For the TFNU 2024 Peak Challenge they added two “bonus” peaks – Willard Peak and “Hiker’s Choice.” Again, looking at the weather I saw a day or two where we exited the 90 degrees and bumped down to the low 80’s. Although not ideal (I knew it would be hot on the way down), I decided to head up yesterday. Climbing Willard Peak can be done two ways – the first is the easiest and that is to drive up a road and hike about 1.5 miles. I decided that I would do it the hard way – it required another summit of Ben Lomond and then a 2 mile traverse to the summit of Willard Peak.

The Cutler Trailhead is in the middle of a campground basically and the only downside is that the camp host does not open the gate until 7am. If you want an “Alpine” start in the dark and cool, you have to hike an additional 3 miles on the road so I opted to wait until they opened the gate.

Pretty uneventful but the trail is very steep and with the traverses and climbing up Ben Lomond then down to the saddle then up to Willard and then reverse the process, it was a 14.3 mile hike with 5,900 ft elevation gain. No wonder I still feel a bit tired today!

It was a beautiful day and I spent about 45 minutes on the Willard Peak summit eating lunch and enjoying the views all around. On the way back I watched a Golden Eagle fly along the ridge and then circle overhead on the thermals for about 5 minutes before heading out.