Training in two new jobs in addition to working a third has been taking up alot of my time. I wanted to get out even though I needed to get back to go to work. I wasn't looking for anything overly challenging and I had Monahan Mountain on my list since I saw it from Stampede Pass a few weeks back. Despite it's modest elevation it does have some substantial prominence. I had some reports of a road that lead nearly to the summit so I headed to Easton to try to find it. I found a couple of roads that I thought might work and one had some footprints so I decided it would do. In retrospect I think there might be better access somewhere else but it worked. I parked about a mile West of Easton on Cabin Creek Road.
The rain that was present on the drive over evaporated into some broken sun and some warm weather. I followed the boot prints on the road until it started angling away from my destination. I left the road for the the trees. The trees were smaller and rather densely packed making for less than straight line travel. I came out on another road which I again followed for a short ways. I again left when the road started to descend I climbed to a small point where I could see some power lines. I headed to the access road for the power lines and soon was able to join the road which I again followed for a short ways. A spur road headed up more steeply and since it was packed from snowmobile traffic I followed. This road was in good shape and I made quick work to the the West Ridge of Monahan Mountain. I left the road and followed the ridge to the summit area. The snow was great and there was mostly open forest. There were a few areas that were rather steep but they were short lived. Soon I reached a point but the summit was still further East so I kept plugging aways as the sun broke through making for a nice way to finish.
I didn't have much time to linger since I had to get back home and get ready for work. I made good time back to the car. I was thankful to fit in another day out with my crazy schedule and to add a sunkissed summit to my list.
Approx 5 miles 1600' of climb 3 hours car to car
