Just got back from a two day summit trip. A few notes:
--The first trailhead at 2 miles up Lulu Pass is the "official" TH with lots of signage and a big, new gravel lot. If you start here, it's not even 10 minutes to get to the upper trailhead with the cabin.
--Once you get to Lone Elk Lake, the trail becomes unreliable. This is a bigger problem coming back, I found, so remember some markers for how you came through certain areas on the way up.
--At this point, the snow tongue is gone and there is no snow on the mountain. However, if you go early in the day, I'd recommend crampons because there are some snowfields at the base of the tongue that make the approach easier and they re-freeze at night.
--Rockfall is a serious hazard from the base of the tongue to about halfway up the ramp. Take precautions and now where other climbers are below you.
--There is a nice cairn at the entrance turn to the ramp and someone also put black tape in the shape of an arrow on one of the rocks. Doubt that will survive the winter but it was nice of that person.
--That "split" about 3/4 of the way up the ramp isn't immediately obvious. I went left, but got stuck right where someone had installed a purple sling to help get up that section. If you see the sling, descend a bit and make your way back to the right, everyone who used the sling said they wish they hadn't.
Attempted Granite via Mystic Lake and FTD last 4th of July but was turned around at the snow bridge. I have been planning to try again this summer either by the same route of the Southwest Couloir from Cooke City.
My hiking buddy got covid and is not feeling back to normal yet so if anyone else would like to join forces this upcoming weekend July 22-24th or the following 29-31st let me know.
jrlang45 - Aug 17, 2016 10:30 am - Hasn't voted
ObservationsJust got back from a two day summit trip. A few notes:
--The first trailhead at 2 miles up Lulu Pass is the "official" TH with lots of signage and a big, new gravel lot. If you start here, it's not even 10 minutes to get to the upper trailhead with the cabin.
--Once you get to Lone Elk Lake, the trail becomes unreliable. This is a bigger problem coming back, I found, so remember some markers for how you came through certain areas on the way up.
--At this point, the snow tongue is gone and there is no snow on the mountain. However, if you go early in the day, I'd recommend crampons because there are some snowfields at the base of the tongue that make the approach easier and they re-freeze at night.
--Rockfall is a serious hazard from the base of the tongue to about halfway up the ramp. Take precautions and now where other climbers are below you.
--There is a nice cairn at the entrance turn to the ramp and someone also put black tape in the shape of an arrow on one of the rocks. Doubt that will survive the winter but it was nice of that person.
--That "split" about 3/4 of the way up the ramp isn't immediately obvious. I went left, but got stuck right where someone had installed a purple sling to help get up that section. If you see the sling, descend a bit and make your way back to the right, everyone who used the sling said they wish they hadn't.
nocarson@gmail.com - Jul 18, 2022 3:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Anyone want to climb this July?Attempted Granite via Mystic Lake and FTD last 4th of July but was turned around at the snow bridge. I have been planning to try again this summer either by the same route of the Southwest Couloir from Cooke City.
My hiking buddy got covid and is not feeling back to normal yet so if anyone else would like to join forces this upcoming weekend July 22-24th or the following 29-31st let me know.
nocarson@gmail.com