Bighorn Mtn (10,997'); Dragon's Head (10,866') -- Full TR

[Hikin_Jim]

I thought I'd flesh out a full fledged TR on my ascent of Bighorn Mtn (10,997') and the Dragon's Head (10,866'). If you'e interested, you can check it out on my Hikin' Jim blog.

Bighorn Mountain


The Dragon's Head


HJ

[Sally]

I REALLY enjoyed your TR, HJ! I love the way you narrate along with your pics. You did a great job of baggin' those peaks. The Dragon's Head looks pretty scarey.

With all the conversation about 10,000 ft peaks lately, Ellen and I, while on our endless trip down Vivian Creek Trail last Wednesday, discussed finding routes to the ones we haven't done. Bighorn and Dragon's Head were among the top of the list. I've wondered what it's like down in that Tarn ever since I first set eyes on it in the 60's. The big question is, can Ellen and I do The Dragon's Head without tripping and falling over the side?!

[HH8]

can Ellen and I do The Dragon's Head without tripping and falling over the side?!

I love the colors of that stone - if she bleeds all over it, that might clash.

[HH8]

the Dragon's Head

Were you using your dental floss in the Dragon's Maw?

[Hikin_Jim]

Were you using your dental floss in the Dragon's Maw?

I deliberately went over to the edge to have a look and snap a photo. Dang is that ever some insanely steep stuff.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

I REALLY enjoyed your TR, HJ! I love the way you narrate along with your pics.

Thanks, Sally. I try to let people see the hike, yes, but also my thought process and approach to the hike. Hopefully understanding what's involved (from my point of view) makes the photos more interesting.

The Dragon's Head looks pretty scarey.

It's not bad, but dang are those drop offs intimidating. It's a quick hike from the north saddle to the top.

I've wondered what it's like down in that Tarn ever since I first set eyes on it in the 60's.

The tarn is kind of cool. It's this barren moonscape of a place. It was kind of fun to walk around on it. Kind of trippy or something.

The big question is, can Ellen and I do The Dragon's Head without tripping and falling over the side?!

Ultimately, you guys have to answer that one for yourselves.

However, here's the route:

The easiest way is to walk along the knife edge of the ridge you see in the photo from the north saddle. However, there's no rule that you couldn't go just east of the spine of the ridge. It would be more difficult, but you could avoid a lot of the drop offs. The summit itself has a heck of a drop off, so the drop offs would be tricky to avoid completely.

HJ

[Wild]

Hey Jim! Another great TR as always.. Cool new blog by the way!

You have definitely sparked a flame of interest for me about those 2 beautiful peaks. That "Tarn" area does indeed look very trippy! Thanks!

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks, bro.

I definitely think these two are worth checking out. At the very least they're a nice change of pace from doing yet another ascent of San Gorgonio (as nice as San Gorgonio is).

Of course you're talking to a guy who likes pretty much all the peaks in the SGW.

The peak in the SGW that I felt kind of ripped off on was Alto Diablo. Peak? You call that a peak? Dunno how it got lumped in with the Big Nine. The east peak of Dobbs is pretty much a big nothing too, but it's interesting getting out there, and travel along that ridge to the west peak of Dobbs is some interesting terrain.

HJ

[Hikin_Jim]

Rumor has it that Sally and Ellen made it to Bighorn Mtn and the Dragon's Head yesterday, apparently without falling into the Dragon's Maw. Congrats, guys.



HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy HJ

Thanks to your navigational tips and pictures, you did indeed motivate Sally and I to climb Big Horn and the Dragon's head yesterday

Sally's writing the TR.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen