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My GPS batteries died when I reached Mt Chapman and no spares. The GPS track goes past where the map shows Mt. Chapman to the register.
11.3 miles
4300 feet +
9 hours +/-
NOTE (added 09-02-12): In the for what it is worth category this report is a week behind as I worked Sunday through Friday, and had two doctors visits, blood taken, a tetanus shot (which made my sore arm even more sore), xrays and prescriptions during the week besides. I also hiked Mt. Powell yesterday. The altitude addiction problem. A few pictures from Powell at the end.
I popped a muscle or something (an audible pop) in my right arm two weeks back on the "Pika Hika" and even though I had iced it up for a week I strained it again last week on my hike of Mt. champion, K49, Deer and Unnamed 13736. There was some class 3 on Deer and a slight wobble and arm extension pulled it again. The altitude addiction problem.
So what the heck is a little pain (I have an appointment with an orthopedic doctor). I picked some easier peaks to try this time and that was generally true. I kind of felt like Bob Dole (you may have to be older to remember he ran for president) holding his pen in one hand (he was wounded in WWII), I was holding my trekking pole in my right hand and not using that arm 98% of the time. The altitude addiction problem again. But enough of the personal ramblings.
The trailhead is off Highway 50 at Monarch just west of Monarch's only mall and just past the rental place as you are heading west. Drive up CR 230, a quasi high clearance road (I saw a Subaru half way up the road) that starts off a bit rough and then another three or four sections of rocky road. Drive past Boss trailhead, a cabin on your right, two more cabins, a few creek crossings to the end of the road where there is a parking area where the trail begins.
This is looking back east down the valley from below the pass.
First light on Hancock.
A hazy Aetna.
...more haze...
Monumental.
The ridge to Hancock.
Van Wit, Van Wirt and a number of other bumps along the way...
I started naming a few, Van Halen, Van Hefflin, Van Johnson, for the pro cyclists, Van Garderen (TJ), Vande velde (Christian), Van Morrison, Van Cleef (Lee)...
This could be Van Gogh, kind of looks like an ear.
The ridge.
Spiney rock.
This is looking back towards Monumental.
The ridge narrowed in places but the way was walkable with only a few spots where you may want to drop slightly left.
The mountain king chair.
The summit of Hancock.
The sprit of Furthermore sends me onward to the 12er. "You can't pass a 12er up when it is so close" I can hear him say.
Mount Chapman.
The register for Chapman is west of the large cairn that you get to from the Hancock Pass side.
Register names.
The cairn (have to look really hard) back towards Hancock, left of the sunny rock and beneath the highest peak.
The valley.
The route off of Mt. Chapman straight down through the grass and over the rocks.
A cool pool of water.
A good soak in the pool of water.
Hancock Lake and Chalk Creek pass.
The return was straight down and along the base of Hancock Peak towards Lower Hancock Lake and then on to the main trail back up the 400 feet or so over Chalk Creek pass.
I was able to follow tracks/game trails through the willows and it worked out well. I marked this map to show the approximate return route.
Mt. Powell
10.5 miles, 4300 feet, 8 hours (still using one arm mostly so a little slow).
I saw a baby moose and mom on the way in to the ranch, a highlight.
Mt. Powell with Kneeknocker Pass to the right.
This is looking up the grass, then rocky slopes to Powell as seen from the other side of Kneeknocker.
Mt. Powell summit with Eagles Nest.
Mt. Powell summit with Peak C, C Prime et. al.
My GPS Tracks on Google Maps (made from a .GPX file upload):
my first 13er when I was 7. I grew up over in Whitepine/Tomichi Creek Headwaters area. I used to think Monumental was the biggest meanest mountain around. Then when I got to the top and looked across at Aetna...I knew I was in trouble.
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