Wilderness Peak Loop, Shy Bear, Long View Peak, Deceiver, Whittaker Wilderness Peak & Gombu Wilderness Cliffs — Monday, Nov. 21, 2022

Fall hiking keeps being great!  Today we hiked a 7.5 mile figure 8 loop from the Whittaker Trailhead.  We pulled into the TH before 9:15 and were on the trail at 9:25. Two cars pulled out so everyone in my group was able to snag a parking spot.  The porta potty was open, had supplies, but was very smelly.  When we arrived back to the TH at 2:15 a service truck was pumping it out so it should be good for awhile.  The skies were overcast and it was in the low 40’s.  Our route followed the Whittaker Wilderness Peak Tr to Shy Bear Pass, then Left on Long View Peak / Deceiver Trails, Right on Shy Bear , Left again on W / W Peak Tr all the way to the Wilderness Peak Bench.  After a short snack rest break we completed our loop following Gombu / Wilderness Cliffs Tr back to the main trail.  The entire trail system is dry and many areas have fresh fallen leaves lining the path. There have been a few recent blow downs and dead fall tree across the path. All easy to navigate, several have been chainsawed and pushed off the trail.  All the side drainages have been recently dug out in the event of rain.   The new foot bridges are great improvements, thanks to whoever built and installed these! Trail traffic was super light we encountered less than 15 people the entire time out.  Vine maples at the higher elevations are still brilliant yellow.  It is hard to imagine they will be on the trees much longer.  No wildlife sightings, we heard a few birds chirping and that was it.  We did pass 5+ piles of dog poo, please pick up after your pet!  Another fantastic day out in nature with friends.