day because my arms were more tired than my legs from so much clipping, but I sensed I was close even though I couldn't see anything on account of how high the brush was. So after a short breather, I cut a path through the last bit of brush, swung around to the west a bit, and then popped out on top. There are two bumps a short distance from each other and I couldn't tell which of the two was the higher so I dropped my gear and scampered over to the other bump to make sure I actually made it to Pt. 3,650.
There was a triangular sign post on the first bump, but I saw not benchmark or register. In fact, I didn't see any sign that anyone had been up there is a long time. I snapped a couple of pics from the summit, drank a cold beer I had brought, and then descended the way I came.
Back on the Gabrieleno, I saw that someone had scratched "HELP" into the side of the trail. I noticed it on the way in, but didn't pay it much attention. Now I stopped and snapped a pic. I thought it odd given the location on a well maintained and traveled trail so near to a major trailhead, but then Zach Crehan came to mind. I doubt very seriously that this has anything to do with him given the location, but reported it anyway just in case.
The Arroyo was super crowded on the walk out. Back at the trailhead, the road had re-opened and every parking spot was now taken. That didn't help me much as I parked along ACH above. So I then had to endure the misery of the asphalt road walk back to my car to finish off the day.
I can't seem to upload any images right now, so I'll try to add some pics later today.