This blog will detail 1,000 video hikes in Southern California. By Southern California, I am drawing a line from San Luis Obispo to the Nevada Border. Anything south of that line will be declared "Southern California". In a way, it is a personal challenge to do so many hikes. Mainly, however, it is my way of showcasing how many hiking opportunities there really are right in our own geographic back yard. As a blog, it serves as a companion piece to my Youtube channel "Mike On The Trail". It is also a work in progress, as I don't actually have 1,000 edited videos completed. This will take effort for quite some time before it is declared done. Even then, there will still be more out there. Here's to hiking and all the positive effects it has had on my life...and possibly yours!
Saturday, October 30, 2021
#45 Condor Peak
Condor Peak, after reaching the ridge near Fox Mountain.
Summary After visiting Iron Mountain #2 the week before, I found myself salivating while being so close to Condor Peak. I had been coveting Condor Peak for a long time, so I was eager to get to it once the next weekend arrived. Despite my eagerness, my first concern was childcare. Once I got that taken care of, I got off to a bit of a late start by starting off at about 10:30AM. Since it was a day before Halloween, the days were getting shorter, so concerns about finishing before dark were a concern in the back of my mind. However, I was focused on getting to the summit.
View of the ridge early into the hike.
When starting out, I encountered a hunter hanging out by the trailhead. This was a reminder that it was hunting season, but it was also the only other human I saw on the trail the rest of the day. The use trail I started out on was a shortcut to the Condor Peak Trail, which has a trailhead about 1.5 miles down the road (thereby trimming about 3 miles on the hike). The use trail meets the proper trail quickly, followed by a gradual but long climb to the Fox Mountain / Condor Peak saddle. The trail levels temporarily there before more climbing to come toward Condor Peak.
Condor Peak from the saddle.
With the destination in sight, I felt the excitement while working up the slope. This one was a truly satisfying climb for me, since I had been wanting to do it for years.
Going up the ridge.
So as I arrived at the summit, I enjoyed the moment and the views. This time, I was looking toward Iron Mountain #2 in the views (opposite view from the previous week). I briefly contemplated continuing on to Condor Point, which is one of the other rarely visited peaks in the area, but my late start quickly wiped that thought out.
Approaching the summit.
After some quality summit time, I headed back down. I bypassed Fox Mountain on the way down again, not only due to the lateness of the day, but also because I had already been there in the past. It's a good thing I continued, because daylight faded into darkness by the time I reached the parking area. Made it back just in time!
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