Humboldt Peak Trip Report 06/29/2009

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Humboldt Peak - 14,068 feet
Date Posted	06/29/2009
Date Climbed	06/28/2009
Author	abrowland

Humboldt - standard route from the lakes
My son and I packed into to the upper South Colony lake on Saturday, June 27, 2009. We were able to drive to the end of the road, crossing the creek four times. The deepest crossing was the last - we guessed the water to be about 14-16" deep. Not too bad for our Yukon. Image 1: Start of the trip at the upper parking lot This was my son‘s first pack trip and his third 14er. The hike in was mostly uneventful. A lot of snow fields to cross, but the snow as soft enough to kick a foot in, but firm enough that we never post-holed. Water was running down a majority of the trails - be prepared to hike in some mud and shallow water. Image 2: The biggest snowfield crossing on the way into the trees. Soft for hiking, but no postholes The toughest part of the hike in was crossing the creek just below the lower lake. After looking at several spots, we found the safest spot to cross barefooted was in the lake just above the outlet. I could have jumped the opening, but it was a bit too far for my 9yr old. The water looked inviting, but as my son found out, a little colder than the average swimming pool! Image 9: The creek crossing via the lower lake. Most folks could probably jump across the beaver dam opening - we elected to take our boots off and cross in the lake above the outlet. Cold, but easily waded. After drying our feet and warming our toes in the sun, we made it to the upper lake, camping on a nice bench on the east shore. Some kind soul had levt 60 feet of plastic netting. Thanks to the trail angel, because not one minute after setting up the tent, a marmot had run inside the door and inside the tent! The marmots in this bais have become very aggresive since a few years ago. Down at the upper lake and at the saddle on the way up Humboldt, the marmots showed no fear - looking for a handout. We literally had marmots within 1‘ of us while we ate lunch on the saddle. Image 4: Marmot looking for lunch. While there is a lot of water running down the canyon, the camp spots around the upper lake were relatively dry. The night brought in lots of low clouds and dew, but hardly any rain. Image 7: Shot of the upper lake. The east side is relatively dry, with a lot of spots to pitch a tent out of the mud. On the ascent by 8 am on Sunday, the trail up Humboldt was clear and dry 99% of the way. Image 3: On our way to the saddle. Stay on the trail. A lot of work has been put into restoring the hillside from folks cutting switchbacks. Image 6: The saddle offers a great spot to view the Peak and the Needle. The clouds blew off enough for us to get a great view. Image 8: Broken Hand pass is has a lot of snow still. There is a bit of snow you have to pick your way around as you reach the summit, but no big deal at all. We saw about 12 people on the mountain the whole day. We had a nice break on top with a couple and their daughter in the windbreak on the summit. After about 20 mins on top, we headed down the same route. Image 5: On top of Humboldt. The wind break is in good shape and makes for a nice break on top. We packed up camp and packed out Sunday afternon, avoiding the creek crossing by taking the eastern trail that parallels the creek and puts you out just before the last creek crossing. While we weren‘t knee deep anywhere, there is a lot of water in the trees - we were in water or mud about 30% of the time with water coming down the trail everywhere. Water is just part of the scenery this time of year. Image 10: Back at the truck. Peak #3 climbed! Way to go! Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Humboldt - standard route from the lakes

My son and I packed into to the upper South Colony lake on Saturday, June 27, 2009. We were able to drive to the end of the road, crossing the creek four times. The deepest crossing was the last - we guessed the water to be about 14-16" deep. Not too bad for our Yukon.

Image 1: Start of the trip at the upper parking lot

This was my son‘s first pack trip and his third 14er. The hike in was mostly uneventful. A lot of snow fields to cross, but the snow as soft enough to kick a foot in, but firm enough that we never post-holed. Water was running down a majority of the trails - be prepared to hike in some mud and shallow water.

Image 2: The biggest snowfield crossing on the way into the trees. Soft for hiking, but no postholes

The toughest part of the hike in was crossing the creek just below the lower lake. After looking at several spots, we found the safest spot to cross barefooted was in the lake just above the outlet. I could have jumped the opening, but it was a bit too far for my 9yr old. The water looked inviting, but as my son found out, a little colder than the average swimming pool!

Image 9: The creek crossing via the lower lake. Most folks could probably jump across the beaver dam opening - we elected to take our boots off and cross in the lake above the outlet. Cold, but easily waded.

After drying our feet and warming our toes in the sun, we made it to the upper lake, camping on a nice bench on the east shore. Some kind soul had levt 60 feet of plastic netting. Thanks to the trail angel, because not one minute after setting up the tent, a marmot had run inside the door and inside the tent! The marmots in this bais have become very aggresive since a few years ago. Down at the upper lake and at the saddle on the way up Humboldt, the marmots showed no fear - looking for a handout. We literally had marmots within 1‘ of us while we ate lunch on the saddle.

Image 4: Marmot looking for lunch.

While there is a lot of water running down the canyon, the camp spots around the upper lake were relatively dry. The night brought in lots of low clouds and dew, but hardly any rain.

Image 7: Shot of the upper lake. The east side is relatively dry, with a lot of spots to pitch a tent out of the mud.

On the ascent by 8 am on Sunday, the trail up Humboldt was clear and dry 99% of the way.

Image 3: On our way to the saddle. Stay on the trail. A lot of work has been put into restoring the hillside from folks cutting switchbacks.

Image 6: The saddle offers a great spot to view the Peak and the Needle. The clouds blew off enough for us to get a great view.

Image 8: Broken Hand pass is has a lot of snow still.

There is a bit of snow you have to pick your way around as you reach the summit, but no big deal at all. We saw about 12 people on the mountain the whole day. We had a nice break on top with a couple and their daughter in the windbreak on the summit. After about 20 mins on top, we headed down the same route.

Image 5: On top of Humboldt. The wind break is in good shape and makes for a nice break on top.

We packed up camp and packed out Sunday afternon, avoiding the creek crossing by taking the eastern trail that parallels the creek and puts you out just before the last creek crossing. While we weren‘t knee deep anywhere, there is a lot of water in the trees - we were in water or mud about 30% of the time with water coming down the trail everywhere. Water is just part of the scenery this time of year.

Image 10: Back at the truck. Peak #3 climbed! Way to go!

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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