It was 100° in the shade in Los Angeles, but warm and pleasant in Weldon where 20 hikers met to caravan to the start of the Nichols Peak hike. About 5 late arrivals showed up as the hike was getting underway. The peak looked easy and it was decided to take the longer sloping ridge to the summit. Most folks looked forward to doing some other peak in the area that afternoon, but looks are deceiving. The sloping ridge become brush and boulders. It was 3:00 p.m. before the fourtheenth and last reached the summit. Using a shorter and steeper descent, the last of the group returned about 4:30.
Other than being a very tired out group, it was a pleasant hike. For effort and views it certainly is worth while, rating with the top 25% of the peaks on our list as a strenuous climb.
