Mokowanis Lake Route Diagram - Mount Merritt

Google Earth route overlay of the Mokowanis Lake approach for Mount Merritt. A few landmarks along the way: 1. Leave the trail near the 2 backcountry campsites at Mokowanis Lake and bushwhack uphill to the east. Try to locate a drainage to aid in the ascent. 2. After 700-800 feet of elevation gain, impassable cliffs are encountered. A solid game trail heads north (left) beneath the cliffs. Follow it until the terrain to the east becomes easier to negotiate, and trend towards the head of the great rocky northwest cirque of Mount Merritt. At the head of the cirque, 3 drainages are encountered, with the southernmost (rightmost) affording the easiest passage. 3. The algal reef, a prominent band of slick grey cliffs, is encountered around the 8,000 foot mark. Locate the easiest break and continue uphill on class III ledges. 4. The saddle where the northwest slope joins the northeast ridge. Turn right (southwest) and hike along the ridge above Old Sun Glacier. 5. I would consider this the crux of the climb, as some stiff class III cliffs need be climbed. A slip here may turn into a prolonged tumble down onto Old Sun Glacier, so take care to find the easiest route and check foot and handholds while climbing. A seasonal snow field may be encountered around the 9,500 foot mark, otherwise it's an easy scramble to the northernmost (and true) summit. PLEASE DO NOTE VOTE!!!