Sunset hike up PPP. Beautiful views once we cleared the tree line. Love the ridge hike up. Lots of beargrass blooming, and beautiful carpets of phlox above the trees on the rocks. Summited at 9 PM and made it back to the car at midnight - dicey coming down in the dark. The trail is dry all the way! No mud in the forest sections.
tcingrum - Aug 13, 2018 2:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2018
iked the PPP trail up, traverse to Mount Defiance (did not summit), looped down to Mason Lake and returned via the IRA Spring TH. Somewhat nasty weather early on the PPP ascent. The traverse to Mount Defiance is a bit more interesting than the one to Web Mountain, some great boulder sections, and more forested sections that I recalled from seeing photos - some slippery areas on roots on the path to the Mount Defiance trail. Rain made all rocks slippery. The trail up PPP was the same as my report from a few days ago - a great hike once you pass the tree line - bear grass abounds as well as burnt out stumps and a few single trees from a fire long ago. The ridge traverse is a great hike - would be better with some views (0 for 2 now). Opted not to summit defiance as it was socked in cloud and fog. The trail down to Mason lake is muddy in areas - take some care on roots. The route down to the IRA TH was in good condition. Looking forward to a sunny day for a repeat of this route and a summit of Mount Defiance. There are links to my AllTrails recording, all photos of the route, and a link to my Peakery report. Enjoy.
Decided to do the P3 trail, traverse to Web Mountain, connect with Dirty Harry's Peak trail and loop back to the Ira Spring Trail Head. The trail starts out as advertised, and upon the junction with the DHB trail, cuts up to the right for about four switchbacks, gaining in elevation and steepness. The trail gradually steepens, trekking poles and hands are useful, until above the treeline, the grade lessens and there is a nice uphill hike up rock and heather to the summit. Wildflower are blooming and the field is full of bear grass, similar to the hike up Bandera Mountain. The trial is challenging, very similar in steepness and qualty to the old Mailbox Peak trail. It was cloudy and foggy and visibility was limited near the top. The dropoff at the other side of peak ridge is steep. No summit register was located. We opted to go for Web Mountain, keeping mostly left of the ridge, sometimes walkign the ridge. There is a faint trail at times, and the rocks and heather provide a decent route to Web Mountain, the summit attained by keeping left of the major summit blocks and scampering up. There is a register there and it was signed. We opted to continue, and found a gully route (followed breadcrumbs using the Cairn app which was helpful given the limited visibility - about 200 feet), and descended a series of talus slopes and steep dirt along the forested parts (~1500 feet descent) until we descended upon a small lake that feeds the Granite lakes and eventually connects with the Web Mountain trail, finally connecting to the Dirty Harry's Peak trail - a boot path. We missed the initial trail, and bushwacked for a few hundred yards until finding the path down - the reverse route would be interesting to follow, and find a better route up Web Mountain. Route finding was challenging and we generally went down the talus slopes toward the lake - with better visibility, this would have been much easier. Overall a great route, as we are seeking a traverse from Mailbox to Defiance and beyond. I highly recommend the PPP trail and summit. A great trail in the fog and will be great in better weather. Be ready for a challenging hike.
SloJay - Jun 26, 2018 8:55 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2018
My entire body hurts
ouch
huskertriguy - Jun 3, 2018 12:48 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2018
3-fer
First of a loop with Mt. Defiance & Bandera Mountain. That last stretch to the summit is not playing around with elevation gain. Snow-free all the way up. Saw not a soul once I departed from the Ira Springs Trail.
ACree - May 7, 2018 11:49 am Date Climbed: May 7, 2018
Almost snow free
Not the most fun descent. Will look into a traverse to make a loop out of it next time. One short snow patch approx 3/4 of the way up.
MAero - Nov 27, 2014 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2014
P3-Defiance-Bandera loop
Solo trail run on possibly the last snow-free day to do this this year. Got cold and bailed on Web so I could keep moving and warm up.
The traverse to Defiance is not bad at all in these snow-free conditions, even when the rock is wet. Blog post
Boonie1 - Jun 14, 2014 12:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2014
Putrid Petes Peak
Snow free and hot as heck comming up that south ridge. I'll come back for Web when I've got more time. Down climbed 2 spots just to play it safe.
It was a little exposed and there were a couple Class 3 moves but it was the heat that stopped me from Web. The angle that this peak has toward the I-90 is incredible. Unfortunately I forgot the camera. We thought going to Defiance and down was a better choice than the steep exposed bootpath. Probably safer but dramatically longer.
belowfellow - Feb 16, 2011 7:36 pm Date Climbed: Mar 20, 2010
snow?
no snow in March! we encountered only small, thin areas of snow on the upper slopes.
LuminousAphid - Nov 28, 2010 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
Great semi-scramble
No. 005, personal climber's log.
