Gallatin Peak via Bear Basin

Bear Basin to Summit Lake

Looking up the last meadow in upper Bear Basin. No bears yet.
Nice gradual climb with a well designed trail up the entire Bear Basin.
About 5-6 switch backs up the pass which tops out at 9,680 feet.
The immediate view looking north from the pass is down a long valley towards Mirror Lake. Fortunately, we only had to descend about 350 feet to the right before heading up to Summit Lake.
We improvised an ultralight tent by using Ben's footprint ground cloth from his Black Diamond tent. It staked out well using trecking poles. Black flies only bothered us during the day. No misquitos noticed at night. For you fishermen. No fish in this lake at all.

Day 2: Summit Lake to Gallatin Peak

The direct view from Summit Lake opens into this basin with the top of Gallatin Peak just protruding over it's own Southwest ridge. It is possible to head right (east) and scramble up onto the ridge line as an alternative route. We were advised against this and decided to go down and to the left of this ridge to the west couloir route.

Our route followed down the valley towards Thompson Lake, then hang a right after about 1/2 mile to ascend the west couloir.

We stayed on the green up the west couloir which provided excellent traction compared to all other available surfaces. "Good Green"

This small topo shows route from summit lake down and around to west couloir.

"Just like a crater of a volcano" was Ben's impression looking down on the flat bowl which is half way up the west couloir.

Great footing up most of the last 1000 feet. This low growing green shrub sticks to the soles much better than grass. Avoid the obvious large notch in the ridgeline to the right. It looks like an obvious ramp to the ridge, but dumps you over to the south east face which is loose and steep. We made that mistake and killed time getting up and over to the west side to better footing.

A few false summits up the ridgeline provided more exposure and views off the back side.

The young one always summits first. We happened to be climbing the same day that an older gentleman was leading a group up the same route, and he stated that he was the one who put the original register on top back when he was 18 years old!

I took this photo without realizing I was looking at our tent at the south west end of the lake. No goats or sheep to be seen this day.

Idaho fires burning blew in smoke partially obscuring our view of Lone Peak in the center, and the Sphynx to the left in the background. Skied one and climbed the other. Someday may have to reverse the order.

The smile says it all.

heading down back to camp.

Return trip to Summit Lake includes about 300 vertical and switch backs.

Still smiling despite looking forward to breaking camp and then hiking out. This is when I start thinking ahead about that cold beer and sandwich at the broken spoke!

Images

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