Backus Peak & Russell Peak

01/12/2003

The Backus & Russell Peaks lie just a few miles east of Walker Pass on Highway 178.
Neither peak is named on the USGS topo maps.  They are simply marked as peaks
6651 an 6696.  These peaks are basically desert peaks.  Vegetation is sparse and
consists primarily of brush and Joshua trees.  There are just a few pine trees
along the top of the ridge and below the peaks.  Given the location, you definitely
would not want to climb these peaks in summer.  The heat and lack of shade would
be unbearable.  No water is present here, so you will need to carry all that you
need.

Backus Peak has a prominent rocky structure that guards it from the front.  As a
result, you must approach it from southeast where there is an easier slope up.
If you're adventurous you could probably climb your way up through the shutes
in the rock.  Most people will prefer to take the easier route.  Russell, on the
other hand, is sand/gravel most of the way up the front.  Toward the top it has
a rocky cap.

Definitely do Backus first!  There is a long sandy slope up to Russell.  By doing
Backus first you can simply follow the ridge over to Russell.  Note however that
it will take at least 2 hours to traverse the ridge from Backus to Russell.  In
general, always stay on the south side of the ridge.  You will need to use your
route finding skills to avoid difficult terrain.  Once you reach the top of Russell
all the hard work is done.  On your way down from Russell the sand makes for an 
extremely quick and easy descent!  This was the fastest descent from any peak I 
have climbed so far.


Nearby Peaks: Morris, Jenkins, Five Fingers, Owens

Stats:

Backus Peak: 6,651 ft.
Russell Peak: 6,696 ft.
Distance Between Peaks: About 2 Miles
Elevation Gain (according to HPS Peak List when completing both peaks): 3,700 ft.

Log:

8:40am  - Left Home
10:24am - Left Trailhead (actually somewhat south of trailhead)
12:35pm - Reached Backus Summit
12:50pm - Left Backus Summit - Headed to Russell
2:39pm  - Reached Russell Summit
3:05pm  - Left Russell Summit
3:16pm  - Reached bottom of ridge heading up Russell
3:42pm  - Reached Walker Well
4:34pm  - Returned to Trailhead (car)
6:10pm  - Arrived Home

More Stats:

Driving Time from Bakersfield to Trailhead: 1 hr. 44 mins. (105 Miles)
Return Driving Time: 1 hr. 36 mins.
Time from Car to Backus Peak: 2 hrs. 11 mins.
Time from Backus Peak to Russell Peak: 1 hr. 49 mins.
Time from Russell Peak back to Car: 1 hr. 29 mins.
Total Hiking Time: 6 hrs. 10 mins.

GPS Data:

Total Miles Hiked: 10.5
Maximum Hiking Speed: 17.5 mph (probably incorrect)
Moving Average Speed: 2.5 mph
Moving Time: 4 hrs. 15 mins.
Stopped Time: 1 hr. 58 mins.

Distance from Car to Backus Peak: ~4 miles
Distance from Russell Peak back to Car: 4.6 miles

Liquid Consumed: 1.25 Liters
predicted hi temp in InyoKern: 66 deg F