12/30/2010 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 1/2/2011, By: mattdecoste Info: County Road 18 had only a light dusting of snow as we approached the TH on the morning of Thursday, Dec 30, 2010. The parking lot at the TH looked plowed and surrounding area had 3-4" of snow at most. We brought snowshoes but did not need them for the first couple miles up the dirt road. From that point on the road was still not bad and parts were blown clear of snow and just dirt off an on. Once above the gate at 12,000" the snow consistently covered the road and got a bit deeper, maybe 6-12" inches in most places, mostly hard crust top. Around 10 a.m. the snowstorm started and within a few hours dumped an additional 4-6" from the TH all the way to the summit and, in addition to heavy blowing snow winds, freezing temperature and low visibility, thwarted our summit attempt around 13,400. |
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11/27/2010 Route: Southwest Ridge Posted On: 11/28/2010, By: kimo Info: Reached Leavick using 4WD. Some slick, slushy, and drifted spots on the road but nothing too serious. A high clearance vehicle is not required. Snow covers the road past Leavick. The brave or multiple vehicles could push further. We were satisfied with Leavick and parked there. We hiked up the road on packed snow. The wind became a constant companion once we reached the gate. We followed the summer route up to the Hilltop Mine bunkhouse. The upper basin is wind scoured and the snow hard packed. The snow reached ankle deep in just a few spots. The well-known cornice on the saddle between Mount Sheridan and Mount Sherman is forming. We had no interest crossing the loaded slope below it. We stayed to the right of the wind-loaded slopes, ascending short shallow snow fields and loose scree. We were hit with the full-brunt of the wind once we reached the Southwest Ridge. It made the ridge walk super exciting! We passsed over the Sherman summit without stopping. We continued over easy shallow snow fields to Gemini Peak where the climate was much more hospitable. From Gemini we hiked over White Ridge, following the ridge down to our vehicle at Leavick. The last few hundred feet of our downclimb from the ridge was loose and exciting. A great late autumn trip with a little bit of everything to keep it interesting. |
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8/8/2007 Route: West Slopes Posted On: 8/11/2019, By: jamiesuzanne Info: First 14er ever. Began ascent at 9:00am - summited at 12:30pm - very windy (cold). Remained at summit for 1 hr, then 2.5 hr descent. Hiked with Dad, Mom, and Jackie. |
