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- Dec 23, 2013
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I wandered up Mount Olympus yesterday as I begin to get in shape for my Wildcat Ridge hike on the 25th of May. I arrived at the trailhead at approximately 8:30 am with a slight breeze blowing from the east. I've packed my day pack with 3 liters of water (1 frozen), 1 liter of Gatorade , my lunch, micro spikes just in case, and an eight pound sandbell.
trailhead sign
It always takes me a good fifteen to twenty minutes for my knees/hips...... make it every joint in my body to warm up to the task.
view from above the trailhead
wilderness sign
It's a steady climb with a few switchbacks as you gradually work your way to overlooking Tolcat's Canyon where you will then parallel the canyon until you cross the steam.
Tolcat's Canyon
crossing stream in Tolcat's
After crossing the stream, the trail gets considerably steeper as you make your way to the saddle. I encountered some snow just below the saddle but it is manageable with just my boots.
approaching the saddle
looking north towards the top of the south peak of Mount Olympus
view to the south from the saddle of Broads Fork Twin Peaks
Once at the saddle, you've got about a six hundred foot scramble to get to the top. This turned out to be a little trickier than normal due to wet rocks because of snow melt.
Triangle Peak along Wildcat Ridge
I made it to the top in two hours and twenty minutes; where I then enjoyed the view and my lunch.
top of Mount Olympus
north summit of Mount Olympus
looking east towards Triangle Peak and Wildcat Ridge - viewed from the top of Mount Olympus
Broads Fork Twin Peaks
I stayed up top for about an hour where I enjoyed my lunch, and chatted with a couple other hikers who were from San Diego.
I then made my way back down where I stopped and watched a gentleman scrambling up the rocky spine towards the saddle. Further on down the trail I encountered a nice bull snake moving across the trail.
man scrambling up the spine to the saddle
Bull Snake
A great hike, if you have half a day to kill, that I have done numerous times over the years. I'll be heading back this Saturday and then again the following Sunday so that I'm ready for the all-day Wildcat Ridge.
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trailhead sign
It always takes me a good fifteen to twenty minutes for my knees/hips...... make it every joint in my body to warm up to the task.
view from above the trailhead
wilderness sign
It's a steady climb with a few switchbacks as you gradually work your way to overlooking Tolcat's Canyon where you will then parallel the canyon until you cross the steam.
Tolcat's Canyon
crossing stream in Tolcat's
After crossing the stream, the trail gets considerably steeper as you make your way to the saddle. I encountered some snow just below the saddle but it is manageable with just my boots.
approaching the saddle
looking north towards the top of the south peak of Mount Olympus
view to the south from the saddle of Broads Fork Twin Peaks
Once at the saddle, you've got about a six hundred foot scramble to get to the top. This turned out to be a little trickier than normal due to wet rocks because of snow melt.
Triangle Peak along Wildcat Ridge
I made it to the top in two hours and twenty minutes; where I then enjoyed the view and my lunch.
top of Mount Olympus
north summit of Mount Olympus
looking east towards Triangle Peak and Wildcat Ridge - viewed from the top of Mount Olympus
Broads Fork Twin Peaks
I stayed up top for about an hour where I enjoyed my lunch, and chatted with a couple other hikers who were from San Diego.
I then made my way back down where I stopped and watched a gentleman scrambling up the rocky spine towards the saddle. Further on down the trail I encountered a nice bull snake moving across the trail.
man scrambling up the spine to the saddle
Bull Snake
A great hike, if you have half a day to kill, that I have done numerous times over the years. I'll be heading back this Saturday and then again the following Sunday so that I'm ready for the all-day Wildcat Ridge.
Featured image for home page: