Wandering up to high points for the views

We have actually been hiking more than our sparse blog posts would seem to indicate.  Mostly to places we go to often, but we have also been to the top of four peaks, so this blog post is about all four peaks.

Needles Lookout

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Hike track

This was a historic fire lookout constructed in 1937-38 by the Civilian Conservation Corps atop a sloping rock formation at 8,245 feet in the Great Western Divide.  It had an amazing setting being perched atop a rock outcrop that was atop a dome.

Needles overlooked the Kern River Drainage, Mt. Whitney, Olancha Peak, Farewell Gap, and Dome Rock.  It burned in 2011.  Somehow, there is a very sad irony there.  Some internet photos of what it looked like.

These days there is a gate across the stairs before the top due to deterioration.  Still some nice views remain.

The view from near the top

The remains of the fire lookout 

Trail Peak

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Our friends, Gina, Shawn, and Brian all invited us to go on this Kern River Valley Hiking Club outing ably lead by Dan Jones.  The plan was to head up Trail Pass, bag Trail Peak, head to Chicken Spring Lake, then out over Cottonwood Pass.  Except for the wind, which was a bit cold, it was a lovely outing.

Our peak for the day, Trail Peak

Cirque and Langley Peaks

Kern Peak

Great Western Divide

Chicken Spring Lake

Our hiking group at the lake.  Everyone seems to be pointing out their injuries.

Chocolate Peak

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Inyo County has a Chocolate Mountain and a Chocolate Peak.  Having bagged the mountain, it was time for the peak.  We were inspired to try the peak on our last Hurd Peak circumambulation.

The Chocolate Peak view that inspired us to summit

Chocolate Peak really is lovely to gaze upon from afar.  The views from the top aren't bad either.

Hurd Peak

Mt Goode

Looking towards Bishop Pass

The view back down the valley to South Lake

Cloudripper and Picture Puzzle

Peak 6366

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I had long fancied exploring the Freeman Canyon ridge on the south of Highway 178.  It turned out to be a nice way to spend a morning, and provided a fine perch and lovely view of Owen's, Morris, Jenkins, and Bacchus for my lunch eating pleasure.

Owens, Jenkins, Morris, and Bacchus