MT. HERMAN (9068’)

August 27, 2022

By Tim Briese

2.9 miles, 900’ elevation gain, 2:40 roundtrip time

Mt. Herman is a prominent local peak not far from where we live with a nice trail to the top. Climbing it seems to be a rite of passage of sorts for our family. Our daughter Nicole first climbed it a few decades ago when she was four years old. Now it was time for Nicole’s daughter Ellie to make her first climb up the mountain. Ellie is also four years old but a few months younger than Nicole was on her first climb. Teresa and I, Rod and Nicole, and Ellie drove to the trailhead for this adventure on a sunny Saturday morning.

at the trailhead

We embarked up the trail with our enthusiastic little mountain climber. The route is pretty steep and a little loose in some places but that was not a problem.

hiking up the trail

Ellie made it a point to step on or climb over rocks whenever possible whether it was necessary or not. Rod and I pointed out to her some of the nuances of mountain climbing, such as selecting the best route, watching out for loose rocks, admiring colorful lichen on the rocks, etc. The adventure was great fun for everyone. We eventually reached the prized summit. I pointed out the views to Ellie and then our proud little mountain climber signed the summit register.

signing the summit register

on the summit

After congratulations and summit photos we headed back down the trail. At one point Rod and Ellie scrambled down a short fun class three section.

fun climbing down the rocks

Another fellow coming up the trail said to Ellie, "You hiked all the way up there on your own!?" and the sweet little reply was "Yes!" Upon returning to the trailhead Ellie excitedly exclaimed, "When can we do it again?"