Bobcatting Deception Peak

Description: Bobcatting Deception Peak

Round Trip Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles

Round Trip Hiking Time: 5 hours, plus breaks

Elevation: 10,300' to 12,300'

Gain: 2,000 ft.

Rating: Strenuous

Pace: Mellow Plus

Be considerate of others and do not RSVP for this hike if you cannot go up and down Atalaya in under 3 hours or if you haven't spent some time above 10,000' recently. This will allow us to stay together as a group, enhancing the hiking experience for everyone. It is not about competition, but cooperation. You must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (including at least one booster) to attend this hike and must be in compliance with CDC recommendations on quarantine and isolation if you have recently been exposed or had Covid-19. This is a group hike and participants are expected to stay with the group. No firearms or commercial solicitations.

Hike Description:

We will hike from the ski lodge up the ski runs to the marmot rock fields, then up to the eastern edge of Raven's Ridge and finally across the above-tree-line alpine slopes up to Deception Peak, elevation ~12,300'. We'll return on a less steep route via Raven's Ridge past the Wilderness Gate and then back down the switchbacks to the 'Be Here Now' meadow cutoff and back to the parking area.

This is a steep hike up to a high elevation and is more difficult than what we usually do. A little bit of the hike is on gravel roads, part is on open ski slopes, and much passes thru groves of White Fir and Corkbark Fir cut by a few small streams which are home to a variety of wildflowers. The final approach is alpine, i.e., above tree line (except for a couple ancient bristlecone pines). The views from up top are great, including Lake Peak, Nambe Lake, the Jemez and more.

If the weather is problematic–thunder, lightning, heavy rain or high winds–we’ll do something less exposed around the ski area.

What to bring:

Sturdy hiking boots or shoes
Layers, extra clothing, and water resistant outerwear
Water for a long hike
Snacks and lunch

Meeting Place:
DEVARGAS. We'll meet at DeVargas Center behind Market Street, but a little closer to the bowling alley. We will leave promptly at the meet time. If you are running late or your plans change at the last minute, please call. Ken: 248-252-0708.

Dogs:
Well-behaved dogs with no history of problems on group hikes are welcome, provided they must be on a leash at all times.

Cost and Vehicles: Paved road the whole way. Non-drivers are to contribute $5 to the driver for gas or kWh.

Cancellations. If, after signing up, you find you won't attend, please be courteous to those on the waitlist and promptly change your status to 'not going.' If you have difficulty doing this, contact me and I can do it for you.

Waiver and Release. By attending, the Participant releases the Event Leaders from liability arising from the Event and assumes all risks of the Event, including: 1) injuries from falls, living things, pre-existing health conditions, vehicles, and weather, and 2) injuries resulting from the Event Leaders not undertaking the least risky option available (e.g., hiking a steep slope instead of a gentle slope) or not treating an injury in the optimal way (e.g., due to insufficient training). The preceding sentence supplements any other exculpatory arrangement to which the Participant is subject.