I was on top of Gallatin Peak at about 11am and peered aroud with binoculars to see if anyone was on the surrounding mountains. I didn't see anyone on the Sphinx but your timing would explain why. It sure was a beautiful day!
It looks from your photos like there was more snow over there than there was in the Spanish Peaks. I only ran into significant snow by about 10,500'.
I've been wanting to climb Gallatin peak for a while... I am not a great rock climber, only comfortable to the 5.7 or 5.8 range. How hard is the climb? and how is the rock?
The rock on Gallatin is so-so, pretty typical for the Spanish peaks. lots of loose granite talus. I took the south face and there are numerous possible routes I could see with the hardest being 4th class if you take the "south ridge" near the top. 3rd class would be the easiest southern route I would guess. The summit register indicates many other routes...Norht face, west ridge, southeast ridge etc.
In the future, I've got my eye on the NE ridge!
The tough part is the length of the hike. I came in from Hellroaring creek in a day. All told - 25 miles, 5,500', 9 hours. My dogs and I were dead to the world Saturday night.
Fred, the maintainer never replied to me. I was not outvoted 14:1 when I originally voted. However, it seems like the page was updated the day I voted, so now it is 4 stars. I do not remember every page I vote on.
I climbed this peak last week, 8/25/2015. It appears that someone has taken the time to much improve the previously mentioned "goat paths" since the time of initial climbs. As of now,with a cairned trail right to the top, and taking into account the clear way around the "crux"; I would now rate this climb as class 1 with very little that could even be called class 2. Still, a totally worthy climb to a beautiful mountain. Though taking plenty of stamina to climb, this may be one of the technically easiest peaks to summit in the region.
The campground now (2023) requires a small fee. The campground is significantly improved since my last stay (2022): bear boxes were installed, all sites have fire rings, etc. As before, water (taps) and restroom are available. The USFS cabin can be reserved for use too.
brenta - Sep 27, 2004 11:53 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice page for an interesting peak. Good, informative pictures. Thanks for posting.
You may want to turn the URLs for the webcam and snow conditions into clickable links. The FAQ page explains how to do that.
bakcast - Sep 27, 2004 11:56 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI was wondering when someone would get around to posting this mountain. Well done.
What time did you all summit on Saturday?
jverschuyl - Sep 27, 2004 1:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentWe summited at ~1 on Saturday, and were suprised to see three other parties on the climb.
bakcast - Sep 27, 2004 1:55 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentI was on top of Gallatin Peak at about 11am and peered aroud with binoculars to see if anyone was on the surrounding mountains. I didn't see anyone on the Sphinx but your timing would explain why. It sure was a beautiful day!
It looks from your photos like there was more snow over there than there was in the Spanish Peaks. I only ran into significant snow by about 10,500'.
jverschuyl - Sep 27, 2004 3:30 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentI've been wanting to climb Gallatin peak for a while... I am not a great rock climber, only comfortable to the 5.7 or 5.8 range. How hard is the climb? and how is the rock?
bakcast - Sep 27, 2004 4:16 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentThe rock on Gallatin is so-so, pretty typical for the Spanish peaks. lots of loose granite talus. I took the south face and there are numerous possible routes I could see with the hardest being 4th class if you take the "south ridge" near the top. 3rd class would be the easiest southern route I would guess. The summit register indicates many other routes...Norht face, west ridge, southeast ridge etc.
In the future, I've got my eye on the NE ridge!
The tough part is the length of the hike. I came in from Hellroaring creek in a day. All told - 25 miles, 5,500', 9 hours. My dogs and I were dead to the world Saturday night.
BobSmith - Sep 27, 2004 12:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentBeautiful countryside!
mtwashingtonmonroe - Sep 27, 2004 1:22 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentExcellent page! This is an awesome mountain and you've posted some nice photos to go with it. Great job and have a good one!
-Britt
Jerry L - Sep 27, 2004 2:54 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentExcellent page. You took some nice pictures. I can't wait to climb this peak.
Gangolf Haub - Sep 28, 2004 7:42 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentStunning Peak(s)!
gato - Sep 28, 2004 11:34 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice work!
hgrapid - Nov 22, 2004 9:42 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentFred, the maintainer never replied to me. I was not outvoted 14:1 when I originally voted. However, it seems like the page was updated the day I voted, so now it is 4 stars. I do not remember every page I vote on.
pintlerpro - Jan 3, 2005 10:38 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGood page
SawtoothSean - Jan 28, 2006 2:21 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentInteresting looking peak- nice job on this page.
dino61111 - Aug 28, 2015 4:32 pm - Voted 10/10
Much easier than it looksI climbed this peak last week, 8/25/2015. It appears that someone has taken the time to much improve the previously mentioned "goat paths" since the time of initial climbs. As of now,with a cairned trail right to the top, and taking into account the clear way around the "crux"; I would now rate this climb as class 1 with very little that could even be called class 2. Still, a totally worthy climb to a beautiful mountain. Though taking plenty of stamina to climb, this may be one of the technically easiest peaks to summit in the region.
Matt Lemke - Aug 30, 2015 6:22 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Much easier than it looksThanks for the info! When I climbed it it was mostly snow covered but I figured in the summer it would be an easier trail
utahjimk - Sep 18, 2023 6:38 am - Hasn't voted
Bear Creek campground (USFS)The campground now (2023) requires a small fee. The campground is significantly improved since my last stay (2022): bear boxes were installed, all sites have fire rings, etc. As before, water (taps) and restroom are available. The USFS cabin can be reserved for use too.