Hey everyone. I am planning a backpacking trip in a couple of days to the Cirque - I don't have a lot of time there, and I had pretty much just planned to backpack/sight see/walk around/stare at lakes. However, now that the trip is coming up, I'm kicking myself for not doing more research on peaks in the area. I have an available morning that I'd love to use to summit something before hiking out and getting back to my car. Do you know of any peaks close to the Lonesome Lake area, that would be doable in a few hours from camp, that don't exceed class 3? Seems a shame to be in the area and not see things from high up, but I'm alone and a little out of practice for route finding in technical terrain.
While I'm here...I'm also headed to Glacier National Park for a few days. Again, I had planned to just spend my time hiking to lakes and over passes on established trails and whatnot, since I've never been there and don't have a backpacking permit, I was going to essentially play tourist. But, I'd LOVE the opportunity to summit a peak and get away from the crowds a little bit, within my class 3+ish comfort zone. I am of course doing my own research, but it's always nice to hear specific recommendations from the folks on this forum. Any advice for a week in Glacier would be very welcome - I'm biking the road one day but otherwise have essentially just picked a dozen trails off Alltrails. I'm sure all those beautiful popular lakes and passes have some fun peaks nearby and I could use a good scramble.
Thanks as always.
Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
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- Wildernessjane
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Re: Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
Glacier National Park is beautiful but expect high exposure with LOTS of kitty litter/scree. That said, Reynolds was a fun little day trip. We also really enjoyed this Quadra-Fecta route but there was plenty of nonsense involved: https://www.mountainproject.com/route/1 ... adra-fecta
As for the Cirque of the Towers, look into Mitchell Peak. We went up one of the technical routes and down a walk off route on the other side. The views are spectacular.
As for the Cirque of the Towers, look into Mitchell Peak. We went up one of the technical routes and down a walk off route on the other side. The views are spectacular.
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Re: Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
I believe Mitchell is Class 2 and it's on the way to the Cirque. Could either do it on the way in or out.
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Re: Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
Siyeh (pronounced Sigh-yee) is the easiest and most accessible of the park's 10,000-footers and can be dayhiked from the GTTS Road. It has a short scrambling section so goes YDS 2+ or maybe 3.
Note Glacier has its own class rating system based on the looseness of the rock, so when researching make sure you know whether the specified class is YDS or Glacier.
Note Glacier has its own class rating system based on the looseness of the rock, so when researching make sure you know whether the specified class is YDS or Glacier.
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
Re: Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
Mt. Mitchell is the easiest of the major peaks around the Cirque and has the best view of the Cirque itself.
Warbonnet has a class 3 route up it's west side.
If you head south the the area around Deep Lake East Temple is a spectacular ascent and isn't too hard.
Warbonnet has a class 3 route up it's west side.
If you head south the the area around Deep Lake East Temple is a spectacular ascent and isn't too hard.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
Re: Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
Camels Hump (12,537') in the Cirque is an exceptional half day from camp 3rd class scramble on great rock. There is maybe? one 4th class move just below the summit but otherwise pretty moderate with some exceptional views.
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Re: Easy summits in Cirque of the Towers or Glacier NP?
Thanks so much everyone! Definitely gonna take a look at Mitchell Peak and Camel's Hump.