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Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Nevada.

Sometimes a peak is just too pretty and you've got to wander to the top of it to see the pretty that lies all around. I do, anyway. From May 2017.

Humboldt National Forest. Quick hike up a lovely mountain in the middle of nowhere, Nevada.

#hiking #day hike #hike #peak bagging #easy peak #Indian Garden Mountain #Humboldt National Forest #Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest #Nevada #mountains #nature #landscape #big country #snowy mountains #snowy

Whatcom Peak Loop: Easy Ridge to Whatcom Pass via the Imperfect Impasse

July 28-31, 2011

Easy Peak (6613') Whatcom Pass (7574')

This was Year 9 for the Mid-Summer Climbing Trip that I've been doing with a group of guys comprising a mixture of usual and unusual suspects. Eagerly signing on for a loop around Whatcom Peak in the Picket Range were Eric, Jon, Ryan, Todd, Adam, and Craig. Overall, we had excellent conditions for alpine travel, very few mosquitoes, and weather that was very good when we most needed it to be. Group camaraderie and hijinks were running as high as the creeks.

Day 1: We left the Hannegan Trailhead in sunny weather and backpacked over Hannegan Pass and down to the Chilliwack River (5.5 hours from car). After passing numerous full-flowing streams along the way, it was a pleasant surprise to find the river at a typical mid-summer level. We forded the thigh-deep water, quickly located the abandoned trail on the opposite shore, and then ground out the final 2600 feet to Easy Ridge Saddle (8.6 hours from car). By early evening, we had established a comfortable campsite at a cluster of bare spots on the snowy crest. Based on ranger information, we knew that a party of three climbers bound for Phantom Peak was one day ahead of us, and although we never spotted them, we occasionally saw evidence (footsteps, a bandana, a hanging food bag, etc.) of their passage. Naturally, they became known as the "phantom climbers."

Day 2: The day started out with a low cloud ceiling (not to be confused with a low debt ceiling), and we found ourselves ascending into fog as we traversed over 6613-foot Easy Peak. This summit has remnants of an old radio antenna, which seems to be frequently mistaken for the old Easy Ridge Lookout (the lookout was located 3 miles to the north) and now provides an excellent barstool. After continuing along the crest for another 3/4 mile, we began a descending traverse just as the weather cleared up. The solid snowcover made for easy travel, and we reached the "imperfect impasse" at 5200 feet by lunchtime (4.5 hours from saddle). This notorious geomorphic feature lived up to its intimidating reputation: the deep moats on each side and the down-sloping slabs on the far side were more than we wanted to tangle with, so we quickly decided to drop below it...as many parties have done. Our descent to 4400 feet was rapid and pleasant, but our re-ascent through the far cliff band was slowed by patchy brush and a sketchy Class 4 rock face. We eventually surmounted this face with the aid of a belay rope and then continued upward to 6200-foot Perfect Pass (8.4 hours from saddle).

The phantom climbers were camped on a rock knoll immediately south of the pass, and we learned that their Phantom Peak bid had been thwarted by the morning fog and drizzle. As such, they were headed out the next morning. Our group made camp on a rock knoll north of the pass, which put us closer to our objective: Whatcom Peak. We threw together summit packs and headed up in the late afternoon. The ascent featured a long, straightforward snowfield that ended with a very exposed but enjoyable Class 3 scramble along the south ridge crest to a foggy summit (0.9 hours from camp). The weather was in a tumultuous transition, as indicated by the racing and nosediving of surrounding clouds. Sure enough, by dinnertime the sky had completely cleared to reveal the vast whiteness of Mt. Challenger across the alpine dale. Perfect Pass was living up to its name!

Day 3: We awoke to cloudless skies and mild temperatures. The phantom climbers passed through our camp as we ate breakfast, and their leader (Mario) indicated that they had decided to exit via Whatcom Pass rather than retrace their route around the impasse. We departed about 2 hours later (nobody pulls off a "country-club start" like we do!) and benefitted from their footsteps in our traverse around Whatcom Peak. The climbing books consistently warn of treacherous conditions on this traverse after mid-summer, but as it turned out, the Whatcom Glacier was in splendid condition and required very little monkey business to negotiate. We reached Whatcom Pass by lunchtime (3.2 hours from camp) and were soon heading down-trail toward the Chilliwack River. Although the trail has received virtually no maintenance this year, we had little trouble following it down to the river. The cable car provided a delightful break in an otherwise routine hike, and a subsequent bear sighting added to the adventure. There were also two areas where the trail has been obliterated by avalanche debris that is completely coated with fir needles---very odd---as well as an impressive example of beaver engineering. We pulled into U.S. Cabin Camp in early evening (8.8 hours from previous camp) and splashed off trail grime in the frigid Chilliwack River before a campfire dinner.

Day 4: After two days of summery weather, I was dismayed to be awaken by raindrops on my face at 2:45am. Where did THIS come from? Fortunately, the rain never amounted to more than occasional showers all day, and the cool overcast weather was actually quite welcome during our hike back over Hannegan Pass. We passed a trio of female park rangers who had been on trail patrol and light brush-clearing duty. They told us that the Chilliwack Trail probably won't see much maintenance this year, due to the late-melting snowpack. Thus far, this has been a year better suited to alpine climbing than backpacking. Our excellent alpine-and-trail trip was perfectly capped off with dinner at Milano's in Glacier.

Stats: 37 miles, 13,700 feet gained and lost.