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reviewed 
To much snow - to return
It was a great hike! Lots of flowers and a wonderful view of Mount Shasta
7/6/20: Google maps took me on road 5814. Luckily the gates were open, but I felt like I was trespassing. I read 5820 is another route to 6020, but I have not taken it. It feels like you are taking dirt roads to nowhere, but Windigo Pass gets you to the PCT trailhead. The roads are passable but high clearance helps. I really enjoyed this part of the PCT with the pretty lake views and cool forest. Cowhorn is a real peak with exposure. I don’t think I realized that until I saw it. I did not do the last rock face scramble because I was solo. I hiked the saddle and crossed two sets of rocks before calling it. Scree makes footing tricky in spots. The views are amazing especially of Crescent Lake. Unforgettable hike and worth the effort. Mosquitoes on the lower half of the trail. Snow as you approach the ascent in just one place but not an issue. Had the mountain to myself on a quiet July Monday.
First to ReviewHad enough of staying off trails due to Covid-19 and couldn’t have picked a better gem of a trail to get outdoors to tackle. Walking thru the ghost town visitor center was interesting. The first part of the trail to Mt. Elijah was complied of steep incline and switchbacks. Snow still covered a good section of the trail and some post holing was required. The view from over 6,300 feet was amazing, and the smooth downhill back was forgiving to my knees haha. Love this hike and will do again!!
Went early October. Saw two people the whole time. Was a great hike but a little snowy up near the 6,000 foot mark. The last stretch up was a little challenging due to not knowing where the trail was. We pretty much made our own trail up to the saddle back. Views at the top were awesome! Overall a great hike but the price is at the top.
Fantastic hike. We had a sunny, clear day and could see numerous mountains from the summit. Other reviewers and our hiking book mentioned that this is a trail where you're not likely to run into a lot of other people. Well, we were alone at the summit for about 5 minutes and by the time we left an hour later I counted 17 other people at the summit. The final trek to the summit does require hands and sure footing to ascend the rock face. Took 3h 40min hiking time to complete.
Fantastic! Almost total solitude. Unbeatable views, and fun scramble to the summit. Saw one couple going up the summit ahead of me, and passed three northbound PCT thru-hikers on my way back. Mosquitoes were a force to be reckoned with, and I probably had 100 bites to show for it. Won't forget the repellent next time. Another tip, do NOT follow Google maps directions to the trailhead. It will guide you to private roads that are gated off. Get A NFS map and stick to those roads. This is really a hidden gem of a hike, a beautiful stretch of the PCT, panoramic views of all the major peaks, Crescent Lake, and you feel like you're lording over the entire expanse of Mt. Thielsen Wilderness below you once you summit. All of this minus the crowds. Will be back!
Great hike. Follow the PCT up to the side trail to the peak. Saw a Fisher on the trail.
First to ReviewA nice moderate trail for backpacking in the Marble Mountain Wilderness Area.
Beautiful and rewarding views! Super fun scramble at the top. I never realized how many lakes there were in this area before hiking to the top of cowhorn
Great day hike with plenty of shade. Fun scramble last half mile.
First to ReviewCompleted on 5/27/18. We were the first to do this hike this year as far as I could tell, if you’re coming in from the north you hit the first snow patch on the road 3/4 mile from the trailhead. I parked my SUV there because it was about a foot deep and I’d rather tack miles on than risk it. Up the road there is a large tree across the road completely blocking it so you would have the walk the last 1/4 mile or so anyway. You take a right onto the PCT from the road (there are signs), then head up. The trail sort of follows the ridge line, dipping south, until you get to the saddle between said ridge and cowhorn mountain where you turn off onto the climbers trail (easy to pick up even in the snow if you just stay on top of the ridge once cowhorn is in sight). Do not attempt this hike without a gps, as there is a ton of snow on the south side of the ridge on the PCT, and I had difficulties following my own footprints back even with the silver diamond markers on the trees. The first part of the trail is not bad but it becomes increasingly difficult to follow, being covered in feet of snow. That being said, I would not hike this in the afternoon or you will be sinking into feet of snow, it’s best done in the morning. That said this hike is completely doable for a seasoned hiker who has experience route finding in the snow. Trekking poles and microspikes could be useful as some snowy parts of the trail are on a steep sidehill. The peak itself has no snow, you can almost walk to the top. I tied my pets a little below the summit in the shade which I would recommend since it becomes very scrambley and the summit is small with steep drop offs. Amazing 360 views, overall this hike is well worth the slog and mental challenge of snow.
