Clinton Peak

Route: South Slope of Traver
Posted On: 3/27/2022, By: Geckser
Info: Went up Clinton and friends from Fremont Pass. I was planning on following DadMike's winter route up Clinton but went my own way as to avoid trespassing on Climax Mine (as I am a scaredy cat). I ended up snowshoeing to 11,500 and booted up to the ridge from there on a rocky rib (sorry no skiing Amy).

The route I took worked out quite well and would recommend it to the avalanche adverse given the current conditions out there. I followed the big basin (with snowshoes) until I found a proper route up to the ridge that avoided as much snow as possible. Snowshoeing through the basin was unpleasant with some deep postholing even with my snowshoes. I also heard some distressing wumphing from the snow so I made a very major effort to stay off any avy prone terrain. Additionally there was a big slide path down Mcname's southern face, pretty significant + scary.

From the base of the basin to the ridge line (along the rock rib) I was probably on dry ground or rock hopping for 95% of the time. Some minor scrambling required, class 3 tops though. Once on the ridge it was an easy walk to McName and then Clinton.

It was a warm day and the sun was doing some truly nasty stuff to the snow, even though I was off the mountain by 11:30 it was still a slush fest lower down which made snowshoeing highly unpleasant. If anyone wants the gpx tracks, I can send them over, gaining the ridge definitely requires some prior experience though, not trivial terrain. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 11/22/2021, By: Anima
Info: There was a lot more snow than I anticipated. There is continuous snow along the route up to the ridge. Starting at 11,600' snowshoes would be helpful and it looked like most other people had them. Between Wheeler lake and the basin around 12,500' there is 8 to 12 inches of powder snow and the slopes are wind loaded. Wouldn't want to be there if avy danger was high. The ridge between all three peaks is pretty dry. 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 11/15/2021, By: halfapackofapache
Info: Started from Montgomery reservoir. Trail is packed down pretty well tell tree line. Passing wheeler lake there were spots of hard wind crust and spots of sugary snow that id sink to my knees. Once past wheeler lake and into the upper basin just below Clinton, mcnamee, and traver I was able to avoid most of the snow as the coverage was spotty. The ridge between the 3 peaks was very enjoyable and pretty. Decently windy on the ridge. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 9/1/2021, By: PikaSteve
Info: Started at 2WD trailhead at the far end of Montgomery Reservoir. This is also the 4WD trailhead unless you are Sbenfield or you have a special vehicle. The day was slower and rockier than I expected: hiking a rocky road to Wheeler Lake; ascending without trail over rocks and meadows up the basin; and finally climbing up 600 feet of moderately steep scree slope. Some of the most enjoyable hiking of the day was on the ridge from Clinton Peak to Traver Peak with a fairly smooth path and beautiful (although hazy) views. Only a few summer flowers left and only a few fall colors starting to show up, but still a nice day in the mountains. Did not see anyone else after leaving the trailhead. 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 8/29/2021, By: Thmpsn_
Info: Had an interesting encounter with a moose along the road in the dark today while hiking solo haha. Whole route is summer conditions as previously mentioned - the deeper sections of standing water on the road can he hiked around with easy detours off to the side of the road. The immediate area around Wheeler Lake is still deceptively boggy...filled up the trail-runners with water on the ascent and found a dry route on the descent. Final pitch to summit is steep and loose, but not bad by any means. Short and sweet - but overall meh. No other hikers on trail today. 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 8/1/2021, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: All clear. Lots of boggy marshland near wheeler lakes and above the rocks heading into the basin. No snow. Great loop. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 7/10/2021, By: mjlucarelli
Info: Summer conditions. Only crossed one small snowfield and traction was not needed. All other snow was avoidable. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 6/20/2021, By: hellmanm
Info: Large puddles all over the 4wd road, but avoidable with minimal bushwhacking. After the lake there are a few snowfields. Most are avoidable, but the ones that aren't can be navigated with minimal postholing. It's not freezing overnight though, so be mindful of that. Spikes would be helpful, but aren't necessary.

