SundanceKid203 - Feb 12, 2008 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Mountain Lion
Between following a dead-end trail and being stalked by a mountain lion, we ran out of time upon reaching the saddle. Unfortunately we turned around within view of the summit.
warriorpoet - Nov 9, 2007 3:18 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2008
Broads Fork Route
First attempt: Nov. 3, 2007
Snow shooed up the snowfield to the saddle. Snow was perfect for shoes. However, it was too thin at the saddle to offer good footing through the cliffband, so we didn't get onto the ridge. Next time:(
Success! Sep. 6, 2008
Beautiful day. Ascended from the east, via the saddle between the Twins and Sunrise. We descended down the north ridge, from the east twin.
Steve Elmer - Sep 15, 2007 4:42 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2007
Broads Fork and Lisa Falls
Bagged both summits as part of the Cottonwood Ridge (Lisa Falls Direct).
This was a great trip, my Dad (65) grew up in the shaddow of these peaks, he had only climbed the twins from Def Smith canyon, when he was a boy. He recently (18 months) had his left knee replaced with a prosthetic knee, and he wanted to make the summit again. We had decided that we would make it a two day trip, starting Sunday morning, we would try to make the upper circ, camp overnight and try for the summit the next day. As it all turned out our plan worked. We made it to our base camp in 7 hours, from the trail head. The next morning, after 3 1/2 hours, my Dad stood on the East summit once again. Seven hours later we were back at the trail head. One of my best days in the mountains.
Another of the SP group that summited on Sept. 1 of 2007. We had good weather (a bit hot), the route was lots of fun, and it was a great group to be out with. I had big ideas of doing the Triple Traverse, but was moving slow, so I ditched out after tagging the Twins.
Climbed to both East and West Broads Fork Twin Peaks via the Robinson Variation with a group from SP. We attempted to make it to the unnamed peak between the Twins and Sunrise, but a falling rock accident (I was hit in the shoulder and ankle) caused us to turn around early just below the unnamed peak.
Travis Atwood - Sep 2, 2007 11:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Route Climbed: Robinson Variation
Very fun climb with a great group from SP. We ascended the Robinson Variation and the scrambling was excellent. We had plans to do the triple traverse while we were up there, but I didn't have the legs to do anything more than Broads. Some of the others in the group did keep going after the rest of us went down.
Ammon Hatch - Sep 1, 2007 7:36 pm Date Climbed: May 16, 2009
Robinson
9-1-07 Climbed via Robinson variation and descended standard broads fork route. Took the side trip to the lower West summit. Well worth the views of the valley. Lots of scrambling and talus.
5-16-09 Climbed the east summit as part of the Tanners Gulch Triple Traverse. Descended north ridge to Robinson Couloir.
Steve Elmer - Aug 31, 2007 8:46 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2007
Broads Fork-Tripple Traverse
First Time up Broads Fork and made it to the top of East Twin in about 2.75 hours. Tagged along with two other hikers on the top of East Twin to Sunrise and Dromedary. Great clear day.
Went up through Broads Fork in 100+ degree heat. Climbing in uncomfortable boots during such hot, dry conditions made it one of the most difficult hikes I've undertaken, but overall it was very rewarding. The views from the lower meadow, the saddle below East Twin Peak, and the summit itself were first class. The most tiring part of the climb was the seemingly never-ending talus field leading up to the Cottonwood Ridge. The steep scrambling above the saddle was quite exhilarating. Because of the blistering heat, we wisely decided to forego the traverse to West Twin Peak and turned around after obtaining the higher East Twin Peak. See "Beating the Heat" trip report for details.
Came back on 9/19/14 to do the Robinson Variation and complete the entire Triple Traverse. See "Good Things Come in Threes" trip report for details.
