ApproachTo access the clear creek trail: Follow State Hiway 89 east from McCloud about 3 miles to Pilgrim Creek Road 13. Follow this about 5 miles to Widow Springs Road (41N15). Turn left on this road and follow it past widow springs and through an intersection with Forest Service Road 31, where it becomes road 41N61. At a point about 1 mile farther west on road 41N61, take the left fork and follow the spur to its end where the trailhead is. Hike the Clear Creek Trail to its end. Open cross-country hiking leads to the route.
Alternatively, you can head east on McKenzie Butte Road 88 from Hiway 89 (junction is just a few miles west of McCloud). Follow Road 88 to road 31 (about 3 miles), continuing east on Road 31 for several more miles. Cross over the Mud Creek Dam to the junction with Widow Springs Road. Turn left onto road 41N61. Continue as above.
Route DescriptionThe Clear Creek trail will end in what appears to be an old road cut (long straight open section). Near the end you will drop left off of the clearing down a short ways to open snow fields/rock. Traverse around left (west), gaining elevation slowly until you get to a small butte dividing the slope. Traverse under and ascend the snow slope on the left side of this, following the climber's trail through the scree. The route is relatively straight forward from here: head straight uphill for the summit. Some people ascend the gully to the left for the last 500' or so as you approach the summit shoulder, but continuing right through the boulder field is easy as well. Once you reach the shoulder, the summit should be visible. Traverse the summit col, circling left around the summit to the northeast side where a short scramble/trail leads to the top. Descend same way.
This route is very easy to follow in good weather but could be easy to lose and end up wandering aimlessly in poor visibility. Summary of the route: "Ascend the Clear Creek drainage directly to the summit shoulder"
There are a number of nice bivy sites on top/side of the small butte that divides the slope. They are easily visible from the trail through the scree.
Essential GearCrampons are a must, for while the route is mostly on scree/rock, there are several sections of steep snow/ice that are made much easier with crampons. Light weight shoes can be used in good weather, though the scree will really tear them up. Ice axe is recommended and some people may find trekking poles to be useful as well.
Miscellaneous InfoIf you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.
Images
|
California Cascades
