I did Kaleetan this morning a couple of points of clarification might improve this a tad.
1) The boot path on the ridge. Might consider changing from :
"find a path leading up the ridge to the NNW to Pt. 5700."
To : "the boot path is just past the second sign for the bathroom and heads directly up the ridge"
Also an alternate route is to continue on up past upper Lake Melakwa up into the talus fields heading for Melakwa Pass about .5 miles from the pass angle up west on the talus looking for the notch in the ridge line south of Kaleetan. (GPS coordinates : 47.459730 -121.477335) This is also the notch where the path climbs back up from the drainage above My Lake.
More details here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/niffgurd/3844247218/
I think mentioning point 5700 is pretty important as it is clearly indicated on the map and thus makes an easier navigation point. But your point about finding the trail is a good one. From the lake there is no signage for the climber's path and it would not be at all obvious without mentioning it in the route description. Maybe then:
"find a boot path just beyond the second sign for the bathroom, and head NNW up the ridge to Pt. 5700."
Some might appreciate knowing that the standard route on Kaleetan is quite "dog friendly". My two medium size off-leash dogs, Jasper and Heidi, both made it to the summit. The broad gully just beneath the summit has a few "steps" that require a dog to jump, and my old dog needed a boost on the rump, but this was only once. A great peak! (In August on a perfect weekend, the trailhead was insanely crowded. Lucky we packed in on Friday to the lake. Ranger made no comment at all on our two dogs off leash.)
Hey, I'd like to weigh in on the discussion about the trail to Pt. 5700. I actually went up there yesterday, observed that the trail marked 'toilet' started in the right spot and headed in the right direction, and ultimately decided to find another boot path, reasoning that if the correct trail had obviously visible and legible signage, said signage would be included in the route description. So in the interest of saving others from a frustrating and unnecessary 'shwack up the ridge, I have to agree that adding the toilet signs to the route description would be very helpful.
desainme - Jun 10, 2004 3:23 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentLooks good and pointy. Sharp photo caught my eye.
id # 91438
Martin Cash - Jun 10, 2004 6:04 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentNice!
Gangolf Haub - Jun 11, 2004 10:52 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentComplete as usual!
Brian Jenkins - Jun 11, 2004 12:32 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentAh you beat me to this one. Was going to do it and add it later this year. Great page as usual.
Klenke - Jun 11, 2004 9:34 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentSorry, bud. You snooze: you snooze. You lose: you lose.
Jerry L - Jun 11, 2004 9:31 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentReal nice. Good, useful information.
mbgriffi - Aug 21, 2009 9:39 pm - Voted 9/10
Alternate Route up of Down KaleetanI did Kaleetan this morning a couple of points of clarification might improve this a tad.
1) The boot path on the ridge. Might consider changing from :
"find a path leading up the ridge to the NNW to Pt. 5700."
To : "the boot path is just past the second sign for the bathroom and heads directly up the ridge"
Also an alternate route is to continue on up past upper Lake Melakwa up into the talus fields heading for Melakwa Pass about .5 miles from the pass angle up west on the talus looking for the notch in the ridge line south of Kaleetan. (GPS coordinates : 47.459730 -121.477335) This is also the notch where the path climbs back up from the drainage above My Lake.
More details here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/niffgurd/3844247218/
Curtissimo - Sep 11, 2009 9:29 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Alternate Route up of Down KaleetanI think mentioning point 5700 is pretty important as it is clearly indicated on the map and thus makes an easier navigation point. But your point about finding the trail is a good one. From the lake there is no signage for the climber's path and it would not be at all obvious without mentioning it in the route description. Maybe then:
"find a boot path just beyond the second sign for the bathroom, and head NNW up the ridge to Pt. 5700."
robertjoy - Dec 14, 2012 4:44 pm - Hasn't voted
Dog FriendlySome might appreciate knowing that the standard route on Kaleetan is quite "dog friendly". My two medium size off-leash dogs, Jasper and Heidi, both made it to the summit. The broad gully just beneath the summit has a few "steps" that require a dog to jump, and my old dog needed a boost on the rump, but this was only once. A great peak! (In August on a perfect weekend, the trailhead was insanely crowded. Lucky we packed in on Friday to the lake. Ranger made no comment at all on our two dogs off leash.)
JayHigher - Jun 8, 2015 4:59 pm - Hasn't voted
Toilet TrailHey, I'd like to weigh in on the discussion about the trail to Pt. 5700. I actually went up there yesterday, observed that the trail marked 'toilet' started in the right spot and headed in the right direction, and ultimately decided to find another boot path, reasoning that if the correct trail had obviously visible and legible signage, said signage would be included in the route description. So in the interest of saving others from a frustrating and unnecessary 'shwack up the ridge, I have to agree that adding the toilet signs to the route description would be very helpful.