Clinton Peak Trip Report 08/15/2010

Report Type	Full
Peak(s)	Clinton Peak - 13,866 feet McNamee Peak - 13,784 feet Traver Peak - 13,856 feet
Date Posted	08/15/2010
Date Climbed	08/11/2010
Author	kaiman

Tenmile/Mosquito Centennial Finisher - Clinton, McNamee, and Traver Peaks
Introduction After checking off my last Sawatch Range Fourteeners last week with a successful climb of Mount Columbia, I decided to continue this trend by completing climbs of all the Tenmile/Mosquito Centennial Thirteeners. With only two left (Clinton and Traver), this certainly seemed possible this summer, so I freed up some time in my schedule, and off I went. The Approach With the weather forecast looking good for Wednesday August 11th, I arrived at the Alma State Wildlife Area on County Road 4 around 7:30 PM Tuesday evening. Being tired from work and driving, I decided not to pitch my tent, but instead quickly set up camp in the back of my truck. After a cold and restless night, listening to the seemingly endless traffic on Highway 91, the alarm went off at 4:30 AM and I was soon up and rolling. Not wanting to even attempt driving up the Wheeler 4WD road, I parked above Montgomery Reservoir (near the Magnolia Mine) and was on the trail by 5:15. Even though it had not rained in the area for several days, it was still plenty wet and muddy and I was glad to have my headlamp to help me navigate as I hiked the 3 miles up the rough road to reach Wheeler Lake. The worst part was the last quarter mile below Wheeler Lake, which was both rough and loose and had the entire outlet stream from the lake running down the center of it. Nevertheless, I arrived at the lake around 7:05 AM. Near the lake, I ran into a group of deer getting a drink from a side stream. Alpenglow on Clinton, McNamee, and Traver Peaks Mount Silverheels in the morning sun A young buck near Wheeler Lake The Climb At the lake, I took a quick break, ate a snack and removed some clothes in preparation for the rest of my climb. I then followed a trail around the left side of Wheeler Lake and began climbing up the steep rocky gully into the basin above on a distinct trail. Traversing around the south side of Wheeler Lake The infamous rusting car Beginning the ascent up the steep gully above Wheeler Lake Looking back on the climb up into the lower basin above Wheeler Lake At the top of the gully, the trail became faint, but the route was obvious, and I traversed along the northwest edge of the basin passing tailing piles, shafts, and other remnants of mining activity in the area. The basin below Clinton and Traver Peaks (Traver Peak can be seen in the distance on the right) Mount Lincoln as seen across Platte Gulch Staying away from the marshy meadows and creek to my left, I continued to climb up the basin and on to the shoulder of Clinton Peak. After about a half mile of hiking, I left the basin and began to climb steeply up the talus and dirt covered slope towards the ridge. In retrospect, I could have probably continued up the basin for another half mile or so before beginning my ascent towards the summit, but I was a bit worried about having to cross the steep snowfields I had noticed on Clinton's northern face during my approach and decided to ascend to the ridge as soon as possible. Wheeler Mountain and Wheeler Lake from the shoulder of Clinton Peak Reaching the ridge on Clinton Peak After climbing for about 30 minutes, the angle of the slope moderated and I reached the ridge as views of surrounding peaks began to open up before me. Drift, Fletcher, and Quandary Peaks from Clinton Peak's summit ridge From here I followed the well-defined trail for about a quarter mile, over one false summit, before reaching the top of Clinton Peak around 9:20 AM. The summit of Clinton Peak Traver and McNamee Peaks seen from just below Clinton Peak's summit Looking south towards Fremont Pass (Clinton Reservior and Jacque Peak can be seen in the center) On the summit, the wind picked up dramatically and I could see a line of rain clouds to the south headed my way. I decided if I was going to finish the traverse I should continue, so almost without pause, I was off towards McNamee Peak. I descended for about 5 minutes along the somewhat rough ridge, before reaching the saddle between Clinton/McNamee and began to climb gently over a couple small humps towards McNamee's summit, where I topped out around 9:50. The ridge between Clinton and McNamee Peaks Here I could clearly see the rest of the route to Traver Peak, and after pausing momentarily to watch and ponder the activity at the Climax Mine below me, kept on truckin'. I was soon climbing Traver's southwest slopes. While a fairly well-defined trail winds along the north side of the ridge, for most of my ascent I chose to stay close to the ridge crest as possible encountering several fun sections of easy Class 2+/Class 3 scrambling along the way. Traver Peak from the summit of McNamee A rough section of the ridge on Traver Peak Approaching Traver Peak's summit I arrived on Traver's summit around 10:15 AM and stopped to take in the views, snap some photos, and take a break for about a half hour before beginning my long descent back down into Platte Gulch. I was surprised how well I could see the Elk Range from Traver's summit: Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells from the summit of Traver Peak Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak as seen from the top of Traver My descent back to Wheeler Lake was fairly uneventful and I arrived at the shoreline just a few minutes before 12 PM. Descending off of Traver Peak back towards Wheeler Lake Arctic Gentian (Gentiana algida) in Platte Gulch Looking back on my descent route from Traver Peak Bear paw print in the mud near Wheeler Lake From here I took my time hiking out the 4WD road back to the trailhead arriving at my truck around 2:15 PM. Conclusion In conclusion it was another great day in the Tenmile/Mosquito Range with 3 successful summits, 10 miles round-trip, and 3,250 feet of elevation gain. A rough section of the 4WD road below Wheeler Lake One of the many pond size puddles on the Wheeler Trail 4WD road (notice the small trail through the willows on the lefthand s Mount Democrat looms over upper Platte Gulch Definitely not a 4WD road for stock SUVs The remnants of the Magnolia Mine complex Notes: The Wheeler Lake road is on a par with the Lake Como and former South Colony Lake Roads and should not be attempted by stock 4WD vehicles. In addition to being really rough in spots, there are several sections that require specialized lifts, tires, and other equipment. So if you choose to drive this road, come prepared for some serious off-roading. Also note that the Wheeler Lake road has about a dozen sections on it with 6-10 inches of standing water that is unavoidable to those traveling on foot. Luckily, the Forest Service (or some group of smart and courteous trail workers) has added small trails through the trees/willows on the north side of the road which will help hikers get around these spots. Finding them is key and will help you keep your feet dry and make your climb much more enjoyable. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Tenmile/Mosquito Centennial Finisher - Clinton, McNamee, and Traver Peaks

