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Page Type:
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Route |
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Lat/Lon:
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48.01841°N / 112.75148°W |
Route Type:
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Scrambling |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall |
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Time Required:
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Most of a day |
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Rock Difficulty:
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Class 3 |
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Grade:
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I |
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Approaching the summitOverview
The South Ridge is the most direct route to the summit from Blackleaf Canyon. It is mostly Class 2 with a fair amount of intermittent Class 3 on generally solid rock. Once the crest of the ridge is reached, there are spectacular views down the east face and onto the plains.Distance: about 3.6 miles one way
Elevation gain: about 2,900 feet
Getting There
From the Blackleaf Canyon trail head (see main page) follow Trail 106 about 2.5 miles to the first drainage / creek bottom past the south side of the mountain at about 6,250 feet. The creek is intermittent and will probably be dry later in the season. At this point, you are at the base of the South Ridge.Route Description
Mount Frazier from the SSW showing the South Ridge and West Ridge Routes.From the creek bottom, there are two ribs of the South Ridge separated by a shallow gulley.
The broad left (northerly) rib has low scrub trees, good footing and is the most direct route to the cliffs above. Looking up from this point, it looks as if access to the ridge crest is blocked by a solid cliff band, but there is an easy couloir leading through that is not visible from below.
Climb to the cliff band and traverse upward along its base to the right (northeasterly). Shortly before you reach the crest of the ridge, there is a shallow couloir leading easily through the cliffs to the ridge above. Once above the cliffs, follow the ridge north to the summit .
A foreshortened view up the lower part of the South Ridge to the cliff band. The route climbs directly to the base of the nearest cliff then traverses the base of the cliffs to the right. The easy shallow couloir through the cliff band is not visible from low on the route. It is just left of the red dot.On the South Ridge
 Just below the cliff band |
 In the couloir through the cliffs. |
 High on the ridge |
 High on the ridge |
West Ridge Descent
View to the west from near the summit of Mount Frazier. The West Ridge is in the foreground. A good scree running descent starts at the brown rock - it is not necessary to descend all the way to the saddle. From the basin, follow the creek bottom back to the trail.