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WalksWithBlackflies - Oct 5, 2005 7:42 am - Hasn't voted
Route CommentI did this hike last year. Simply wonderful. Instead of climbing the rocks on the way up South Massive, I veered to the northeast and got caught on a very loose scree slope. Ascending this slope (two steps up one step down) thoroughly drained me at that altitude. My advice... stay on the rock.
RMdaytripsgrl - Aug 14, 2006 9:13 pm - Hasn't voted
Route finding tipDid this route on 8-12-06. There is no cairn and/or trail for the left hand turn off of the main trail after mile 1 as mentioned in both the Roach book and this description. Looked for it very closely both times through. What we did was hike in about 1.3 miles (per the gps) to a nice meadow with flowers and a stream going through it which was on the north side of the SE ridge and entered here. The forest is very nice here, and you can see what it is you are climbing for. You will notice that the forest prior to this and east of the ridge is messy with a ton of downed trees and brush. Just walk on by this...save a little energy.
Also, when you get to those cliffs on the south of South Massive, just go straight up them...the views back over to the west side from the top are priceless. Plus, we wasted WAY too much time in ankle-deep loose stuff trying to stay on class 2. (other person was uncomfortable on loose crud) Just put away the poles and go class 3.
TomSellick - Oct 2, 2006 4:08 am - Hasn't voted
GraciasThanks for the tip - I guess someone knocked that cairn over. Listen to the most recent person up the route, folks!
jomagam - Jul 9, 2007 2:36 pm - Hasn't voted
CommentDid this route on 7/6/7. No cairn, but none needed. We left the trail a couple of minutes after the switchbacks. You'll find Point 12381 as long as you go generally west and keep going uphill.
Otherwise it's an awesome hike. There's nothing like being on Point 12381 and seeing how you'll have to do almost 1500 feet elevation in less than a mile.
Also watch for the deep gaps between the rocks on South Massive. You could even fall in there they're so deep.