cascadescrambler - Aug 25, 2019 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 1993
Labyrinth
It was an autumnal September day
peerzat - Oct 13, 2015 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2015
labyrinth on a foggy day
what a great hike. well worth the steep ridge start. be prepared to get a little frustrated if it's wet! mysterious fog helped the labyrinth live up to its name. minotaur lake is beautiful and would be a great place to camp for a night.
Got a late start, but being as it's a short scramble we got done with plenty of day light to spare. Not a cloud in the sky, perfect day for being in the mountains.
Snidely Whiplash - Nov 11, 2013 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2001
My first time hiking this trail. It is still every bit as steep and unimproved as described. After the recent rains, it was also a bit muddy and the roots were slick. There were about 4 blowdowns we had to climb over which made the going a little more difficult. The rewards were worth it though as the sparkling Minotaur Lake was a welcome place to stop to refuel.
Our goal however was to unknowingly follow Goldman's 75 scrambles book and climb the to the west saddle and follow the ridgeline to the summit. We saw some hikers coming down a faint trail from the saddle and figured that was the described route. Getting to the saddle wasn't much of a problem, but the loose rock, damp conditions and significant exposure made for a more challenging and risky scramble than I had anticipated. Route finding was tricky and at one point we had to use a handline to downclimb a section safely. We were not prepared with helmets or harnesses but I would recommend them as this is more of a 4th class scramble than the easy 3rd class described in the book.
We enjoyed the summit views, and then happily descended the easier "Alternate" route along the east side of Minotaur with great views of Theseus and then made the quick descent back to the car.
The Larch trees were just starting to change. This place would be absolutely beautiful on a clear day in early October just before the snow arrives.
1 hour to get to the lake. 1 hour to get to the summit.
deekaydrolly - Sep 27, 2011 12:10 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
For my dad
Cold, wet and windy exhilarating - I appreciate Brian's input as I was able to locate the summit and then the climber's log... once you reach the ridge.... go to the right while facing the summit... once you hit the summit, it's safer to go to the LEFT and around the boulders that separate the climber from the log... quite worthwhile... less than 4 hours roundtrip from Minotaur Trailhead... according to Greentrail Maps the elevation is 6376 ft. (?)
ericnoel - Oct 4, 2009 10:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2009
Standard Route
Good fall color and a pretty all around hike.
gimpilator - Aug 15, 2009 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2009
Lovely Trail
I went with Redwic and his friends today. This trail wastes no time with unnecessary switchbacks or constructed stairs. The lakes are very scenic and there are a lot of options for scrambling near the top although the main trail is only class 2.
Redwic - Aug 15, 2009 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2009
A Great Conditioner!!!
Now that local peaks such as Mount Si and Mailbox Peak are overrun by visitors, I have been looking for another worthy conditioner hike that has yet to be overrun by visitors. This just might be the one. The trail wastes no time gaining elevation, and it was a lot of fun. The scenery is awesome!
This hike was a last-minute choice courtesy of "Gimpilator", and we were joined by my childhood friends Chris and Adam.
The first mile is soul crushing. With decent snow cover still above the switchbacks, it was easy to take a straight shot directly up to Minotaur Lake. Theseus is snow free, Minotaur is almost entirely still frozen. The views from the summit were amazing- Glacier looked especially crisp today.
EastKing - Sep 14, 2008 6:19 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2008
Via Bootpath
Beautiful summit views. Colors are beginning to change here. TR coming soon.
Flanders - Sep 5, 2007 8:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2007
Last Peak of Trip
If your going up bring a new summit log - the old one is full.
Would be a great hike in late September. There was still snow in August around Minotaur lake. There were jumping trout, flowering heather and lupines once you got past the intial steep climb.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 5, 2007 1:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2007
Buggy
With Flanders on our annual hiking trip. Biting flies from the car to the lake (steep!). Then mosquito swarms around the lake to the summit. Beautiful place, just wish I could have spent some time there instead of tagging the summit and heading for the safety of the car. I've only seen bugs worse one time in my life. Still amazing views and a good time as always with Flanders.
cascadescrambler - Aug 25, 2019 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 1993
LabyrinthIt was an autumnal September day
peerzat - Oct 13, 2015 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2015
labyrinth on a foggy daywhat a great hike. well worth the steep ridge start. be prepared to get a little frustrated if it's wet! mysterious fog helped the labyrinth live up to its name. minotaur lake is beautiful and would be a great place to camp for a night.
alexggoodwin - Apr 22, 2015 5:21 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2014
Beautiful DayGot a late start, but being as it's a short scramble we got done with plenty of day light to spare. Not a cloud in the sky, perfect day for being in the mountains.
