Liba Kopeckova - Aug 11, 2019 3:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
long day out
From North Half Moon TH, up Oklahoma, traverse to Deer, then K49, then UN 13736 and finally Champion.
Senad Rizvanovic - Jun 24, 2017 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2017
North Creek TH
First hike of summer 2017, perfect weather, relatively easy hike.
seano - May 6, 2017 7:13 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2017
From Oklahoma
This was a much more interesting peak than Oklahoma. Returned to Independence Pass road via a careful glissade of the north face. Trip report.
SarahThompson - Dec 28, 2015 3:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2010
Traverse from K49
Chossy but somewhat interesting summit.
theREALCarpeDM - Oct 19, 2014 10:34 am Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2014
NW ridge and traverse to Champion
From North Fork Lake Creek trail. The NW ridge is steep at first, then lays off a bit. The traverse to Pt 13,736 was more interesting than expected - narrow, rocky ridge with several required bumps. Some early season snow and the loose c3 section gave it a bit of spice, too. Weather moved in unexpectedly and caused me to save K49 for later. Worst day for me as a hiker (SLOOOOOW!) since Huerfano last fall.
chicagotransplant - Oct 26, 2013 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
Third Time
Third time up, climbed the NW Ridge with Kevin, Sarah and Steve, then we traversed over to "K49" and back down. "K 49" was Steve's Lake County finisher peak, congrats Steve!
ajberry - Oct 27, 2012 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2012
Along Ridge from Champion
With Gerard Talavera. Wished we had time to continue to Oklahoma. Down NW ridge and back along the N Fork Lk trail. A tricky, loose, section of 3 shortly with some exposure after the low point of view ridge after Pt 13736. Have been eying this ridge for a while (from French, and from Twining) -- and it didn't disappoint.
Second time up, climbed the NW Ridge with Darin, then we traversed over to "K49" and back down.
kavak - Oct 16, 2008 10:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2004
Northwest Ridge Route
I have always wanted to climb this peak. It has a leisurely approach up the North Lake Fork TH with a stiff hike at the end. I was the only one on the summit as I am sure there were more out hiking the higher peaks in the area.
Climbed the NW Ridge on Deer then traversed over to PT 13736 and Mt Champion. The NW ridge is steep with some class 2+ scrambling interspersed along the way. Decent rock, it looks like it would be loose from below but its not too bad.
Some fun scrambling on the traverse, I'll add it to SP soon.
miztflip - Sep 15, 2006 2:32 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2006
Lake Fork Loop
From the N Lake Fork TH. Climbed Champion and UN 13,736, as well as an out and back on "K49" enroute to Deer's South Ridge. Encountered some short but nice class 3 both enroute and on the south ridge. I descended Deer's NW ridge. Nasty!! The trail from the pass back to the TH was very pleasent. I'd guess about 11 miles and 5200 ft. RT 6:39
Ryan Kowalski - May 20, 2006 12:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2002
After "K49"
Deer is one of those mountains that really surprises you. I had seen it from Oklahoma and thought it looked fun. The route from K49 was enjoyable
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 27, 1987
This was a climb with the CMC. We approached the mountain from Hwy. 82, parking at the large switchback on the east side of Independence Pass at 10,800'. We followed the trail that leads up the west side of North Fork Lake Creek to about 11,700'. At this point the trail disappeared in the willows and rocks. According to the Mt. Champion topo, the trail splits at 12,100' with one branch leading NW to a pass at 12,700' and one leading NE to a pass at 12,460'. There is a small lake near this pass, listed at 12,378.
Because we didn't locate the true trail to the NE pass and lake, we followed it's drainage up to the lake and pass. From there it is a steep 1,300' to the summit of Deer Mtn. in about 6/10ths of a mile. The ridge is mostly solid talus and although the exposure to the north does increase, it is not too bad. You can trend toward the south (right) side of this ridge on ascent and descent as well. I would rate this ridge climb a Class II+, with some scrambling moves, but nothing a sturdy four-legged friend couldn't handle. We returned by the same route.
Liba Kopeckova - Aug 11, 2019 3:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
long day outFrom North Half Moon TH, up Oklahoma, traverse to Deer, then K49, then UN 13736 and finally Champion.
Senad Rizvanovic - Jun 24, 2017 10:39 pm Date Climbed: Jun 24, 2017
North Creek THFirst hike of summer 2017, perfect weather, relatively easy hike.
seano - May 6, 2017 7:13 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2017
From OklahomaThis was a much more interesting peak than Oklahoma. Returned to Independence Pass road via a careful glissade of the north face. Trip report.
