During a telephone conversation with Alan Coles, the subject of Bare Mountain
came up. The problem is this. At the starting point where we normally hike this
peak, there is now a very active shooting area. The hiking route comes very
close to being directly in the line of fire. Alan suggested that it may be
necessary to remove Bare from the HPS list. I suggested that we investigate
another route first. Alan thought that this was a good idea and offered to
assist. We then made plans to check out a possible route from the Eastern side.
On a Saturday morning, Alan and I met at Three Points. We drove to the regular
starting point and then continued on to the Eastern side of the mountain. After
some discussion, we decided to start at the site of the Little Cedars
Campground. We walked about a hundred feet south of the campground entrance and
then went straight up the slope. There is some brush along this ridge but
working to the left would always find a clear route. We continued on the same
ridge all of the way to the peak. It is steeper than the normal route but only
marginally so.
From a safety standpoint, this route should replace the southern route in the
peak guides. The shooting area does not threaten any part of this route.
I would like to thank Alan for his help scouting this trip. I have also received
suggestions from several other people about this peak.
