Scratched another one from the to-do list. This hike has been in my radar for quite some time but for reasons unknown to me, it was put in the backburner and never revisited. I guess it had to do with a previous hike long time ago where I think we did try to get there but whoever was leading didn’t find the way and we ended up in a section of the PCT that was washed out. So this time I gathered a bit more info and headed out with a small group of very fast hikers. We started from the Ramona Falls trailhead and quickly reached the Sandy River to cross on the seasonal bridge. It was a gorgeous day. From the two options to reach Ramona Fall, we took the northern trail that travels parallel to a small creek and some interesting rock walls that are part of the side of Yocum Ridge. This first section was quick and beautiful. When we reached the PCT, we needed to turn left to continue towards Yocum Ridge but instead we went to Ramona Falls to take a short break and then backtrack. I’ve got to say that this is still, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the region. After a quick bite=, we took off continuing on the PCT towards the Yocum Ridge intersection. In current maps, this trail is still part of the PCT although some parts have been decommissioned due to the washout I mentioned before. But before we even got there, we found the fork to the trail we needed to take. And the climbing began. It was an arduous trail going pretty much in a straight line up traversing the side of a forested hill. We passed a couple of turns where you can get limited views of the Sandy thru the trees. The trail didn’t offer much for quite a while but then it actually started flattening out. Towards the top of Yocum Ridge, there’s a big meadow you traverse en route to the end of the trail and the Yocum Ridge viewpoint. Even though we had gain most of the elevation for this hike, the views where still obscured by trees for a while but eventually the summit started showing big and bold right up ahead. The scenery was beautiful, a grassy meadow crossed by a trail, trees here and there and the looming rocks and glaciers ahead. A couple more turns and a last push took us to the end of the trail and a steep drop-off to the Sandy. Besides having an ample view of the river’s origin, we had a full view of the Reid Glacier and the top of the mountain. It was a perfect spot for lunch and a bit of sun bathing. From there, we hiked back to the PCT the same way we came up all the way to Ramona Falls for a third short stop. Then we continued on the southern trail to Ramona Falls which now if part of the PCT all the way to the bridge, the Sandy River and the parking lot.
Interactive map
To see the full map, click Menu and select Full Screen. You can also click Terrain to change the map style
No comments:
Post a Comment