Moogie737 - May 30, 2007 12:26 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2019
Broads Fork - varying conditions
5-29-07 3rd time on summit, via Ferguson Canyon. On May 12th this year we touched both East and West summits as a part of the Triple Traverse, and my 1st time up was via the Broads Fork trail several years ago. If you like scrambling and sweeping views mixed in with sloughing quartzite along steep ridges, you'll love this climb along the ridge above and east of Ferguson Canyon. Plan for all day. Still enough snow to allow us to glissade down Broads Fork for at least 1,300'. Fun, fun, fun. #4 was 9/18/07 as the first peak of the entire Cottonwood Ridge run. Nice but windy. #5 (both east and west) as part of my 2nd Triple Traverse on 5-6-08. Much snow this year! 6th time 7-15-08 (both peaks) from Ferguson Canyon via Ferguson and Stairs Peaks and then the latter part of the so-called Robinson Variation. Still glissading opportunities in upper Broads Fork basin. #7 7-19-08 As part of 2nd Cottonwood Ridge run. #8 4-30-09 All snow above the bridge. Tough, tough going over and through the avalanche debris; 5" of new snow had not quite bonded with the older stuff. Took new route - very steep and NOT recommended to anyone! 5+00 up 2+42 down #9 on 5-16-09 (both summits) w/ Dave & Christine as part of Triple Traverse. #10 5-7-10 W/ Joe Bullough-part of TT; both peaks; mucho trailbreaking on cornice-packed dicey ridges. Therefore, much fun! :) #11 7-3-10 As part of Cottonwood Ridge run. #12 7-13-10 W/ Dave & Anne - Ferguson Canyon route over Ferguson & Stairs Peaks. #13. 7-3-12 w/ Brent. Some snow fields in the upper basin below the saddle. Turtle pace up in 4+35 & okay down in 3+14. I bagged the west peak, and why not? #14 8-11-12 As part of the ridge traverse. 1st peak in a long string of 'em. #15 6-29-13 Snow in upper basin on approach but warm, warm weather. Mit einer unbeschreiblichen Wanderungspartnerin. #16 7-1-14 Solo. Snow in upper basin. 3+42 up. IVD. #17 7-7-15. Snow in upper basin. W/ Brent W to basin. Helped Brent Hawkins reach the summit for his first time ever. IVD #18 6-14-16 Solo. Robison variation with some variation of my own! Still a lot of steep snow lingering both on the ascent and the standard descent into the BF basin. Five memorable glissades were icing on the cake. Terrible strong winds on the summit and during my crossing of the BF saddle. #19 7-15-16 W/ Yz & Brent (part way). Good, bad and ugly: good - the spring about 2 hours up, a bit up from the beaver pond and the fun scramble along the BF saddle and up the western portion of the ridge; the bad - not much shade once the sun orbits above the east ridge; the ugly - the miserable scree/boulder fields populating the upper basin to the BF saddle. You tackle this route at your own risk in summer months. #20 6-2-17 W/ Brent part way and with Lana to saddle. Solo to summit. Still lots of snow from the beaver pond on up. Four nice glissades on the way down. #21 6-8-18 w/ Lana & Chris Johnson. 6+18 up with a lot of snow from the "spring" on up to the saddle. No snow from saddle to summit. 5 glissades on the way down. Warm. #22 07-06-19. W/ Signe. 6+30 up. Gobs of snow from 8,500’. Incredible for this date. Brent & Lana turned around at 15 minutes after the beaver pond.
apachedino - Oct 7, 2006 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2000
Route Climbed: Deaf Smith
One of my first hikes was up the beautiful and long Deaf Smith south drainage back in 2000. Recently went up via Broads Fork Robinson Variation Sept 1 2007. Very fun and definitely preferred to the talus slog of the standard route.
Hands down my favorite climb, maybe ever. Got both in. I've done it in the summer, but the traverse is so much cooler.
J Anderson - Aug 12, 2006 10:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Various Ascents
09/15/2005 Traditional Broads Fork Trail with Matt.
09/04/2006 Robinson Variation with Matt.
08/11/2007 Robinson Variation with my homies Dan, Nick and Mike. We started at midnight and arrived at the summit with plenty of time to watch the sunrise.
Route Climbed: Stairs Gulch up and Broads Fork down. Date Climbed: Sept 24 '05
I climbed the Peaks via Stairs Gulch and made the mistake of climbing Stairs Gulch on the right side rather than sticking to the left side as recommended on this site. Lotsa fun and not too difficult over there......maybe a little scary. The peak was not near as tough as expected.
Route Climbed: Broads Fork normal Date Climbed: September 5, 2005
A very rewarding hike/scramble. It was very busy, considering it was Labor Day. I saw some bypassing difficult sections on the ridge by dropping a hundred feet or so into the Big Cottonwood side, and others taking the main ridge itself. I saw a fire flare up down Deaf Smith canyon while sitting on the West summit.
Route Climbed: Traverse From Storm Mtn - Quasi-Ride Variation - Triple Traverse Date Climbed: July 23rd, 2005
Joe Bullough and I bagged both summits early in the morning on our way to the Cottonwood Ridge, which turned out to be a day with 9,000 ft of elevation gain!
SundanceKid203 - Feb 12, 2008 9:17 pm Date Climbed: Jul 21, 2007
Mountain LionBetween following a dead-end trail and being stalked by a mountain lion, we ran out of time upon reaching the saddle. Unfortunately we turned around within view of the summit.
warriorpoet - Nov 9, 2007 3:18 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2008
Broads Fork RouteFirst attempt: Nov. 3, 2007
Snow shooed up the snowfield to the saddle. Snow was perfect for shoes. However, it was too thin at the saddle to offer good footing through the cliffband, so we didn't get onto the ridge. Next time:(
Success! Sep. 6, 2008
Beautiful day. Ascended from the east, via the saddle between the Twins and Sunrise. We descended down the north ridge, from the east twin.
