"Winter Access" When does it begin?

[d_baker]

From what I remember sunshine’s winter ridge is via mill creek which would allow access this way.

The approaches are not the same.
I haven't done the Sunshine group from Mill Creek, but I have done the Pts from that area. The approach I used to gain the S ridge of 13,811' is about 1/2 mile before (E of...) the Mill Creek campground.
There's a meadow on the N side of the road that is where I started the bushwack up the S ridge route. I ascended 811' and traversed to 832' and retraced my track and descended the way I came up. That was in an early April spring snowpack.
My report with a map at end.

[CaptainSuburbia]

From what I remember sunshine’s winter ridge is via mill creek which would allow access this way.

The approaches are not the same.
I haven't done the Sunshine group from Mill Creek, but I have done the Pts from that area. The approach I used to gain the S ridge of 13,811' is about 1/2 mile before (E of...) the Mill Creek campground.
There's a meadow on the N side of the road that is where I started the bushwack up the S ridge route. I ascended 811' and traversed to 832' and retraced my track and descended the way I came up. That was in an early April spring snowpack.
My report with a map at end.

Thanks, I’d imagine during calendar winter there’s not enough hours in the day for a Sunshine > RC > UN’s and back

Maybe as a loop and good conditions? Last February I did Sunshine/RC in 8 hours at a relaxed pace.

[bmcqueen]

Thanks, I’d imagine during calendar winter there’s not enough hours in the day for a Sunshine > RC > UN’s and back

When I did the UNs 11/25/2017, I did RC/SS again as well as Sun Dog that day. 11:08 RT for that from Silver Creek TH without too much snow to deal with yet. Just RC/SS from Mill Creek in winter on 3/11/2018 was 9:35 car to car for me. It wouldn't be impossible to add the UNs - I would estimate it would add 4 hours RT to get both and get back to RC for the return - but you'd certainly be doing some of it in the dark, whether on the front end, back end or both. My spring season RC/SS from Mill Creek was a little faster on 4/13/2018 - 8:14 car to car.

[Tornadoman]

Thanks, Judd and Brad, I'm certainly not as experienced as you guys so I really appreciate it. I'll start lurking some TR's, plugging in some times, and mess around with garmin explore/caltopo. I suppose at the end of the day the UN's will come down to conditions if I were to make a loop. I don't have a problem hiking in the dark, but there's some type of intimidation hiking solo when it's below 0 degrees. I'll keep ya'll posted as I close in on them

I really try to avoid ending my hike in the dark in the cold months. I agree that it is pretty intimidating in the cold and snow to be honest, and your room for error gets a lot smaller in those conditions. Keep in mind that your days are a lot longer and it tends to be warmer in March than in Dec/Jan. Of course there also tends to be more snow on the ground in March, so that's a consideration as well depending on route. Lots of things to think about in the winter/snow season, I personally find myself doing mostly easy access peaks with very low avy danger.

[CaptainSuburbia]

Thanks, Judd and Brad, I'm certainly not as experienced as you guys so I really appreciate it. I'll start lurking some TR's, plugging in some times, and mess around with garmin explore/caltopo. I suppose at the end of the day the UN's will come down to conditions if I were to make a loop. I don't have a problem hiking in the dark, but there's some type of intimidation hiking solo when it's below 0 degrees. I'll keep ya'll posted as I close in on them

I should mention I had ideal conditions and weather with very little trenching. Not a big snow year either. 8.6 miles round trip. There are plenty of warm winter days so don't go when it's below zero. Maybe go with the intention of snowflaking SS/RC and if conditions allow go for the UN's. Otherwise, save them for an easy summer hike with your dog

[two lunches]

They close when there is too much snow for your vehicle

I guess I need to make more money so I can buy a lifted Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco..

I guess I had false hope some roads nearby would be plowed vs others not

T for time out.

capt i know you are super ambitious to get your climb on. winter 4wheeling is incredibly dangerous and you cannot “vehicle” your way out of it. please don’t be the person that buys a jeep thinking it will solve all their access problems. there is as much danger to learn about for that hobby as there is for winter mountaineering.

[two lunches]

i’m sure you can understand it’s difficult to tell sometimes with you

hike on

[d_baker]

I wish there was a sarcastic font...

[CaptainSuburbia]

The UN's and Supra last February.

20201025_130102.jpg (149.78 KiB) Viewed 2460 times

[bmcqueen]

Nice photo Cpt, those slopes look loaded. As I do more research is anyone familiar with "Sarah T" with the website 13ergirl.com? Very impressive beta and stat sheet..

One of the Frozen 14er finishers and pretty close to the winter Cents as well.

[CaptainSuburbia]

Nice photo Cpt, those slopes look loaded. As I do more research is anyone familiar with "Sarah T" with the website 13ergirl.com? Very impressive beta and stat sheet..

Thanks! The slopes are loaded, but the ridges were windblown.