aklackner - Mar 4, 2013 2:07 pm Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2013
Rewarding climb for those with proper skill
I climbed this route as part of a CMC group and had a great trip! Pretty ugly headwall climb, all the snow was melted, lots of loose rock. Scree was frozen in places on the way up. EXERCISE CAUTION, really recommend helmet, and a lot of practice on loose talus or you will send rock rocketing down on those below. Luckily it had melted quite a bit by the time we descended and that made it much more reasonable, stick to tight groups and wait until groups ahead are completely clear to get in place and begin descent. Very rewarding climb for those with proper skill, try to catch before it melts after it's completely clear. The ridge was a beautiful climb still held quite a bit of firm snow and very striking too! :) Here is the link to the GPS track. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/280419036
shefightsfire - Aug 27, 2011 4:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2011
Definitely an adventure
...probably not one I'd repeat. I climbed this feature today, before I knew what it was called or any of its history, and found this page via one of those "what the **** did I just get myself into?" internet searches. Getting up the headwall was not easy but the ascent pales in comparison to the effort it took to get back down. I'm not familiar with the usual "route" for this, if there is one, but the entire slope is treacherous and badly eroded with very poor traction and loose rocks ranging in size from pebbles to toasters, and beyond. I have never until today had to use a loose and slowly moving rock for that little extra push or pull as a hand- or foothold simply because there were no other options, but this became the rule rather than the exception on the descent. It was definitely luck rather than skill that returned me to the canyon floor with only a few scratches to show for it. I've hiked San Gorgonio Peak multiple times, and the Nine Peak Traverse once, as a day hike might I add, and do not consider myself a newbie when it comes to hiking and exploring this area. However, hiking and rock scrambling are two different arts, and I was definitely in over my head here. Based on current conditions, if you have to ask yourself at the bottom of the Mill Creek canyon whether scaling the headwall to finish what you started is a good idea... the answer is probably no. Be safe out there!
Augie Medina - Jun 11, 2007 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Mar 6, 2006
Icy Film on Headwall
Had quite an adventure going up the headwall. On this day, the headwall was a combination of an icy film and loose dirt. I would not climb it again in these conditions. You do have to pick your line carefully.
aklackner - Mar 4, 2013 2:07 pm Date Climbed: Mar 3, 2013
Rewarding climb for those with proper skillI climbed this route as part of a CMC group and had a great trip! Pretty ugly headwall climb, all the snow was melted, lots of loose rock. Scree was frozen in places on the way up. EXERCISE CAUTION, really recommend helmet, and a lot of practice on loose talus or you will send rock rocketing down on those below. Luckily it had melted quite a bit by the time we descended and that made it much more reasonable, stick to tight groups and wait until groups ahead are completely clear to get in place and begin descent. Very rewarding climb for those with proper skill, try to catch before it melts after it's completely clear. The ridge was a beautiful climb still held quite a bit of firm snow and very striking too! :) Here is the link to the GPS track. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/280419036
shefightsfire - Aug 27, 2011 4:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2011
Definitely an adventure...probably not one I'd repeat. I climbed this feature today, before I knew what it was called or any of its history, and found this page via one of those "what the **** did I just get myself into?" internet searches. Getting up the headwall was not easy but the ascent pales in comparison to the effort it took to get back down. I'm not familiar with the usual "route" for this, if there is one, but the entire slope is treacherous and badly eroded with very poor traction and loose rocks ranging in size from pebbles to toasters, and beyond. I have never until today had to use a loose and slowly moving rock for that little extra push or pull as a hand- or foothold simply because there were no other options, but this became the rule rather than the exception on the descent. It was definitely luck rather than skill that returned me to the canyon floor with only a few scratches to show for it. I've hiked San Gorgonio Peak multiple times, and the Nine Peak Traverse once, as a day hike might I add, and do not consider myself a newbie when it comes to hiking and exploring this area. However, hiking and rock scrambling are two different arts, and I was definitely in over my head here. Based on current conditions, if you have to ask yourself at the bottom of the Mill Creek canyon whether scaling the headwall to finish what you started is a good idea... the answer is probably no. Be safe out there!
Augie Medina - Jun 11, 2007 3:23 pm Date Climbed: Mar 6, 2006
Icy Film on HeadwallHad quite an adventure going up the headwall. On this day, the headwall was a combination of an icy film and loose dirt. I would not climb it again in these conditions. You do have to pick your line carefully.
Blair - Nov 13, 2006 8:34 pm
Middle RibCrazy scramble and even more crazy coming down!