Morlow - Jun 20, 2021 10:34 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2021
Nice climb
Climbed the standard route on a beautiful, if a bit toasty, day. Great view of Cowen's north face from the summit.
Kyle Van Vleet - Jun 13, 2021 6:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2021
Y- Couloir
Camped at the lake and summited via Y-Couloir (right hand) the following morning. We originally planed to go up the left hand gully, but it had a small cornice. Right hand was in good shape and conditions were awesome.
Absolutely perfect dry conditions on the peak followed by corn all the way down to about 6,500' where we hiked the rest of the way out on the summer trail. Ice axes and crampons were nice for the summit pitch, and ski crampons were used all the way up from 6,500' to the top of the Y couloir.
freedeep - Mar 24, 2020 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 1989
Stormy weather for the hike
Little bit of uphill to Pine Creek Lake. Camped overnite. Summit day was nice but storm quickly moved in. All in all another great hike.
Peaker - Feb 17, 2020 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2019
Black
Camped at Pine Creek Lake then did the peak and packed out the next day, probably the prettiest mountain lake I've been to in Montana. Mostly walking on snow getting up the peak and a great view of the Montana Absarokas from the top.
jdarr67 - Jul 29, 2018 7:21 am Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2018
Black Mountain Finally
Solo from parking lot. Up west gully. Good snow fields to hike up using microspikes. Fun slide down. My Garmin watch says 5377 total vertical. Fantastic weather. Great day.
jscottcc - Nov 8, 2016 11:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2016
Fun two day
Fun two day with a friend. Standard route, camped at Pine Creek Lake.
Camped at Pine Creek and summited in the early afternoon. Beautiful day and amazing views. We went up the western side of the ridge that originates from Jewel Lake and ended up in a cirque. Climbing straight up looks a lot worse than it actually is. We went down the eastern side of that same ridge hoping to avoid going down rocky areas. We ended up on the big boulder field right above Pine Creek Lake. Such is life I suppose. It was still an amazing day.
Matt Lemke - Jan 12, 2016 7:12 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2015
Big snow slog with Sean
Finally climbed with someone faster than me! Hiked to Pine Creek Lake in fog after having to walk the last mile of the road to the trailhead due to a fallen tree. Met Sean there and got up very fast despite knee deep post holing. Summit was just barely above the clouds
What a freaking spectacular day. Not a cloud in the sky. Not windy but nice and cool. Went up solo and had the loveliest time. Went up west of the fin but on the easterly side. That popped me out on the ridge at the perfect spot. Fantastic, fantastic views. I'd do this one again any time.
jdarr67 - May 2, 2014 6:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
Turned Back
Made a solo trip to 10000 feet when an electrical storm moved in and drove me off. Went up via Pine Creek Lake trail and Jewel Lake gully. Hope to summit in 2014.
One of my favorite places in MT. Been up to Pine Creek Lake a handful of times with either a multi-day pack and/or skis.
Whipray - Aug 30, 2012 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
whipray
Left parking lot at PC camground at 7am. Made it to lake by 9:35. NW summit via lake and up boulders. That is a longer way, go up west side of spur to NW ridge. It's a steap headwall at the end but it's good footing. 10hrs 45min car to car. 9:26 hike time. A long day, a rewarding climb!
Beautiful surroundings; one of my favorite easier climbs.
SgtSarge - Feb 14, 2009 8:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2007
Via Pine Creek Lake
Made the summit on the first day of a four day trip. Unfortunately I stashed my stove in some rocks to prevent critters from running off with it. It was within view of our campsite. Some lady took our stoves while we were up on the peak. She thought it was 'forgotten' in the wilderness and 'took it' to give it back to the rightful owner. She did leave a note at the trailhead and I did get it back but it promptly ended our four day trip...
bnschwerin - Aug 25, 2008 1:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2008
NW Ridge
Still lots of snow this year, sunny sky and good conditions. Not a soul past the falls. A couple small wet slides on the descent.
samh - Aug 3, 2008 6:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2008
Success, but no
My intention was to summit Black and then continue along the ridges and saddles to McKnight Peak to the North. I summited Black Mountain at approxmately 8:30 a.m in beautiful conditions. The views were muted however due to the fires near Red Lodge. I started off along the ridge to McKnight was quickly shut down from insurmountable climbing challenges and my own personal fear. I proceeded to retreat down the peak and walk across the Pine Creek Basin and up to the McKnight Saddle for views into McKnight Lake and beyond. Well worth the trip.
Morlow - Jun 20, 2021 10:34 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2021
Nice climbClimbed the standard route on a beautiful, if a bit toasty, day. Great view of Cowen's north face from the summit.