Steve Elmer - Sep 15, 2007 4:42 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2007
Broads Fork and Lisa FallsBagged both summits as part of the Cottonwood Ridge (Lisa Falls Direct).
highpeakskier - Sep 4, 2007 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2007
A Goal ReachedThis was a great trip, my Dad (65) grew up in the shaddow of these peaks, he had only climbed the twins from Def Smith canyon, when he was a boy. He recently (18 months) had his left knee replaced with a prosthetic knee, and he wanted to make the summit again. We had decided that we would make it a two day trip, starting Sunday morning, we would try to make the upper circ, camp overnight and try for the summit the next day. As it all turned out our plan worked. We made it to our base camp in 7 hours, from the trail head. The next morning, after 3 1/2 hours, my Dad stood on the East summit once again. Seven hours later we were back at the trail head. One of my best days in the mountains.
Curt - Sep 3, 2007 11:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Via Robinson VariationAnother of the SP group that summited on Sept. 1 of 2007. We had good weather (a bit hot), the route was lots of fun, and it was a great group to be out with. I had big ideas of doing the Triple Traverse, but was moving slow, so I ditched out after tagging the Twins.
kris247 - Sep 2, 2007 2:17 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Broads via Robinson VariationClimbed to both East and West Broads Fork Twin Peaks via the Robinson Variation with a group from SP. We attempted to make it to the unnamed peak between the Twins and Sunrise, but a falling rock accident (I was hit in the shoulder and ankle) caused us to turn around early just below the unnamed peak.
Travis Atwood - Sep 2, 2007 11:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2007
Route Climbed: Robinson VariationVery fun climb with a great group from SP. We ascended the Robinson Variation and the scrambling was excellent. We had plans to do the triple traverse while we were up there, but I didn't have the legs to do anything more than Broads. Some of the others in the group did keep going after the rest of us went down.
Ammon Hatch - Sep 1, 2007 7:36 pm Date Climbed: May 16, 2009
Robinson9-1-07 Climbed via Robinson variation and descended standard broads fork route. Took the side trip to the lower West summit. Well worth the views of the valley. Lots of scrambling and talus.
5-16-09 Climbed the east summit as part of the Tanners Gulch Triple Traverse. Descended north ridge to Robinson Couloir.
Steve Elmer - Aug 31, 2007 8:46 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2007
Broads Fork-Tripple TraverseFirst Time up Broads Fork and made it to the top of East Twin in about 2.75 hours. Tagged along with two other hikers on the top of East Twin to Sunrise and Dromedary. Great clear day.
Rocky Alps - Jul 16, 2007 1:52 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
Route Climbed: Broads ForkWent up through Broads Fork in 100+ degree heat. Climbing in uncomfortable boots during such hot, dry conditions made it one of the most difficult hikes I've undertaken, but overall it was very rewarding. The views from the lower meadow, the saddle below East Twin Peak, and the summit itself were first class. The most tiring part of the climb was the seemingly never-ending talus field leading up to the Cottonwood Ridge. The steep scrambling above the saddle was quite exhilarating. Because of the blistering heat, we wisely decided to forego the traverse to West Twin Peak and turned around after obtaining the higher East Twin Peak. See "Beating the Heat" trip report for details.
Came back on 9/19/14 to do the Robinson Variation and complete the entire Triple Traverse. See "Good Things Come in Threes" trip report for details.
