Coyote Peaks Angora Mountain 3 Day Packpack This was actually my first backpack trip. Prior to this date everything I had done was dayhikes (with at least one emergency bivy and a night or two of car camping). Thus, this was a new experience for me. Just trying to round up all the items and gear I would need was nearly overwhelming. My initial pack weight was about 33 to 35 pounds. While not a heavy load for seasoned backpackers, I found this load to be somewhat unbearable compared to all my lightweight dayhiking. As a result it took longer on the hike in than I expected. My original plan was to reach a point at about 8000 feet and due West of Angora Mountain on day 1 and make camp there. This was a bit too optimistic as it turned out. With darkness rapidly approaching I dropped my pack and set up camp in a nice spot about 3/4 mile up the Deep Creek trail. It was a pleasant spot and I will definitely consider doing the same thing in the future. The plan for the following day was to do the two peaks (Coyote & Angora) and then camp one more night before heading out. With my initial camp at about 6600 feet and further away from the peaks than I wanted I considered packing up and moving my base camp up to my initial planned camping spot at about 8000 feet. Instead however I decided to not waste the time packing up and to leave camp where it was. I would then not have to haul all the heavy weight up higher and could resort to my proven tactic of lightweight dayhikes which had served me so well. In retrospect this turned out to be a wise decision because I don't believe I would have had the time and energy to pack up and move camp to a higher elevation and still summit both peaks. Hiking up the Deep Creek trail was draining (even with a light daypack) and I was indeed happy not to be hauling a heavy load. Somewhere about the 8000 foot level I expected to turn east onto another trail but somehow missed it. After searching around for awhile I decided to just head cross-county toward the east figuring I would eventually find the trail I needed. This wasn't the most pleasant route due to rock and brush but I did finally catch up with the trail at a saddle around 9700 feet. It was at this point that I came across perhaps a dozen backpackers heading the opposite direction. We spoke briefly and I continued on. Again, it took longer to reach my goal than expected. Behind on time I had to decide whether I should turn back in order to reach camp before dark. Not wanting to have to do this all over again to reach a rather remote peak I forged on. I figured I would probably be able to get Coyote Peaks but Angora might have to wait for another day -- at least Angora was closer to the trailhead. Finally reaching the summit of Coyote Peaks I briefly relished my victory and then started heading back. Because the hike back would bring me near Angora Mountain I could decide whether to go for that one when I got closer. When I finally reached the point where I would need to jump off the trail for Angora I knew my time was limited. I would really have to push to make it and get back to camp before dark. Figuring I could handle some darkness and perhaps maybe find a shortcut I pushed on relentlessly until I reached the summit of Angora Mountain. Ah, sweet success! At this point I decided to do a cross-country shortcut down the SW side of Angora until I caught up with the Deep Creek trail. This did work and may have shortened my return time, but it was a bit rough with a fair amount of brush and some route finding. I would probably do it again though. Surprisingly I managed to reach camp with a few minutes of light left. On day 3 I packed up camp and hiked out. My pack weight was now lighter and most of the hike was downhill. The last few miles back to the trailhead were rather hot and I was happy to get back to my vehicle. My first backpack trip was a success and I vowed to shave a few pounds off my initial pack weight for future trips. More than anything I wanted to dump the damn bear can. It was heavy, didn't fit well in my pack, and rubbed against my back. Stats Day 1: 2.5 mi to Jery Mdw Jct 5.0 mi to Little Kern Bridge 7 mi to 4way trail jct 8.65 mi to Deep Creek crossing 9 mi to Deep Creek trail 9.7 mi to Camp Day 2: 3.1 mi to white/angora saddle 5.0 mi to saddle 7.0 mi to Peak 10900 7.62 mi to saddle above coyote lakes 8.3 mi to coyote 3.3 mi back to saddle 1.5 mi to Angora 1.5 mi back to Deep Creek Trail 2.4 mi back to camp Day 3: Hike out --- Total Day 2: 8.3 + 8.7 = 17.0 mi (minimum) - probably at least 2 miles longer in actuality Gain: TH: 5950 Camp: 6540 Coyote: 10892 Angora: 10202 Jerky jct (high): 6930 Little Kern Bridge (low): 5775 4way jct (high): 6600 Round Mdw Trail (low): 6340 saddle: 9735 White/Angora Saddle: 8210 Day 1: 980 from TH to Jerky + 825 to 4way jct + 200 to camp = 2005' gain Day 2: 4352 to Coyote + 300' of lost gain x 2 + 467 to Angora = 5419' gain Day 3: 260 to 4way jct + 1155 to Jerky jct = 1415' gain