South Ridge : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

The Trails

Paradise Lake and Point 7712

Trail #339 intersection

Hike up the Bluebird Trail #83 for approximately 2.32 miles gaining about 1150'. The goal is to reach the Highline Trail #339 as it traverses northward across the wide bench (Bluebird Basin) containing Paradise Lake and Bluebird Lake. Trail #83 is a well-maintained trail as it is the primary route to Bluebird Lake which is a popular destination in the Ten Lakes Scenic Area. The trail does switchbacking on its way up to the bench and crosses Bluebird Creek several times. Early in the season, more than one of these crossings could be problematic due to snowmelt.

Approaching the ridge on #339

Point 7712 from the ridge

When you reach the trail intersection, turn right and begin making your way towards Point 7712 and the ridge east of it. The trail is relatively flat until you reach the ridge...total distance to the top of the ridge is about 1.7 miles with a gain of about 440'. The Highline Trail #339 switchbacks its way up and over that ridge and angles down the other side into another basin with two other small lakes. The ridge offers up some great views...pictured below.

LOOKING BACK THE WAY YOU CAME

BAT LAKE FROM THE RIDGE

POINT 7686 FROM THE RIDGE

The Saddle

Saddle

Approximate route

From the ridge crest follow #339 down the other side for approximately .18 miles losing about 100' until the trail flattens out in the basin. At this point, you can start looking for a way up to the saddle between Point 7712 and Green.

ROUTE PHOTOS

Early going up to the saddle	Looking over at Point 7712	Almost there

It is only .13 up to the saddle gaining almost 300'. There is some minor scrambling towards the top and if you veered to the right into the cliffs the climbing would be more difficult. Overall, a pretty straightforward route up.

LOOKING BACK DOWN THE ROUTE

Summit Ridge

JFKitty heading up the ridge

Looking toward the summit

The south ridge is an easy walk up from the saddle for about 1/4 of a mile gaining a little over 300'. Spectacular views to the east and the west abound as one ascends the ridge.

JFKITTY APPROACHING THE SUMMIT

LOOKING BACK DOWN THE SUMMIT RIDGE

Descent

One can retrace their steps to get back to the trailhead or descend the north-east ridge to do a little extra exploring. The descent of the NE ridge is just shy of 1/3 of a mile. Once at the saddle between Green and Point 7686, you can again, pick up the Highline Trail and head back, or, if you have the time, continue on to Poorman Mountain.

JFKitty begins descent of NE ridge	JFKitty further down the ridge	Looking back up the NE ridge

Route Statistics

**ROUTE STATISTICS**
Terrain	One-Way Mileage	Elevation Gain
Trail #83	2.32	1150'
Trail #339	1.70	440'
Descent of Trail #339	.18	-94'
Scramble up to saddle	.13	294'
Hike up ridge	.25	302'
Total	4.58	2186'

Additions and Corrections

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Viewing: 1-3 of 3

Marcsoltan

Excellent page

Voted 10/10

Steve, This is one of your best pages, and it down loaded in seconds. I really like the layout, the text and the photos.

Many cheers,

Marc

Posted Nov 18, 2011 5:28 pm


	rebelgrizz	Re: Excellent page
	Hasn't voted	Thanks Marc! I'm assuming, regarding your downloading comment, that a lot of my pages take a while?? I guess its the large photos, but I really like using them...
		Posted Nov 19, 2011 12:59 am


	Marcsoltan	Re: Excellent page
	Voted 10/10	No problem at all, Steve. I like those large photos too.
		Posted Nov 19, 2011 2:33 pm

Viewing: 1-3 of 3

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