Mount Hoffman

Welcome to the base of Mount Hoffman. We are beginning our journey at the shores of May Lake, which sits at roughly nine thousand, two hundred and seventy feet. …

As we leave the immediate perimeter of May Lake and begin angling upward into the forest, we enter a transitional zone that is heavily influenced by the season. If you are climbing in early to mid-summer, such as July, you will…

Emerging from the treeline, we step into a vast, open field of alpine scrub and scattered granite boulders. Here, the concept of a defined trail dissolves almost entirely. …

We have now reached the section where walking transitions into scrambling. The slope before us is composed almost entirely of loose rock, ranging in size from small gravel to massive boulders the size of automobiles. …

Amidst the harsh, seemingly lifeless expanse of the upper talus slope, you might be startled by a sudden movement or a sharp, loud chirp echoing off the rocks. Stop and scan the boulders carefully. …

As we haul ourselves over a particularly steep crest of boulders, our eyes inevitably search for the summit. Often, hikers experience a moment of elation, believing they have finally reached the top, only to realize they are…

With a final, strenuous pull over the highest boulders, the mountain suddenly falls away beneath us. We have reached the true summit of Mount Hoffman. …

As the chill of the summit wind begins to penetrate, it is time to commence our descent. The journey downward, while cardiovascularly less demanding, presents an entirely different set of physical challenges. …