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Rocko1 Posts: 601
2/7/2023
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Had the day off Friday so I needed a short workout hike and thought I would go to my old favorite-Whale via Little Blair Valley. I started seeing snow at about 4,000ft. Trail was mostly clear except for a few of steep sections-those had a good covering of snow/ice. Made it interesting for sure. Stopped by a native cave that is very protected. I went back from the summit the regular route to Pinyon Mtn Road and then up to Pinyon Mountain. Great views to the north and east from here. I then dropped down to PMR from the peak which was tough. Loose DG mixed with softball size rocks and ridiculous amount of agave plants and their dead stalks which are really good at tripping me. Followed the road back then cut across and connected to the canyons near Shake BM to the car. If you are doing Pinyon I suggest going up from the west-steep- and coming down on the east ridge-much more gradual and less obstacles. Pinyon Mtn Road looked to be in good shape except for one spot that may give 2wd an issue.
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Brian Posts: 231
2/7/2023
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I've never gone up Pinyon. That's a nice view of the northern part of the park.
I love driving along S-2 when the Lagunas have snow. Makes a nice contrast with the desert.
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
2/7/2023
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Brian wrote:
I've never gone up Pinyon. That's a nice view of the northern part of the park.
I love driving along S-2 when the Lagunas have snow. Makes a nice contrast with the desert.
It really does. I was super stoked to hike in the desert snow-been wanting to do that for a long time, it's just the timing never worked out.
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surfponto Administrator Posts: 1366
2/9/2023
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I like the snow picture at the top with the elevation sign. Looks like a great hike.
edited by surfponto on 2/9/2023
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https://www.anzaborrego.net/
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
2/9/2023
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surfponto wrote:
I like the snow picture at the top with the elevation sign. Looks like a great hike.
edited by surfponto on 2/9/2023
It's one of my favorite areas.
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Buford Posts: 461
2/9/2023
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Well done! Hiking in desert snow is magic.
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Links to my photos: ABDSP photos, Bighorn sheep photos, ABDSP time lapse video, Wildlife photos (mainly birds)
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tommy750 Posts: 1049
2/9/2023
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Very nice, Rocko 1! A favorite hiking memory is descending Whale some years ago while it lightly snowed. Very serene.
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
2/10/2023
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Buford wrote:
Well done! Hiking in desert snow is magic.
That is the perfect description. When I was working my way up the canyon the first patch of snow I saw I got excited like a when I was a child, it only got better as snow increased.
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rockhopper Posts: 668
2/11/2023
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Nice Trip. You're really clocking off the miles Rocko1 !! First time we climbed Whale was in January snow. We used the snow melt for water. I have an old film photo of us in a snowball fight somewhere.
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Rocko1 Posts: 601
2/13/2023
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rockhopper wrote:
Nice Trip. You're really clocking off the miles Rocko1 !! First time we climbed Whale was in January snow. We used the snow melt for water. I have an old film photo of us in a snowball fight somewhere.
That is sweet!
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