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Peak(s):  Mt. Wilson  -  14,256 feet
Date Posted:  10/20/2009
Modified:  10/21/2009
Date Climbed:   10/03/2009
Author:  Pappy
 Mount Wilson via NE ridge.   

Peak: Mount Wilson
Trailhead: Navajo Lake
Route: NE Ridge
Mileage: 16+ RT
Elevation gain: 5,200 ft.



10-2-09 Jake, Colten, and I packed into Navajo Basin from Navajo Lake Trailhead.

Navajo Lake (11,154 ft.)
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Treeline between Navajo Lake and Navajo Basin.
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Almost to Navajo Basin looking down on the emerald colored Navajo Lake.
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Great camp spot at roughly 12,200 ft overlooking Navajo Lake. Loving the alpine country! Didn‘t see any other people all day, had the whole valley to ourselves.
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View of Gladstone Peak and Mount Wilson from camp.
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It was nice to have an afternoon to enjoy the alpine country without rushing to climb a peak. I have to admit though, it was hard for me to look at Mount Wilson all afternoon and not give in and go climb it. I was suprised not to see a single marmot the whole time we were there. The last time we were in the basin there were marmots everywhere. Seemed a little early for hibernation.

Camp by moonlight.
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10-3-09 It was soooooo nice to actually have a good night sleep before climbing a 14er. So many rushed trips in the past to get to Colorado to climb being sleep deprived. Morning ritual over....time to see Mr. Wilson. Our route would be the NE ridge.

Near the bottom of the NE ridge.
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There was a couple of inches to several feet of fresh snow on Mount Wilson's north slope.

Gladstone Peak (13,913 ft)
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Great view looking across at El Diente ( (14,149 ft.)
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Lizard Head Peak (13,113 ft.) looking short from the notch of Mt. Wilson's Northern Summit.
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Coming off the Northern Summit
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Looking down on Gladstone.
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Jake in the notch below the true summit.
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View into Kilpacker Basin from the notch.
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Here's where it starts to get a bit sporty. Up until this point the climb up had been much easy than our last trip up El Diente. So close yet so far away... time to cowboy up! A short class 3 scramble with exposure to gain access to the final class 4 scramble. To add to the challenge ..there was a bit of snow and ice on the rocks.
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View of the traverse to El Diente from Mount Wilson's summit (14,264 ft).
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Wilson Peak (14,017 ft) , you can see the trail coming off the Rock of Ages saddle on the left side of the photo.
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Now that the summit enjoyment is over it's time to climb back off the summit block. That was not so much fun, especially with the slippery conditions.

Once back on solid ground we descended a snow shoot below the notch of the Northern summit.
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Our route going up in red, descent route in blue.
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A few feathered friends on the way down. They blended in so well we about stepped on them. Can you find all the ptarmigan?
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Another great climb...after 3 trips to this area, Jake and I finally finished the Wilson group.

Chicago Basin is next...the final 4...unfortunately I probably will have to wait until next year...darn the luck.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25


Comments or Questions
cftbq
User
Invigorating
10/22/2009 1:02am
Kudos for lugging your full packs so far to camp high up! Know what you mean, though, about that good night‘s sleep before a climb... Nice to see that you had superb weather for a late season climb. You may still want to go back one more time: the El Diente/Mt. Wilson traverse is dynamite.


craigjhn
User
Great pictures...
10/22/2009 5:51am
Some great shots there. Really liked the view from your campsite. Nice trip report.


KirkT
User
Amazed...
10/22/2009 7:19pm
at the lack of snowfall up there. There seems to be alot more snow in the central mountains this year. Great report. Thanks for sharing.

Kirk


globreal
User
Nice trip report...
12/25/2009 7:40pm
and photos! I‘m looking to do this group in 2010. So, thanks for posting!



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