Peak 86 - Denk Mountain - A View to the Ocean
Denk Mountain
Elevation: 1,050’
Mileage: 3.6 Miles (YMMV)
Trailhead: Corte Romero Trailhead
Agency: Rancho La Costa Preserve
Date Hiked: 10/15/2020
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10/15/2020
After hiking Double Peak, the PD and I headed down the road to the trailhead. We pulled up to the road at the edge of a neighborhood, topped off our water, and headed up the trail.
Some wise and kind words at the trailhead to Denk Mountain
We crossed a wooden bridge over a small culvert and headed up the hill. The day was warming up and we saw some mountain bikers and noticed the trail was covered with tire tracks. I could imagine bombing down this hill.
We were on a gentle slope at the foot of the mountain, as the trail meandered through the brush, we continued our conversations about the state of the world and when we thought we’d see it heading back toward normal.
Lots of mountain bikers on this trail
The switchbacks got tighter as we continued up toward the side of the mountain. The summit was just out of sight to the right.
We connected to the steep Mule Deer Trail and decided to take it straight up the side. It was a steep line, but got us to the top fairly quickly.
The view from the top of Denk Mountain
We enjoyed the views of the ocean and could tell that a rattlesnake had been there not too long ago. We had our snacks and water and descended, this time swinging wide to the north to skirt a water tank, just to see what the trail was like.
A visitor just left brand new tracks
We then met the Switchback Trail and headed back down to the car, where we put on our masks and went to our respective workdays.
The trail switches back and forth on the way down Denk Mountain
It was really nice to start hiking new peaks again after so much time off.
Denk Mountain Trail Map (Click to enlarge)
