We watched the sunrise from Cloudburst Summit as we geared up and got ready to hike to Winston Ridge and Winston Peak. We’d been to Winston Peak a few times before, but we had climbed it from the north side. This time our plan was to hike to Winston Ridge first (which we had not done) and then tackle the steep ascent up the use trail on the south side of the mountain to Winston Peak. We began the hike by descending the fire road and heading northwest on the PCT. When we reached a small saddle with Bump 6903 we had a choice to climb up and over the bump or hike around it to the left or to the right. From the research I’d done it seemed taking the use trail to the left was going to be our best option. The trail was quite rugged with soft dirt and loose rock that would give way if you weren’t careful. We had a number of downed trees to negotiate as well. There was one rather large tree that was particularly challenging. (I will talk more about that later.) This rugged section of trail tested our agility for sure, but it was definitely a lot of fun. When we reached another saddle, we continued northwest to reach the high point on the ridge. The hike along the ridge was undulating and lovely with views of Squaw Canyon to the south and Pleasant View ridge on the opposite side. We could also see the transition zone from forest to desert. We hiked past the high point on the ridge and came to a rock formation that reminded me of the back of a stegosaurus sticking out of the ground. I examined it looking for a way to get around it, but it looked a little sketchy, so I opted not to continue any further. We took a long break on the ridge and chatted about how nice it was to be the only ones here. For such a fun hike I was surprised it didn’t have more people on it. But being I like my solitude, I was not complaining. I explored some of the interesting rock formations and checked out the views in all directions while my husband made some contacts on his HAM radio. Before continuing the journey, we signed the summit register which was tucked away in some rocks marked by a rock cairn. We then started heading back enjoying the views and the scenery along the ridge. As we got closer to the saddle, I had a good perspective of that very large downed tree I’d mentioned earlier. We had climbed over it on the way to the ridge and it looked awfully menacing from this angle. When we reached the downed tree, my husband went over first (as we had done on the way to the ridge) so I could hand him my backpack making it easier for me to maneuver up and over. The footing here was loose, and we had to be extra careful. We continued along the slippery slope and at one point we diverted slightly off trail after negotiating another downed tree. We could see the saddle and Winston Peak right in front of us and were able to correct ourselves right away. Once back at the junction with the PCT, we had the choice of hiking back the way we came, or we could make the steep ascent up the south side of Winston Peak on a use trail. We decided to take on the challenge! The climb showed no mercy, but it sure was fun! The ground wasn’t nearly as slippery as what we’d experienced on the way to the ridge. I turned around to look back a few times to take in the wonderful views of Winston Ridge and snap some photos. This was also a good excuse to catch my breath. The climb seemed to go on and on, but I could see the top and I knew we’d be there in no time. Once at the top of Winston Peak, we gave each other a high five. We both felt pretty accomplished! I wandered around the summit for a while climbing about the rock formations and keeping an eye out for a summit register. I never did find one. We then descended down the north side of the mountain and back to Cloudburst Summit. I had actually wanted to include the short hike to Mount Akawie (aka Buckhorn Peak) on this trip, but both of us decided what we really wanted was a bacon cheeseburger and some fries! It was well earned after this climb!

We started around 6:30 am from Cloudburst Summit.

We followed the fire road down until it intersects with the PCT.  You can also take the PCT down if you prefer and it will meet at the same junction. — We followed the fire road down until it intersects with the PCT. You can also take the PCT down if you prefer and it will meet at the same junction.

We headed northwest on the PCT at the junction.

The trail meanders around Winston and it's nice and flat here.

At this junction we see Bump 6903 to the right.  You can either cross country up and over it, or go around it to the left or the right.  From what I researched about this route, the trail becomes much more rugged and less maintained, but t… — At this junction we see Bump 6903 to the right. You can either cross country up and over it, or go around it to the left or the right. From what I researched about this route, the trail becomes much more rugged and less maintained, but the left use trail appeared to be our best option, so that's the way we headed. This is also the junction where you'll find the use trail to climb up to Winston Peak from the south. We would deal with that later on.

From here on out, this section was a challenge.  The ground was soft and very slippery with a lot of loose rock and unstable footing. — From here on out, this section was a challenge. The ground was soft and very slippery with a lot of loose rock and unstable footing.

