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Peak Mt Wilson
Group N/A
Trailhead Chantry Flats

Actually on the 6th of January 2017, the road to Chantry Flats was closed so my hike started three miles before the actual trailhead.

I turned 50 on the 6th and decided to do something interesting, little did I know but my birthday turned out epic!

I joined a hiker who was going to summit Wilson who ended up being very knowledgeable about the trail, the history and hiking. He had actually been up Wilson several times on different trails. He took me to Sturtevant Falls and up to Sturtevant Camp and explained the history there.

I lost the company of the fellow hiker at the switchbacks when he zoomed ahead of my 50 year old butt!

I finally made it to the summit! Yay!!!! After some time rested and refreshed I started down the mountain alone. However, i under estimated my time and I could see the shadows getting longer. I was dressed well, but I was missing a few essentials; my regular prescription glasses, a flashlight, extra food, emergency shelter, etc,. I took the Rim Trail down which was also a mistake since it looked like it had not been used in awhile.

So the dark kept getting darker and my ability to see kept getting worse! But thank God (seriously) the trail eventually led me back to Sturtevant Camp! And there were people….with flashlights and food! Deb Burgess welcomed me in, fed me the best Birthday dinner ever, and put me up in the Honeymoon Cottage! But best of all, she was able to radio down to the mule pack station to get the manager to call my wife to tell her I okay and staying on the mountain.

The next morning I hiked the remaining seven miles back to my car. Of course the road to Chantry Flats was open to one lane traffic. When the manager of the mule pack station offered me a ride to my car I opted out …. wanted to finish from where I started.

It was an epic 50th…my gps logged 17 miles on the 6th and another 7 miles on the 6th. Not too bad for an outa shape old guy!

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