Introduction

After checking off my last Sawatch Range Fourteeners last week with a successful climb of Mount Columbia, I decided to continue this trend by completing climbs of all the Tenmile/Mosquito Centennial Thirteeners. With only two left (Clinton and Traver), this certainly seemed possible this summer, so I freed up some time in my schedule, and off I went.

The Approach

With the weather forecast looking good for Wednesday August 11th, I arrived at the Alma State Wildlife Area on County Road 4 around 7:30 PM Tuesday evening. Being tired from work and driving, I decided not to pitch my tent, but instead quickly set up camp in the back of my truck.

After a cold and restless night, listening to the seemingly endless traffic on Highway 91, the alarm went off at 4:30 AM and I was soon up and rolling. Not wanting to even attempt driving up the Wheeler 4WD road, I parked above Montgomery Reservoir (near the Magnolia Mine) and was on the trail by 5:15.

Even though it had not rained in the area for several days, it was still plenty wet and muddy and I was glad to have my headlamp to help me navigate as I hiked the 3 miles up the rough road to reach Wheeler Lake.

The worst part was the last quarter mile below Wheeler Lake, which was both rough and loose and had the entire outlet stream from the lake running down the center of it. Nevertheless, I arrived at the lake around 7:05 AM. Near the lake, I ran into a group of deer getting a drink from a side stream.

Alpenglow on Clinton, McNamee, and Traver Peaks

The Climb

At the lake, I took a quick break, ate a snack and removed some clothes in preparation for the rest of my climb. I then followed a trail around the left side of Wheeler Lake and began climbing up the steep rocky gully into the basin above on a distinct trail.

Traversing around the south side of Wheeler Lake

Beginning the ascent up the steep gully above Wheeler Lake

Looking back on the climb up into the lower basin above Wheeler Lake

At the top of the gully, the trail became faint, but the route was obvious, and I traversed along the northwest edge of the basin passing tailing piles, shafts, and other remnants of mining activity in the area.

The basin below Clinton and Traver Peaks (Traver Peak can be seen in the distance on the right)

Mount Lincoln as seen across Platte Gulch

Staying away from the marshy meadows and creek to my left, I continued to climb up the basin and on to the shoulder of Clinton Peak. After about a half mile of hiking, I left the basin and began to climb steeply up the talus and dirt covered slope towards the ridge.

In retrospect, I could have probably continued up the basin for another half mile or so before beginning my ascent towards the summit, but I was a bit worried about having to cross the steep snowfields I had noticed on Clinton's northern face during my approach and decided to ascend to the ridge as soon as possible.

