utahjimk - Aug 21, 2022 6:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2022
my first substantial peak in Montana!
Up/down FT6326/6327 (to pass between The Helmet and Sphinx Mt), then up gully as described. With Dennis and Greg. Saw one large brown bear in distance just below cliff bands of The Helmet. We also summited The Helmet on the next day. 16 September 2023: 2nd ascent by same route as before.
Kyle Van Vleet - Oct 19, 2020 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2020
In The Clouds
Awesome peak and just area in general. Hit snow a couple hundred feet up the West gully. The last 800' or so were very icy (glad we brought spikes). No summit view due to clouds, but still worth the effort.
Peaker - Aug 23, 2020 8:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
Sphinx
In and out on the trail from Bear Creek trailhead. Really smoky summer that year and views were limited. Neat peak though.
Fun ski down the W Gully in corn. We were able to ski all the way to the trailhead. Be mindful of cornices on the summit and the area is very Grizzly Bear dense - bear spray is essential.
dino61111 - Aug 28, 2015 4:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2015
54th birthday climb!
The beauty of this peak and the majesty of it all made this a fine hike. The improved trail really eases the difficulty of the climb. There were two preteen boys along with their father on the summit along with myself.
Matt Inman - Aug 6, 2015 12:48 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Sphinx
Not sure which route I took as I was with my brother who lives in the area and I just followed him. We got his 6 year old son to the top, but it took us 11 hours round trip to do it! His 10 year old son and his friend did it too. Quite a drop from the top.
Did the loop, got caught in some clouds at the peak, but they blew away. Great views! Also saw what must have been a sight-seeing plane flying below us in the Indian Creek Valley. I prefer the Bear Creek trail over the Middle Fork trail. Middle Fork is to the north of the Helmet. I remember going thru mud most of the way, and crossing the creek 7-8 times with only 1-2 of those crossings that kept my feet dry.
Long hot day in a low snow year, but saw a couple goats on the way up. Amazing views despite the haze from fires.
Matt Lemke - May 27, 2015 5:56 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2015
West Gully
Very fun day out with Jayme. The west gully had decent snow but the snowfield covering the upper part of the peak was great. Dodged snow and rain but had sun on the summit.
Morlow - Feb 19, 2015 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2010
Easier than expected
Climbed on a beautiful September day in 2010. After reading Thomas Turiano's description of the route I was expecting some excitement on the way up but there was none to be found. It was a beautiful climb nonetheless!
jdarr67 - May 2, 2014 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2012
The loop hike up and over Helmet Saddle and down the other side - including an ascent of Sphinx Mountain - is one of the greatest possible day hikes known to mankind.
From the views of the Madison Valley, to the saddle connected to the Helmet, this hike was all smiles. Good hiking buddy, fun snowfield to cross at the top ... weather was stellar. Knife edge southern exposure towards top was sketchy but fun
mansfieo - Nov 1, 2011 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2011
Sphinx
1st time in the Madisons and in any mountains in Montana. Montana is a cool place.
Last good weekend of 2010. Beautiful day, could see as far as the Tetons to the south and Pilot Peak to the east.
gato - Apr 23, 2010 10:45 am Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2010
Sphinx Ski
Climbed and skied the west face. It's a sad day when the best turns are wind-blasted ice...
ianc82 - Nov 28, 2009 3:11 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2009
Amazing
Epic day without many clouds. One of the most memorable scrambles from this past summer.
geosean - Oct 7, 2009 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2008
West Gully
Great snow climb, went up the gully and ridge just South of it to the summit ridge, then down to Helmet saddle and out. Saw a griz in the lower meadow.
utahjimk - Aug 21, 2022 6:14 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2022
my first substantial peak in Montana!Up/down FT6326/6327 (to pass between The Helmet and Sphinx Mt), then up gully as described. With Dennis and Greg. Saw one large brown bear in distance just below cliff bands of The Helmet. We also summited The Helmet on the next day. 16 September 2023: 2nd ascent by same route as before.
Kyle Van Vleet - Oct 19, 2020 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2020
In The CloudsAwesome peak and just area in general. Hit snow a couple hundred feet up the West gully. The last 800' or so were very icy (glad we brought spikes). No summit view due to clouds, but still worth the effort.
