Old Man Mountain

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678) 04/18/2020 at 18:27 • Filed to: None

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How fitting for my 29th birthday I went on an adventure where I hiked up Old Man Mountain. Now obviously many of you will laugh at me for saying I’m old and I’d probably agree, I certainly don’t feel old anyways. This was again in the Matilija Wilderness like last weekend but this time a bit cooler and much cloudier.

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This time it was an 18 mile round trip hike with a total elevation gain of about 5300 feet, so a mile of up! That surely was a workout and I’m feeling it today. But the commanding views at the top and the total s olitude out there made it all worth it.

I did not see a soul at all on this hike so I was happy. It was a Friday so I’m not that surprised. When I got back to the car though there was a group of 20 kids hiking together which just had me shaking my head. After the hike I experienced the grocery stores with the lines to get in, the required masks, and people trying their best to avoid others. The one plus of the lines though was everything seemed much better stocked. I got everything I needed from both Costco and Ralphs, it just took longer than usual.

The last bit up to the peak was a scramble without a trail but it’s definitely a real route considering the pole and the visitor log at the top. Seemed like a cool spot for lunch and if it were clearer, I’d catch an ocean view as well.

Enjoyable day and now time to relax through the weekend and enjoy the spring green around me. Went on a drive Saturday afternoon and making an apple pie from scratch later.

Happy weekend yall! One last view from home now that the sun is out:

jminer > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 04/18/2020 at 18:32

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Stunning photos!

Tripper > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 04/18/2020 at 18:39

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Wrong Wheel Drive is LIVING. Great pics!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 04/18/2020 at 18:50

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Fantastic! EVERYTHING is closed around me so I can’t go hiking again, which I desperately need. Glad to see someone is still out there really living. And was that a face reveal? Yo mama. . . . wait no I’m sorry.

Jim Spanfeller > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 04/18/2020 at 19:31

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Ah, Old Man Mountain! So-named because it’s old, man.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jim Spanfeller 04/18/2020 at 19:39

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In geologic terms it's actually a pretty young mountain, like most of the peaks out west, especially the coastal ones. Compared to say the Appalachians that are millions of years older. 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/18/2020 at 19:45

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Haha yeah its getting hard here to find open trails too. But thankfully there’s plenty of true wilderness not too far away. I still think the trails right in my front yard could stay open but the hoardes from Los Angeles on the weekend tend to ruin things. They are still crowding up Neptune’s net so Oh well, I’ll have to keep driving away. This area where I hiked the past two weekends is basically unhikable in the summer so it’s good to get there now before it becomes a blast furnace. A couple of the entries in the log mentioned the sweltering heat and meanwhile I was in a beanie anytime I stopped moving, 50s no sun and a light breeze can feel cold here! 

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Tripper 04/18/2020 at 19:47

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Well I can't travel which is what I normally spend all my time doing. And I can't ski either. So I'm stuck with the first world problem of enjoying my local area. I'm glad I found this spot though since it was definitely a REAL hike without having to drive more than an hour. I've certainly done easier hikes in the Sierra. 

Jim Spanfeller > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 04/18/2020 at 19:56

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It’s still old, man :p

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 04/18/2020 at 20:32

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The problem is I would be the city crowd technically so all the true wilderness is really far away and I don’t know where to begin looking for it.