Probably my first "scramble," this is a really nice less-traveled option along I-90. The way is much more primitive than many nearby trails, and though i-90 is visible right below for part of the hike, it gives you that wilderness feeling.
Arkitekt - Jul 24, 2010 4:31 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2010
Couldn't Locate Summit Register
Went up the shorter route and enjoyed the lower half of the hike. Once it got to the steep exposed rocky part it was a little less fun. I think their are about 3 times where you think you're just below the summit and you're wrong as well.
Traversed over to the high point at 5336 ft and considered going over to Web but looked at my watch and decided against it. Maybe another time. Overall nice hike at least for the view you get. I'd put it in the "trainer" category since it's pretty much entirely too steep for it's own good.
Cold breeze above the tree line, especially on the final ridge to the summit. Snow was firm and consolidated, making for good climbing. Had to stop about 200' short of the summit to layer up before proceeding to the top.
Climbed Defiance first, then traversed over to P3. With four to six inches of snow and a narrow, steep ridge, the traverse along the ridge is hairy at times. The traverse from the east to the west summit is fairly exposed and slick when a small amount of snow is present. If I were to climb this again, I'd either do it when the ridge is dry, or in the dead of winter.
Bryan K - Oct 19, 2009 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2009
Hike w/friends
Hiked with Gimp and Dane. Great views and great weather
gimpilator - Jun 9, 2009 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2009
P3 to Defiance Traverse
Bryan and Dane and I were thinking of Mount Washington but we decided to do something with "more meat on it's bones". We decided on the approach that it was not going to be fun to hike down such a steep loose face so we agreed to traverse over to the summit of Defiance and descend from there via the Old Defiance Trail. We found the ridge top near the summit of P3 to be very exposed so we did not attempt Web Mountain. I would think that the Web is rarely done.
markhadland@gmail.com - Jul 8, 2019 5:09 pm Date Climbed: May 30, 2019
PPP Sunset HikeSunset hike up PPP. Beautiful views once we cleared the tree line. Love the ridge hike up. Lots of beargrass blooming, and beautiful carpets of phlox above the trees on the rocks. Summited at 9 PM and made it back to the car at midnight - dicey coming down in the dark. The trail is dry all the way! No mud in the forest sections.
tcingrum - Aug 13, 2018 2:29 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2018
P3Dun.
markhadland@gmail.com - Jul 3, 2018 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2018
PPP Summit and Mount Defiance Traverseiked the PPP trail up, traverse to Mount Defiance (did not summit), looped down to Mason Lake and returned via the IRA Spring TH. Somewhat nasty weather early on the PPP ascent. The traverse to Mount Defiance is a bit more interesting than the one to Web Mountain, some great boulder sections, and more forested sections that I recalled from seeing photos - some slippery areas on roots on the path to the Mount Defiance trail. Rain made all rocks slippery. The trail up PPP was the same as my report from a few days ago - a great hike once you pass the tree line - bear grass abounds as well as burnt out stumps and a few single trees from a fire long ago. The ridge traverse is a great hike - would be better with some views (0 for 2 now). Opted not to summit defiance as it was socked in cloud and fog. The trail down to Mason lake is muddy in areas - take some care on roots. The route down to the IRA TH was in good condition. Looking forward to a sunny day for a repeat of this route and a summit of Mount Defiance. There are links to my AllTrails recording, all photos of the route, and a link to my Peakery report. Enjoy.
markhadland@gmail.com - Jun 29, 2018 12:53 am Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2018
P3 SummitDecided to do the P3 trail, traverse to Web Mountain, connect with Dirty Harry's Peak trail and loop back to the Ira Spring Trail Head. The trail starts out as advertised, and upon the junction with the DHB trail, cuts up to the right for about four switchbacks, gaining in elevation and steepness. The trail gradually steepens, trekking poles and hands are useful, until above the treeline, the grade lessens and there is a nice uphill hike up rock and heather to the summit. Wildflower are blooming and the field is full of bear grass, similar to the hike up Bandera Mountain. The trial is challenging, very similar in steepness and qualty to the old Mailbox Peak trail. It was cloudy and foggy and visibility was limited near the top. The dropoff at the other side of peak ridge is steep. No summit register was located. We opted to go for Web Mountain, keeping mostly left of the ridge, sometimes walkign the ridge. There is a faint trail at times, and the rocks and heather provide a decent route to Web Mountain, the summit attained by keeping left of the major summit blocks and scampering up. There is a register there and it was signed. We opted to continue, and found a gully route (followed breadcrumbs using the Cairn app which was helpful given the limited visibility - about 200 feet), and descended a series of talus slopes and steep dirt along the forested parts (~1500 feet descent) until we descended upon a small lake that feeds the Granite lakes and eventually connects with the Web Mountain trail, finally connecting to the Dirty Harry's Peak trail - a boot path. We missed the initial trail, and bushwacked for a few hundred yards until finding the path down - the reverse route would be interesting to follow, and find a better route up Web Mountain. Route finding was challenging and we generally went down the talus slopes toward the lake - with better visibility, this would have been much easier. Overall a great route, as we are seeking a traverse from Mailbox to Defiance and beyond. I highly recommend the PPP trail and summit. A great trail in the fog and will be great in better weather. Be ready for a challenging hike.
