Hike to Pinnacle Peak
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Elevation-gain: 1000 ft
- Rout-type: out and back
Our
journey required two buses to reach the South Renton transit center.
Unlike our last hike where we missed the information about the bus
detour and then sprinted for a mile trying to catch the bus while it
galloped away in front of us, this time we did our homework the day
before. Not that it helped, as delay in the first bus changed the plan
to using the suggestions by Google Maps at the last minute. The bus
moved swiftly as there were very few passengers early morning and so we
reached the transit center in time. A quick look around for the park and
ride where Greg and other group members were waiting for everyone to
join when the expected unexpected happened. We had got down at the
downtown transit center instead of the south Renton transit center and
so we bolted 0.8 miles to reach in time before the group leaves for the
trail head. Never before was I so happy to reach a finish line. Everyone
in the group looked fresh as a daisy except
us dripping in our own rainfall.
Finally,
our journey to the trail head started. It was an approximately 30 miles
ride till the trail head. We drove by lush green farmlands, grazing
cows and horses, listening to the fellow hikers chatting about the
Seattle Seahawks match later that day. Getting closer to the trail head
as we drove through the clouds and lush greenery, it
felt like dreamland. From a distance, the peak looked like a sheep,
covered with trees instead of wool, making it hard to believe that there
could be a way up.
There was a nip in the air as we started hiking the Cal Magnusson Trail
with plants and trees wet with dew. The hike was short but steep with
constant grade and switchbacks. The trail is muddy, with varying
vegetation from small shrubs to tall trees with varying shades of green.
Though it was an intense early morning workout on a very sunny day, it
still felt cold hiking through the dense forest. At places, several
trails forked from the main trail and so Greg kept directing us to stay
on course.
We
were filled with awe watching trail runners breeze through the inclines
with a few doing timed runs while we managed to reach the top huffing
and puffing after climbing for 37 minutes. The top didn’t have much to
offer in terms of views due to overgrowth. The fire lookout tower was
removed in the 1960s but the concrete base is still there and two big
benches to rest for a while. We took rest to hydrate and recharge
ourselves while listening intently to Greg appreciating the group in
making to the top in a good time, sharing his knowledge about the
various hikes in Washington and about his wife’s Big Bear hiking group.
Greg, generous as he is always wants to give us more. Just as we were
ready to climb down he took us to a secret lookout. We marveled at the
beauty around, the gorgeous Mt.Rainier peeking at us through the clouds,
the clear blue skies, trees draped with moss. It felt great soaking in
the warmth of the sun post the sweaty climb up, and listening to Greg’s
experience of hiking Vespers peak whose 360 degree magnificent views made him fall in love with hiking in Washington.
From here, Greg took us took to another view point looking east from
where beautiful views of the mountains and the valley could be seen.
It was
time to head down back to the trail head. Hiking down we had to be
careful because some sections of the trail were slippery . It was an
engrossing conversation between Greg and fellow hiker Richard, sharing
their experiences about the hikes they have completed in the last few
months and their plans of the future hikes. I was ecstatic when Greg
said, winter is coming and we are only going to hike more!
Reaching
the trail head we thanked Greg and the group for the great hike,
wonderful company and loads of fun and headed back to the transit
center. On the way back I was curious to check the elevation profile of
the hike and whoaaaa!!, it was an inverted ‘V’. :D
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