Huron Peak Trip Report 08/04/2007

Peak(s):	Huron Peak - 14,006 feet
Date Posted:	08/04/2007
Date Climbed:	07/31/2007
Author:	hikerhayes

Huron at sunset
Jason, my son Eric and I had just climbed Grays and Torreys the day before and drove to the trailhead of Huron ready to camp out and get an early start in the morning. This is what we had planned, however, both Eric and Jason wanted to try an afternoon climb and maybe catch the sun setting. I voiced my concern over being on the mountain so late and reminded them both of the start early, get off the summit before noon rule, but they insisted. So, against my better judgement, we headed out on the Huron trail at 3:00. Yes, 3:00pm. Soon we came to the creek crossing. We moved as quickly as possible through the many switchbacks and finally got our first view of Huron Peak. Reaching treeline, we started across the basin northwest of Huron. The trail levels off here which was greatly appreciated by our tired legs. From there it was all up hill to the ridge between Browns Peak and Huron and a steep climb all the way up to the summit. We reached the summit right at sunset. The view was beautiful!!!! However, my worst fear about climbing so late in the day was coming true. Storm clouds were rolling in! We quickly descended to the basin as the rain and small hail started coming down on us. We donned our rain gear and continued down as lightning flashed in the distance. It was a race to treeline as the lightning grew closer and closer, and to make matters worse, it was dark now. We were moving as fast as we could on the now slick rocks following the trail by head lamps, and reached treeline just as lightning lit up the sky around us. After a short distance into the trees, we took a much needed 30 minute rest. Hitting the many switchbacks, we slowly worked our way down the trail, resting often. Crossing the stream again was a welcomed sign as we knew the trailhead was near. We finally made it back to camp at about 1:30am... Tired and with an important lesson learned, we climbed into our sleeping bags. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Huron at sunset

Jason, my son Eric and I had just climbed Grays and Torreys the day before and drove to the trailhead of Huron ready to camp out and get an early start in the morning. This is what we had planned, however, both Eric and Jason wanted to try an afternoon climb and maybe catch the sun setting. I voiced my concern over being on the mountain so late and reminded them both of the start early, get off the summit before noon rule, but they insisted. So, against my better judgement, we headed out on the Huron trail at 3:00. Yes, 3:00pm.

Soon we came to the creek crossing.

We moved as quickly as possible through the many switchbacks

and finally got our first view of Huron Peak.

Reaching treeline, we started across the basin northwest of Huron. The trail levels off here which was greatly appreciated by our tired legs.

From there it was all up hill to the ridge between Browns Peak and Huron and a steep climb all the way up to the summit. We reached the summit right at sunset.

The view was beautiful!!!!
However, my worst fear about climbing so late in the day was coming true. Storm clouds were rolling in! We quickly descended to the basin as the rain and small hail started coming down on us. We donned our rain gear and continued down as lightning flashed in the distance. It was a race to treeline as the lightning grew closer and closer, and to make matters worse, it was dark now. We were moving as fast as we could on the now slick rocks following the trail by head lamps, and reached treeline just as lightning lit up the sky around us. After a short distance into the trees, we took a much needed 30 minute rest. Hitting the many switchbacks, we slowly worked our way down the trail, resting often. Crossing the stream again was a welcomed sign as we knew the trailhead was near. We finally made it back to camp at about 1:30am... Tired and with an important lesson learned, we climbed into our sleeping bags.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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