SloJay - Jun 26, 2018 8:55 pm Date Climbed: May 12, 2018
My entire body hurtsouch
huskertriguy - Jun 3, 2018 12:48 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2018
3-ferFirst of a loop with Mt. Defiance & Bandera Mountain. That last stretch to the summit is not playing around with elevation gain. Snow-free all the way up. Saw not a soul once I departed from the Ira Springs Trail.
ACree - May 7, 2018 11:49 am Date Climbed: May 7, 2018
Almost snow freeNot the most fun descent. Will look into a traverse to make a loop out of it next time. One short snow patch approx 3/4 of the way up.
MAero - Nov 27, 2014 3:17 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2014
P3-Defiance-Bandera loopSolo trail run on possibly the last snow-free day to do this this year. Got cold and bailed on Web so I could keep moving and warm up.
The traverse to Defiance is not bad at all in these snow-free conditions, even when the rock is wet.
Blog post
Boonie1 - Jun 14, 2014 12:56 am Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2014
Putrid Petes PeakSnow free and hot as heck comming up that south ridge. I'll come back for Web when I've got more time. Down climbed 2 spots just to play it safe.
EastKing - Jul 7, 2012 8:13 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2012
P3 and DefianceIt was a little exposed and there were a couple Class 3 moves but it was the heat that stopped me from Web. The angle that this peak has toward the I-90 is incredible. Unfortunately I forgot the camera. We thought going to Defiance and down was a better choice than the steep exposed bootpath. Probably safer but dramatically longer.
belowfellow - Feb 16, 2011 7:36 pm Date Climbed: Mar 20, 2010
snow?no snow in March! we encountered only small, thin areas of snow on the upper slopes.
LuminousAphid - Nov 28, 2010 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2008
Great semi-scrambleNo. 005, personal climber's log.
Probably my first "scramble," this is a really nice less-traveled option along I-90. The way is much more primitive than many nearby trails, and though i-90 is visible right below for part of the hike, it gives you that wilderness feeling.
Cascade Scrambler - Sep 27, 2010 10:26 pm Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2010
Easy as can beEasy as can be to gain the summit. Bagged Web while I was up there. The ascent is much easier when it isn't covered in a fresh dump of snow.
If you can't find the register on P3, I'm afraid you either didn't look hard enough, or you weren't where you thought you were.
The P3 register
Arkitekt - Jul 24, 2010 4:31 am Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2010
Couldn't Locate Summit RegisterWent up the shorter route and enjoyed the lower half of the hike. Once it got to the steep exposed rocky part it was a little less fun. I think their are about 3 times where you think you're just below the summit and you're wrong as well.
Traversed over to the high point at 5336 ft and considered going over to Web but looked at my watch and decided against it. Maybe another time. Overall nice hike at least for the view you get. I'd put it in the "trainer" category since it's pretty much entirely too steep for it's own good.
WeatherMan - Jul 23, 2010 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Apr 22, 2010
Chilly 'n windyCold breeze above the tree line, especially on the final ridge to the summit. Snow was firm and consolidated, making for good climbing. Had to stop about 200' short of the summit to layer up before proceeding to the top.
Cascade Scrambler - Nov 1, 2009 8:11 pm Date Climbed: Nov 1, 2009
Hairy, airy, slick and exposedClimbed Defiance first, then traversed over to P3. With four to six inches of snow and a narrow, steep ridge, the traverse along the ridge is hairy at times. The traverse from the east to the west summit is fairly exposed and slick when a small amount of snow is present. If I were to climb this again, I'd either do it when the ridge is dry, or in the dead of winter.
Bryan K - Oct 19, 2009 5:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2009
Hike w/friendsHiked with Gimp and Dane. Great views and great weather
gimpilator - Jun 9, 2009 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Jun 9, 2009
P3 to Defiance TraverseBryan and Dane and I were thinking of Mount Washington but we decided to do something with "more meat on it's bones". We decided on the approach that it was not going to be fun to hike down such a steep loose face so we agreed to traverse over to the summit of Defiance and descend from there via the Old Defiance Trail. We found the ridge top near the summit of P3 to be very exposed so we did not attempt Web Mountain. I would think that the Web is rarely done.