My California - Delemar Mountain

derekrichardson (67)adminin SoCal Steemit • last year

For this weeks Show Us Your California contest by @socalsteemit I head out for an overnight trip at the top of...

Delemar Mountain!!

I headed up to Big Bear and drove out along the north shore through the town of Fawnskin to Polique canyon road and headed up the road to where it crosses the Pacific Crest Trail. I parked there, tossed on my pack, and headed westbound up the trail. The trail went in and out of a mixed pine/oak forest and also opened up here and there for some great views south overlooking Big Bear. At home down in the valley it was cold and overcast, but up here I was up above the clouds and it was a really nice warm sunny day. Perfect for hiking.

Starting up the PCT

Views overlooking Big Bear

Blooming Lupin

More views overlooking Big Bear

Looking at Delemar mountain through the pine forest

After a couple of miles the trail crossed over the ridge and onto the north face of Delemar mountain. On this side the forest was even thicker and views were few and far between, but there were a few glimpses north out over Holcomb valley. Eventually I got to the trail marker where I left the PCT and headed up the trail leading to the summit. From there it was only about a half mile or so, but it went straight up the mountain. It was a brutally steep climb, but before too long I arrived at the rock pile on the summit! There wasn't much for views from the top, but just a little bit to the south there was a second "false summit" with a rock pile that opened up for some really great views! And right in between the two summits I found the perfect spot to hang my hammock and setup my camp. Once I was all settled in I had some dinner, watched the sunset, and then just enjoyed the evening of peaceful solitude.

A rare view north out over Holcomb valley

Trail marker (I added the pine cone)

Looking north across the valley at a large mining operation

Approaching the real summit

Approaching the false summit with the views

Summit views

More views

The false summit from the south

Hammock setup

Relaxing in the hammock

Views to the west

Big Bear city lights

In the middle of the night it started raining, but luckily not enough to bother me too much, and beside that I had a really good night of sleep. In the morning I had some breakfast and then just hung out for awhile enjoying the views before packing up and heading down the mountain. Back to the PCT and then back to the trailhead at Polique canyon road. It was another perfect day and it was just really great to be out hiking in the mountains!