Huron Peak Trip Report 06/25/2011

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Huron Peak - 14,006 feet
Date Posted	06/25/2011
Modified	07/14/2011
Date Climbed	06/21/2011
Author	SES_17

Huron 6-21
Camped at Winfield for few days hoping to knock off a couple climbs Huron and La Plata. Set my alarm for 5:30am but it didn't go off. By the time I arrived at the trailhead it was 7:50am, a full 1 ½ hrs after I had planned. After reading reports of the snowfield in the basin, I knew this was going to be a problem. Hiked up through the forest, started hitting snow banks higher up in the trees. Some of the trail was hard to follow due to large snow banks covering large areas in the trees. As I came out of the trees into the lower part of the basin, I looked up was able spot a couple of climbers just below the summit heading up. Climber envy set in and I remember thinking "great, only 2000 more feet to go." The goal. Entering the lower basin. I followed the small ridge into the upper basin and came to the snowfield where a group of 4 climbers were having a difficult time crossing. I sat and watched as all were postholing on almost every step. One of the men was trying to help a woman free herself from one hole for what must have been 5 minutes. After which, she decided she'd had enough and crawled back to solid ground, pants and tennie's soaking wet. Snowfield. Struggling climbers off left edge of image. I took a lower line than that party reasoning that the slight angle away from the sun might allow the snow to stay firm a little longer. Luckily, I was right and did ok through most of the snowfield, only breaking through a few times. It was 9:15am and I knew coming back through was not going to be a pleasant experience. Looking back across snowfield from grassy slope. Once up on the grassy slope heading to the ridge, my pace slowed down. I'm able to pass the group going across the snowfield earlier and brielfly spoke to the guys glissading down from the summit. As I climbed up, I kept looking back to see the line they would take back across the snowfield, but never see them cross. I did spot them heading down the lower part of the basin past the snowfield. After topping out on the ridge, I took a small break. Great view of Missouri Mt. and the Lake Fork valley. Looking down valley towards Missouri Mt. and Belford. The group I passed earlier caught up and we climbed the last section together. I was thinking the grassy slope was steep, man that summit pitch really took a lot out of me! Steep summit pitch. Summit cornice. Needless to say, I was glad to reach the top so I could rest. The views from Huron are incredible! One of the many views from summit. Stayed on top for about half an hour, traded snapping photos with the other group and grabbing a bite before heading down. Knowing I didn't want to go back across the snowfield, I veered to the left at the top of the headwall and cut across, under one of the rock outcroppings to a steep but dry section leading into the basin. The slope was quite steep and a slip would have brought me to the middle of the snow covered basin (approx. 400 ft) quickly. Fortunately, the snow was quite firm and I was able kick step across the slope. A couple of class 3 moves and a small section of snow to cross and I was in the clear. My route down. Trail can be seen going up on left side of image. I'm still not sure if the risk/reward factor was on my side, but I was able to avoid crossing the snowfield in mid-afternoon and that can only be a good thing. The woman who reversed track in the middle of the snowfield was still waiting by a rock for the rest of her party come down. We exchanged pleasentries and I continued down. Remainder the hike out was uneventful and pleasant, although some of the snowbanks in the trees became really slushy and quite slippery reminding me that "I'm not out of the woods yet" (HA!). Huron was a great hike with absolutely stunning views from the summit. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Huron 6-21

Camped at Winfield for few days hoping to knock off a couple climbs Huron and La Plata.
Set my alarm for 5:30am but it didn't go off. By the time I arrived at the trailhead it was 7:50am, a full 1 ½ hrs after I had planned. After reading reports of the snowfield in the basin, I knew this was going to be a problem. Hiked up through the forest, started hitting snow banks higher up in the trees. Some of the trail was hard to follow due to large snow banks covering large areas in the trees. As I came out of the trees into the lower part of the basin, I looked up was able spot a couple of climbers just below the summit heading up. Climber envy set in and I remember thinking "great, only 2000 more feet to go."

I followed the small ridge into the upper basin and came to the snowfield where a group of 4 climbers were having a difficult time crossing. I sat and watched as all were postholing on almost every step. One of the men was trying to help a woman free herself from one hole for what must have been 5 minutes. After which, she decided she'd had enough and crawled back to solid ground, pants and tennie's soaking wet.

Snowfield. Struggling climbers off left edge of image.

I took a lower line than that party reasoning that the slight angle away from the sun might allow the snow to stay firm a little longer. Luckily, I was right and did ok through most of the snowfield, only breaking through a few times. It was 9:15am and I knew coming back through was not going to be a pleasant experience.

Looking back across snowfield from grassy slope.

Once up on the grassy slope heading to the ridge, my pace slowed down. I'm able to pass the group going across the snowfield earlier and brielfly spoke to the guys glissading down from the summit. As I climbed up, I kept looking back to see the line they would take back across the snowfield, but never see them cross. I did spot them heading down the lower part of the basin past the snowfield. After topping out on the ridge, I took a small break. Great view of Missouri Mt. and the Lake Fork valley.

Looking down valley towards Missouri Mt. and Belford.

The group I passed earlier caught up and we climbed the last section together. I was thinking the grassy slope was steep, man that summit pitch really took a lot out of me!

Needless to say, I was glad to reach the top so I could rest. The views from Huron are incredible!

Stayed on top for about half an hour, traded snapping photos with the other group and grabbing a bite before heading down.
Knowing I didn't want to go back across the snowfield, I veered to the left at the top of the headwall and cut across, under one of the rock outcroppings to a steep but dry section leading into the basin. The slope was quite steep and a slip would have brought me to the middle of the snow covered basin (approx. 400 ft) quickly. Fortunately, the snow was quite firm and I was able kick step across the slope. A couple of class 3 moves and a small section of snow to cross and I was in the clear.

My route down. Trail can be seen going up on left side of image.

I'm still not sure if the risk/reward factor was on my side, but I was able to avoid crossing the snowfield in mid-afternoon and that can only be a good thing. The woman who reversed track in the middle of the snowfield was still waiting by a rock for the rest of her party come down. We exchanged pleasentries and I continued down. Remainder the hike out was uneventful and pleasant, although some of the snowbanks in the trees became really slushy and quite slippery reminding me that "I'm not out of the woods yet" (HA!). Huron was a great hike with absolutely stunning views from the summit.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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