Cold right-side up air on Pisgah

ByMichael Goatbells

After recent air inversion hikes on Mary’s Peak and Spencer, the air came back nearly normal today. Air was clear at valley floor and foggy above … the cold still in the lower spots, especially on the north side of hills. Temperatures were around 28 at Pisgah West trailhead parking lot … and when I arrived before 7:00 there were already 4 other cars.

For short January days, there is just something about hiking with a 10 minute drive. Pisgah is also more of a scrub-oak meadow hike unlike the fir forests of Mary’s and Spencer – different vistas, plants and animals.

The Route

Started at the West Trailhead and just kept going until I got tired. Went to the top of Pisgah 3 times and each time a different trail. Actually went on a couple of trails not seen before.

Trail conditions were mostly great. Trail #3 had mud issues after the frost melted – thick, sticky mud that just caked on to shoe bottoms. Very few humans until 10:00 and then I had to re-route to miss the crowds near North TH and the main route to the summit.

— clicking on photos opens higher quality resolution version —

The first time at the summit the fog was THICK … and nobody else was there

Heading back down the east side toward East TH a couple of sun breaks just started to work through … but couldn’t last.

Heading back to the top second time found a bit more light, but still mostly fog

Ice and frost really brought out the microclimates on the east side of the hill where any opening above was caked with frost below … or the opposite.

Temperatures were cold enough that small seasonal streams were frozen hard

I saved the hardest, steepest uphill for the last climb to the summit – the un-named between trail #3 and #6 and then 6 to the top … whew!

On the last walk up to summit, a bald eagle cruised the hill towards the flooded areas down river.

Data Geek Cellar

  • Shoes: Altra Lone Peak mesh lows
  • Pack: Yar.gear
  • Upper Layers: 2 (base layer, med Patagonia tech, Far Pointe fleece first 2 hours)
  • Upper shell: none
  • Trekking Poles: Yes – Black Diamond Carbon
  • Approximate Times: 07:00 to 13:00
  • Carbon ratio: 0.5 driving, 6 actual – 32.75 hours banked YTD
  • Notes: several trails were small river rock obstacle course and 1 trail very muddy – slow going

All Trails – again, the elevation gain delta is surprising