2014 Hiking/Training Schedule

posted in: Putting the 'Geek' in HikingGeek, Trip & Hike Planning |

Here are my plans for 2014. This list will be updated as plans are solidified. As hikes are completed, they will be moved to the end of the post and trip reports will be added. I would like to do one ‘major’ hike per month and try to fit in some shorter, local hikes when possible.

For those going on the Mt. Whitney trip in September, I’ve highlighted a few dates in RED. It’s highly recommended that you join me on these hikes or complete a hike with similar stats.

July 18-19 (overnight)

Mt. Dana

    • Distance: 6.25 miles RT || Duration: 4-6 hrs || Elevation Change: ±3200′ || Max Elevation: 13,061′ || Difficulty: Very Strenuous

July 26*

Mt Baldy, via Bear Canyon

    • Distance: 12.8 miles RT || Duration: ~6-8 hrs || Elevation Change: ±5800′ || Max Elevation: 10,064′ || Difficulty: Very Strenuous
      • description (link) || trip report (link)

August 8-10 (Full Moon)

Clouds Rest

    • Distance: 12.2 miles RT || Duration: ~ 8 hrs hiking time || Elevation Change: ±1760′ || Average Incline: ~6%  || Max Elevation: 9,930′ || Difficulty: Strenuous
      • description (link, link 2) || map/trail profile (link) || trip report (link)
      • Notes: trail loses elevation in several places and  is much tougher than the stats show

August 16 (Tentative, 5 am start)* 

Black Mountain Fire Tower via Black Mountain Trail (45 min drive from 92324)

    • Distance: 8 miles RT || Duration: 5 hours || Elevation Change: ±2700′ || Max Elevation: 7,800′ || Difficulty: Strenuous
      • Description (link)

August 23*

Last major training hike before Mt. Whitney. Some options:

    • San Bernardino Peak
      • Distance: 16 miles RT || Duration: ~9 hrs || Elevation Change: ±4700′ || Max Elevation: 10,649′ || Difficulty: Strenuous
      • description (link, link 2)
    • San Jacinto Peak, via Devil’s Slide Semi-Loop
      • Distance: 18 miles RT || Duration: ~10-12 hrs || Elevation Change: ±4300′ with 5900′ climbing || Max Elevation: 10,834′ || Difficulty: Very Strenuous
      • description (link) || trip report (link)

September 6-8 (Full Moon)

Mt. Whitney Trip

    • Sept 6 –  Acclimation hike, Kearsarge Pass area
      • POIs
        • Little Pothole Lake Overlook
          • 2.7 miles RT || 1000′ climbing
        • Gilbert Lake
          • 4.0 miles RT || 1355′ climbing
        • Flower Lake
          • 4.5 miles RT || 1525′ climbing
        • Heart Lake
          • 6.0 miles RT || 2085′ climbing
        • Big Pothole Lake Overlook
          • 7.2 miles RT || 26755′ climbing
        • Kearsarge Pass
          • 8.0 miles RT || 3015′ climbing || 11760 max elevation
    • Sept 8 – Mt. Whitney
      • Distance: 22 miles || Duration: ~14-16 hrs hiking time || Elevation Change: ±6100′ || Max Elevation: 14,505′ || Average Incline: ~11% || Difficulty: Very Strenuous

Hike Log (Completed Hikes)

  1. 02.01.14 – Whitewater Preserve 02.08.14 – Santa Rosa Plateau
  2. 03.01.14 – Manker’s Flat to San Antonio Ski Hut
  3. 03.08.14 – Training Hike (Prado Lane)
  4. 03.15.14 – Carey’s Castle
  5. 03.22.14 – Training HIke (Blue Mtn. Wildflower Pictures)
  6. 03.29.14 – Skyline Trail (slow pace)
  7. 04.05.14 – Training Hike (Blue Mtn. Sunrise)
  8. 05.17-18.14 – Cirque Peak
  9. 06.02.14 – Mono Pass
  10. 06.03-04.14 – Mt. Whitney Overnight

I try to schedule the long hikes (ones we start with headlamps) around the moon phases. Here are the full moon dates for 2014:

2014
Jan
16
04:52
Thu
2014
Feb
14
23:53
Fri
2014
Mar
16
17:09
Sun
2014
Apr
15
07:42
Tue
2014
May
14
19:16
Wed
2014
Jun
13
04:11
Fri
2014
Jul
12
11:25
Sat
2014
Aug
10
18:09
Sun
2014
Sep
9
01:38
Tue
2014
Oct
8
10:51
Wed
2014
Nov
6
22:23
Thu
2014
Dec
6
12:27
Sun