Western Gulley

Getting There

 

Trailhead is at Piney Lake. Get off at Exit 176 on I 70 - go west and turn on Redsandstone Rd, which turns into Piney Lake Road. Most of it is dirt road and it can be a bumpy ride, but makeable for a normal sedan - just take it slow.Park outside the reserve gate to your right

Route Description

 

Hike from Piney Like along Piney River Trail to the Upper Piney Valley until you are below the notch separating Peak F and Peak G.

NFS essentially stopped maintaining the trail after the waterfall, you will have to climb over and under a ton of fallen trees.

Leave the trail and bushwhack in direction of the notch (there is a faint climbers trail leading into the gulley, but it's junction from the main trail may be hard to sport). A very long talus filled gully is leading straight up to the notch and offers the easiest approach to Peak F from Piney River Valley. 

In spring/early summer this will be a moderate snow climb as long as the gulley is holding enough snow.

In summer and fall this will be a nasty scree climb from hell (preferably only used as descent route after climbing Peak F via East Colouir or Ripsaw Ridge).

The talus is extremely lose, getting up to the notch (and back again) is a pretty tedious/frustrating affair as anything and everything is moving underneath your feet. Rockfall is a constant threat.

Right below the notch turn to your left. A short Class 3 climb will get you to the summit of Peak F.

If you use the Westen Gulley as a descent route after climbing Peak F via Peak E or East Couloir - climb from the summit straight down to the talus filled gulley right below you. Do not climb down the Western ridge line below the summit, you will soon be cliffed out and being forced into some dicey downclimbs to the gulley.

Essential Gear

 

Sturdy boots, helmet and walking poles - in spring crampons and ice axe