Back to Sanny J for the 4th time this year with the third successful summit (our first trip via Devil's Slide had too much snow).
This time was Fuller Ridge. Met four people at the ranger station pulling a permit for Devil's Slide. Told them we would see them on top - we had about the same distance to hike. Except our trail head was up 8 miles crap road that the 2500HD GMC Crew cab hated. The diesel anchors the front and I wished I had something in the bed for weight. Rides like a truck too.
Found the TH finally and quickly knocked out a couple miles. Wasn't bad, even with the late start. The boy was hurting after staying up late to watch TV. He kept going, but his pace was off.
It seems Fuller Ridge is uphill both ways. Nice steep climbs and huge decents. I knew it would suck coming home and it did not let me down.
Got those 5ish miles done and headed up toward Little Round Valley and the summit. Met up with three guys who were a blast to talk to. Their pace was slightly slower so we kept pulling away. Mike was tired and not paying attention in a tight spot on the trail and just barely stepped on a rattler. I heard it and caught a glimpse of it and instectively jerked back on his pack. It seemed like the snake was completely across the trail with the rattles in one bush and the head in another. Maybe he was just crossing. He coiled up under a bush and seemed POed. I didn't get a good look at him, but the guys who we had been hiking with off and on came by and took a few pics as best they could. One guy said he was thick as a wrist and maybe 6 feet. So it was probably pencil thin and two feet. Hopefully they will remember my email addy and I'll get a pic.
Mike perked up after that and we finished the hike to the summit. We arrived about 10 minutes after the folks we saw at the ranger station. There were just eight of total at the top. Only two tiny snow patches remained. Took the summit pics, ate and headed down.
Mike tanked up on water, I thought I had enough. Back down the trail the snake was still making noise. Again, those three guys showed up and with no other way around we beat on the bushes with a stick after the rattling had stopped. No other noise was made so we assumed he was gone and passed the choke point.
Fuller Ridge was less than fun with it's returning uphill, but we made the best of it. 20 minutes after the last water on the trail I ran out. The boy shared. Good kid.
So we did it, got the check in the block and learned a few things. Still need to re do Devil's Slide, then do Seven Pines, Deer Spings, the tram and C2C2C (Oct 9). Three down, five to go...............................DUG
Last edited by DUG; 07/09/10 10:34 PM.
