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Started from the 4WD trailhead at the first switchback on the Clear Lake Road. The road was not steep or really too rough. Might get a car up to the switchback. Parking for 3 or 4 vehicles. The trail connects to the South Mineral Creek trail at the 12th switchback (according to Roach).
Parking and trail.
Walk past waterfalls.
The S. Mineral Creek trail at 12th switchback.
Follow a well defined trail. The first look at Vermilion (left) and Golden Horn (center right). Impressive.
Trail. A nice trail up and past the lakes.
Marmot youngster.
Trail.
Ice lake.
Closer look at Vermilion.
Hike up trail towards Vermilion and then cut across basin towards a break in the cliffs below the Vermilion-Golden Horn saddle.
Looking down break in cliffs.
Looking up ridge to Golden Horn. Class 2-2+ to summit.
Closer look.
Climbing up.
Look at summit from just past and below the top.
Pilot Knob.
Looking at Vermilion and the northeast ridge from Golden Horn.
The Vermilion-Golden Horn saddle looking up the northeast ridge. A tough Class 3.
Ridge.
Looking down the ridge from near summit.
Summit.
Looking down gully and the southeast ridge route. I went back down this ridge.
Looking back at summit.
Looking back at trail that goes to the left of the large blocks.
Looking back up towards the Vermilion-Fuller saddle.
A good day on mostly Class 2, loose rock from the base of the peaks in the upper basin. Some Class 2+ and Class 3 on the ridges. Too many pictures in this dramatic area to show. A good warm up for my next days climb-Teakettle (see report). 93
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I picked the neighbor to the north, Hope Lake 13er group as a warm-up for Teakettle on sunday, like you, didn't run in to a soul (on the peaks atleast. You missed the crown jewel of the San Juans, Pilot Knob, by far the best class 4 scramble in the state, but solid itinerary regardless. The contrasting colors of that region are unreal.
my mind says to include some of these other peaks too, like Pilot Knob, but my body says maybe another day, two peaks are enough for today
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