This was a very enjoyable hike. That is because we didn't do Bighorn and Ontario as originally listed in the schedule. Because of the early snow during Halloween weekend there was a lot of ice and snow on the trails immediately above Ice House Saddle in all directions but Timber Mountain. At the saddle I made the decision that the group of 15 people would abort the trip to Bighorn and Ontario and substitute Timber and Sunset. Timber Mountain is 8303' high. This made the trip 15 miles and 4800' of gain instead of 13 miles and 4100'.
The weather was so pretty at the top of Timber where we had lunch with clouds on the lower peaks and a bright blue sky. There was snow showing on Bighorn and on Ontario. Fall was in the air and the ground was frozen in the shade.
Back at the Ice House Saddle parking lot we regrouped and nine of us decided to
go on down the road to meet for the Sunset Peak hike. There was a lot of brush
on the firebreak as we went up. On top of the peak a vote was taken to go back
down the road. It was unanimous to go back down the brushy firebreak. The
clouds were still making the views magical on Sunset Peak with the peaks above
us moving in and out of view as the winds shifted. Sunset Peak is only 5796'in
elevation.
I want to thank my assistant, Ed Kenney, for helping on this
hike. Kathleen Brown who was supposed to help, had to work that day.
