Scatter Benchmark 6.25.07

Today's escapades had eerie similarities to my trip from last week. Again the weather was much improved over the previous day's unsettled mess. Again I was forced to try my planned trip in reverse. Again I was only able to summit a point that is not on my list. Again I changed my descent to enjoy a nice snowy basin. Again I had a wonderful day! After making my way more than half way down the Salmon La Sac Road I realized that I had forgotten to leave a map or any directions for my intended route with my wife. This was unsettling to me because no one would have any idea where I was or where I was going. This is not a good recipe for a solo hike. I parked just before Scatter Creek even though I was pretty sure I could have driven across without incident. I thought why risk it. I could see the sign for the North Scatter trail, was that my trail? I thought I remembered that there was two different Scatter trailheads. I didn't remember seeing one on the way in. I thought I better go back and look to be sure. My maps don't do this area justice the North Scatter trail is not listed on my maps. I found the South Trailhead and parked. I packed up and was off just after Noon. My goal for the day was to climb Solomon Mt. (aka Fisheagle Peak) but because I hadn't left any directions I thought it better to stay on trail as much as possible. I was sure I could make the Scatter Benchmark without being too far off trail. Patchy snow obscures the trail but there is never too long of a stretch where the trail doesn't show itself. Once I reached more consolidated snow I just kicked stepped my way to the ridgeline and headed east along the easy ridge. I had no trouble making Pt. 6897 and then continued East toward Scatter Two (Pt.6953). I looked down the South side where I could have done a steep traverse to get to the Saddle just to the SW of Scatter Two. I didn't think I wanted to continue on this route solo so I retraced my steps. Looking down on the snowy basin below me I thought I would mix it up and still make a loop out of the day. I was able to drop 700ft quickly on snow and then just dropped some rockslides until I was able to reach forest again. The grade is very pleasing and I had no trouble connecting with the trail at the creek crossing at 5040ft. I dropped pack and had a nice lunch before I made my way back to the car.




Approx 12 miles 3600ft of climb 5:45 car to car

Fortune Peak 6.18.07

With a rare week off from hiking last week I was excited to get out again. I was hoping to do a loop trip going over Ingall's Pass traversing Headlight Basin and summit Ingall's South Peak. From the South Peak I hoped to head South to Fortune Mt. and drop to the Esmeralda Basin and back to the car. I was very happy to have the weekend's awful weather change to perfect and remain that way for the entire day. I reached the trailhead and was off just after noon giving me plenty of time. When I reached the Ingall's Way junction I was dismayed that the trail bans dogs. I try to be respectful of policy whenever it is feasible. I decided that I would reverse the trip and go over Fortune first. The trail is gently graded and there was plenty of snowmelt for the dogs to drink. I made great time to the pass over Lake Ann and started to make my way up Fortune's west ridge. I found the going easier coming from more of a Southerly direction. I was careful to watch for the dog induced rock fall. I was expecting some unpleasant loose scree but for the most part the footing was quite good. After a few false summits I popped out on Fortune's summit. I had already taken a ton of pictures of the Esmerelda Peaks on the way up so I directed my lens more to Ingalls and of course Stuart towering over me. I had hoped to continue due North to bag South Ingalls. I had read some reports stating that there were ""no special problems"" on this route. Sadly this traverse would be more than I felt comfortable doing solo. I could see the Ingalls trail pounded by heavy weekend traffic below me. I couldn't resist dropping the snowy basin below me to continue my planned loop. The drop off the summit intially was not steep but became steep enough for me to drop down facing the hill. It probably wasn't necessary but I felt it safer. Once the rock outcroppings were out of my way I plunged stepped in a descending traverse ending in nice butt glissade. I crossed the trail and found a melted out spot and had lunch. As I ate my lunch I watched to climbers trying to reach the col between North and South summits. I was suprised to see them turn around after passing what looked like the worst of it. I had plenty of time so I very leisurely made my way back to the car.




Approx 8 mile 3200ft of climb 5:45 car to car

Jolly Mt, Humerous Hill 6.5.07

Of late the weather hasn't been my friend. With the recent high temps I was glad to see a cooler forecast for Monday. I was concerned about the scattered showers forecasted but they didn't show themselves. I inverted my day and didn't hit the trail until the crack of noon. I didn't have any evening commitments and I was packing my headlamp. I wanted to give myself every opportunity to achieve the day's goal. The plan was to use road 4315 off of Salmon La Sac Road for my approach. I know this road is gated at 3300ft and again at 4300ft. On previous trips the first gate has been both open and closed. I had my fingers crossed that it would again be open. It was locked solidly. This forced an additonal 2.5 miles and 1000ft of climb. Undaunted I packed up and was off. The weather degraded to some light rain as I made my way up the good logging road. As I joined the Sasse Ridge trail the weather began improving. I followed the Sasse Ridge trail until it intersects with the Jolly Mt. trail. The ridge walk was mostly to entirely snow until the summit which was snowfree. The weather was now quite beautiful. I had a quick lunch and was off for the real goal off the day. I was hoping for a summit of Humerus Hill #76 on the BC/100. Humerus is the unnamed summit SE of Jolley Mt. It is a play on Elbow Peak which is further South. On the descent of Jolly I strayed a little to far West and dropped below the trail. This was a blessing because I found some great running water for the thirsty pups. I climbed back up and refound the trail just North of Pt 5756. As I rounded this point my goal appeared straight in front of me. I was suprised that the Northern side was quite steep. I followed the trail until I was South of Humerus and easily scrambled the remaining elevation to the summit. I was suprised that I couldn't find any summit register. I downclimbed back to the trail and made my way back towards Jolly. I wasn't looking forward to climbing the 800+ feet to regain Jolly's summit. I very thankfully crested Jolly and now was on the long walk to the car. I was pleased to make it out before dark.




18+miles 4500+ft of climb 9 hours car to car





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