Adventure: 008, Hike 048 –
Fremont Peak Trail
Team: Thing One, Thing Two
Date: August 4, 2012
Location: Fremont State Park
Hike Info:
Trail: Fremont Peak Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles
Duration: 0:59
Elevation Rise: 350'
Elevation Rise: 350'
Description:
Back in 1846 John Fremont decided that he wanted a piece of California. But the Mexican commander of the local garrison did not think this was a great idea. Even the US Consul in Monterrey thought that Fremont had overstepped his welcome. Fremont had holed up with 60 armed surveyors on top of Gavilan Peak, creating a makeshift fort. Fremont had raised the US flag on this peak. Then one night a strong wind came along and blew down the flag. Fremont took the hint and left the peak. Today this peak is popularly known as Fremont Peak.
Team Thing One, Thing Two had the whole mountain to ourselves. We
did not have to contend with the military, with crowds or politics.
We just enjoyed the the climb and the view. We came in from San Juan
Bautista, about 11 miles north of Fremont State Park. This is a road
which is fun to drive—but must be driven slowly. We got to the
first parking lot and parked—we could have gone up 200 yards and
parked a bit closer, but we did not.
At this second parking lot, there is a sign which talks about
Fremont's stand off on this peak. You can take a road which leads to
the broadcast antenna's, close to the peak or the trail. The trail
being longer, but more enjoyable. It loops around the peak, giving
you some fantastic views from the east, north and west. We were
climbing this towards sun down. So with the clouds coming in and the
sun starting to turn golden, the golden colors contrasting with the
green fields and gray clouds just left us with energy to climb to the
peak.Once there, you got a 360 degree view of all the San Benito county. The last bit of the climb is a bit of rock scampering, but definitely non-technical.
The way back, we took the road—shorter, but steeper. Got back to the car and made our way to Gilroy.
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