Travel, Photography, Hiking, Landscape, California, Riverside County, Idyllwild, Pacific Crest Trail, San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Mountains, San Jacinto Wilderness, Antsell Rock, Apache Peak, Zen Center Trail
I had hoped that this hike was going to be a double summit of both Apache Peak and Spitler Peak. Unfortunately I had injured myself the week before and despite my attempt to work through the pain, I decided to cut the hike short and only summit Apache Peak and turn around. Both James (The Wolfman) and Charles (Good Luck Chuck) agreed and both still enjoyed an aggressive hike of only 5.5 miles.
To understand the intensity of this "short" hike you should take notice of the elevation gain/loss from our start/end point to the PCT junction at the saddle between Antsell Rock and Apache Peak. This section of trail is basically straight up and straight down. VERY INTENSE! Even our "hiking machine" the Wolfman admitted to the difficulty in both directions.