Kyle Van Vleet - Jun 13, 2021 6:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2021
Y- CouloirCamped at the lake and summited via Y-Couloir (right hand) the following morning. We originally planed to go up the left hand gully, but it had a small cornice. Right hand was in good shape and conditions were awesome.
wallacecasper21@gmail.com - May 8, 2020 9:48 am Date Climbed: Apr 22, 2020
Ski DescentAbsolutely perfect dry conditions on the peak followed by corn all the way down to about 6,500' where we hiked the rest of the way out on the summer trail. Ice axes and crampons were nice for the summit pitch, and ski crampons were used all the way up from 6,500' to the top of the Y couloir.
freedeep - Mar 24, 2020 12:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 1989
Stormy weather for the hikeLittle bit of uphill to Pine Creek Lake. Camped overnite. Summit day was nice but storm quickly moved in. All in all another great hike.
Peaker - Feb 17, 2020 5:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2019
BlackCamped at Pine Creek Lake then did the peak and packed out the next day, probably the prettiest mountain lake I've been to in Montana. Mostly walking on snow getting up the peak and a great view of the Montana Absarokas from the top.
jdarr67 - Jul 29, 2018 7:21 am Date Climbed: Jul 28, 2018
Black Mountain FinallySolo from parking lot. Up west gully. Good snow fields to hike up using microspikes. Fun slide down. My Garmin watch says 5377 total vertical. Fantastic weather. Great day.
jscottcc - Nov 8, 2016 11:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2016
Fun two dayFun two day with a friend. Standard route, camped at Pine Creek Lake.
altmontana - Jul 23, 2016 9:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2016
Great PlaceCamped at Pine Creek and summited in the early afternoon. Beautiful day and amazing views. We went up the western side of the ridge that originates from Jewel Lake and ended up in a cirque. Climbing straight up looks a lot worse than it actually is. We went down the eastern side of that same ridge hoping to avoid going down rocky areas. We ended up on the big boulder field right above Pine Creek Lake. Such is life I suppose. It was still an amazing day.
Matt Lemke - Jan 12, 2016 7:12 pm Date Climbed: May 29, 2015
Big snow slog with SeanFinally climbed with someone faster than me! Hiked to Pine Creek Lake in fog after having to walk the last mile of the road to the trailhead due to a fallen tree. Met Sean there and got up very fast despite knee deep post holing. Summit was just barely above the clouds
awhite28 - Sep 21, 2014 1:23 pm Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2014
Spectacular day!What a freaking spectacular day. Not a cloud in the sky. Not windy but nice and cool. Went up solo and had the loveliest time. Went up west of the fin but on the easterly side. That popped me out on the ridge at the perfect spot. Fantastic, fantastic views. I'd do this one again any time.
jdarr67 - May 2, 2014 6:51 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2013
Turned BackMade a solo trip to 10000 feet when an electrical storm moved in and drove me off. Went up via Pine Creek Lake trail and Jewel Lake gully. Hope to summit in 2014.
josephbschmitt0415 - Sep 22, 2013 8:03 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2012
NW Ridge via Pine Creek LakeOne of my favorite places in MT. Been up to Pine Creek Lake a handful of times with either a multi-day pack and/or skis.
Whipray - Aug 30, 2012 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
whiprayLeft parking lot at PC camground at 7am. Made it to lake by 9:35. NW summit via lake and up boulders. That is a longer way, go up west side of spur to NW ridge. It's a steap headwall at the end but it's good footing. 10hrs 45min car to car. 9:26 hike time. A long day, a rewarding climb!
FRhoderick - Sep 27, 2011 11:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2011
Left YLeft Y Gully success!
samh - Jul 12, 2010 6:37 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2010
Splitboard DescentSummited via splitboard and then had wonderful snowboard descent.
ianc82 - Nov 28, 2009 3:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2009
Forgot cameraLong but amazing day trip. Mad that I forgot my camera again.
Snowy - Jul 31, 2009 1:58 pm
Right y-gyllyBeautiful surroundings; one of my favorite easier climbs.
SgtSarge - Feb 14, 2009 8:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 31, 2007
Via Pine Creek LakeMade the summit on the first day of a four day trip. Unfortunately I stashed my stove in some rocks to prevent critters from running off with it. It was within view of our campsite. Some lady took our stoves while we were up on the peak. She thought it was 'forgotten' in the wilderness and 'took it' to give it back to the rightful owner. She did leave a note at the trailhead and I did get it back but it promptly ended our four day trip...
bnschwerin - Aug 25, 2008 1:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 19, 2008
NW RidgeStill lots of snow this year, sunny sky and good conditions. Not a soul past the falls. A couple small wet slides on the descent.
samh - Aug 3, 2008 6:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2008
Success, but noMy intention was to summit Black and then continue along the ridges and saddles to McKnight Peak to the North. I summited Black Mountain at approxmately 8:30 a.m in beautiful conditions. The views were muted however due to the fires near Red Lodge. I started off along the ridge to McKnight was quickly shut down from insurmountable climbing challenges and my own personal fear. I proceeded to retreat down the peak and walk across the Pine Creek Basin and up to the McKnight Saddle for views into McKnight Lake and beyond. Well worth the trip.