Peaker - Aug 23, 2020 8:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2017
SphinxIn and out on the trail from Bear Creek trailhead. Really smoky summer that year and views were limited. Neat peak though.
Morlow - Jul 2, 2020 6:31 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2020
Great dayGreat day for a fun climb. There was a big snowfield near the top that added a little bit more than a normal ascent.
wallacecasper21@gmail.com - May 8, 2020 9:41 am Date Climbed: Apr 18, 2020
Fun Ski DescentFun ski down the W Gully in corn. We were able to ski all the way to the trailhead. Be mindful of cornices on the summit and the area is very Grizzly Bear dense - bear spray is essential.
dino61111 - Aug 28, 2015 4:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2015
54th birthday climb!The beauty of this peak and the majesty of it all made this a fine hike. The improved trail really eases the difficulty of the climb. There were two preteen boys along with their father on the summit along with myself.
Matt Inman - Aug 6, 2015 12:48 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
SphinxNot sure which route I took as I was with my brother who lives in the area and I just followed him. We got his 6 year old son to the top, but it took us 11 hours round trip to do it! His 10 year old son and his friend did it too. Quite a drop from the top.
altmontana - Jul 31, 2015 3:19 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2015
Great HikeDid the loop, got caught in some clouds at the peak, but they blew away. Great views! Also saw what must have been a sight-seeing plane flying below us in the Indian Creek Valley. I prefer the Bear Creek trail over the Middle Fork trail. Middle Fork is to the north of the Helmet. I remember going thru mud most of the way, and crossing the creek 7-8 times with only 1-2 of those crossings that kept my feet dry.
wiredroach - Jul 4, 2015 7:29 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2015
Hot and DryLong hot day in a low snow year, but saw a couple goats on the way up. Amazing views despite the haze from fires.
Matt Lemke - May 27, 2015 5:56 pm Date Climbed: May 22, 2015
West GullyVery fun day out with Jayme. The west gully had decent snow but the snowfield covering the upper part of the peak was great. Dodged snow and rain but had sun on the summit.
Morlow - Feb 19, 2015 9:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2010
Easier than expectedClimbed on a beautiful September day in 2010. After reading Thomas Turiano's description of the route I was expecting some excitement on the way up but there was none to be found. It was a beautiful climb nonetheless!
jdarr67 - May 2, 2014 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2012
Bear Creek SideClimbed it.
awhite28 - Sep 8, 2013 1:04 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2013
SphinxGreat solo climb. Went up the Bear Creek side and down the middle fork. LOTS of bear tracks on the middle fork side.
MTfred19 - Sep 11, 2012 4:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2012
West gullyThe loop hike up and over Helmet Saddle and down the other side - including an ascent of Sphinx Mountain - is one of the greatest possible day hikes known to mankind.
JLuthanen - Jul 3, 2012 10:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2011
Scenic beyond scenicFrom the views of the Madison Valley, to the saddle connected to the Helmet, this hike was all smiles. Good hiking buddy, fun snowfield to cross at the top ... weather was stellar. Knife edge southern exposure towards top was sketchy but fun
mansfieo - Nov 1, 2011 5:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 24, 2011
Sphinx1st time in the Madisons and in any mountains in Montana. Montana is a cool place.
WoollytheMammoth - Aug 8, 2011 2:12 am
Beautiful fall dayLast good weekend of 2010. Beautiful day, could see as far as the Tetons to the south and Pilot Peak to the east.
gato - Apr 23, 2010 10:45 am Date Climbed: Apr 16, 2010
Sphinx SkiClimbed and skied the west face. It's a sad day when the best turns are wind-blasted ice...
ianc82 - Nov 28, 2009 3:11 am Date Climbed: Jun 26, 2009
AmazingEpic day without many clouds. One of the most memorable scrambles from this past summer.
geosean - Oct 7, 2009 3:25 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2008
West GullyGreat snow climb, went up the gully and ridge just South of it to the summit ridge, then down to Helmet saddle and out. Saw a griz in the lower meadow.