Quick Stats: 6.4 Miles & 2,372′ gain via SW Ridge from Walker Wash starting at SR-178. HPS #60
My original plan when I signed up for the AIARE Level 1 Course was to hit Owens Peak on the way out to Mammoth. After looking at the NOAA Snow Depth Map, I wasn’t sure I would want to tackle Owens Peak, and I was more interested in making sure I could snag a summit or two on the way out. . .
So I hopped in my brand new Tuscadero (Magenta) Jeep Wrangler that had less than 100 miles on it, and made my way to Russell Peak. It’s an overgrown hike on an old jeep trail before you cut to climber’s right and start heading up a gradual “ridge.” Very loose scree most of the way up, until you get almost to the top and reach a short rocky ridge. Technically speaking it’s Class 3, but only on a technicality– no exposure, and really easy to do. You can make it more challenging if you want, which is what I opted for, and eventually you’ll make your way to the summit.
The pen was frozen, so I tried signing the register by basically etching my entry into the paper, and then suddenly the ink started flowing as I was drawing a frowny face, making for one of my most amusing summit register entries:
A quick scree ski and trudging through desert and I was back to Alyx, who was waiting patiently for me to get back.