The south slope to Clinton can be done without touching any snow, but It's still a big pile of semi-loose talus. The traverse to mncamee and traver is snow-free, as is the descent off traver (you will get wet though — everything is running right now).

The wildflowers are mostly in full bloom — probably one more week for everything to pop. 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 5/15/2021, By: Thevirtualsherpa
Info: Booted then boarded Clinton today

-road closure still in effect at the reservoir - 4x4 road to lake is not fun in morning or afternoon. Loads of huge puddles, snow but not enough to ride down and lots of postholing. Don't even bother putting skins on until you get to the lower basin. Slopes before and after lake warmed very quickly but stable and minimal sinking around 8AM.

Upper bowl was much more firm, even around 10:30AM where crampons may be necessary. Descended summit around 11 when upper snow was almost perfect and lower snow was def starting to get past its prime. Boarded off summit to lower 4x4 road with 1 small area to walk due to lack of coverage. Walk out was terrible though.

Pics of some of the lines in the area including the north couloir of Democrat for beta. Still lots of snow in the area but the longer lines (top to bottom coverage) are going quickly. 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 5/9/2021, By: wintersage
Info: Trailhead was dry and accessible, the approach road had patches of snow and large puddles of water that were avoidable by going into the willows as previous reports mentioned. Snow in the AM was hard with microspikes being sufficient, slightly slushier after noon. Pretty much continuous snow from the basin to the summit, with only one the last 0.3mi of the summit being rocky. Only needed microspikes and ice axe. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 12/5/2020, By: datum313
Info: Boot packed trail to Wheeler Lake with several icy spots. On the ridge, patches of sugar snow on talus, which concealed holes. Other short sections wind blown and slippery, but traction wouldn't help much. Snowshoes were useful on descent around the lake. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 9/30/2020, By: MC.Ikema
Info: Snow free on the ridge from Wheeler. 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 9/19/2020, By: sigepnader
Info: Approach is the same muddy/watery mess in other trip reports but the trail goes through the willows.

Once you get in the basin it is nice and dry. Absolutely zero snow left on Clinton, McNammee, or Traver. 

Route: Combo Clinton/McNamee/Traver
Posted On: 9/14/2020, By: Sglm14
Info: Hike to Wheeler lake was easy, just some puddles along the road. Past the lake to about 13,300 there's a few inches of snow to deal with and some areas up to ankle deep. The last 500' to the summit had some snow but avoidable. The Traverse to McNamee and Traver was not bad at all but heading down was a little tricky due to snow-covered talus. By the time we hit the lake a lot of the snow had already melted. Overall a great day to be out! 

Route: South Slope
Posted On: 8/30/2020, By: tcphoto87
Info: Ended up not summiting due to a combination of starting a little late, iffy weather and feeling a little light headed that slowed me down, but thought I'd go ahead and leave conditions report for as far as I got. Was planning on doing the 3 combo but didn't work out for today. The previous reports weren't joking about the water on the trail/road. Huge sections that are like ponds, some with rocks you can hop across but others don't. But almost all of them had little trails that went off to the right to get around them. Didn't encounter any snow but Lincoln and some others from the drive up had some fresh snow on them. I got to the lake and decided I wasn't going to summit but kept going to see how far I could get, and got to a flat marshy area above the waterfalls. The trail to that point was a little hard to find, also I'd avoid going along the lake edge cause multiple times my boots got soaked and covered in mud from what looked like solid ground but wasn't lol. There's a trail that starts where the road ends that takes you to the area to ascend that I missed since I went right to the lake first. Whole bunch of mine shafts up there too and lots of debris with nails sticking up to watch out for. Also the point I stopped at said 4.24 miles but I still had a good 1400+ft gain at least so idk if that all happens in the last .25 miles or if its longer than 9 RT.