My original plan was to get to Stewart Peak, but with a late start I opted for either Lady Peak or Cheam; Cheam it was.
Firstly, the invariable issue associated with this hike is the horribly waterbarred logging road leading up to the trailhead. Likely, you'll will require a 4x4 vehicle to take you up. I say likely only because I did see a low clearance Subaru up there; don't know how it made it up.
The hike itself is quite short, you'll need about and 1 or 1.5 hours to get to the top. You'll be rewarded with some great views of Lady Peak, Stewart, Knight, Baby Monday, and a bunch more (I still have trouble objectively discerning one peak from another).
Bring along a hat, this hike for me was made difficult to the omnipresent direct sunshine. Essentially, you're hiking in the open the whole way. Also, in Matt Gunn's book "Scrambles", he states that there is a outhouse at the trailhead, if there was one, it has now been removed.
In closing, I would say go early bag both Cheam and Lady, because you likely wouldn't want to go back due to the poor road conditions preceding the trailhead.
Aug 14, 2010
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