We had to hop over several downed trees.  One in particular was quite large and at a challenging angle on the slope.  I'll add more about that later with some photos. — We had to hop over several downed trees. One in particular was quite large and at a challenging angle on the slope. I'll add more about that later with some photos.

After the rugged but fun section, I was happy to arrive at another saddle (just ahead in this photo).

Now we continued northwest up to the high point on Winston Ridge.

Taking in the views looking back towards Winston Peak.

The ridge is lovely and undulating with views on either side and many rock formations to explore.

Looking over at Squaw Canyon to the south.

Here we are just about at the high point.

We continued on a little further along the ridge after the high point.  This rock formation reminds me of a stegosaurus coming up out of the ground.  We hiked over to it, but it looked a little sketchy to get around so I opted out of that … — We continued on a little further along the ridge after the high point. This rock formation reminds me of a stegosaurus coming up out of the ground. We hiked over to it, but it looked a little sketchy to get around so I opted out of that challenge for today!

Climbing back to the high point after more exploring.

Before we headed back, we signed the summit register.

Here is a view looking over at that very large downed tree I mentioned in one of the other photos.  You can really get an idea of how steep the slope is from this angle.  We’d need to maneuver around it again. — Here is a view looking over at that very large downed tree I mentioned in one of the other photos. You can really get an idea of how steep the slope is from this angle. We’d need to maneuver around it again.

Getting closer to the saddle and Bump 6903.

Heading back to the unmaintained slippery section.

Here my husband is approaching the downed tree.

You can see how big the tree is from this angle.  My husband hopped over it first so I could remove my backpack and hand it to him before climbing over the tree myself.  The ground here was soft and loose which made finding stable footing … — You can see how big the tree is from this angle. My husband hopped over it first so I could remove my backpack and hand it to him before climbing over the tree myself. The ground here was soft and loose which made finding stable footing a challenge.

I took some photos of the big downed tree looking down the slope after I got myself up and over it.

We had to negotiate a few more downed trees and here we went off trail for a few feet.  We could see the saddle and Winston Peak in front of us, so we climbed right back up to correct ourselves. — We had to negotiate a few more downed trees and here we went off trail for a few feet. We could see the saddle and Winston Peak in front of us, so we climbed right back up to correct ourselves.

Here we are back at the junction where you can head back on the PCT (shown in this photo)….

…or you can tackle the leg busting climb up the south side to Winston Peak.

This is a photo looking back at Winston Ridge and the trail we just came from.

Some nice views looking back at Winston Ridge and Bump 6903.

Here I turn around to get another photo of the ridge.  It’s an excuse to catch my breath.  This climb is unforgiving. — Here I turn around to get another photo of the ridge. It’s an excuse to catch my breath. This climb is unforgiving.

Almost at the peak, my husband stops to make a contact on his HAM radio.

This plaque was left here in the rocks.  I wonder what the story behind it is. — This plaque was left here in the rocks. I wonder what the story behind it is.

Success!!!  We made it to the top!  Whew!  That was a tough one! — Success!!! We made it to the top! Whew! That was a tough one!

There are a lot of rock outcroppings on Winston Peak.  This was our 3rd time to visit this peak, but we’d always climbed it from the north which now seemed much easier then what we’d just tackled.  This time I searched around for a summit … — There are a lot of rock outcroppings on Winston Peak. This was our 3rd time to visit this peak, but we’d always climbed it from the north which now seemed much easier then what we’d just tackled. This time I searched around for a summit register, but I couldn’t seem to find one.

Looking towards Mount Akawie (aka Buckhorn Peak on the Tom Harrison Map).  We were planning on adding that peak on to today’s adventure, but we both decided we’d save it for another day.  We were hot, tired and both of us were craving a go… — Looking towards Mount Akawie (aka Buckhorn Peak on the Tom Harrison Map). We were planning on adding that peak on to today’s adventure, but we both decided we’d save it for another day. We were hot, tired and both of us were craving a good, hearty cheeseburger!

We arrived back at Cloudburst Summit around 10:30 am.  This was a wonderful day!  A really fun hike! — We arrived back at Cloudburst Summit around 10:30 am. This was a wonderful day! A really fun hike!

Here is a map of our route using Caltopo.