Moogie737 - May 30, 2007 12:26 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2019
Broads Fork - varying conditions5-29-07 3rd time on summit, via Ferguson Canyon. On May 12th this year we touched both East and West summits as a part of the Triple Traverse, and my 1st time up was via the Broads Fork trail several years ago. If you like scrambling and sweeping views mixed in with sloughing quartzite along steep ridges, you'll love this climb along the ridge above and east of Ferguson Canyon. Plan for all day. Still enough snow to allow us to glissade down Broads Fork for at least 1,300'. Fun, fun, fun. #4 was 9/18/07 as the first peak of the entire Cottonwood Ridge run. Nice but windy. #5 (both east and west) as part of my 2nd Triple Traverse on 5-6-08. Much snow this year! 6th time 7-15-08 (both peaks) from Ferguson Canyon via Ferguson and Stairs Peaks and then the latter part of the so-called Robinson Variation. Still glissading opportunities in upper Broads Fork basin. #7 7-19-08 As part of 2nd Cottonwood Ridge run. #8 4-30-09 All snow above the bridge. Tough, tough going over and through the avalanche debris; 5" of new snow had not quite bonded with the older stuff. Took new route - very steep and NOT recommended to anyone! 5+00 up 2+42 down #9 on 5-16-09 (both summits) w/ Dave & Christine as part of Triple Traverse. #10 5-7-10 W/ Joe Bullough-part of TT; both peaks; mucho trailbreaking on cornice-packed dicey ridges. Therefore, much fun! :) #11 7-3-10 As part of Cottonwood Ridge run. #12 7-13-10 W/ Dave & Anne - Ferguson Canyon route over Ferguson & Stairs Peaks. #13. 7-3-12 w/ Brent. Some snow fields in the upper basin below the saddle. Turtle pace up in 4+35 & okay down in 3+14. I bagged the west peak, and why not? #14 8-11-12 As part of the ridge traverse. 1st peak in a long string of 'em. #15 6-29-13 Snow in upper basin on approach but warm, warm weather. Mit einer unbeschreiblichen Wanderungspartnerin. #16 7-1-14 Solo. Snow in upper basin. 3+42 up. IVD. #17 7-7-15. Snow in upper basin. W/ Brent W to basin. Helped Brent Hawkins reach the summit for his first time ever. IVD #18 6-14-16 Solo. Robison variation with some variation of my own! Still a lot of steep snow lingering both on the ascent and the standard descent into the BF basin. Five memorable glissades were icing on the cake. Terrible strong winds on the summit and during my crossing of the BF saddle. #19 7-15-16 W/ Yz & Brent (part way). Good, bad and ugly: good - the spring about 2 hours up, a bit up from the beaver pond and the fun scramble along the BF saddle and up the western portion of the ridge; the bad - not much shade once the sun orbits above the east ridge; the ugly - the miserable scree/boulder fields populating the upper basin to the BF saddle. You tackle this route at your own risk in summer months. #20 6-2-17 W/ Brent part way and with Lana to saddle. Solo to summit. Still lots of snow from the beaver pond on up. Four nice glissades on the way down. #21 6-8-18 w/ Lana & Chris Johnson. 6+18 up with a lot of snow from the "spring" on up to the saddle. No snow from saddle to summit. 5 glissades on the way down. Warm. #22 07-06-19. W/ Signe. 6+30 up. Gobs of snow from 8,500’. Incredible for this date. Brent & Lana turned around at 15 minutes after the beaver pond.
apachedino - Oct 7, 2006 3:59 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2000
Route Climbed: Deaf SmithOne of my first hikes was up the beautiful and long Deaf Smith south drainage back in 2000. Recently went up via Broads Fork Robinson Variation Sept 1 2007. Very fun and definitely preferred to the talus slog of the standard route.
renogurt - Oct 5, 2006 1:53 am
Triple TraverseHands down my favorite climb, maybe ever. Got both in. I've done it in the summer, but the traverse is so much cooler.
J Anderson - Aug 12, 2006 10:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2007
Various Ascents09/15/2005 Traditional Broads Fork Trail with Matt.
09/04/2006 Robinson Variation with Matt.
08/11/2007 Robinson Variation with my homies Dan, Nick and Mike. We started at midnight and arrived at the summit with plenty of time to watch the sunrise.
Jeremy Franchow - Jul 29, 2006 7:59 pm
Route Climbed: Broads Fork Standard and Robinson Route--June 28, 2007 Ferguson Canyon-->Mt. Superior, Cottonwood Ridge Traverse
--July 2002 Robinson Route/Triple Traverse
--July 2001 Standard Route
Alontop - Sep 27, 2005 6:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2005
Route Climbed: Stairs Gulch up and Broads Fork down. Date Climbed: Sept 24 '05I climbed the Peaks via Stairs Gulch and made the mistake of climbing Stairs Gulch on the right side rather than sticking to the left side as recommended on this site. Lotsa fun and not too difficult over there......maybe a little scary. The peak was not near as tough as expected.
nebben - Sep 6, 2005 9:43 am
Route Climbed: Broads Fork normal Date Climbed: September 5, 2005A very rewarding hike/scramble. It was very busy, considering it was Labor Day. I saw some bypassing difficult sections on the ridge by dropping a hundred feet or so into the Big Cottonwood side, and others taking the main ridge itself. I saw a fire flare up down Deaf Smith canyon while sitting on the West summit.
madsjim - Aug 14, 2005 10:47 pm
Route Climbed: Broads Fork Date Climbed: August 2005Climbed with Madjohnbo, the summit is quite rewarding considering the huge talus slope and very exposed scrambling to the summit.
madjohnbo - Aug 6, 2005 9:13 pm
Route Climbed: Main route up Broad's Fork Date Climbed: August 2004Tough climb up through the talus.
PellucidWombat - Jul 26, 2005 12:43 pm
Route Climbed: Traverse From Storm Mtn - Quasi-Ride Variation - Triple Traverse Date Climbed: July 23rd, 2005Joe Bullough and I bagged both summits early in the morning on our way to the Cottonwood Ridge, which turned out to be a day with 9,000 ft of elevation gain!