Peak 85 - Double Peak - Connecting on the Trail
Double Peak
Elevation: 1,644’
Mileage: 2.2 Miles (YMMV)
Trailhead: Ridgeline Trailhead
Agency: San Marcos City Parks
Date Hiked: 10/15/2020
Peakbagger.com Page
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10/15/2020
The PD and I made plans to bag a couple of peaks this day. This was the first time hiking together since our trip to the Ruby Crest Trail a few months before that. However, it had been since 2014 since we had summited together a new peak from the list!
We had both been pretty busy the last few years with our families and respective businesses. Sure, we had done, for the most part, our annual backpacking trips, like the ones to the Trinity Alps, the Canadian Rockies, and Whale Peak, and a long road trip through the southwest, but it’s been over 6 years before we hiked locally together, knocking off a peak from my list.
We opted for a couple of suburban peaks to get our legs back in shape. We started fairly early, since the day was set to be warm. We also wanted to beat any crowds, as COVID-19 was still raging on this October morning.
The wide Ridgeline Trail on the way to Double Peak
The steep trail to Double Peak from the Ridgeline Trailhead
We drove to the Ridgeline Trailhead in San Marcos and headed up the trail. Already, we saw some locals on the trail, getting in their daily exercise.
Steeper to the top of Double Peak
We chatted as we headed along the trail, catching up on business and our families. It’s always nice to hike with the PD, as we have a similar pace and a shared history that dates back to the late 80’s, when I started to get to know his sister, who I would later marry.
We always recall fondly our adventures, like when we camped in Sequoia in our 20s, or got back to San Jacinto as a day hike, to prove that we were more fit in our 40s than in for our backpacking trip in our 30s.
We thought back to our crazy trip to Mount Whitney in 2010, where we crossed over a snow-choked Crabtree Pass. Or our trip to Chicago Basin to commune with mountain goats, or our trip to New Mexico to get to the top there.
We went on a road trip in 2019 that toured the southwest.
Ruby Crest Trail 2020
We’ve been to a lot of places, enjoying the challenge and beauty. These shared adventures form the added core to our relationship, already having family solidarity. He’s now part of a larger group of my friends that include Jeff and Jason, who I went on the Wonderland Trail with, and Adam, who I met on the Ruby Crest Trail. We all are planning to go to the Teton Crest Trail together this summer, if everything goes as planned. (He wasn’t able to make it)
Looking down to South Lake from the Double Peak Trail
Before long, we were at the top of the peak, our legs having warmed up. We hydrated while we enjoyed the breeze and views to the coast.
Ocean views from Double Peak
This is one of those hikes where you can pick any trail you like. There are a network of interconnecting trails from various trailheads. You can make it as long or as short as you’d like.
We had another peak to do before the day completely warmed up, so we headed straight back to the car, choosing a dusty path that was very steep and slippery. I’d probably go a different way next time.
Picnic benches at the Double Peak Summit
We celebrated a nice little adventure together as we made it back to the car and headed to the next peak.
Double Peak Trail Map (Click to Enlarge)
