still camping, on wednesday i went on a solo hike up humbug mountain. i knew that if i didn't hike it while there i would regret it and felt like i missed out. t went back to camp to rest after we spent a long morning exploring tide pools and sea caves at battle rock beach. she dropped me off at a trailhead on the highway and i began my journey.

hike routes i found showed the trailhead starting at the campsite but you are able to start at the highway. there is a parking lot there. as you start the trail you cross over the creek to the left and start the upwards journey. after about a mile and a half you can take either the west or east trail. the west trail has a few views of the coast while the east trail shows trees for miles. this isn't a hike for the views as there aren't many. it really is just dense forest.

i took the west trail up. it is steeping but it is a mile and a half compared to two miles for east trail. you are just switchbacking up the side of the mountain. it is hard to see where the top is as it just keeps going. eventually there are some benches but it's not the top. the. continuing up as it starts to level out you're still not at the top. soon you'll see a sign that points in the direction of both west and east trail. from there you head on a trail to the top.

the top doesn't have a view. it is just a bench and trees around you. it doesn't meant the hike isn't worth it. it is a good workout, and the forest is beautiful. you cross some small creeks, see tall trees, and smell the ocean air. there are some fallen trees you have to climb over or under currently but they are manageable. coming down from the summit i took the east trail. i wanted a bit easier hike, one less steep. it was nice to have a quiet forest hike down.

once i was finally down the mountain i took the trail under the highway and back to the campsites. i didn't track my hike due to my phone being on low battery but had information on the length and elevation gain. while i didn't not start at the trailhead from the campsite i did have to walk back to my campsite as we were at loop closer to the highway. if you're in the area you should hike this mountain. if you hike and there is something beautiful like this available to you there's no reason not to explore it.

-n.