As of 2015 the campground is free with volunteer maintenance and "donations accepted." Also there are several dispersed campsites next to the road just prior to the campground.
As wilderness regulations apply I was shocked and disturbed to see pics of two dogs running unleashed in this high alpine area, allowing pets to disturb the wild residents is a disconnect from "courteous and respect the wild lands ", and unless I'm wrong a violation of the wilderness regulation.
The leash rule is true in many wilderness areas but it is not a general wilderness rule - some allow dogs off-leash. Unfortunately the Forest Service does not make it easy to figure out, you probably have to look at the regs on the sign at the trailhead.
I started to write up a separate route but decided to just put it here. The yellow line on Jon's map does not show the easiest route. The easiest route is actually trail most of the way, as follows:
From the north side of Lamphier Lake, circle around counterclockwise to the southwest side (it is a bit marshy). There is a stand of trees on a high point that is a linear knoll. Head southwest on that until leaving the trees, and you will see a use trail heading further southwest, which is toward the low point between Fossil and Square Top. If you have any trouble finding this trail, it runs parallel to the little creek on its northwest side - the grassy side, not the rocky side. This trail continues southwest and then circles north into the grassy basin and up to the ridge, to within about 400 vertical feet of the summit.
The summit itself requires at least one class 2+ scramble move, I found it easiest on the north side.
jfrishmanIII - Jun 20, 2007 1:56 am - Voted 10/10
Fee IncreaseGold Creek Campground will now run you $10.00 a night.
djilk - Jul 27, 2015 6:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Fee IncreaseAs of 2015 the campground is free with volunteer maintenance and "donations accepted." Also there are several dispersed campsites next to the road just prior to the campground.
Jebers - Jul 7, 2013 4:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Wilderness RegulationsAs wilderness regulations apply I was shocked and disturbed to see pics of two dogs running unleashed in this high alpine area, allowing pets to disturb the wild residents is a disconnect from "courteous and respect the wild lands ", and unless I'm wrong a violation of the wilderness regulation.
djilk - Jul 27, 2015 7:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Wilderness RegulationsThe leash rule is true in many wilderness areas but it is not a general wilderness rule - some allow dogs off-leash. Unfortunately the Forest Service does not make it easy to figure out, you probably have to look at the regs on the sign at the trailhead.
djilk - Jul 27, 2015 7:11 pm - Hasn't voted
Actual grassy routeI started to write up a separate route but decided to just put it here. The yellow line on Jon's map does not show the easiest route. The easiest route is actually trail most of the way, as follows:
From the north side of Lamphier Lake, circle around counterclockwise to the southwest side (it is a bit marshy). There is a stand of trees on a high point that is a linear knoll. Head southwest on that until leaving the trees, and you will see a use trail heading further southwest, which is toward the low point between Fossil and Square Top. If you have any trouble finding this trail, it runs parallel to the little creek on its northwest side - the grassy side, not the rocky side. This trail continues southwest and then circles north into the grassy basin and up to the ridge, to within about 400 vertical feet of the summit.
The summit itself requires at least one class 2+ scramble move, I found it easiest on the north side.