Sandbeach to Meeker advice

[YEONDERIN]

Am planning to climb Mt Meeker from camp at Sandbeach Lake and could use any route help from those of you who have done this. My plan was to go up Meeker ridge but all the trip reports and research I find indicate people use the south ridge instead. Why is this when Meeker ridge looks easier? Is it that there is more downed timber getting from lake to Meeker ridge? Or maybe the lower cliffs that are directly between the two? If I go up the south ridge and come down Meeker ridge, which is the best way around the cliffs and back to the lake? Please compare the 2 routes as you remember them. Much thanks.

[flyingmagpie]

Yeonderin--
Let me first apologize in advance for not being able to answer your question. I have never climbed Meeker by any route from Wild Basin. But I have tried. I tried twice, both as day hikes. I tried going in from Sandbeach Lake, and found a big talus field in the timber wore me out. I tried going in from Hunter's Creek, and the overall length of the approach and marsh-dodging wore me out. I have climbed Meeker twice, both times via the Loft route. The Loft route from Chasm Lake is really the best way to climb Meeker, I found through experience. So let me ask you--is it the camp at Sandbeach or the climb of Meeker that really is the most important to you? If it is the climb of Meeker, I would suggest the Loft route. If it is the camp at Sandbeach, I would suggest an alternate climb. A camp at Sandbeach gives you an especially good shot at Mt. Orton, followed by Chief's Head Peak up the north ridge route. The north ridge route up Chief's Head gives you some dramatic views of the backsides of Longs and Meeker, plus Pagoda and the Keyboard of the Winds most people never see. The south ridge and the Meeker Ridge routes up Meeker, to me, would be pretty long slogs without comparable views. I also tried Meeker's east ridge and got stormed off that before I was successful up the Loft. Going up the Loft, and quickly summitting Meeker, then gives you a chance (depending on weather) at the Clark's Arrow route up Longs, a spectacular route that takes you right under the Palisades. One of my favorites. Good luck with whatever you choose, but Meeker from Wild Basin didn't work like I wanted for me. If you choose that way, I do hope it works for you.
--flyingmagpie

[rickinco123]

I tried going in from Sandbeach Lake, and found a big talus field in the timber wore me out. I tried going in from Hunter's Creek, and the overall length of the approach and marsh-dodging wore me out.

For the love of god, do not approach Meeker from Sandbeach Lake. I got my ass kicked bushwacking to a high camp last Friday night below Keplingers. Hike down Sandbeach trail to Hunters creek and follow the trail next to the bridge. The Hunters creek trail is quite good. As for the rest of your climb, I have never done Meeker.

[YEONDERIN]

Thank you for the help and sharing of your experiences. Sounds like there are a lot of other good areas to explore from Sandbeach. If anyone else has something to add to my questions, please do. Meanwhile, back to the drawing board, I’ll figure out something to try.