Mission Peak

Sunday, February 5, 2012. My first time hiking. Hiked up Mission Peak in Fremont, CA with my sister and her friends Tiffany, Lindsey, Veronica, and David.

I really didn’t know what to expect for the hike other than walking on a trail. Tiffany came by the apartment to pick us up where we purchased some sandwiches at Lee’s Sandwiches for lunch. That was the same moment when I found out that the hike was going to be about a total three hours going up and down. And here I was thinking that the hike up would be a nice thirty minute stroll up. I should have worn more appropriate clothes since I was kind of in normal casual wear.

It was difficult to find parking. The hiking trail was incredibly crowded. I had no idea this many people went hiking. Families went together so I thought it couldn’t be that bad.

Looking for the quickest trail to take us to the top.

[11:22AM]
The “before the hike” group photo. Thank you kind stranger for taking this photo for us.

And so our journey begins. You can see the long line of people doing the hike as well. So many people.

Only five to ten minutes in and I was already feeling the burn in my legs. No nice easy stroll because of the slope.

We already split into two separate groups. My sister, Lindsey, and I who were walking a bit faster than Tiffany, David, and Veronica.

[11:40AM]
Reached the first “rest bench.”

The view from that bench.

Rehydrated and then started hiking again!

[11:51AM]
Passed by another rest bench with a nice view, but we just kept going. Can’t take too many breaks or else it would be ages until we reached the top!

[12:00PM]
Getting higher up! Took another break.

[12:01]
Waited for the rest of the group to rejoin us. They weren’t too far behind.

[12:32PM]
As we get closer to the top, the path starts to get more narrow and sketchy.

[12:38PM]
Next and final break before we get all the way to the top. This is Lindsey, the experienced hiker. Pretty much my motivation to continue hiking was to keep up with her.

[12:53PM]
We did it! We reached the top! The last few minutes of the hike were the hardest mainly because of the path. Super narrow, tons of rocks, and people walking down which means you have to move of the way for them. Pretty intense, but it was all worth it!

Exactly an hour and thirty minutes to hike up, which was the average time it takes. Great effort for a first time!

Now just waiting for the rest of the gang to celebrate with us!

A really nice view. It was obviously really cold up here from all the wind.

I got some really great pictures throughout the hike. I especially like this one of my sister. This is why I like taking sneaky photos. It captures people in their natural state.

[1:30PM]
Yay! I can see Veronica, Tiffany, and David!

A group photo at the top of Mission Peak! Huge thank you to the stranger who took this photo for us since it was pretty sketchy where he was standing. A really great photo of accomplishment!

Starting the hike down! So much faster and easier going down. Working with gravity. Looking a nice warm place to eat our sandwiches.

Pretty clouds.

And this ends our journey to Mission Peak and my first hiking experience. Next time I’ll go for Alum Rock since I heard it was only a thirty minute hike as opposed to this hour and a half hike. But it was all still a great workout! Actually the hour and a half hike wouldn’t have been that bad if there were trees surrounding us and pretty scenery with shade rather than just an open field of nothingness and a few cows. Still had an amazingly great time hiking with everyone. I’d do it again, just some different place. Oh, and next time I’ll bring a backpack, not my messenger bag, and wear better shoes more suited for hiking since I was slipping everywhere.

Oh yes, and I must add, huge thanks to Tiffany! Not only did she drive us around, but I forgot to bring water and she supplied bottled water for us! She even brought along some bananas and apples. So thoughtful. Thank you!

Posted 1 year ago 0 notes Comments