Out/Back: Alta Peak

2,000-foot Ascent

Alta Peak Trail inside of Sequoia National Park begins climbing from the very beginning and never really stops until the end. As you make your way through the woods, you come to a series of switchbacks leading you to a ridgeline that brings the full scope of the Sierra Mountain range into view. For the next few hours, you climb along this ridgeline with views to your right and as far as the eye can see. After working the rocky trails, you arrive at a rather flat field. Here, you have a choice to make. You can call it a day, snap some photos, eat a snack, and head back down or you can continue to Alta Peak. For me, I decided this was more than enough for me!

Snowpack

The Sierra Mountains were absolutely dumped on this winter which has resulted in a snowpack lasting far into July. I haven’t spent a lot of time hiking on snow or ice and I have spent even less time wearing crampons or micro-spikes. On this visit to Sequoia, there was still plenty of snow to be found under the shade of the canopy. As I slipped and slid all over the place, I came to appreciate the power of trekking poles and the proper footwear for the job. Lesson learned!

Creek Crossings

This extreme snowpack has led to creek crossings that rush wildly. None of the crossings on this particular trip were unmanageable, but they…