|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24 |
We are hiking San Gorgonio on August 12th. What time do you suggest we leave, so that we aren't walking back in the dark. I've read it has been considered harder than Mt. Whitney. My hiking partner estimates 16 hours, which is so far off of my estimate of 12. What are your experiences?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24 |
Thank you. All of the permits for San Gorgonio for the next couple weekends were taken already. This was as of last week. I think because of the fires. You may want to check ahead to be sure you aren't disappointed.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5 |
Our group did San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek
last Saturday 7/29. We started at 0745 and
the last of our group of 6 finished at 1830.
We spent 45 minutes on the summitt and then
were greeted by hail/rain for about 2 hours
on the decent. We all found it more challenging
than San Jacinto via Devil's Slide. We are
planning our Whitney Day Hike on 8/30.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5 |
Don't forget they leave 3 first come first serve
permits open. We got to the Mill Creek Ranger
station at 0700 on Saturday, and Ranger Bill took
care of us!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17 |
did it last year left at 500 am got back down at about 500 pm so i would say about 12 hours or so i was in preaty good shape at that time just befor i did whitny i did vivian creek rout my gps said 17 miles when i got to the lot so it is a long day but the first mile is the hardest after that it is just a stedy climb first mil is really steep but it is well worth it great scenery.
Chris B. Rancho Cucamonga CA
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 283
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 283 |
For San Gorgonio allow 4 to 7 hours up and 3 to 5 hours down for most people, so 7 to 12 hours round-trip is reasonable. If it takes you longer than 12 hours, you might not be ready for Whitney.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 31
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 31 |
we did San G last month- it took us about 8.5 hrs RT incl. 45 mins up top looking at the fires burning nearby. i felt we were going at a fairly brisk pace, but the few other people we saw out there that day were all hiking at around the same pace (a couple guys just slightly slower, one guy slightly faster). i think that 16 hours is probably too long if you are preparing to dayhike Whitney. even though San G may be on par with Whitney as far as overall level of difficulty, i would estimate that Whitney takes about 20-30% more time to complete for the average person, due to greater overall distance and higher altitude.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 136
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 136 |
camikema,
You didn't state what route you were doing on Gorgonio. I've done both the Vivian Creek and the South Fork to the summit.
Gorgonio is a great hike, either way. If you're really looking to get yourself ready for Whitney, I would recommend doing the longer route, the South Fork. Although the trailhead elevation is slightly higher than Vivian Creek, it's going to be the distance at elevation that will test your stamina. In my opinion, that is the greatest challenge with Whitney, coupled with the elevation gain (6000+ feet on Whitney).
Another suggestion would be to try and leave early in the morning like (I"m assuming) you would for a one-day ascent of Whitney (say 1 or 2 in the morning) to see how your body responds to hiking that early in the morning. You'll have to get used to hiking in the dark with a headlamp anyway. You shouldn't have to leave that early to get back before dark, but it would be good training and you'll be able to see if it effects your overall speed.
Without knowing your level of fitness, it's pretty difficult to guage how long it will take you... I'd agree with ximphony that if you're taking 16 hours (on Vivian Creek) for Gorgonio you might have some problems on Whitney, though.
My personal experience was that when I though I was "in shape" I really started feeling altitude around 10,000 feet on Gorgonio. Since then, I've started running 3 times/week for 45-60 minutes each time and now don't start feeling "altitude related" symptoms until I get around 12,000+ feet, so go figure.
Each person responds to altitude differently, so who knows!
Gusto
p.s. Sorry about the lengthy response. Had some time to kill and kept writing. Hope that helps!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24 |
We were going to leave at 3:00 am, so I guess that is way too early. Thank you everyone. I may have a day pass open for 8-31-06. I will know after SG.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,871
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,871 |
Don't kid yourself that San G is as challenging a day hike as Mt. Whitney...it's only 16 miles and at lower elevations.
If you want a glimpse into Mt. Whitney, you'd be better off day hiking to the 14,023' Mt. Langley from the New Army Pass Trailhead via the SF Trail, 20 miles, ~+4,500' all over 10,000'.
Oh BTW, there are no permit hassles.
If you do San G in 16 hours, it will take you more the 22 hours to do Whitney. If you do it 12, you best count on doing Whitney in 18 and plan accordingly.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 212
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 212 |
I have done Gorgonio each of the past three years as a warm-up for my annual one-day hike of Whitney. I always go the Vivian Creek trail, which is a challenging 16 mile roundtrip, with about a mile of vertical elevation change. I usually leave the trailhead at about 7:00am, and can summit in about 5.5 to 6 hours, depending on the weather. It then takes me around 3.5 hours to come back down. With about 1/2 hour on the summit, I am usually looking at a 10 hour day.
I just returned from a successful one-day summit of Whitney on the 3rd, and it is much more difficult than Gorgonio. Not only is the trip 6 miles longer (22 versus 16), but you're going an additional 3,000 feet in elevation (14,497 versus 11,502). A good estimate is that Whitney in a day will take at least 1.5 times as long to complete than Gorgonio in a day.
Hope this helps.
Michael T.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 24 |
This sight is so wonderful. I just love all of the experiences and willingness to share it. I am asking a lot of questions because there are 4 of us in my group, all at different levels, and I am analyzing the reality of the situation. I don't want anyone's feelings to be hurt if they can't keep up and we don't want to slow down. So, thank you for some realistic goals and actual experiences from people that know what to expect. We will be hiking Vivian Creek trail this weekend. I had no altitude sickness at San Jacinto and a slight HA at the tope of Baldy (probably from walking across that horrible ledge). I am in pretty good shape and hope that a nice steady pace with necessary rests will make for smooth sailing towards the top. So, where is Mt. Langely? I can't find it in my California Hiking book?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 212
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 212 |
camikema - Mt Langley is just south of Whitney, the southern most of the 13 peaks in the Eastern Sierra's that are over 14,000 feet in elevation. The trailhead to Langley is at Cottonwood (elevation 10,000 feet).
Michael T.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,871
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,871 |
You will not find Mt. Langley in any guide book because from the top of New Army Pass to the summit there is not a trail per se. However, there are about as many routes as there are people going to Mt. Langley. The basic route is up the extremely sandy gully then hang a left near base of the mountain and look where most people have cut up the mountain near the west side of the mountain. Do not be tempted by going up Army Pass, a more direct route, this is for those who are experienced, and my guess is your group isn't or is not experienced in the Sierra hiking. This <a href="http://community.webshots.com/photo/27424946/1027451756033719756XExojujzPb">link</a> will give you a view of Mt. Langley from the top of 12,300' New Army Pass. If this feels a bit daunting to you just work your away around this cirque staying in contact with the edge to 12,900' Cirque Peak, which is directly opposite of New Army Pass. It is my belief it is your best interest to go to the Sierra and hike at high elevation before doing Mt. Whitney.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10 |
I was up there two weeks ago and the trail was closed from Vivian Creek. Make sure you call immediately before heading up.
|
|
|
|
|
