I did my first hike with the local Sierra Club chapter up to Villager Peak. After reading about the Villager and Rabbit Peaks in Schad, I have wanted to hit these peaks. However, the trip seems pretty daunting due to the lack of an established trail. Having a guided trip was the perfect solution.
The nine members of the group met at Kendall's Cafe in Borrego Springs at 6:00a. After breakfast (just coffee and chocolate milk for me), we headed out to the trailhead along S22.
The first part of the trail is quite flat as you cross a plain to get the "trail". The trail is started up the ramp via a series of switchbacks. It then leveled a bit for the next 5000' of elevation. There was a faint use trail and ducks for most of the way, but portions, especially along the knife edges were mostly cross-country.
After several false peaks, we finally got to the summit in 4.5 hours. All but one of us made it (the other stopped due to injury). After a lunch break, we headed down. Going down the step and rocky trail was at times more difficult than going up. My carpool partner and I made it down in 3 hours. The others came in over the next hour.
Overall, this is one of the most difficult day hikes I have been on. It is essentially 7 miles and 5000' feet straight up. One of the highlights was seeing a pair of bighorn sheep. Although it was a from a good distance, they were unmistakable as they cross a canyon wall. I enjoyed the hike to Villager, but don't intend on going back anytime soon.
See my track and pix here.
The nine members of the group met at Kendall's Cafe in Borrego Springs at 6:00a. After breakfast (just coffee and chocolate milk for me), we headed out to the trailhead along S22.
The first part of the trail is quite flat as you cross a plain to get the "trail". The trail is started up the ramp via a series of switchbacks. It then leveled a bit for the next 5000' of elevation. There was a faint use trail and ducks for most of the way, but portions, especially along the knife edges were mostly cross-country.
After several false peaks, we finally got to the summit in 4.5 hours. All but one of us made it (the other stopped due to injury). After a lunch break, we headed down. Going down the step and rocky trail was at times more difficult than going up. My carpool partner and I made it down in 3 hours. The others came in over the next hour.
Overall, this is one of the most difficult day hikes I have been on. It is essentially 7 miles and 5000' feet straight up. One of the highlights was seeing a pair of bighorn sheep. Although it was a from a good distance, they were unmistakable as they cross a canyon wall. I enjoyed the hike to Villager, but don't intend on going back anytime soon.
See my track and pix here.
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