Wheeler Mountain and Wheeler Lake from the shoulder of Clinton Peak

After climbing for about 30 minutes, the angle of the slope moderated and I reached the ridge as views of surrounding peaks began to open up before me.

Drift, Fletcher, and Quandary Peaks from Clinton Peak's summit ridge

From here I followed the well-defined trail for about a quarter mile, over one false summit, before reaching the top of Clinton Peak around 9:20 AM.

Traver and McNamee Peaks seen from just below Clinton Peak's summit

Looking south towards Fremont Pass (Clinton Reservior and Jacque Peak can be seen in the center)

On the summit, the wind picked up dramatically and I could see a line of rain clouds to the south headed my way. I decided if I was going to finish the traverse I should continue, so almost without pause, I was off towards McNamee Peak.

I descended for about 5 minutes along the somewhat rough ridge, before reaching the saddle between Clinton/McNamee and began to climb gently over a couple small humps towards McNamee's summit, where I topped out around 9:50.

The ridge between Clinton and McNamee Peaks

Here I could clearly see the rest of the route to Traver Peak, and after pausing momentarily to watch and ponder the activity at the Climax Mine below me, kept on truckin'.

I was soon climbing Traver's southwest slopes. While a fairly well-defined trail winds along the north side of the ridge, for most of my ascent I chose to stay close to the ridge crest as possible encountering several fun sections of easy Class 2+/Class 3 scrambling along the way.

A rough section of the ridge on Traver Peak

I arrived on Traver's summit around 10:15 AM and stopped to take in the views, snap some photos, and take a break for about a half hour before beginning my long descent back down into Platte Gulch.

I was surprised how well I could see the Elk Range from Traver's summit:

Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells from the summit of Traver Peak

Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak as seen from the top of Traver

My descent back to Wheeler Lake was fairly uneventful and I arrived at the shoreline just a few minutes before 12 PM.

Descending off of Traver Peak back towards Wheeler Lake

Arctic Gentian (Gentiana algida) in Platte Gulch

Looking back on my descent route from Traver Peak

Bear paw print in the mud near Wheeler Lake

From here I took my time hiking out the 4WD road back to the trailhead arriving at my truck around 2:15 PM.

Conclusion

In conclusion it was another great day in the Tenmile/Mosquito Range with 3 successful summits, 10 miles round-trip, and 3,250 feet of elevation gain.

A rough section of the 4WD road below Wheeler Lake

One of the many pond size puddles on the Wheeler Trail 4WD road (notice the small trail through the willows on the lefthand s

Mount Democrat looms over upper Platte Gulch

Definitely not a 4WD road for stock SUVs

The remnants of the Magnolia Mine complex

Notes:

The Wheeler Lake road is on a par with the Lake Como and former South Colony Lake Roads and should not be attempted by stock 4WD vehicles. In addition to being really rough in spots, there are several sections that require specialized lifts, tires, and other equipment. So if you choose to drive this road, come prepared for some serious off-roading.

Also note that the Wheeler Lake road has about a dozen sections on it with 6-10 inches of standing water that is unavoidable to those traveling on foot. Luckily, the Forest Service (or some group of smart and courteous trail workers) has added small trails through the trees/willows on the north side of the road which will help hikers get around these spots. Finding them is key and will help you keep your feet dry and make your climb much more enjoyable.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Comments or Questions

JE242	Nice 8/15/2010 8:40pm Great shots! I'm nowfeeling inspired to hit these often overlooked peaks.
iluv80sgirl	Thank you! 8/17/2010 2:51pm For another great report!
kaiman	Thanks for the comments... 8/17/2010 3:44pm Glad you like the report.
Derek	Nice report 8/17/2010 5:43pm I enjoyed that trio last year, it was unexpectedly pleasant! It looks like you ascended a different slope than Greenhouseguy and I did up to Clinton. I think the slope we took ended right at the summit. I'd like to get back to that area again sometime to try Wheeler, but I sure won't be driving! :D Congrats on the peaks, and a very nice write up. --Derek
kaiman	Derek 8/17/2010 7:56pm Yep, I could have probably continued up the basin more before ascending to Clinton's summit ridge. From below it looked like there was a whole lot more snow along that ridge (which I was trying to avoid), but that wasn't the case. Anyway it worked. Yes, Wheeler looks like an interesting climb with some serious gulleys and Class 3 scrambling...

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