SarahThompson - Dec 28, 2015 3:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 15, 2010
Traverse from K49Chossy but somewhat interesting summit.
theREALCarpeDM - Oct 19, 2014 10:34 am Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2014
NW ridge and traverse to ChampionFrom North Fork Lake Creek trail. The NW ridge is steep at first, then lays off a bit. The traverse to Pt 13,736 was more interesting than expected - narrow, rocky ridge with several required bumps. Some early season snow and the loose c3 section gave it a bit of spice, too. Weather moved in unexpectedly and caused me to save K49 for later. Worst day for me as a hiker (SLOOOOOW!) since Huerfano last fall.
chicagotransplant - Oct 26, 2013 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Oct 26, 2013
Third TimeThird time up, climbed the NW Ridge with Kevin, Sarah and Steve, then we traversed over to "K49" and back down. "K 49" was Steve's Lake County finisher peak, congrats Steve!
ajberry - Oct 27, 2012 12:12 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2012
Along Ridge from ChampionWith Gerard Talavera. Wished we had time to continue to Oklahoma. Down NW ridge and back along the N Fork Lk trail. A tricky, loose, section of 3 shortly with some exposure after the low point of view ridge after Pt 13736. Have been eying this ridge for a while (from French, and from Twining) -- and it didn't disappoint.
chicagotransplant - Aug 14, 2011 7:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 2011
Second TimeSecond time up, climbed the NW Ridge with Darin, then we traversed over to "K49" and back down.
kavak - Oct 16, 2008 10:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2004
Northwest Ridge RouteI have always wanted to climb this peak. It has a leisurely approach up the North Lake Fork TH with a stiff hike at the end. I was the only one on the summit as I am sure there were more out hiking the higher peaks in the area.
Gahugafuga - Jul 6, 2008 3:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2008
Deer to Champion TraverseUp NW Ridge to summit, then onward to Mt Champion via UN 13736.
crzyjt - Jul 4, 2008 6:07 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2008
NW Ridge to S RidgeClimbed with 13,736 and Champion. Fun day!
Brian Kalet - Oct 1, 2007 2:00 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2007
Northwest Ridge (ascent); South Ridge (descent)To "K 49", 13736 & Mount Champion.
chicagotransplant - Aug 26, 2007 6:30 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2007
Loop from N ForkClimbed the NW Ridge on Deer then traversed over to PT 13736 and Mt Champion. The NW ridge is steep with some class 2+ scrambling interspersed along the way. Decent rock, it looks like it would be loose from below but its not too bad.
Some fun scrambling on the traverse, I'll add it to SP soon.
miztflip - Sep 15, 2006 2:32 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2006
Lake Fork LoopFrom the N Lake Fork TH. Climbed Champion and UN 13,736, as well as an out and back on "K49" enroute to Deer's South Ridge. Encountered some short but nice class 3 both enroute and on the south ridge. I descended Deer's NW ridge. Nasty!! The trail from the pass back to the TH was very pleasent. I'd guess about 11 miles and 5200 ft. RT 6:39
Ryan Kowalski - May 20, 2006 12:27 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2002
After "K49"Deer is one of those mountains that really surprises you. I had seen it from Oklahoma and thought it looked fun. The route from K49 was enjoyable
ColoradoScott - Feb 8, 2005 5:44 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge Date Climbed: June 27, 1987This was a climb with the CMC. We approached the mountain from Hwy. 82, parking at the large switchback on the east side of Independence Pass at 10,800'. We followed the trail that leads up the west side of North Fork Lake Creek to about 11,700'. At this point the trail disappeared in the willows and rocks. According to the Mt. Champion topo, the trail splits at 12,100' with one branch leading NW to a pass at 12,700' and one leading NE to a pass at 12,460'. There is a small lake near this pass, listed at 12,378.
Because we didn't locate the true trail to the NE pass and lake, we followed it's drainage up to the lake and pass. From there it is a steep 1,300' to the summit of Deer Mtn. in about 6/10ths of a mile. The ridge is mostly solid talus and although the exposure to the north does increase, it is not too bad. You can trend toward the south (right) side of this ridge on ascent and descent as well. I would rate this ridge climb a Class II+, with some scrambling moves, but nothing a sturdy four-legged friend couldn't handle. We returned by the same route.