I left the house early Saturday morning with the goal of
making it to the Josephine Saddle. While not technically a “high-point”, this
most recent hike is certainly an achievement and a great milestone in my
recovery. I knew when I left the house
that morning that this particular trail would be a challenge, but I hadn’t
realized just how much of a challenge it would be. Even before my surgery, this
hike would have been a great undertaking.
 |
| Old Baldy Trail Head |
If you are not
familiar with this trail it is in Madera Canyon, in the Coronado National
Forest, and is the halfway point to the peak of Mt. Wrightson, the highest peak
in Santa Cruz County. This trail begins
at the Mt. Wrightson picnic area and heads up the Old Baldy Trail. This is
about 2.5 miles give or take, with an elevation gain of about 1,700ft. This is
a continual incline with very few flat areas to catch your breath. If you are
out of shape, I recommend starting on a different trail. If you absolutely have
to start out here, allow yourself a few hours. From talking to the other hikers
on the trail, most of them were able to reach the Saddle in about an hour. If
you are new to hiking or not in the best physical condition allow yourself
several hours. My sister and I made it in 2 hours and 15 minutes. This was
largely due to my lungs.
