Tom Grundy's 2020 Sierra Challenge Day 1 Volcanic Ridge East

8-07-2020, After spending the night at the cool and acclimitizing 9,000 feet of Minaret Vista we headed down to the trailhead and snagged maybe the last sort of parking area near the start. While making last minute preparations we distributed a few t-shirts (they had been sent to the Church of Grundy) and said hello to people as they arrived. Around 6 am we started off down the trail. Emma wasn't so sure of herself so she asked if she could follow us, and she did. There was a little confusion at the bridge after Shadow Lake, and Bob just sat back and watched the debate. Evidently we chose the right path because he continued following us up the trail. Eventually we left the trail and waded across the creek and started up the slope. It was quite steep but never got harder than maybe one or 2 third class moves up onto the ridge. We could see some of the group that was ahead of us down below coming up another gulley, so it looked like we picked the easier route. We passed one false summit and then headed up a steep headwall to the Challenge Peak. There were already a number of people there, and some had already left. After a bit of talking and a summit cookie we headed on down and towards the Volcanic Ridge highpoint on the west end of the ridge. David joined us for this peak.

people milling around before we started

stream crossing

heading up the ridge

nice view of Ritter and Banner

recursive summit cookie photos

We had to drop a bit of elevation before starting up to the ridge and also encountered a notch to downclimb before the final talus slope to the summit. The views of the Minarets were spectacular. We looked longingly down at the trail above Ediza Lake but didn't see any easy way to get down there. Instead we took a long traversing descent back past Cabin Lake and to a log crossing David had used on the way up. Back on the trail we tried to make good time back to the trailhead. The last uphill in the sun was rather hot though and we were thankful for the cool breezes when they blew. At the trailhead we spent a little time talking with Bob and Jim before driving down the road to a lake for a quick dip. Sadly I sliced my foot when I slid on a rock underwater. I carefully washed and used antibiotics over the next few days and it didn't give me any real problems (it did hurt a bit, but never got worse). Then we headed on to the McGee trailhead snagging one of the last few spaces (more opened up as day hikers left, but in general parking space was tight for the whole challenge).

downclimbing into the notch

Minaret panorama from Volcanic Ridge (West)

Iris carefully crosses a log

Total for the day 2 peaks, one swim but it was after we got back to the trailhead, so doesn't count towards the aqua jersey. Strava said 14.76 mi (iphone 5) or 15.11 mi (iphone x) and 5630 or 5308 ft of elevation gain.

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