Mount McKinley

Angeles National Forest, CA
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Info

Distance10.7 mi
Elevation gain3,000 ft
Route typeOut & back
Duration3.5 hr
CruxClass 1
Quality4/10

Peaks bagged

1
Mount McKinley(LPC)4,926 ft / Prom. 246 ft
LPC – Lower Peaks Committee

Report

Boulder Canyon Trailhead
Boulder Canyon Trailhead.
The trail descends about 100 feet into the canyon.
In the distance, Yerba Buena Ridge rises into the low-hanging clouds.
Gold Creek
Gold Creek crossing.
Climbing out of the creek.
Lush vegetation along the trail.
View back toward the trailhead.
Continuing east.
A hairpin turn.
The trail ends at Boulder Canyon Road. Stay right.
Heading up the road.
View back at a roadside apiary site consisting of dozens of beehives. I could hear a faint buzzing of honey bees. I can't help but wonder what impact these have on native bee populations and the spread of invasive weeds.
Continuing along Boulder Canyon Road toward Gold Canyon Saddle.
At Gold Canyon Saddle, view back at another apiary site.
Heading up Gold Canyon Truck Trail.
Ascending into the fog. Visibility was very limited from here on.
A third apiary site. The bees at this site were the most active. It was a little unsettling having dozens of bees whizzing around my body as I walked by.
At Gold Creek Saddle. It's not obvious, but the route continues up the trail on the left.
View back at the turnoff at Gold Creek Saddle.
At Spring Saddle, about to start up McKinley's southwest ridge.
Approaching the summit.
Mount McKinley summit
Mount McKinley summit.

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