Bridge (19x!) by N. Peak Ridge with Dagmar and Karl

pics by Harlan W.S.
April 30, 2011

Dagmar and Karl were in town, so we got together for a trip up Bridge, North Peak,  etc. We made the plans about 2 months back, and thought this might be a hot day.  In fact, it was windy and close to 32F when we parked the car 1.7 miles up the Rocky Gap Road, at 7:20AM. We topped Bridge just before 10AM.

I met Dagmar on a hike to Rabbit Peak (via Villager) in December 2010.  She kept a stiff pace, allowing 3 of use to break away from the main group and finish the hike in ~11 hours.  I was quite appreciative of her guidance then, which allowed me to finish the hike in daylight -- important for me, since I can't balance well in the dark, and there was absolutely no moon.  I tried to return the favor by showing her Bridge, the gem of my native turf.

Here is the full GPS track in GPX format; here is the track broken down into two simplified (<500 point) segments, suitable for uploading to most GPS units.

brdgDK
GPS track.		 IMG_3585
Near the top of the North Peak Ridge;
snow-covered Griffith Peak is in back.		 IMG_3587
First view of Bridge from "dragon" overlook.
IMG_3591
Icebox Canyon to E.		 IMG_3592 IMG_3593
Bridge.  A group of Boy Scouts
has camped overnight at the pond,
and climbed the peak at sunrise.
IMG_3594 IMG_3595 IMG_3598
IMG_3599
2nd chute.		 IMG_3602
3rd chute.		 IMG_3603
IMG_3604 IMG_3606
Up the big crack.		 IMG_3607
IMG_3609
Under the arch.		 IMG_3610 IMG_3611
The tinaja N of the arch. The lighting
contrast was so great, that the foreground
sandstone appears white.
IMG_3613
The last ramp after Hidden Forest.		 IMG_3614 IMG_3615
IMG_3623
Arrogance! Not up to my normal
standard-- there was a strong wind
that blew the camera over before I
got full extension. I just want to prove
that it was shorts and T-shirt weather.		 IMG_3626-7 IMG_3631
The Tinaja E of the peak.
IMG_3631-5 IMG_3636 IMG_3638
I tricked Dagmar into providing
perspective.
IMG_3640 IMG_3642
Coming down the ramp.		 IMG_3644
IMG_3647
On the arch.		 IMG_3649 IMG_3650
Down the big crack.
IMG_3651 IMG_3652
After these folks passed, I realized
 it was 2 groups, one of which was the
Hiking Las Vegas group lead by Rick
Brown.		 IMG_3656
They moved fast, and were soon  at the
top of the main crack (visible as specks!).
IMG_3657
Up the 2nd chute.		 IMG_3658
This is the breciated sandstone just
beneath the the overthrust limestone.		 IMG_3659-60
Next we went to North Peak.
IMG_3661 IMG_3663 IMG_3665
IMG_3666 IMG_3667
Then we went by the shelter...		 IMG_3668
To the Buffalo Wall overlook.
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IMG_3675
Karl noticed this message
in the puddle on the overlook!