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 "1,000 Hikes in So Cal". 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!
The hike starts at Dawson Saddle, which leads to a high ridge, featuring some of the highest peaks in the San Gabriel Range. The first of which is Throop Peak. I had visited this summit a few times in the past, and I was happy to include it on this outing.
Summit use trail to Throop Peak.
The trail connects with the Pacific Crest Trail just below the summit. I left the PCT pretty much right after I got on it by taking a summit use trail to the top of Throop Peak. The summit elevation is 9,138, which is also the highest point on the hike.
Summit plaque on Throop Peak.
I descended the opposite slope of Throop to quickly return to the PCT, where I continues Southwest toward the Mt Hawkins. Once again, a summit use trail leaves the PCT to reach Mt Hawkins.
Approaching the summit on the use trail.
However, this time it wasn't optional, this was also part of the route. After topping on Mt Hawkins, I paused for a few minutes as I looked down the ridge the dropped from the summit to the south. Although walking downslope would be in my immediate future, I would have to climb back up it as well, so I needed to mentally prepare to maintain the energy on the way back.
Heading down the ridge.
I left Mt Hawkins to the south and continued down the slope on a use trail. As expected, the route was not difficult to descend, though there were some obstacles such as downed trees to navigate around. At the far end of the ridge, it is considered to be the summit of Copter Ridge.
On the summit of Copter Ridge.
A summit register sits there with a great view of the surrounding peaks and ridges. The elevation is at 7,500 feet. This made for a great lunch spot for the needed fuel to climb back up. When the time came, off I went with a head of steam back up the ridge.
Summit view of the ridge route back.
Mental preparation certainly paid off, as I was prepared for the long climb. Before long, I crossed back over Mt Hawkins, thereby conquering the ridge. I then returned along the PCT and back down the Dawson Saddle Trail to complete the triple peak hike.
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