This beautiful, but difficult hike is advertised as follows:
"Long drop-offs. Not for young children or anyone fearful of heights. Last section is a route along a steep, narrow ridge to the summit."
On the day I hiked there was a group of teenagers from schools in New York also hiking the trail. It was helpful to have such positive encouragement to complete the hike!
The first section of the hike is switchbacks up the front face of the mountain. Although steep, this was not the difficult part of the hike.
"Long drop-offs. Not for young children or anyone fearful of heights. Last section is a route along a steep, narrow ridge to the summit."
On the day I hiked there was a group of teenagers from schools in New York also hiking the trail. It was helpful to have such positive encouragement to complete the hike!
The first section of the hike is switchbacks up the front face of the mountain. Although steep, this was not the difficult part of the hike.
The next section of the hike was through the pass between the two mountains - and more switchbacks and steep drop-offs!
Of course, we took a wrong turn on the trail and ended up going an extra half mile in the wrong direction. Back tracked and got back on the summit trail.
When you reach the final section of the trail, it becomes treacherous. In order to reach the summit you need to follow the rock-face and the only thing separating you from a 1500 foot fall is a chain to hang onto.
When you reach the final section of the trail, it becomes treacherous. In order to reach the summit you need to follow the rock-face and the only thing separating you from a 1500 foot fall is a chain to hang onto.
I did attempt the first 50 feet or so with trembling hands and feet. A person returning from the summit told me the next 50 feet was twice as difficult, so I thought wanting to live another day to complete another hike and turned around!
The return trip was much quicker and there were some great views of the Park.
The return trip was much quicker and there were some great views of the Park.
The round-trip hike is about 5 miles - because we took a wrong turn, we ended up at about 6 miles. It took over 4 hours for the round-trip to the top.
It would have been more satisfying to have actually got to the summit - the Park should provide a safer route so that more people can reach that scenic point.
It would have been more satisfying to have actually got to the summit - the Park should provide a safer route so that more people can reach that scenic point.
This is by far the most difficult hike I have completed to date! But the views - incredible. I give this hike 4 and a half boots.