Redondo Peak via Johnson Lake

 

Redondo Peak on the right from Johnson Lake.

The new gig has afforded me endless opportunities for backpacking. We have an ideal schedule of working 8 days on (mostly backpacking remote wilderness areas) and 6 days off. Oh yea baby!! Not being used to my new 6-day weekend, I was at a loss for what to do. Go to CO, CA, UT?? Oh my god, the possibilities felt endless, and actually pretty overwhelming. I decided to keep it local and do a couple days in the Jemez with some friends, and then I headed over to the east side of the Pecos wilderness for a solo one nighter. 

I've known of Redondo peak since doing a bit of research on the peaks in the Pecos wilderness. They are notably high in elevation and easily accessible for Santa Feans. I did a fun 18ish mile loop that connects Deception Peak, Lake Peak, Pentatente, and Santa Fe Baldy last summer. I also most recently did a two nighter in April/ May with a hiking buddy from Denver. First night we camped at Nambe Lake and the second on top of SF Baldy. So cool!! While doing a scouting trip up the Panchuela west trail, I got a good look at Redondo. I knew I wanted to climb it, and figured it was a good one to do solo. It didn't look too technical, at least from that vantage point. 

So last minute, after having a delightful pale ale (or two), I decided to drive to the trailhead to sleep and get an early start the next morning. I stealth camped at the Cowles TH. There were a few other cars and no signs stating, "no overnight parking". Phew! I woke around 6:30am and was on the trail (Winsor ridge trail 271) by 7:15ish. 

I made pretty good time since I was solo. I tend to hike very fast. I also was playing around with reducing the weight of my pack. Fewer clothes, food, and leaving behind a tent pole and stakes. Proved to be a good move..except the food. I always want more food.  

I guess now is a good time to talk anxiety. I'm sure social media portrays a very confident woman in the backcountry, but that's After I'm home and safe. I do get very nervous, especially alone. Probably better than being nonchalant. I'm hoping with time and experience, I'll be more collected rather than dealing with the internal battle of "am I stupid for being out here alone" or a very overwhelming sense of aloneness and quietness that is not experienced at home. So, anxiety was happening from about mile 4 to 6. I literally turned around a couple times. This usually happens because the miles are getting longer, and I'm that much further away from "safety". Also, time is ticking, and I'm calculating if I turn around now, will I make it back to the car before dark? I have a headlamp of course, but ya know, fear is not rational. 

Ok enough of that, mile 7 to 10 are anxiety free. At this point I'm somewhere on the Skyline trail or Johnson Lake trail and there are SO many downed trees. I didn't have time or energy to think about anything else. I was still making good time, probably around 10am at this point. I had read that Skyline was a mess, and that is true. Lots of snags as well. No fun to hear them creaking above your head!

Downed tree jumping. Boo!

I finally made it to Johnson Lake. Drop dead gorgeous! Solitude is what I wanted and that's what I got! I didn't see anyone that whole morning, and I had the lake and views to myself. It was about noon, so I ate lunch and assessed my mental state. My instincts were telling me I was all good to go. Love that feeling! Weather was windy, but no sign of storms. Johnson Lake is at 11,000' and Redondo peak is 12,356'. Time to work! 

Johnson Lake and snowcapped Redondo

The peak itself is not technical at all, but certainly not a walk up. There is no designated trail, but Gaia provides an unmaintained trail approaching from the east. Again, a lot of downed trees and then snow around 12.2k. I had to skirt around the snow field to the west side and found a clear way to the top. 

Unmaintained trail up to Redondo.

Snow at the top forcing me to traverse southwest. 

Traversing around the snow.

At the top it was quite windy. The Sangres looked so green from all of the winter precipitation. Glorious! I spent a few minutes taking videos/ pics and then headed down. It was still really early in the day, so I decided to hike to Stuart Lake instead of staying at Johnson Lake. I like to be on the go! 

Santa Fe Baldy in the background

Stuart Lake is undoubtedly beautiful, but I missed the solitude Johnson Lake offered. As soon as I arrived, I heard screaming kids camped by the lake. Doh! I was already there, so setup camp as far as possible. The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. Woke up to screaming kids, packed up immediately, and headed back to the car. 

Stuart Lake