February Showers Brought March Flowers

A group scheduled a hike to Wasson Peak via the Hugh Norris trail, a trail I had not previously visited.  Wow, what a revelation.  Knowing the main trail, King's Canyon, that also visits the peak is a mess of loose rocks, by comparison this was ideal.  Note the granite steps of which there were dozens on the way up.

The trail climbs steeply through a canyon and then follows a series of ridges that gives views on either side as the trail winds around.  I suspected there would be a Strava KOM to be had so rather than start with the group and bolt, I started about an hour later.

Good views to the north and south along the way and....

….the slopes were covered with poppies and other wildflowers.

A mine that is now fenced off and can't help but wonder if some cat type animal has made it a home.  Numerous snake sightings including a mountain biker loosing momentum going up a hill, fell into a bush where a rattler snagged him..yikes!  A trail runner was bitten a few days ago (I don't trail run during snake season), a dog was bitten, etc...

Beautiful!  AT some point I caught the group and continued on as I was Strava hunting and pausing a few seconds usually makes a difference in the standings.

All these images were taken during my descent of course.  You can see the trail winding alongside the ridge.  It is exactly 5 miles to the top with an average grade of 10% so not steep.

The trail winds in and out from south side to north side.

Wasson Peak is hidden until I emerge from a side canyon and there it is.  This final push is not steep and the remaining distance is covered quickly where I find.....

…..it being a Sunday, lots of others have arrived either via Hugh Norris, King's Canyon or one other trail.  All trails merge with KC for the final section.

My shirt is soaked from the effort and I soon become chilled so depart before the group arrives.  Too bad as they are nice people but we chatted a bit on my way down.  Finished with 10 miles, 2400' of climbing and bagged the KOM at 1:23 to the peak.  Only 84 recorded efforts so not a large group of participants.