Bryan B - Sep 13, 2021 3:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2021
via Lake Xanadu, and history of airplane crash wreck
We (wife, dog and I) started at Fourth of July trailhead and climbed Jasper Peak from the unnamed lake at 11,500 feet NE of Jasper Peak (I have seen this lake referred to as Lake Xanadu). We summited via the NE ridge which I would rate at class 2+ (some rate it as class 3). This route, while interesting, was not as easy as our descent which we did from the saddle on the east ridge. That saddle, at 12,500 feet, is a very straightforward class 2 descent back down to Xanadu lake, and from there some routefinding through the forest back to the nearest trail. Note the true summit of Jasper is not obvious via this route and requires a short downclimb and then another short scramble from what you thought was the summit to what actually is the summit. Lots of trip variations are possible with descents to Upper Diamond Lake or a continuation to Mount Neva, being the main variations and all are class 2-3 as far as I know.
The unnamed lake at 11,500 feet (Lake Xanadu, unofficially?) contains an airplane wreck in the talus above the lake's west end. Finding information about the crash was tough but eventually with enough Googling I came across a two-part story on a website called Inverted Sky which told the whole story, including an emotional recounting of a trip in 2016 in which the pilot's surviving family visited the crash site and placed a small plaque on the wreck. The crash itself occurred on December 15, 1971 and the pilot (Michael "Myke" Baar, 1942 - 1971) was the only person aboard the small two-seat aircraft. He unfortunately did not make it and it is speculated that he encountered foul weather while trying to cross the mountains in winter. It was a bit emotional and really interesting to read about the story of this crash on Inverted Sky and I won't attempt to recount all of the details here.
Anyhow this is a great climb in a beautiful area. Our dog's name is Jasper so it only made sense we would take him up there. He LOVED it. Although I should disclose that he loves all backpacking trips and scrambling adventures, so not sure he knew this one was extra special.
BradBartick - Jul 7, 2021 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2021
Northeast ridge then to Neva then descended to Arapahoe Pass
With Matt C. Neva descent was delicate but reasonable.
slobgnarly - Sep 21, 2019 9:36 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2019
Devil's Thumb to Jasper
started at Devil's Thumb TH in Fraser to Devil's thumb. continued hiking north up to the summit and followed the wide ridge all the way to mount Jasper and back. long day hike if not used to a lot of miles and elevation but highly recommend heading to Jasper if you are going to Devil's thumb anyway. the ridge connecting Neva to Jasper looks very fun as well wish i could have done it. if you have 2 cars to shuttle. hiking from Devil's Thumb TH over the divide to Junco TH would be an amazing day hike.
chicagotransplant - Jun 27, 2016 11:34 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2016
With Neva
Came over with Rachael from Neva, descended East Ridge partway and then dropped down grass/talus to Upper Diamond Lake and eventually Diamond Lake and out. Nice Loop
Climbed the south slopes from Point 12,660 (12,695) and Devil's Thumb Park. The wind had to be near 40 miles an hour near the top of 12,660, but I soldiered on and made it to the top.
kavak - Jan 26, 2009 10:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 1992
From Mt Neva
After doing the route to Mt Neva from Arapahoe Pass it was an easy stroll to Mt Jasper. The harder part was the downclimb back into the valley.
SarahThompson - Oct 8, 2008 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2007
Snow Lion
6/3/07 - Climbed Snow Lion and descended NE ridge. Interesting plane wreckage on the way out.
6/7/08 - Climbed Juliet on Mt. Neva and traversed to Jasper, UN 12660 & Skyscraper.
shknbke - Jun 18, 2008 2:40 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2008
from Neva
Did Jasper as part as a long loop hike from Neva to Skyscraper after going up Juliet on Neva. Awesome day!
Mots010 - Jun 9, 2008 6:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2008
Snow Lion
Climbed the snow lion, and skied the line just to the lookers right of the snow lion.
Dan Leonhard - Sep 17, 2007 3:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2007
Fun mountains!
Climbed the northeast slopes coming from Neva. These two mountains offer great climbing and guarantee an amazing experience.
Bryan B - Sep 13, 2021 3:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2021
via Lake Xanadu, and history of airplane crash wreckWe (wife, dog and I) started at Fourth of July trailhead and climbed Jasper Peak from the unnamed lake at 11,500 feet NE of Jasper Peak (I have seen this lake referred to as Lake Xanadu). We summited via the NE ridge which I would rate at class 2+ (some rate it as class 3). This route, while interesting, was not as easy as our descent which we did from the saddle on the east ridge. That saddle, at 12,500 feet, is a very straightforward class 2 descent back down to Xanadu lake, and from there some routefinding through the forest back to the nearest trail. Note the true summit of Jasper is not obvious via this route and requires a short downclimb and then another short scramble from what you thought was the summit to what actually is the summit. Lots of trip variations are possible with descents to Upper Diamond Lake or a continuation to Mount Neva, being the main variations and all are class 2-3 as far as I know.