Snidely Whiplash - Nov 11, 2013 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2001
Steep TrailAnd buggy. But beautiful lake and great views.
Dayspring - Sep 9, 2013 1:18 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2013
Labrynth ScrambleMy first time hiking this trail. It is still every bit as steep and unimproved as described. After the recent rains, it was also a bit muddy and the roots were slick. There were about 4 blowdowns we had to climb over which made the going a little more difficult. The rewards were worth it though as the sparkling Minotaur Lake was a welcome place to stop to refuel.
Our goal however was to unknowingly follow Goldman's 75 scrambles book and climb the to the west saddle and follow the ridgeline to the summit. We saw some hikers coming down a faint trail from the saddle and figured that was the described route. Getting to the saddle wasn't much of a problem, but the loose rock, damp conditions and significant exposure made for a more challenging and risky scramble than I had anticipated. Route finding was tricky and at one point we had to use a handline to downclimb a section safely. We were not prepared with helmets or harnesses but I would recommend them as this is more of a 4th class scramble than the easy 3rd class described in the book.
We enjoyed the summit views, and then happily descended the easier "Alternate" route along the east side of Minotaur with great views of Theseus and then made the quick descent back to the car.
The Larch trees were just starting to change. This place would be absolutely beautiful on a clear day in early October just before the snow arrives.
1 hour to get to the lake. 1 hour to get to the summit.
kevinsa - Sep 17, 2012 11:12 pm Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2008
Labyrinth MountainFun scramble - beautiful scenery.
deekaydrolly - Sep 27, 2011 12:10 am Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
For my dadCold, wet and windy exhilarating - I appreciate Brian's input as I was able to locate the summit and then the climber's log... once you reach the ridge.... go to the right while facing the summit... once you hit the summit, it's safer to go to the LEFT and around the boulders that separate the climber from the log... quite worthwhile... less than 4 hours roundtrip from Minotaur Trailhead... according to Greentrail Maps the elevation is 6376 ft. (?)
ericnoel - Oct 4, 2009 10:18 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 2009
Standard RouteGood fall color and a pretty all around hike.
gimpilator - Aug 15, 2009 5:52 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2009
Lovely TrailI went with Redwic and his friends today. This trail wastes no time with unnecessary switchbacks or constructed stairs. The lakes are very scenic and there are a lot of options for scrambling near the top although the main trail is only class 2.
Redwic - Aug 15, 2009 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2009
A Great Conditioner!!!Now that local peaks such as Mount Si and Mailbox Peak are overrun by visitors, I have been looking for another worthy conditioner hike that has yet to be overrun by visitors. This just might be the one. The trail wastes no time gaining elevation, and it was a lot of fun. The scenery is awesome!
This hike was a last-minute choice courtesy of "Gimpilator", and we were joined by my childhood friends Chris and Adam.
Cascade Scrambler - Jun 29, 2009 2:45 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2009
SteepThe first mile is soul crushing. With decent snow cover still above the switchbacks, it was easy to take a straight shot directly up to Minotaur Lake. Theseus is snow free, Minotaur is almost entirely still frozen. The views from the summit were amazing- Glacier looked especially crisp today.
EastKing - Sep 14, 2008 6:19 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2008
Via BootpathBeautiful summit views. Colors are beginning to change here. TR coming soon.
Flanders - Sep 5, 2007 8:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2007
Last Peak of TripIf your going up bring a new summit log - the old one is full.
Would be a great hike in late September. There was still snow in August around Minotaur lake. There were jumping trout, flowering heather and lupines once you got past the intial steep climb.
Brian Jenkins - Sep 5, 2007 1:19 am Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2007
BuggyWith Flanders on our annual hiking trip. Biting flies from the car to the lake (steep!). Then mosquito swarms around the lake to the summit. Beautiful place, just wish I could have spent some time there instead of tagging the summit and heading for the safety of the car. I've only seen bugs worse one time in my life. Still amazing views and a good time as always with Flanders.