With the Outback packed with our gear for two nights at Horseshoe Meadows, we set off just after 8. The drive was uneventful, and we made it into Lone Pine for lunch before making the drive up the mountain. Once at the walk-in campground, Ted found a site to pitch his tent, while I registered our stay. I planned to sleep in the car, so all I really had to do was transfer our food into the bear locker. Once everything was squared away, we set off on a light hike up Trail Pass to help us get acclimated.
We strolled through Horseshoe Meadows, making the crossing over the creek that flows through. From there, we began the gentle climb toward the pass. It felt good to stretch my legs after the drive up from San Diego. At the pass, we chatted with some other hikers section hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. After our short break, we set off along the PCT southbound to Mulkey Pass. Once at that pass, we began our return descent to the meadow. This trail was a bit steeper and not as clearly used as the trail we used when we went up. When the trail reached the southern edge of the meadow, it turned northeastward for a bit before crossing the meadow proper. We were a bit east of our camp, so we had a short road walk to complete our loop.
As the day drew to a close, I cooked up some dinner (blackened salmon, rice pilaf, caesar salad, and sourdough) and then we relaxed by the fire before turning in for the night. Our loop covered 5.34 miles, 785 feet of gain, and took us 2:14.
I am an avid peak bagger, sometimes backpacker, and former sea kayaker living in San Diego. In 2019, I became the third person to complete the San Diego 100 Peak Challenge. Not stopping with that accomplishment, I set my sights on the harder San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list, which I completed in 2021. In addition, I have conquered several Six-Pack of Peaks challenges (SoCal, San Diego, Central Coast, and both the Arizona-Winter and Arizona-Summer). Beyond attempting the San Diego Sierra Club 100 Peak list a second time, I am looking forward to exploring new summits and new adventures across the southwest.