The unnamed lake at 11,500 feet (Lake Xanadu, unofficially?) contains an airplane wreck in the talus above the lake's west end. Finding information about the crash was tough but eventually with enough Googling I came across a two-part story on a website called Inverted Sky which told the whole story, including an emotional recounting of a trip in 2016 in which the pilot's surviving family visited the crash site and placed a small plaque on the wreck. The crash itself occurred on December 15, 1971 and the pilot (Michael "Myke" Baar, 1942 - 1971) was the only person aboard the small two-seat aircraft. He unfortunately did not make it and it is speculated that he encountered foul weather while trying to cross the mountains in winter. It was a bit emotional and really interesting to read about the story of this crash on Inverted Sky and I won't attempt to recount all of the details here.
Anyhow this is a great climb in a beautiful area. Our dog's name is Jasper so it only made sense we would take him up there. He LOVED it. Although I should disclose that he loves all backpacking trips and scrambling adventures, so not sure he knew this one was extra special.
BradBartick - Jul 7, 2021 4:07 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 2021
Northeast ridge then to Neva then descended to Arapahoe PassWith Matt C. Neva descent was delicate but reasonable.
slobgnarly - Sep 21, 2019 9:36 am Date Climbed: Jul 11, 2019
Devil's Thumb to Jasperstarted at Devil's Thumb TH in Fraser to Devil's thumb. continued hiking north up to the summit and followed the wide ridge all the way to mount Jasper and back. long day hike if not used to a lot of miles and elevation but highly recommend heading to Jasper if you are going to Devil's thumb anyway. the ridge connecting Neva to Jasper looks very fun as well wish i could have done it. if you have 2 cars to shuttle. hiking from Devil's Thumb TH over the divide to Junco TH would be an amazing day hike.
chicagotransplant - Jun 27, 2016 11:34 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2016
With NevaCame over with Rachael from Neva, descended East Ridge partway and then dropped down grass/talus to Upper Diamond Lake and eventually Diamond Lake and out. Nice Loop
Foxy Long Bottoms - May 6, 2016 11:09 am Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2006
NE Ridge AlternateWith Gahugafuga
seano - Oct 14, 2014 7:17 pm Date Climbed: Oct 14, 2014
From NevaWalked over from Neva as a way to get back to the trailhead after going up Neva's north ridge. Trip report.
kkriley19 - Aug 12, 2013 1:18 am Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
ShredSolo day with the Mar dog. Amazing turns down low.
Brian Kalet - Sep 24, 2012 11:54 am Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2012
5 PeaksWith Neva, 12660, "Skyscraper" & "Quarter to 5".
hhsilleck - Aug 2, 2012 3:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2012
NE ridgeClimbed the NE ridge, then traversed to Neva. Descended from the Jasper-Neva saddle.
Senad Rizvanovic - Jul 4, 2012 6:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2012
Northeast ridgeFun, i had mountain for myself! Happy 4th July!
Eric Holle - Jun 25, 2012 6:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2011
SnowLionWith such a huge snow year, even in mid-July, this was an amazing snow climb!!
gremlin - Oct 17, 2011 6:53 pm Date Climbed: Oct 16, 2011
nice looparound devil's thumb from jasper lake
thatnissanguy - Jul 26, 2011 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 25, 2011
Traverse from NevaUsed as descent from Mount Neva. Descended SE Ridge to Diamond Lakes. There is an interesting sub peak on this ridge worth checking out.
MattK - Sep 10, 2010 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 28, 2010
Neva, JasperCame over after climbing Neva via the North Ridge.
Hostilejim - Sep 5, 2010 7:32 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
How windy can it get?Climbed the south slopes from Point 12,660 (12,695) and Devil's Thumb Park. The wind had to be near 40 miles an hour near the top of 12,660, but I soldiered on and made it to the top.
kavak - Jan 26, 2009 10:07 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 1992
From Mt NevaAfter doing the route to Mt Neva from Arapahoe Pass it was an easy stroll to Mt Jasper. The harder part was the downclimb back into the valley.
SarahThompson - Oct 8, 2008 10:21 pm Date Climbed: Jun 3, 2007
Snow Lion6/3/07 - Climbed Snow Lion and descended NE ridge. Interesting plane wreckage on the way out.
6/7/08 - Climbed Juliet on Mt. Neva and traversed to Jasper, UN 12660 & Skyscraper.
shknbke - Jun 18, 2008 2:40 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2008
from NevaDid Jasper as part as a long loop hike from Neva to Skyscraper after going up Juliet on Neva. Awesome day!
Mots010 - Jun 9, 2008 6:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 2008
Snow LionClimbed the snow lion, and skied the line just to the lookers right of the snow lion.
Dan Leonhard - Sep 17, 2007 3:41 pm Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2007
Fun mountains!Climbed the northeast slopes coming from Neva. These two mountains offer great climbing and guarantee an amazing experience.