Gladstone Peak

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 8/10/2017, By: zinj
Info: Route from the high saddle above (near) Rock of Ages is not at all clear -- which is fine, but plan for this to take longer than you expect. I did a lot of E side traverse below the ridgeline on the way out and mostly stuck the ridge on the way back.

Neither choice was obviously better than the other. This is a loose, long ridge that exhausts the mind as much as the body. Nearly every step required a decision -- there were few stretches of more than a couple of steps in succession where a climber could just 'obviously' continue in a particular direction.

Got beat up enough (and delayed enough) by Gladstone that I had to drop my attempt on Wilson Pk as weather rolled in. But came back following day to tag Wilson Pk.

While sharing an approach, from the point of splitting off, Gladstone and Wilson Pk aren't even in the same zipcode. Gladstone is a much harder climb. 

Route: E slopes
Posted On: 8/15/2016, By: Monster5
Info: From Cross Mtn Trail, went up lizard head (dry, anchors in good condition), then hiked up the east slopes (tundra/rock hop) of Gladstone and gained the SE ridge a few hundred ft from the top (class 3). Route is snow free. I guess a bit loose, but nothing unreasonable or unpredictable. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/7/2016, By: asnellstrom
Info: Yesterday we climbed Wilson Peak and Gladstone. The ridge looks way shorter and more inviting than it really is! All of the reports live up to its reputation of being quite loose. Some snow on the ridge just below the summit can be easily navigated through closest to the top of the ridge. Overall a fun hike! No traction necessary. Also, I like how the summit registry is held in place by an old crowbar, very unique. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 10/20/2015, By: VR_CO
Info: Not sure how much melting has taken place in the past week-and-a-half, but recently there were several inches of snow in Silver Pick Basin above ~12,700ft. Along Gladstone's north ridge there were at least a few inches for most of the route. This slowed the pace but was not insurmountable and made for a scenic day! I tried to stay on the ridge itself as much as possible, as it was difficult in some spots to re-crest after dropping down to the east. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/26/2014, By: BillMiddlebrook
Info: Climbed Gladstone from the point where the Wilson Peak trail hits the Wilson-Gladstone ridge. The entire ridge was dry. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 6/28/2013, By: JosephG
Info: From Silver Pick Basin, you cross several snow fields that cover the trail. Crampons not necessary, but an axe would be helpful in the morning when the snow is firm. Follow Bill’s driving directions, not Roach’s (his are outdated and do not reflect the use agreement). About a mile after turning onto FR 245, you have to cross Bear Creek. High clearance 4WD will have no problems. If you have low clearance, park here and walk the easy 1.25 miles to the Rock of Ages TH.

From the Rock of Ages saddle, we dropped into Navajo Basin and ascended a gully just north of the obvious fin on the ridge that is before (north of) the low point. Loose garbage and unnecessary; next time, we'd gain the ridge from the Wilson saddle. We stayed on the ridge 99% of the time to the summit and all the way back to the Wilson saddle, which was surprisingly solid (in context, obviously; check all holds) and made for an enjoyable ridge run. If you leave the ridge, deceptive trails funnel you down the east side where the rock gets loose in a hurry. Ridge is 100% snow free.

Be vigilant: we heard/saw several rock slides. Bring mosquito repellant. 

Route: North ridge
Posted On: 6/22/2012, By: Matt Lemke
Info: From Navajo Basin...dry. Fun scramble 

Route: Rock of Ages Trail
Posted On: 6/16/2012, By: sue personett
Info: The new Rock of Ages Trail is clear of snow until it enters Silver Pick Basin. There are at least 5 large steep areas of snow down low in the basin that cover the trail. I used micro spikes to cross 2 of them. There is also one very large avalanche debris area that can be hiked around. The trail is covered in snow just below the Rock of Ages Saddle. I would advise micro spikes or crampons for the push to the saddle. Take your ice axe for some fun glissading on the descent. The trail is clear to the Tiltin' Hilton with a few large but avoidable patches of snow on the way over to the gully. The north ridge up to the summit of Gladstone Peak is almost snow free and you can avoid the few tiny patches that remain.
Namaste
Sue 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 9/4/2011, By: Wyoming Bob
Info: Climbed Gladstone in a.m., no snow of consequence, anticipated from trip reports that route would be loose, we were not disappointed, caution certainly in order as to large loose talus, no route finding issues from new Silverpick trail head, not even in the dark . . . testament to well placed signage.